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[Illustration: Track

_of the_

ECLIPSE’S LONG BOAT

_from_

SANNACK TO KODIAK

1807]




  A

  VOYAGE

  ROUND THE WORLD,

  FROM 1806 TO 1812;

  IN WHICH

  JAPAN, KAMSCHATKA, THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, AND
  THE SANDWICH ISLANDS WERE VISITED;

  INCLUDING

  A NARRATIVE OF THE AUTHOR’S SHIPWRECK ON THE
  ISLAND OF SANNACK, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT
  WRECK IN THE SHIP’S LONG-BOAT:

  WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE

  PRESENT STATE OF THE SANDWICH ISLANDS,

  AND

  _A VOCABULARY OF THEIR LANGUAGE_.


  BY ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.


  _Third American Edition--Illustrated by a Chart._


  CHARLESTON, (S. C.)

  PRINTED BY DUKE & BROWNE, 9 BROAD-STREET.


  1822.




  _Southern District of New-York, ss._

Be it remembered, That on the twenty-seventh day of November, in the
forty-first year of the Independence of the United States of America,
ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, of the said district, hath deposited in this
office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as author and
proprietor, in the words and figures following, to wit:

“A Voyage round the World, from 1806 to 1812, in which Japan,
Kamschatka, the Aleutian Islands, and the Sandwich Islands were
visited; including a Narrative of the Author’s Shipwreck on the Island
of Sannack, and his subsequent Wreck in the Ship’s Long-boat; with an
account of the present state of the Sandwich Islands, and a Vocabulary
of their Language. By Archibald Campbell. Illustrated by a Chart.”

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States,
entitled, “An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the
copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of
such copies, during the times therein mentioned;” and also, to an act
entitled, “An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled, An Act for the
encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and
books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times
therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of
designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints.”

  THERON RUDD,
  _Clerk of the Southern District of New-York_.




_Recommendation from his Excellency, the Governor of the State of
New-York._

The second edition of a voyage round the world, by Archibald Campbell,
has been recently published in New-York. The life of Campbell has
been marked by extraordinary sufferings; and as there is no doubt
of the authenticity of the work, I recommend it to the patronage of
the public, from a persuasion that the merits and misfortunes of the
narrator, entitle him to favorable consideration.

  DE WITT CLINTON.

  _Albany, March 2nd, 1820._


  _New-York, November 5th, 1819._

At a regular meeting of Morton Lodge, No. 108, (late No. 50,) held last
evening, at their Lodge room, in the City of New-York, the following
resolution was passed, viz.

“Resolved, that from the long acquaintance which we have had with
brother Archibald Campbell, his regular deportment while sojourning
with us, has induced this Lodge to recommend him, and they do recommend
him to the kind protection and friendship of the fraternity generally.”

  Extract from the minutes.

  S. W. ANDREWS, _Secretary_.
  DANIEL SICKELS, W. M.
  JOHN DEGEZ, P. M.


We, the undersigned, agree with the report of the officers of Morton
Lodge, No. 108, (late No. 50,) with respect to the deportment of
brother Archibald Campbell, and recommend him accordingly.

  RICHARD O. PEARSALL, W. M. _Benevolent Lodge_.
  JOSEPH FORRISTER, P. M. _Benevolent Lodge_.
  JAMES S. TAYLOR, _Secretary Benevolent Lodge_.
  ALEXANDER FRASER, _Treasurer Benevolent Lodge_.
  JAMES LYONS, Jun. P. M. _St. John’s No. 9, late No. 6_.
  G. LANSING, P. M. _Phœnix Lodge No. 40, late No. 11_.
  JAMES WEBSTER, W. M. _Abram’s Lodge, No. 83_.
  ROBERT YOUNG, P. M. _Abram’s Lodge, No. 83_.
  S. B. FLEMING, W. M. _St. John’s, No. 9, late No. 6_.




CERTIFICATE

_By the Hon. Thomas H. Perkins._

Archibald Campbell, the author of a “Voyage round the World,” made on
board the ship Eclipse, in which I was interested, having applied to me
to give him a certificate of the fact of his having been a seaman on
board said ship, I readily do it.

His Book contains many interesting facts, and is worthy the perusal
of persons who take pleasure in looking into works of this kind. His
misfortunes, and the constant good deportment he has shewn since his
return from the Sandwich Islands, give him a strong claim on the
community.

  T. H. PERKINS.

  _Boston, July 4, 1821._

 ⁂ The original documents are in the possession of the Author.




CONTENTS.


  CHAPTER I.

  Departure from England--Voyage to China--Transactions at
  Canton--Author enters on board an American ship--Passage to
  Kamschatka--Touches at Japan--Transactions there--Arrives at the
  harbour of St. Peter and St. Paul--Some account of the Russian
  settlement at that place.                                          15


  CHAPTER II.

  Departure from Kamschatka--Shipwrecked on a reef of rocks,
  on the northwest coast of America--Author with the rest of
  the crew, save themselves by the long boat--Are drifted on an
  island--Transactions upon the island--Prepare to build a vessel.   30


  CHAPTER III.

