[ * 9 1
A C C O U N T
O f T H E
R U S S I A N D I S C O V E R I E S .
C H A P , p
Commencement and progrefs o f the Ruffian Bifcoverles
in the fea of Kamtcbatka— General dwifion of the
New DiJ.'covered IJlands.
X Thirft after riches was the chief motive which
excited the Spaniards to the difcovery o f America;
and which turned.the attention of other maritime nations
to that quarter. The fame paffion for riches occaiioned,
about the middle of the fixteeiith century, the difcovery
and conqueft of Northern Alia, a country, before that time,
as „unknown to the Europeans, as Thule to the ancients.
The firft foundation of this conqueft was laid by the Con'vie(lof
celebrated Yermac *, at the head o f a band of adventurers,
lefts civilized, but at the fame time, not fo inhrn-
rrtan as the conquerors of America. By the acceffion of
this vaft territory, now known by the name of Siberia, the
Ruffians have acquired an extent of empire never before
attained bjr any other nation.
.* f i l e reader will find an account o f this conqueft by Yermac in
Tart II. Chap. I.
D 2 Tire