For whatever reason, Peter’s orders to Bering strongly implied that the continents were in fact connected. Bering was directed to reach the place where Asia “is joined with America” and then continue along the coast “to any city of European possession.” If possible, he was to hail any European vessels he encountered and learn from their crews the names and mapping information applied to this new land. In other words, Peter wanted to know just how far his European rivals in the west were encroaching on the North American continent, and how long it would be before they were also knocking on his
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