  Arrival of a party of Natives, and of the Russian Commandant
  of Oonalaska, who determines to send to Kodiak for
  assistance--Long-boat prepared for the voyage--Some account of
  Sannack or Halibut Island.                                         39


  CHAPTER IV.

  Sail from Sannack in the long-boat--Touch at the Island of
  Ungar--Distressing state of the settlement there--Sail from
  thence--Anchor at the village of Schutkum--Departure from
  it--Boat nearly embayed on the north coast of Kodiak--Arrived
  at Alexandria--Transactions there--Boat fitted out to return to
  Sannack.                                                           47


  CHAPTER V.

  Departure from Alexandria--Boat forced into a bay by the
  weather, and hauled on shore--Obliged, by want of provisions, to
  leave the bay--A snow storm--The boat springs aleak--Is run on
  shore, and goes to pieces upon the rocks--A hut discovered, in
  which the crew pass the night.                                     58


  CHAPTER VI.

  A party quit the hut in search of a settlement--Author’s
  feet frost-bitten--Progress of the party interrupted by a
  mountain--Return towards the hut, till prevented by the
  tide from passing a reef of rocks--Pass the night in a
  valley--Next morning set off at low water--Author falls
  behind, and in attempting to climb over a rock, gets his hands
  frost-bitten--Critical situation--Reaches the hut--Two Russians
  reach a settlement by the mountains, and send relief--Some
  account of Karlouski--Voyage to Alexandria.                        63


  CHAPTER VII.

  Author carried to hospital--Both his feet amputated--Account
  of the party left at Sannack--Employed in teaching native
  children English--Account of Kodiak--Natives--Dress--Canoes--
  Superstition--Food--Author sails in the ship Neva for the
  Sandwich Islands.                                                  71


  CHAPTER VIII.

  Voyage to Sandwich Islands--Make Owhyhee--Touch at
  Mowee--Proceed to Wahoo--Tamaahmaah and other chiefs come on
  board--Author resides three months with the King--Account of
  his mode of life--Remove to the house of Isaac Davis--Account
  of him--Death of Terremytee, the King’s brother, and
  transactions that took place on that occasion--Remarkable
  water-spout--Author receives a grant of land from the King, to
  which he removes--Residence there--Arrival of the ship Duke of
  Portland--Anecdotes of the King--Departure from the Sandwich
  Islands.                                                           85


  CHAPTER IX.

  Description of Wahoo--Extent--Whyteete-bay--Account of
  Tamaahmaah’s navy--Town and harbour of Hanaroora--Bass’s
  harbour--Wymumme, or Pearl-river--State of cultivation--Breed of
  cattle--Account of the white people resident on the island.       109


  CHAPTER X.

  Account of the natives--Personal appearance--Ranks--Power
  of the king--Priests--Capital punishments--Mode of
  detecting theft--Religious belief--Places of worship
  and ceremonies--Macaheite--Houses--Food--Ava--Spirits
  distilled from the tee-root--State of the
  women--Marriages--Dress--Manufactures--Nets and lines--Modes
  of fishing--Trade--Price of provisions--Amusements--Funeral
  Rites--Military--Progress in civilization--Account of Tamaahmaah
  and family.                                                       121


  CHAPTER XI.

  Departure from Wahoo--Pass Otaheite--Double Cape Horn--Arrival
  at Rio Janeiro--Transactions there, during a residence of nearly
  two years--Voyage home--and from thence to the United States.     157


  APPENDIX No. I.

  A Vocabulary of the language of the Sandwich Islands.             165


  APPENDIX No. II.

  Statement of the Case of Archibald Campbell, by Dr. Nordgoorst,
  in the service of the Russian American Company.                   189


  APPENDIX No. III.

  Notice of Archibald Campbell, from Blackwood’s Magazine.          195


  APPENDIX No. IV.

  Historical Account of the Sandwich Islands.                       203


  APPENDIX No. V.

  Notes.                                                            211




PREFACE.


A perusal of the voyages of discovery, which shed so much lustre on the
reign of George III. naturally excites a strong desire to learn what
effects have been produced among the nations whose existence they have
introduced to our notice.

That the interests of science and commerce have been greatly promoted
by these voyages, cannot be doubted; but it may be questioned whether
the result has been equally beneficial to the natives of the newly
discovered countries; and, as the editor[1] of Cook’s last voyage
justly remarks, “it would afford exquisite pleasure to every benevolent
mind, to be instructed in facts which might enable us without
hesitation to answer in the affirmative.”

[1] Dr. Douglas, Bishop of Salisbury.

The solution of this momentous question can only be obtained from
the accounts of subsequent visitors; and the following narrative is
submitted to the public, as a contribution to the evidence required for
that purpose. It was drawn up partly from the papers,[2] but chiefly
from the recital of the author; and the editor has adhered as closely
as the nature of the case would permit, to the language in which they
were originally related. The intervention of a third person between the
traveller and the reader, is an evil which ought always, if possible,
to be avoided; but in the present instance, some literary assistance
was absolutely necessary; and the editor conceives he shall best have
executed the task he has imposed upon himself, by stating, with strict
fidelity, and in the simplest language, the facts as they were related
to him.

