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of this river stood formerly the Russian settlement, called Kossogolsko Ostrog.

17. On Mount Nouketou dabaga, at the source of the Narin Kharo, which also falls into lake Kossogol, forty-six wersts from the former.

18. At the eastern extremity of Mount Ergik targak taiga, at the source of the Tenggis, which flows on the south, and falls into the Chichkit, thirteen wersts from the former.

19. On Mount Toros dabaga, among the sources of the Khamsara Kem, which falls into the Beikem, and that of the Bede kem, which empties itself into the Khamsara Kem, on the right side of this river, 133 wersts from the former.

20. At the western extremity of Mount Ergik targak taiga, near the source of the Kenchen madan, which unites with those of the Ous, a river which runs towards the west, and disembogues into the Jenisei, 378 wersts from the former.

of the Chabina dabaga, and leads into Mongolia. It is of ancient construction, and is still passable for beasts of burden.

The final treaty between Russia and China was signed and published on the frontiers on the 21st October 1727 (o. s.); but having been drawn up in the name of the Empress Catherine I., of whose death they were then ignorant, it was not ratified till the 14th June following, in the name of the Emperor Peter II. By Art. II. of this treaty, it is stipulated that the fugitives of both empires are to remain where they are, and not to be reclaimed; but that any others who may in future pass the respective boundaries, shall be carried to the nearest posts of their respective empires, and Art. III. relates to there punished. the establishment of a commercial dépôt at Kiakhta, and the fixing of the boundary line in general.-Article IV. establishes the number of traders allowed to go to Pekin once every

21. On the left side of the Ous, three years, which is not to exceed eighteen from the former.

22. On a high and steep rock on Mount Khonin dabaga, which is called Knonin tag (sheep rock), nineteen wersts from the former. On the north side of this rock, the Mongol Khan Loodzang had a winding pass cut through the mountain, which leads from Mongolia to Siberia. Before that, there was no possibility of crossing this mountain, and even now it is but with the utmost difficulty that a passage is effected.

23. At the mouth of the river Kemtchyk, which comes from the west and falls into the Jenisei, eighty-five wersts from the former. This mayak is called Kem Kemtchyk Bom, or Kem Kemtchyk Boktsir; Bom signifying the steep bank of a mountain towards a river running through it.

24. Near Mount Chabina dabaga, 125 wersts from the former. The Territory of the Kouznetsk begins to the north of this mayak. A road coming from Siberia, cuts through the rocks

If on

two hundred. Mere traders are not to be maintained as they used to be; but no impost whatsoever is to be levied on them. On their arrival on the borders, they are to give notice of it in writing, upon which an officer is to be sent to meet and attend them, on account of the commerce. the road they purchase any camels, horses, or provisions, or hire any labourers, they are to do so at their own expense. The traders to be under the superintendence of a chief, who is to manage their affairs, and settle any differences that may arise among them. If this chief be a person of rank, he shall be received accordingly. All kinds of goods may be sold, except such as are prohibited by the laws of both empires. No one is to remain clandestinely, and without the permission of his chief, in the foreign country. If any one dies there, his property is to be given up to his countrymen. Besides the commerce carried on by the caravans of the two

empires, houses for the ordinary com meree shall be established on the respective frontiers, near Kiakhta, the Selengga, and Nibtchoo (Nertchinsk), and which may be surrounded with hedges and pallisades, if thought de sirable. Those who go to these places for commercial purposes, are to follow the direct road; and if any one, contravening this regulation, carries on trade in any other place, his goods shall be 'confiscated for the profit of government, An equal number of officers, under the orders of chiefs of equal rank, are to be established on both sides to watch over these places. By Art. V. it is agreed that Russian travellers are in future to reside in the hotel of that nation at Pekin; that a temple having been built adjoining it, under the superintendance" of the grandees of the Central Empire, charged with the affairs of the Oros (Russians)," the priest, then in the metropolis, is to reside in it with three assistant priests, who are all to be supported by the Chinese government. The Russians are to have the free exercise of their religion; and six Russian lads, acquainted with the Russian and Latin languages, are to reside, and to be supported in the same place, for the purpose of being instructed in the Chinese language, which individuals on their studies being completed, are to return to their country, without any impediment being thrown in their way. Art. VI. orders that letters going from China to Russia, are to be sent under the seal of the tribunal of the affairs of the external provinces, to the Russian senate, and letters from China to Russia, are to be transmitted to the same tribunal, under the seal of the Governor of Tobolsk. It farther fixes upon the officers on both sides who are to sign papers concerning deserters or thefts, and establishes that such correspondence between the respective authorities is to be carried on by special messengers, and by the road of Kiakhta alone, unless the business should be

