Russia was in the mood to do things. The young savants who
thronged her capital were heady with visionary theories that were to
astonish the rest of mortals. Scientists, artisans, physicians,
monks, Cossacks, historians, made up the motley roll of conflicting
influences under Bering's command; but because Bering was a Dane, this
command was not supreme. He must convene a council of the Russian
officers under him, submit all his plans to their vote, then abide by
their decision. Yet he alone must carry responsibility for blunders.
And as the days went on, details of instructions rolling out from
admiralty, senate, and academy were like an avalanche gathering impetus
to destruction from its weight. He was to establish new industries in
Siberia. He was to chart the whole Arctic coast line of Asia. He was
to Christianize the natives. He was to provide the travelling
academicians with luxurious equipment, though some of them had forty
wagon-loads of instruments and carried a peripatetic library.
Early in 1733, the Second Expedition set out from St. Petersburg in
detachments to cross Siberia.
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