[2] For some account of these papers, see Note A.

A short account of the life of the narrator will enable the reader
to judge of the necessity of such assistance, as well as of his
qualifications to relate the incidents of his voyage.

ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL was born at Wynford, near Glasgow, on the 19th of
July, 1787. His father, who was a soldier in the 45th regiment, died at
St. Lucia, upon which his mother removed to Paisley, her native place,
when her son was about four years of age. He there received the common
rudiments of education, and at the age of ten was bound apprentice to
a weaver. Before the term of his apprenticeship had expired, however,
a strong desire to visit remote countries induced him to go to sea;
and in the year 1800, he entered as apprentice on board the ship
Isabella, of Port-Glasgow, commanded by Mr. Hugh Paterson. In this
vessel he made three voyages to the West-Indies. He afterwards served
about a twelvemonth in a coaster; and, in 1804, again sailed for the
West-Indies, in the sloop Robina, belonging to the same port.

At Madeira he was pressed on board the Diana frigate, and remained in
that ship till her arrival at Portsmouth in 1806. He there found means
to make his escape, and entered as seaman on board the Thames Indiaman.

The history of the six most eventful years of his life will be found in
the following pages. He returned to his native country, in April, 1812,
having lost both his feet; and from the unskilful manner in which
amputation has been performed, the wounds have never healed.

A gentleman in Rio Janeiro, of the name of Lawrie, had furnished him
with letters to his father in Edinburgh, by whose interest he obtained
admission into the Infirmary in that city; but after remaining there
nearly four months, he was dismissed as incurable.

Mr. Lawrie, senior, presented him with a barrel organ; and he contrived
to earn a miserable pittance, by crawling about the streets of
Edinburgh and Leith, grinding music, and selling a metrical history of
his adventures.

Being ambitious, however, of performing on a more dignified instrument,
he has since learned to play on the violin; and he finds employment on
board the steam-boats that ply upon the river Clyde, by playing for the
amusement of the steerage passengers.

In one of these vessels his appearance attracted the notice of the
editor; and the answers he gave to some questions excited so much
curiosity, that he took him home with the intention of making a few
memoranda of his story for his own information.

The modest and intelligent manner in which it was told, the interesting
nature of the incidents, and the curious information it contained,
on the subjects to which the attention of the editor had been much
directed, created a strong interest on behalf of the narrator; and
the hope that an account of his voyage might be of service to an
unfortunate and deserving man, and not unacceptable to those who take
pleasure in contemplating the progress of mankind in the arts of
civilization, gave rise to the present publication.

In the execution of his task, simplicity and perspicuity are all that
the editor has aimed at. The ornaments of style, which are generally
misplaced in such relations, would have been peculiarly incongruous in
the mouth of a common sailor. In those parts of the work which relate
to places already well known, the narrative is entirely confined to the
personal adventures of the author; and had the editor been aware that
so much had been recently written regarding Kamschatka and the Aleutian
Islands by the Russian navigators, the description of those places
would have been either altogether omitted, or much more condensed; but,
in fact, he had no opportunity of seeing their voyages till the work
was sent to the press, and it was not then considered necessary to make
any alteration in the text.

The importance of the subject will account for the disproportion of
that part which relates to the Sandwich Islands to the rest of the
work. From the advantages they owe to their situation, placed midway
between the continents of Asia and America; from the fertility of
the soil, and the natural talents and industry of the natives, they
promise to become by far the most important of the recently discovered
islands[3] in the Pacific Ocean.

[3] The concluding sentence in Captain Cook’s journal affords a
striking proof of the high value he attached to “a discovery, which,
though the last, seemed in many respects the most important of any
that had hitherto been made by Europeans throughout the extent of the
Pacific Ocean”.

Scarcely thirty years have elapsed from the period of their discovery,
yet how wonderful the change![4] Their king is surrounded by workmen
of every description, native and European; his guards are regularly
trained to the use of fire arms; and he possesses a navy of nearly
sixty sail of decked vessels, built upon the islands; whilst almost
every ship which navigates the Pacific, finds shelter, provisions, or
trade, in his harbors.

[4] A short historical account of the revolutions that have taken place
in the Sandwich Islands, from their discovery in 1779, till the arrival
of the author in 1809, collected from the voyages of Cook, Meares,
Portlocke, Vancouver, Broughton, Turnbull, and Lisianski, will be found
in the Appendix, No. IV.

In Tamaahmaah these islanders possess one of those remarkable
characters, who, like Alfred or Peter the Great, seems destined to
hasten the progress of civilization. He is known in this country from
the accounts of Turnbull, Lisianski, and Langsdorf; but as none of
these navigators ever saw that chief, their accounts are consequently
very imperfect; the length of time, however, during which our author
remained in his family, afforded him opportunities of observation
not enjoyed by those of higher qualifications, and in some measure
compensates for the unavoidable defects of his education.

