Illustrated Gazetteer of the Maritime Countries (Vol. 30)

The territory of Russia original: 俄羅斯; O-lo-ssu is situated in a remote and secluded corner of the Great Northwestern Sea. However, they are known to be very sincere and respectful. When Galdan the leader of the Dzungar Khanate scouted their lands and pressured them to provide him with grazing pastures, the Russian officials refused him and gave no reply. The successors then sent envoys to delineate the borders, promptly yielding the lands of Nerchinsk original: 尼布楚; Nipchu to serve as the eastern boundary.

Nerchinsk and its surrounding areas were originally the tribal lands of the Buryats original: 布拉忒; Bulat and the Uriankhai original: 吳郎海. These people dwelt in the forests and made their living by hunting sable Sable; a small carnivorous mammal highly valued in the Qing period for its luxurious fur, which was used in court robes and as a primary trade commodity. They were known to others as the "People of the Soil." Later, as Russia grew in strength, it annexed these peoples. The city where their king resides is called Moscow original: 莫斯科. The fact that they offered to return this land [Nerchinsk] is something that truly deserves careful consideration.

They are situated near the great northwestern sea, very far from the Capital. According to tradition, their nation was originally weak and its territory narrow.

Initially, they lived near the sea. Later, by borrowing military strength from the nation of Sifeiyesike likely a phonetic rendering of Siberia or perhaps "Scythia"; the text suggests early military cooperation with neighboring western powers, they gradually became powerful. Relying on the assistance of that country—which provided thousands of soldiers and provisions—they were able to claim the title of Khan referring to the Tsar. Over twenty-three generations, they gathered various tribes and eventually became the dominant power in the Northwest.

Their history spans over five hundred and fifty years. They annexed Kazan, Tobolsk, and other places over a period of more than one hundred and sixty years.

Today, their territory spans nearly twenty thousand li approximately 10,000 kilometers in breadth. It is divided into eight "provinces" Dao; literally "circuits," used here to describe the administrative divisions of the Russian Empire. The first province is called Moscow, which is the capital. One province extends from the east of the Tobol River original: 托返兒河 to Nerchinsk, where it meets the border of China; this is called Siberia original: 西畢; Xibi where the King of Russia's power ends. The other six provinces are called Kazan, Sike possibly Pskov or Sarsk, and Voronezh original: 佛羅尼使斯科. Altogether, from these...