Sino-Russian War on the Amur

Abstract

As stated earlier the Russians reappeared on the Amur owing to the withdrawal of the Chinese from Albazin and to the greedy expansion of Russia toward the Amur. Although Spathary had directed that the Russians were not to navigate the lower Amur and Dzeya nor collect tribute from the Tunguzians, his directions were disregarded. In 1676 a Yashnoi Simovie was built at the mouth of the Gilui from whence parties went to the upper Dzeya to collect tribute. In 1678 Zeisko ostrog was built at the mouth of the Numisha (Amumish), and many tribesmen were forced to pay tribute to Albazin. In 1679 Selimbinskoi ostrog was built on the Slimba and Dolonskoi ostrog on the Dolonza. In 1681, the Russians built an ostrog on the Arguni, the first one, in that region. In the same year, several ostrogs were built on the Dzeya and its branches, interfering greatly with Chinese hunters and traders. China remonstrated but was loath to act. In 1683 a Russian party from Albazin found on the Bureya River, twenty Chinese hunters and traders burnt them alive in their huts, and carried away whatever property they had. Moreover, many Chinese criminals fled to Albazin where they were protected. It also became difficult at times for China to gather tribute from certain native tribes who tried to play off one government against the other. These matters irritated China and finally drove her to take up arms.¹