r * ]
I CANNOT clofe this addrefs to the reader without
embracing with peculiar fatisfacftion the juft occafion,
which the enfuing" treatifes upon the Ruffian difcoveries
and commerce afford me, of joining with every friend
of fcience in the warmeft admiration of that enlarged
and liberal fpirit, which fo ftrikingly marks the
character of the prefent Emprefs of Ruffia, Since
her acceffion to the throne, the inveftigation and difco-
very of ufeful knowledge has been the conftant objedt of
her generous encouragement. The authentic records of
the Ruffian Hiftory have, by her exprefs orders, been properly
arranged; andpermiffion is readily granted of in-
fpedting them. The moft diftant parts of her vaft dominions
have, at her expence, been explore^ and defcribed by per-
fons of great abilities and extenfive learning; by which
means new and important lights have been thrown upon
the geography and natural hiftory of thofe remote regions.
In a word, this truly great princefs has contributed
more, in the compafs of only a few years, towards
civilizing and informing the minds of her fubjedts, than
had been effected by all the fovereigns her predeceffors
fince the glorious sera of Peter the Great.
In
[ ]
In order to prevent the frequent mention o f the full
title of the books referred to in the courfe of this performance,
the following catalogue is fubjoined, with
the abbreviations.
Müller’s Samlung Ruffifcher Gefchichte, IX volumes, 8vo. printed at
St. Peterlburg in 1732, and the following years ; it is referred to in the
following manner : S. R. G. with the volume and page annexed.
From this excellent -colleftion I have made ufe o f the following
treatifes :
vol. II. p. 293, &c. Gefchichte der Gegenden an dem Fluffe Amur.
There is a French tranflation of this, treatife, called Hiffoire du
Fleuve Amur, um o , Amfterdam, 1766.
• vol. III. p. i , &c. Nachrichten von See Reifen, &c.
There is an Englifh and a French tranflation o f this work ; the former
is called “ Voyages from Alia to America for completing the Difcoveries
o f the North Weft Coaft o f America,” &c. 4*0, London, 1764. The
title o f the latter is Voyages et Decouvertes faites par les Ruffes, &c.
i2mo, Amfterdam, 176,6. p-413- NachrichtenVon der Hanlung in Sibirien.
Vo l. V I . p. 109, Sibirifche Gefluchte.
Vo l. VIII. p. 504, Nachricht Von der Ruflifchen Handlung nach
China.
Pallas Reife durch verfchiedene Provinzen des Ruflifchen Reichs, in
Three Parts, 4to, St. Petersburg, 1 7 7 t , 1773, and 1776, thus cited,
Pallas Reife.
Georgi Bemerkungen einer Reife im Ruflifchen Reich in Jahre, 1772,
III volumes, 4m, St. Peterfburg, 1775, cited Georgi Reife.
Fifcher Sibirifche Gefchichte, 2 volumes, 8vo, St. Peterfburg, cited
Fif. Sib. Gef.
Gmelin Reife durch Sibirien, Tome IV. 8vo. Gottingen, 1732, cited
Gmelin Reife.
, .■ b 2 There