Although no new discoveries, strictly speaking, are recorded, the work
will not be found altogether destitute of useful nautical information;
the account of the reef to the southwest of Halibut Island, upon which
the ship was wrecked, and the numerous rocks that lie near the coast of
Aliaski, will show what ought to be avoided; and in the account of the
south coast of Wahoo, will be found a description of the only harbours
in the Sandwich Islands.

From the humble situation held by the author, a distrust may be
entertained of his qualifications to relate the facts which fell
under his notice; but few, in the same ranks of life, are possessed
of more intelligence or information; with the advantages common to
his countrymen, he seems to have neglected no means of improvement.
It will be seen that at the age of nineteen he was appointed a petty
officer, and had he not been incapacitated by his misfortune, it may be
presumed, that he would soon have attained a higher rank.

The editor has to claim indulgence on his own account. His motives
for undertaking the work, and the principles upon which it has been
executed, have been already stated; the work is published for the
benefit of the poor fellow who is the subject of it; nor would it ever
have met the public eye, had there been any chance that the task would
have been undertaken by another hand. But to rescue much of what is
true and extraordinary from the oblivion to which the obscure condition
and limited powers of the narrator would have condemned it, appeared
to him well deserving of the labour which he had bestowed. The best
apology for the appearance of the work itself will be found in the
words of a celebrated periodical publication.[5] “It is obvious that
the discovery of new tribes, and the first account of manners formerly
unknown, are by no means more interesting than the subsequent history
of those tribes, and the changes which rapidly take place in their
manners. The greatest obligations, therefore, are conferred upon us by
those adventurous persons who, having visited these islands of late
years, give such statements of what they saw, as enable us to trace the
progress of society in one of its earliest stages, and to estimate the
effects produced by the sudden revolution in their circumstances which
the natives have experienced from their intercourse with Europeans.”

[5] Edinburgh Review, Vol. IX. p. 332.

  JAMES SMITH.

  _Jordonhill, May, 1816._




  VOYAGE

  ROUND THE WORLD.




CHAPTER I.

 Departure from England--Voyage to China--Transactions at
 Canton--Author enters on board an American ship--Passage to
 Kamschatka--Touches at Japan--Transactions there--Arrives at the
 harbour of St. Peter and St. Paul--Some account of the Russian
 settlement in that place.


Early in May, 1806, I entered as seaman on board the Thames Indiaman,
Matthew Riches, Esq. commander, on a voyage to China.

We sailed on the 14th of that month from Motherbank, in company with
the Arniston, Royal Charlotte, Glatton, Marquis of Ely, Marquis of
Wellesley, Monarch, Cirencester, and Neptune, Indiamen, under convoy
of the Lion, 64, and Medusa frigate; we were also accompanied by a
fleet of transports, with troops, destined for the expedition to Buenos
Ayres.

In our voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, no incident occurred worthy
of being recorded, not even the ordinary ceremonies upon crossing the
line. We had a detachment of the 30th regiment on board, the commanding
officer of which did not choose that the men should undergo the ducking
usual upon that occasion. About this time I was appointed sail-maker’s
mate.

We arrived at the Cape on the 7th of August, and remained there 15 days.

We sailed from thence on the 22d; and on the day after our departure,
encountered a severe gale of wind. It came on so suddenly that we had
only time to take in our studding sails; all the others, except the
fore and fore-top gallant sails, were blown out of the bolt ropes;
the ship was running before the wind, and broached to several times;
fortunately, however, we suffered no other damage than the loss of the
sails. We experienced two other gales whilst in the Indian seas, but,
being better prepared, met with no material accident.

On the 12th of September we saw the island of St. Paul, and arrived at
Pulo Penang, or Prince of Wales’ Island, about the middle of October.

We proceeded on our voyage for China on the 24th of November, and
anchored at Wampoa on the 18th of January, 1807.

Having remained there nearly six weeks, and taken in about half of
our cargo, an unfortunate dispute took place between the crew of the
Neptune and some Chinese, in which one of the latter lost his life.
In consequence of this, the government insisted that a man should be
given up in his place, and stopped the loading of the ships to enforce
compliance with this demand, threatening, at the same time, to prevent
their departure by choking up the second bar.[6] As a measure of
precaution the ships dropped down the river below the bar, and a boat
was despatched to Canton to wait the orders of the commodore.

[6] For an account of the dispute, see Appendix, No. IV. Note B.

I was sent in the cutter on this service; and during the time of our
stay in that city, the captain of the American ship Arthur, bound to
Rhode-Island, endeavored to induce me to quit the ship I belonged to,
by offering high wages, and a bounty of twenty dollars; I, however,
declined his proposals. Afterwards, when I was in company with a
comrade of the name of Allen, we were met by another American captain,
who also tried to persuade us, by offering still higher wages; we
resisted his offers, till he informed us that his ship was bound for
the South Seas and the north west coast of America.--It had always
been my ambition to visit those distant parts of the world, and the
opportunity that now presented itself was too tempting to be resisted.
We agreed to his terms; and as his ship lay at Wampoa, he concealed
us in the American factory till an opportunity of proceeding thither
should occur.