urgent, when the shortest road may be taken. In cases of infraction of this regulation, the respective authorities are to inform each other of it, and punish the transgressors of their respective countries. Art. VII. refers to the boundary line near the river Oude, about which the Russian ambassador declared himself unauthorized to treat, at that time, as according to his expression, that part of the country was as yet but little known. He promised, however, that strict orders should be given to Russian subjects not to pass in that quarter, the limits anciently established; the Chinese declaring that they would punish every Russian subject they might find there upon their territory, allowing the Russian government to do the same with any Chinese they might find on theirs. Art. VIII. directs the punishment of commanders on the respective borders, who might delay the decision of any case for their own interest. Art. IX. relates to the reception and entertainment of ambassadors, and the forwarding of letters and messengers in their respective empires. If the former arrive in a year when commerce is not permitted, they are to carry no goods with them; and if any unnecessary delay is any where thrown in the way of the latter, neither the traders nor ambassadors of the country which shall have been guilty of such neglect, are to be received till satisfaction is given. Art. X. fixes the punishment of subjects deserting, military deserters, marauders, cattlestealers, hunters, &c., of both empires, on their respective territory; the first of which are to be executed on the spot where they are taken.

It was hoped that this treaty would have settled the quarrels between the two empires; but this was not the case. "The article X, respecting subjects violating the respective frontiers was worded so loosely, that it constantly gave rise to new discussions; till at last, Catherine II., in 1767, des

patched the commissary Kropotow, for the purpose of examining and altering the treaty, conjointly with the Chinese plenipotentiary, who had arrived for this purpose at Kiakhta. In consequence of this, a supplement to the treaty was agreed upon, and the Art. X. completely altered, and its provisions made perfectly clear and intelligible.

The line of demarcation which separates these two immense empires, begins in the west, near the river Bouktourma, and terminates in the east, on the shores of the sea of Okhotsk. Its breadth is from five, ten, or thirty fathoms, according to the nature of the country through which it runs. This line, in fact, belongs to neither of the two states, and forms their real border, which is to be protected by the two powers, and cannot be passed except at the places stipulated.

Guard-houses were placed at convenient distances, whose number, as well as the strength of their garrisons, was determined by the degree of population in the vicinity. The guard houses of the respective countries are all placed opposite each other, and at such distances as to admit of their mutually observing each other. They are commonly placed within five, ten, or twenty wersts from the border. The line of demarcation is carefully visited every day, not only for the purpose of preventing its being passed, but likewise to prevent all communication between the border tribes. In wild and mountainous parts, where the distances of the guard-houses are more considerable, the ground has been raised in various places for the purpose of indicating the direction of the frontier line. In those spots where it is crossed by a stream, posts were fixed on each side, and ropes of horse-hair drawn across, which were sealed up at both ends, so that it is impossible for any one to pass the border without perceiving it.

When the members of the congress had surveyed the whole line in 1727,

it was agreed that every post should be guarded by Mongol horsemen well armed; their number is from twenty to thirty men, whose commander is obliged to ride every day along the line, as far as the next guard-house. In desert parts, however, this visit is not made daily on account of the distance. The advanced posts stand close to the border, and consist of several men. The principal duty of the commanding officer is to examine every morning if there be any indication on the grass or sand, of people having passed the border during the night; and the Mongols have such an acute sight, that even on horseback, they can discover the smallest mark. As soon as any such trace is perceived, they alight from their horses and follow it up towards the neutral line without effacing it. If the trace is of a horse or any other domestic animal, it is surrounded by bits of wood or turf, in order to preserve it. After having stationed a sentinel near it, they advance towards the opposite post till they reach the first sentinel, to whom they cry out to send his commanding officer with an escort. The two parties then repair to the spot where the trace was found, in order to examine its direction. Then the respective officers surround the places where researches have been made, with fine strings fastened and sealed to planks of wood, in order to prevent other thieves or marauders from making use of them, for the purpose of crossing the border. The party to whose territory the trace leads, is now bound to follow it up, it order to find out if any stranger has arrived, or any theft been committed. If the deserters are found, they are taken to the guard-house, whither the officer from the opposite one is invited, in order that they may be delivered over to him. The parties are then tried, and the respective authorities informed of the result, in order that every party may receive the fullest satisfaction. It is thus that the line of de

marcation, established in 1727 and 1768, has been preserved to this day. The first commercial dépôt has been established near the Kiakhta, ninety-one wersts from Selenginsk, and the second near the Gan, which falls into the Argoun at Tsouroukhaitou. All other commerce and connexion between the two empires was at the same time stopped.

During the congress, Count Sawa gave a new organization to the Russian Mongols and Bouriates, who dwelt to the south and east of the Baikal. A body of armed men was formed for the purpose of guarding the frontiers. The chiefs of the tribes of Isangol, Sartal, Khori, and Podogrodskoi, were raised to the nobility in recompense for the services they had rendered at the congress; and pensions were settled on them and their descendants. Other chiefs were made members of the provincial courts of judicature, and the jurisdiction of their tribes entrusted to them. Every tribe received a standard to be displayed on great occasions. The chiefs of the Bouriates renewed their oath of allegiance, and were compelled to pay the whole amount of tribute for their subjects, and to furnish, in proportion to the strength of the tribe, horsemen, to guard the borders. Every outpost of these horsemen is commanded by a Russian subaltern.

