The Voyage of La Pérouse 1785-1788
Captain Jean-François de Galaup de La Pérouse was instructed to explore the coasts below the Bering Strait to establish a French market in the area. Russia had already established a fur trade between the northwest coast of America and the northeast coast of Asia to supply Asian demand for pelts. Based in the Aleutians, the Russians had mastered China’s complicated trade requirements. In spite of Russia’s precedence and experience, France sought to establish its own market between the coasts. The Astrolabe and the Boussole made a stop at Easter Island on their way to the North Pacific Ocean.	The Monuments of Easter Island (detail) from Voyage de La Pérouse Autour du Monde. Paris: Imp. de la République, 1797.
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