Whilst at this place, we very narrowly escaped detection. Being in want
of provisions, we sent out a Chinese to buy some bread, and gave him a
dollar stampted with Captain Riches’ initials. Instead of fulfilling
his commission, he took the dollar to the captain, and brought him
to the factory. When we saw them approach, we made our escape from a
window to the top of an adjoining house, and ran along the roofs, till
we reached a warehouse, which we asked permission to pass through; this
the owner refusing, I went out on a beam that crossed the street, and
dropped on the ground, being a fall of about eighteen feet.--When the
Chinese observed this, he allowed my comrade to pass through the house.
I was a good deal stunned with the fall, but soon recovered myself. We
then got to the river side, where we hired a _san-pan_, or small boat,
to take us to Wampoa, and reached the ship with no other interruption.

She was called the Eclipse, and belonged to Boston; a new ship, on her
first voyage, commanded by Captain Joseph O’Kean. She was chartered by
the Russian American Company, for their settlements at Kamschatka, and
the northwest coast of America, with a cargo of nankeens, tea, silks,
sugar, rice, and other articles, the produce of China. The number of
the crew, including officers, amounted to twenty-eight, four or five
of which were procured from the Indiamen. There was also a Russian
supercargo.

At Captain O’Cain’s desire I changed my name, which I entered on the
ship’s books as Archibald Macbride.

Having completed our cargo, the ship sailed on her voyage upon the
eighth of May.--When opposite to Macao, we saw the Indian fleet
getting under way; the Captain, fearing that the man-of-war might
board us, and take the men belonging to the India ships, put back, and
remained within the Bocca Tigris till they were out of sight.

On the 6th of June we descried the coast of Japan, and ran along shore
till we reached the bay of Nangasaki.

We stood into the bay under Russian colors, and were met by an immense
fleet of boats, who took possession of the ship, and towed her to the
anchorage. When about half way up the bay, the Dutch ambassador came
off. He could speak English; and finding we were Americans, advised
us to haul down the colors, informing us that the natives were much
exasperated at some outrages lately committed by the Russians upon
their islands. We found this to be so much the case, that we deemded
it prudent to keep the supercargo out of sight during the whole of our
stay.[7]

[7] It appears from Dr Langsdorf’s Voyage, that the _amour propre_
of the Russian ambassador, Von Resanoff, was so much mortified by
his reception at Japan, that he despatched in October, 1806, an
expedition against the most southern of the Kurile islands, where the
Japanese have settlements. A second expedition was undertaken in May,
1807.--_Vide_ _Langsdorf, Vol II. p. 298._

When the ship was moored, eight guard-boats were anchored round
us, within pistol-shot, and no person allowed to land or hold any
communication with the shore; the muskets were taken out of the
arm-chests, and our gunpowder demanded; six or eight kegs were given
up, with the assurance that it was all we had.

Seeing so many boats come off, a large assortment of articles of trade
was brought on deck, but none of the people would make any purchase.
They told us they had plenty of every thing we had to offer.

When the captain was asked what brought him to Japan, he replied, want
of water and fresh provisions; and ordered several butts in the hold to
be started and hoisted on deck empty. Next day a plentiful supply was
sent off, in small boats, filled with water, and in tubs, which we were
obliged to empty on deck, stopping the scuppers, and allowing it to run
off at night. We were also abundantly supplied with fresh fish, hogs,
and vegetables; the whole of which was furnished gratis.

On the third day of our stay, the Captain, finding nothing was to be
gained by remaining, got under way. The arms and ammunition were
immediately restored, and the ship was towed about five miles out of
the bay, by nearly a hundred boats; on parting the crews cheered us,
waving their hats and hands.

The town of Nangasaki was concealed by an island; but from the view we
had of the land, it seemed to be in a state of high cultivation, and
very populous. The natives have the appearance and complexion of the
Chinese, but are taller in stature.

Their boats, which were open, with small covered cabins abaft, were
mounted with guns, about the size of our largest swivels. Instead of
being rowed they were sculled; the oars on each side never being lifted
out of the water. In each of them were two men, apparently officers,
dressed in loose frocks or gowns, with long hanging sleeves. These were
armed with matchlocks, and had a sabre hanging at each side.

After leaving Nangasaki, we navigated the strait which separates the
principal island of Japan from others that lie to the north: in several
places it is not above five miles broad. On each side the country
is beautiful, abounding with cultivated fields, woods, villages,
and single houses. Frequently, when near the coast, we observed the
inhabitants come down to the shore, and make signals, as if to invite
us to land; but, after the reception we had already experienced, the
captain did not choose to have any further communication with the
Japanese.[8]

[8] Those friendly invitations seem to be somewhat inconsistent with
the inhospitable character of the Japanese. It is most likely, however,
that the author is mistaken in the nature of the signals they made,
which were more probably those of reproach than kindness, similar to
those captain Saris was assailed with--“Core, core cocori ware,”--“you
Coreans, with false hearts.”

