APPENDIX. 



BERING'S REPORT TO THE ADMIRALTY FROM OKHOTSK, 

 DEC. 5, 1737.* 



jj^ROM the instructions forwarded to me by His 

 -■- Imperial Highness, I learn that the Imperial Col- 

 lege of Admiralty is inclined to the opinion that the 

 expedition is lingering along idly on account of my 

 heedlessness. This arouses in me no little anxiety 

 for fear that I may incur undeserved wrath; yet in this 

 matter I await the will of his Imperial Highness and 

 the most gracious resolution of the Imperial College. 

 For although, from the time the expedition was put 

 in my charge until the present time, I have faithfully 

 and diligently sought as quickly as possible to build 

 vessels, put out to sea, and begin the execution of 

 my work proper, everything has suffered delay on 

 account of unexpected obstacles over which I have 

 had no control. Prior to our arrival in Yakutsk, not 

 a single pood of provisions had been sent to Okhotsk 

 for the crew there, not a single vessel had been built 

 for transporting these provisions and supplies, and 

 not a single magazine had been built at the stopping 

 places on the Maya and Yudoma rivers. No laborers 

 were to be had, and no arrangements whatsoever had 



♦ Abridged from the Russian. 

 195 



