[ io ] 
The government being now fufficiently 
informed of the nature and fimation of 
thofe feas, lands, iflands and people, the 
matter refted there. 
Catharine II. when fhe came to 
the Crown, invited fome Ruffian mer- 
chants to extend their trade to thefe di- 
flant regions, offering them her pro- 
tection, and the afliftance of the gover- 
nors and commanders in the different 
parts of Siberia ; and in the firft years of 
her reign, Hie was rewarded for her zeal, 
by the difcovery of fome new iflands. 
oppoiite to the gulph of Olutora (a), which 
afforded choice furs of black foxes and 
beavers. 
To 
(a) This gulph, and the iflands that were dif- 
covered over againft it, derive their name from the 
river Olutora, which runs into this bay from 
the weft. 