  _Vide_ _Quarterly Review, Vol. IV. p. 379._


At one time, in a thick fog, we were alarmed with the noise of
breakers, apparently very near. Upon sounding, we found twenty fathoms,
sandy bottom, and immediately let go the anchor. When the haze cleared
away, we found ourselves close to a remarkable island or rock, about
the size and the height of the craig of Ailsea, in the Frith of Clyde.
An archway passed completely through it; and into this the sea rushed
with that tremendous noise which had occasioned our late alarm.

In about a week we were clear of the strait, and proceeded on our
voyage.

The 4th of July, being the anniversary of American Independence, was
celebrated by a salute. One of the guns having missed fire, the captain
took the powder-horn to prime it; in doing which some fire in the gun
kindled the powder, and exploded the horn. By this accident his hand
was dreadfully scorched and lacerated.

Upon the 6th we descried the two lofty mountains of St. Peter and St.
Paul, in Kamschatka.

Owing to foggy weather, it was two days before we discovered the
entrance of Awatska bay. We were within the heads on the 8th, and
were met by a Russian boat, on board of which was Mr. Meznikoff,
commissioner of the store, who piloted us into the harbour of
Petrapaulouska, or St. Peter and St. Paul. The ship having been seen
off the coast, intelligence had been given of our arrival by people
stationed for the purpose at a light-house on the north side of the
entrance.

Awatska bay is a spacious basin, 25 or 30 miles in circumference; any
part of it would afford safe anchorage, but it has three very fine
harbours. That of St. Peter and St. Paul, where we lay, is sheltered
from every wind by a projecting woody point; but, owing to the great
height of the mountains is subject to heavy squalls.

The entrance to the bay is not above a mile and a half wide, and may
be known by several remarkable rocks on the starboard hand going in,
somewhat like the needles at the Isle of Wight.

We remained at St. Peter and St. Paul thirty-three days, and discharged
nearly one third of our cargo.

The town, although the principal sea-port of the Peninsula of
Kamschatka, is nothing more than a miserable village, containing 300
or 400 inhabitants, of whom about two-thirds are Russians and the
remainder natives. It is situated on an eminence above the harbour,
and, with the exception of the governor’s house, consists of huts of
one story high, built of logs and covered with thatch. In a few of them
the windows are glazed with talc, but more generally the intestine of
the seal supplies the place of glass.

The huts of the natives lie below the town towards the shore. They are
almost wholly under ground, nothing but the roof being seen, which
is long and rounded at the top, resembling a vessel with the bottom
upwards.

On a rising ground on the north side of the harbour, near the
governor’s house, stands an obelisk, erected to the memory of Captain
Clerke, the coadjutor of Captain Cook, who died at sea, and was buried
at this place. The monument is about sixteen or eighteen feet high,
built of hewn stone, with a ship on the top; there were inscriptions
on each side, which were much defaced by the weather; and owing to
the rail which surrounded the place, we could not get near enough to
ascertain in what language they were written.[9]

[9] The inscriptions will be found in Captain Krusenstern’s Voyage. The
Monument was erected by the officers of his ship, the Nadeshda, near
the tree where Captain Clerke was buried.

  _Krusenstern, Vol II. p. 203._


The natives are stout made, round-faced, with a yellowish complexion.
The men are dressed in skin frocks; the women in a similar dress made
of nankeen.

The country round is perfectly barren, and no cultivation of any kind
is to be seen, except one or two gardens near the town.

They have a few horses and horned cattle; but these are so scarce, that
the fresh beef we required was brought from Boltcheresk, a distance of
seventy miles.

On the right hand entrance of the bay, and round by the foot of the
mountain, the country is covered with wood, chiefly pines.

The town and its neighbourhood are infested with an immense number of
the dogs used for sledges in winter. At this season, they are allowed
to go at large and find food for themselves. They live almost entirely
upon fish, which they obtain either by springing upon them as they lie
in the water, or picking them up dead along the shore. In winter, they
are fed upon dried fish, which are cured in large open sheds erected
for that purpose on the shore, and which, it would appear, they prefer
to any other food. Our sailors, by way of amusement, often purloined a
few to give to the dogs; in consequence of which kindness, thousands
of these hungry creatures watched the landing of our boat, and flocked
after us, to the great annoyance of the inhabitants.--This practice
became at last so troublesome, that the Russians insisted on our
putting an end to it. Their howling every morning at day-break, was so
intolerable, as to awaken us even on board the ship.

Boltcheresk, the capital of Kamschatka, is about seventy miles from
St. Peter and St. Paul. The communication in the winter season is by
sledges drawn by dogs over the snow; in summer the intercourse is
carried on by the river Awatska, which being in some places extremely
shallow, boats of a particular construction are made use of. They are
formed of light frames of wood, covered with tarpaulin, and are so flat
in the bottom that they do not draw above six inches water; they are
extremely light, and can easily be carried over the rapids.