A border chancery was established at Selenginsk, whence all couriers going to the Ourga and Pekin were to be dispatched. Nine wersts farther, on the banks of the Tchikoi, a small fort with a church was raised. The goods destined for China arrive here by water, whence it has become the principal dépôt, and the custom-house for the Chinese trade has been established here.

As soon as the congress had finished its labours in 1727, a caravan composed of 205 persons was despatched to Pekin, under the command of Lieut. Lange. In the following year the first Russian guard-house was built

near the Kiakhta. This fort was named Troitzoi Sawsk Krepost, but is generally called Kiakhta. The border and commercial gate between the two empires had been fixed three wersts farther in the valley watered by the Kiakhta. There were two border columns raised, near which the commercial dépôts were established on each side, at a distance of 120 fathoms from one another. The Chinese column bears the Chinese inscription Mai ye tchhu, and the Mandchou, Khôdaï ba, both meaning places of com

merce.

In the centre of the Russian dépôt, which, like that of the Chinese, is square, is the bazaar, built of wood, in which is a chapel built of stone. On the east is a church, and on the south, near the Chinese gate, are the barracks, the great guard-house, and the governor's house. The remainder of the space is occupied by the dwellings of the merchants. The whole is surrounded by chevaux-de-frise, and on each side is a gate, surmounted by a belfry. The Cossacs employed in the border service, together with their families, live outside the place, in a suburb, which contains, besides seve ral public offices, three chapels, and is also surrounded by chevaux-de-frise. A little higher up is the fort Troitskoi Sawsk, which contains a commercial dépôt, and some offices. The road thither is bordered on each side by a very high parapet; it is cut by a stream, the bridge over which is closed by chevaux-de-frise, which are raised to give a passage to carriages. A sentinel stands near it; and travellers and goods going to or coming from the frontiers, must pass through this gate. This little town has a considerable population, spacious streets, and the houses, although built of wood, have a very neat appearance. The crowd of merchants of various nations and tribes, together with their servants and the Cossacs of the garrison, give this place a very animated appearance. A suburb is appropriated for the accom

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modation of travelling merchants and Russian Mongols, the latter of whom resort here for the purpose of exchanging their cattle for merchandize. They have brokers of their own nation, and sometimes fifty of them engage for an annual pay to do the service of the Cossacs. Russian sants here exchange their furs, hides, and tallow, for Chinese articles. Upper Kiakhta seems to be the most important place of the two. From both sides of the border columns a row of chevaux-de-frise extends for several leagues along the border, in order to prevent the cattle sold by the Russians from returning home again. The Chinese town is called Mai maitehin (place of commerce.) It is larger than the Russian dépôt, and surrounded by pallisades, having three gates on the north side, and as many on the south. The gates towards Russia are hidden by a wooden screen, with the word Fou (luck) written upon it, and which is to secure them against the influence of the evil eye, and even of incantations. There are guard-houses on the four angles of the town, and a a fifth on the western front, which has to watch over the numerous carts on which the Russians bring their goods, and which they leave under their care. The Chinese have many gardens, wherein they grow their vegetables, without which they could not subsist. The stream is crossed by two bridges, near each of which are some wells of clear water, the water of the Kiakhta being so muddy as to render it unfit for use. The streets are straight, and lead from the gates, dividing the town into regular squares. On the central spot where the two principal streets intersect each other, is a tower of some height, with a place under it in which the government orders are posted up. These orders are commonly written in large characters, and pasted on boards. This tower is ascended by four flights of steps placed at the corners. Bells and sheets of metal and glass are suspended on the Asiatic Journ.-No. 102.

edge of the roof, and at the least draught of air produce a chime, which delights the Chinese. The houses closely adjoin one another, having seldom any windows towards the street. The principal entrance to each house leads into a yard, round which the chiefly built of clay. On the outside apartments are ranged. They are of the door one generally reads the name of the proprietor, the allegorical title of his shop, or the words, happiness and long life. Towards the yard, the houses and railings are painted with lively colours. On entering the door, the stranger is received by the master and his people, who drive away the large dogs from the yards, which are ready to tear every one to pieces. When seated in the drawing room, tea, sweet-meats, fruit, and tobacco are brought in. The rooms are either varnished or lined with painted or printed paper. The air is kept pure by means of a hole in the ceiling. The windows are made in the European fashion, with the exception of the pannels being filled up with fine paper instead of glass. In the middle of the window is an aperture which closes with a square of white mica, and which is opened when they want to look outside. The paper is protected against the effects of snow and rain by the projecting roof. Both streets and yards are kept exceedingly neat. The Chinese are very regular in their manners, but at the same time, extremely cunning. Those of them who trade here (for which privilege they pay a certain duty to their government) are all from the western parts of the provinces of Pet-che-lee and Chan-si. They are not allowed to have wives with them; and most of them have no other society than the young men who are in their service. Some rich men keep Mongol mistresses, who live under felt tents outside of the town. Most of the merchants speak the Mongol language, which they learn on their road hither. There are some, too, who speak the Russian well VOL. XVII. 4 M

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