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CHAPTER III.
PLANS FOR BERING’S FIRST EXPEDITION.—PETER THE
GREAT’S DESIRE TO KNOW THE EXTENT OF HIS EMPIRE.
—THE NORTHEAST PASSAGE.
THE equipment of Bering’s first expedition was one of
Peter the Great’s last administrative acts. From his
death-bed his energy set in motion those forces which in
the generation succeeding him were to conquer a new
world for human knowledge. It was not until his mighty
spirit was about to depart this world that the work was
begun, but the impetus given by him was destined to be
effective for half a century; and the results achieved still
excite our admiration.
Peter was incited to undertake this work by a desire
for booty, by a keen, somewhat barbaric curiosity, and by
a just desire to know the natural boundaries of his
dominion. He was no doubt less influenced by the
flattery of the French Academy and other institutions than
is generally supposed. His great enterprise suddenly
brought Russia into the front rank of those nations which
at that time were doing geographical exploration. Just
before his death three great enterprises were planned:
the establishment of a mart at the mouth of the river
Kur for the oriental trade, the building up of a
maritime trade with India, and an expedition to search for
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