than half a century there will be very few of them left. 
By Major Behm’s account, there are not now more than 
three thoufand who pay tribute, the Kurile iflanders in¬ 
cluded. 
I underhood that there are at this time, of the military, 
in the five forts of Nichnei, Verchnei, Tigil, Bolcheretfk, 
and St. Peter and St. Paul, about four hundred Ruffians and 
Coffacks, and near the fame number at Ingiga, which, 
though to the North of the peninfula, is, I learned, at pre- 
fent under the Commander of Kamtfchatka; to thefe may 
be added the Ruffian traders and emigrants, whofe numbers 
are not very confiderable. 
The Ruffian government, eftablhhed over this country, 
is mild and equitable, confidered as a military one, in a 
very high degree. The natives are permitted to choofe 
their own magiftrates from among themfelves, in the way, 
and with the fame powers they had ever been ufed. One 
of thefe, under the title of Town, prefides over each ojirog ; 
is the referee in all differences; impofes fines, and inflicts 
punifhments for all crimes and mifdemeanors ; referring to 
the governor of Kamtfchatka fuch only as he does not 
choofe, from their intricacy or heinoufnefs, to decide upon 
himfelf. The Tlion has likewife the appointment of a civil 
officer, called a Corporal, who affifts him in the execution 
of his office, and in his abfence a£ts as his deputy. 
By an edi£l of the prefent Emprefs, no crime whatfo- 
cver can be punifhed with death. But we were informed, 
that in cafes of murder (of which there are very few), 
the puniffiment of the knout is adminiftered with fuch 
feverity, that the offender, for the moft part, dies un¬ 
der it. 
The only tribute exacted (which can be confidered as 
little 