The two remarkable mountains, St. Peter and St. Paul, which give name
to the place, lie about thirty miles to the north. One of them is a
volcano; and when we could see the top, which was seldom free from
clouds, it was constantly smoking, and at night sparks were frequently
to be seen. An eruption took place some time before our arrival, by
which the whole town was covered with ashes.

There were no vessels at this place during our stay, except the wreck
of a ship which had sunk in the harbour; the sails having been loosed
for the purpose of drying, a sudden squall laid her on her beam-ends,
when she filled and went down.[10] As the upper works were above the
surface at low water, it appeared to us that she might have been raised
without much difficulty; but it seems they did not mean to make the
attempt, for her cordage and anchors were put on board our vessel.

[10] It appears from Captain Krusenstern’s voyage, that this was the
Slawa Rossii, the ship commanded by Captain Billing, and afterwards by
Admiral Sarytscheff.

  _Krusenstern, Vol. II. page 29._


Whilst we remained here we were abundantly supplied with the finest
salmon, and fish of all descriptions.

Having delivered the part of our cargo which was to be left at this
place, we sailed on the 8th of August for the settlements on the
Aleutian Islands.




CHAPTER II.

 Departure from Kamschatka--Shipwrecked on a reef of rocks, on the
 northwest coast of America--Author, with the rest of the crew, save
 themselves by the long boat--Are drifted on an island--Transactions
 upon the island--Prepare to build a vessel.


We left Kamschatka on the 8th of August, and proceeded on our voyage
to the northwest coast of America. Nothing material occurred till the
10th of September. On the morning of that day it blew hard from the
south, and the ship was reduced to close reefed topsails; about three
in the afternoon, the gale increased to such a degree that it became
necessary to take in the fore and mizen topsails. Whilst the men were
on the yards, they discovered land off the lee bow, distant about five
or six leagues; we conjectured it to be that part of the continent
called Aliaska; the ship’s course was immediately altered from N. E.
to E. and the weather proving more moderate in the evening, stood on,
close hauled, but did not set more sail. About ten at night, the alarm
was given that there were breakers ahead, and on the lee bow. Mr.
Brinkman, the chief mate, who had the charge of the watch, immediately
went to the mizen topmast head, and observing there was room to wear
the ship, hastened below to report the circumstance to the captain.
When he returned upon deck, he instantly went to the wheel and ordered
us to our stations, with the intention of wearing; but the captain,
who followed him, was of a different opinion; he said what we saw was
only white water, and not breakers; that there was no danger, and
ordered us to stand on our course. He had scarcely given this order
before the ship plunged, and struck with such violence as to knock away
the fore-foot, and the watch below were driven from their hammocks
against the deck. The sea running very high, she beat so hard that in
a few minutes the rudder was unshipped, and the stern-post forced up
through the poop; as she still had way upon her, she shot over the
reef into deep water: upon sounding we found seventeen fathoms. It was
immediately determined to let go the anchor, and remain by the ship as
long as she would swim. In case she went down, we hoped to save our
lives by the long-boat, which was accordingly cleared and hoisted
out, that she might be ready; seven of the guns were at the same time
thrown overboard, in order to keep her above water until daylight. The
carpenter attempted to sound the well, but owing to some obstacle,
could not get down the sounding rod. I was sent below with him to bore
a hole beside the pump thro’ the lower deck; but on taking off the
after hatch, we found the water as high as the shifting boards.

       *       *       *       *       *

Early on the morning of the 11th, to our great joy, we saw land to the
leeward of us, distant about three or four leagues. It was immediately
determined to watch the lull, slip the cable, and cast the ship’s head
in shore, and steer her for it with the jib and fore-topsail.--After
she was under way, the captain ordered that any of the crew that could
not swim should go into the long-boat astern, and be ready as soon as
she struck to come alongside for the rest, as he expected that she
would then go to pieces. As soon as she struck, all hands came into the
boat, and went for the shore, the captain taking his quadrant, until
the tide should ebb, when he expected she would be nearly dry. We
landed between eleven and twelve o’clock in the forenoon.

The land upon which we were thrown presented a most dreary appearance;
it was an extensive plain, intersected by pools of fresh water,
stretching about five miles from the sea, and terminated by two
mountains. The ground was covered with heath and moss; not a tree
nor a bush could be seen, neither did we observe the least trace
of human habitations. As the land afforded us no sustenance, we
turned our attention to the sea, and when the tide ebbed found some
large muscles.--Having satisfied our hunger with some raw muscles,
we prepared to go off to the ship; but on our way off we had the
mortification to see her fall over on her beam ends. When we reached
the ship we found that we could do nothing with her, and were preparing
to leave her, when we discovered in the bottom of the long-boat the
carpenter’s axe; we then cut the parrel and gear of the main-topsail
yard, and let it drive clear of the wreck, while we went to cut away
the topmasts, and then left her for that day. On our way ashore we
found the main-topsail yard, and took it in tow, and landed again about
six o’clock in the evening. The approach of night rendering some
shelter necessary, we made a sort of tent with a sail, and lay down on
the moss, cold and wet, and spent a most uncomfortable night.

