C 420 ) 
Qpon which the U^ft-hdian Gompany of the United Nether- 
Imds omitted neither ftudy, nor care, to find out apaffage through 
the North-Eaftern Sea for thofe who were to return into Europe 
fromthe Eaft-fo^/^j. 
There was then much difcourfe of the Gulf of Anhn ^ by 
which a paflage was faid to be open into the Tartarian Sea : And 
fomething they underftood from the people of Japon and the 
Portuguejesy of the Country of Jezz$ which lay dhovt japon. 
But not refting fatisfied with the bare relation, 
v-'^""^^*^®^* intheyearss^and 53 f fent out fomc dex- 
cfThtf. Tr^as, P.26W ^^^^^ perfon^ to difcovgr thofe coafts 5 who 
pafiing beyond the fiftieth degree of Northern-latitude, 
arrived upon the coaft of Jez^zo^ where they fell into a narrow 
Sea, yet broad and convenient enough to lead into the Northern 
Ocean* The oppofite Ihoars they called ^it 
Which u tnitid thi Compagme lanS and an Ifland feaied in 
^f.ireril "^''^ the middle of the Gulf they called 5)£t Bta- 
tert CplanD» Many things are written con^ 
cerning the ftateand condition of thefe Countries, and many more 
may be found in the Journals of the Matters of Ships and Pilots^ 
which are induftrioufly concealed. 
Whether this Land of 'jezz.o be annexed to 'japon or not , the 
Inhabitants of both Countries doubt , becaufe vaft and unacceflii- 
ble Mountains interpofe, which hinder the communication. Neir 
thcr doth it as yet clearly appear, whether this Land of Jez^zo 
be a part of tartary^ or whether by an arm of the Sea divided 
from it. The Chwefes affirm , that tartary runs three hundred 
China Leagues Eafl ward beyond their famous Wall : So that, if 
we follow thefe, the Country of Jezzo and Japm may leem to 
be annexed to Tartary ^ but thofe of Jezzo fay , that there runs 
an arm of Sea betwixt them and Tartary : Which opinion may 
feem to receive (bme confirmation from what thofe Hollanders 
affirm, whofhipwracked fome years fince upon Qreay a peninfule 
of China. They fay, that they faw there a Whale, uponwhofe 
back ftuck a Harping-Iron of Gafionyi And the credit of this 
aflfertion not being queftioned by any , ic is moft probably to 
beconjeflured, that this Whale pafTed from Spitzberg tbrougk 
tiie 
