TO THE COAST OF AMERICA. 2$ 



lence at laft that about the middle of the winter they began 

 to die, and the reft were extremely reduced. The ru- 

 mour of this foon fpread among the natives ; and it was 

 prefently remarked that meetings were frequently held 

 among thofe that dwelt at a diftance. Of this I had in- 

 telligence from the Konaeges that were really attached 

 to us, with the addition, that in thefe affqpublies plots 

 were already hatching againft us ; therefore they waited 

 for no farther intimation from me, but immediately 

 haftened away to difperfe them, and brought the ring- 

 leaders back with them to me, whom, after a clofer 

 examination into their deligns, I found it necefTary to 

 keep in confinement. On the 9th of April I difpatched 

 one of my people, with a thoufand of the peaceable 

 Konaeges, who, from their entire devotion to me, 

 pledged themfelves to conduct this man fafe to the 

 Uginlkoi, or, as they are called by Bering, the Berg - 

 iflands, and take him to the trading company efta- 

 bliihed there, whom I informed in the letter I fent by 

 him of the misfortune that had befalleh me by the 

 breaking out of the fcurvy, intreating them to give 

 me all poffible affiftance. However, prefently after 

 my mefTenger was fet out, the fcurvy began to abate. 



On the 2d of May, I fent, on board four baidars, 52 

 ruffian failors, 1 1 Aleutes from the Fox-iflands, and 

 no Konaeges in baidarks, to the eaftern fide, with di- 

 rections to make themfelves acquainted with the in- 

 habitants of the iflands on the coaft of America, as far 

 as the bays of Kinailk and Ergatfk, to examine the pro- 

 duels, and to take notes in writing of whatever they 

 faw ; and to continue their navigation, till the weather 

 would allow them to proceed no farther. The million 



c 4 returned 



