E 423 ] 
ivards America-, or fuch as have been made upori 
the Northern Coafts of AJia. And indeed it is but 
very much in general that I know the Succefs of 
this laft Expedition. What I do was communicated 
to me by Order of the Court, from the College of 
Admiralty, for me to make life of it in the Geo*’ 
graphy of RuJJia , which I was at that time charged 
with; 
They pafied along in fmall Veffels, coafting be- 
tween Nova Zemla and the Continent, at divers 
times, in the middle of Summer, when thofe Wa- 
ters are open. The firft Expedition was from the 
River Oby $ and at the Approach of Winter the 
Veffels Ihelterd themfelves by going up the Je- 
n't ska ; from whence the next Summer they returned 
to Sea, in order to advance further Eaft ward 3 which 
they did to the Mouth of the Lena > into which 
they again retired for the Winter- Seafon, 
The third Expedition was from this River, to the 
fartheft North- Eaft Cape of AJta. -But here they 
loft feveral of their Boats, and a great Part of their 
Crew, fo as to be difabled from proceeding, and 
from making the whole Tour, fo as to arrive at 
Kamchatka . 
It was however thought, that a further Attempt 
was then unneceffary, becaufe Captain Behring had 
already gone round that Cape, failing Northward 
from Kamfchatka . - 
The RuJJians have not attempted the Faffage round 
Nova Zemla j but as they have paffed between that 
Land and the Coaft of Ajia y and as the Dutch did 
formerly difeover the Northern Coafts of Nova 
Zemla , we may now be well affined, that that 
Country is really an I (land. 
I i i XV. 
