Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1739 edition. Excerpt: ... THE Travels of Father Gerbillon DEGREES A Jesuit and French Missionary in China, into Tartary. The First Travel in the Tear 1688. H E Moscovites, being by little and little advane'd to the very Frontiers of China, built a Fort upon the Great River, which the Tartars call Saghalien oula, and the Chinese, Talong chiang: The Moscovites call this Fort Albafin, and the Tartars and Chinese, Tacsa, from a Rivulet of that Name which at this Place empties itself into the Great River. The Emperor of China sent some Troops who took and raz'd the Fort: The Year after the Moscovites rebuilt it; but they were besieg'd a second time, and considering that this War might be attended with Consequences prejudicial to them, theydesir'd the Em* peror of China to end it amicably, and to appoint a Place for holding the Conserences for a Peace. That Prince receiv'd with pleasure' the Propofals which they made him, and promis'd to send one of his Subjects to the River Selengue to treat, with them. It was in the beginning of the Year 1688 that he intrusted this Negotiation to two of the Great Lords of his Court: The first was Prince Sosan Captain of the Lise-Guard, and Minister of State; the second Tong la oye, Commander of an Imperial Squadron, and Uncle by the Mother's side to the Emperor: He ordered . that they should be attended by many Mandarins of difserent Orders: At the fame time he did us of the Mission the Honour to name Father Thomas Pereyra, a Portuguese Jesuit, and me to go the Journey, that if the Moscovites in the Conserences should use the Latin, or any other European Language, we might be the Interpreters. As the Emperor intended to make the principal Mandarins some Present before their Departure, their Names were presented to him the 5th of M
