t 5 ] 
obliterated the very memory of this tran- 
fadlion, for many years. 
Peter the Great firfr. refumcd this 
important enquiry. He fent out feveral 
fea-officers, from the mouths of the ri- 
vers Lena, Indigirka and Kolyma. Some 
were ordered to coalt. along the north- 
eaft, and north of Siberia, and to try 
whether they could get round the pro- 
montories of Swetoi-Nofs, c Talatfchci-Nofs, 
or Tfckukotjkoi-Nofs, into the Pacific 
Ocean; fome others to undertake, in an 
oppoiite direction to the former, the na- 
vigation from Kamtfchatka towards the 
north-well, and to examine the fea in 
thofe parts, and obferve what lands or 
iflands they could difcover. Amongit the 
latter was Captain Be firing ; who, fooa 
after the death of Piter the Great, in 
the year 1728, got into the bay of Ana- 
