480 
APPENDIX, N° II. 
into lakes separated from the sea by quick- 
sands. 
The Dniester divides the Russian and Ottoman 
dominions. It is of considerable magnitude, 
and navigable for vessels of a middling size. 
Without much expense or trouble, it could be 
made navigable in a course of above 1500 
versts. A trade might be carried thereon, 
from the foot of the Krapatian chain of hills, 
through all Galicia, Buhavina, Podolia, Southern 
Moldavia, and Bessarabia, to the Black Sea. 
But certain circumstances, however, have 
always opposed and rendered abortive all 
mercantile speculations or attempts to profit 
by the course of this river, not only made by 
the Poles, but even the Genoese, who were in 
possession of this country, and had founded 
Akerman and Khotim as principal staple towns ; 
because its estuary was in possession of the 
Tahtars, and the upper part was under the 
dominion of the Turks ; people little fitted to 
inspire confidence in traders. The peace of 
1791 did away all difficulties, and this river 
consequently became an object of attention to 
Government. In general, it is deep : vessels, 
even in seasons of draught, not drawing above 
two feet water, may navigate it. Its upper 
part, however, has many shallows ; these in 
summer have not above two feet and a half 
