^38 FROM KAMTSCHATKA 



Cape Mulgrave coincides very accurately with 

 Cook's. 



According to my instructions, I was to have 

 looked for a safe anchoring-place in Norton Sound, 

 and from thence to proceed next year further to 

 examine the coast ; but as fortune directed me to 

 a hitherto unknown sound, which affords the safest 

 anchoring-places, and where an expedition by land 

 must be far more interesting than in Norton Sound, 

 I consider a voyage thither as quite unnecessary. 

 In compliance with the general wish of my com- 

 panions, I called this newly-discovered sound by my 

 own name, Kotzebue's Sound. Inconsiderable as the 

 discovery of this sound may be, it is an acquisition 

 to geography, and may serve the world as a proof 

 of my zeal; for, in truth, even fook has treated 

 this coast rather negligently. I certainly hope 

 that this sound may lead to important discoveries 

 next year, and though a north-east passage, may 

 not with certainty be depended upon, yet I believe 

 I shall be able to penetrate much further to the 

 east, as the land has very deep indentures. This 

 sound must in time afford essential advantage to the 

 trade in furs, as they are in abundance ; we our- 

 selves should have returned home with a rich cargo, 

 if trade had been part of our plan. In my opinion, 

 our government might establish several settlements 

 on the coast of Beering's Straits to the north, like the 

 English Hudson's Bay Company, which extends its 



