26 BEGINNING OF SECOND EXPEDITION 



i. According to my observation the waves of eastern Kamchatka 

 are smaller than in other seas, and I found on Karaginski Island large 

 fir trees that do not grow on Kamchatka. These signs indicate that 

 America, or some other land on this side of it, is not far from Kam- 

 chatka — perhaps from 150 to 200 miles. This could easily be ascer- 

 tained by building a vessel of about 50 tons and sending it to investiga- 

 gate. If this be so [the existence of such a country], a trade might 

 be established between the empire and the inhabitants of those 

 regions. 



2. Such a ship should be built in Kamchatka, because the necessary 

 timber could be obtained more easily. The same holds true in the mat- 

 ter of food — fish and game are especially cheap there. Then, again, 

 more help may be had from the natives of Kamchatka than from those 

 of Okhotsk. One other reason should not be overlooked; the mouth 

 of the Kamchatka River is deeper and offers a better shelter for boats. 



3. It would not be without advantage to find a sea route from the Kam- 

 chatka or Okhota River to the Amur River or Japan, since it is known 

 that these regions are inhabited. It would be very profitable to open 

 trade relations with these people, particularly the Japanese. And as 

 we have no ships there [in the Okhotsk Sea], we might arrange it with the 

 Japanese that they meet us halfway in their boats. For such an expedi- 

 tion a ship about the size of the one mentioned would be needed, or one 

 somewhat smaller might serve the purpose. 



4. The cost of such an expedition — not including salaries, provisions, 

 and materials for both boats, which can not be had there and would have 

 to be taken from here and Siberia — would be from 10,000 to 12,000 

 rubles. 



5. If it should be considered wise to map the northern regions of the 

 coast of Siberia — from the Ob to the Yenisei and from there to the Lena — 

 this could be done by boats or by land, since these regions are under 

 Russian jurisdiction. 



The question of a second voyage must have been raised even in 

 1730, for early in 1 73 1 arrangements for the undertaking were 

 already made. The desire to determine the relation of Asia and 

 America was not the only argument advanced in favor of the 

 expedition. Some of the reports on that subject submitted to the 

 Empress pointed out the benefits to be derived from territorial 

 and commercial expansion, additional naval bases, and the 

 discovery of precious metals. No doubt all these reasons had 

 their weight with those in authority. 2 



2 Archives of State, XXIV, No. 8, 1732; No. 9. 1732-1743- 