Next morning, the 12th, we set off along shore in search of any thing
that might have driven from the ship, and found, in a bay at no
great distance from our tent, a barrel of rosin, the arm chest, with
one or two small carbines, some swan-shot, and, what was of greater
consequence to us, several calking irons and mallets; on finding these
we went to the ship, but the sea was so high we could not come near
her, and we returned to our tent.

On the 13th, 14th, and 15th, we were employed in repairing the boat,
which had begun to get very leaky; having picked some oakum, we
calked the seams as well as we could. Over the places where this was
insufficient, we nailed pieces of boards, and calked round the edges.
Although we could not pay the seams, having nothing to melt our rosin
in, we succeeded in making her tolerably tight.

On the 16th several pieces of wreck and some sails were secured; this
day was chiefly employed in preparations for going off to the wreck.
We formed a grappling iron by lashing four bolts together, and bending
them, and made a line out of the rigging that came ashore with the
spars; this proved of great service in fishing up articles from the
wreck. Every thing being ready, and the 17th proving fine, we set off
at day-break, and taking the carpenter’s axe with us, we cut a large
hole in her side, just before the main channels.--With the grappling
irons we hooked several sails, and a number of other articles, such
as boxes of silks and nankeens, and made three different trips to the
wreck this day.

On the 18th we were busy in making a larger tent with the sails we
had got. We set up two small spars at each end, and laid a studding
sail boom across the tops of them; over this we spread a topsail, hung
smaller sails at the ends, and placed planks round the bottom, to
prevent them from being blown up by the wind. With the soft moss of
the island for beds, and planks to sit upon, we now found ourselves
pretty comfortable in every respect but one: All our attempts to kindle
a fire proved unavailing, and we were obliged to eat our victuals
raw. Observing a flight of large birds, resembling ravens, carrying
something in their talons, we watched where they alighted, and going
to the spot, found several parcels of pork and beef which they had
picked up, the barrels being staved by the rocks. In this manner we
procured about a dozen of pieces. We again went off to the wreck in
the afternoon, to see what we could get on shore, as it had every
appearance of a gale of wind, and managed to get three of our chests
out of the vessel before dark; and amongst them mine. It contained only
one shirt and my bible, which I had put into one of those squares,
common in sailor’s chests, for holding case bottles, and in which it
was firmly fixed, in consequence of having swelled with the water. I
was at great pains in drying it in the sun, and succeeded so well that
I could read any part of it. It was afterwards saved from a second
wreck; and in my future hardships and sufferings, the perusal of it
formed my greatest consolation. It is still in my possession, being the
only article I brought with me when I returned to my native country.

We also secured this day, a barrel of fine biscuit; it was soaked with
salt water, but was, nevertheless, a most acceptable addition to our
store. In the night, between the 18th and 19th, it blew so hard from
the south, that the ship went to pieces before morning. At day-break,
we discovered on a small isle, separated from the land by a channel
which was dry at low water, the fore part of the ship, which had driven
high up on the beach. Had we been able to have moved it to a better
situation, it would have made an excellent hut; but this was beyond our
strength. It was broken up and gradually removed when we could afford
time. Some more fragments of the wreck, consisting of knees and planks,
came on shore this day. We also recovered a few packages of nankeens
and chests of tea, which we spread on the moss to dry.

Our horizon to the south being interrupted by the reef, the captain and
mate went out in the long-boat to determine the latitude by a meridian
altitude of the sun. The result of the observations gave 54 deg. 52
min. north, as the latitude of the south side of the island.[11]

[11] This observation, made without the assistance of an ephemeris,
or tables of declination, can only be considered as an approximation.
It however proves that Sannack and Halibut island is the same, the
latitude of that island, as ascertained by captain Cook, being 54 deg.
27 min. As the observation was made about the time of the equinox, the
correction for declination might be estimated within a few minutes.

We made a number of trips to the wreck in the course of the ten
following days, and saved a considerable part of the cargo, consisting
of chests of tea, packages of nankeens, and bags of rice. The last
time we went off to the wreck, before the arrival of the Indians, the
wind was off shore, and began to blow so fresh that we were obliged to
desist from our labours. After having secured a few more sails, some
coils of cordage, and two bales of silks, having only two oars and
a heavy boat to row, we reached the shore before dark, after a most
fatiguing pull. By this time so much of the wreck was recovered that we
determined to build a vessel large enough to carry us to the Sandwich
Islands, where we were certain of meeting with an American ship. Our
principal attention was now turned to that object, and we began our
preparations by collecting into one place planks and other pieces of
wood suitable for the purpose.




CHAPTER III.

 Arrival of a party of Natives, and of the Russian Commandant of
 Oonalaska, who determines to send to Kodiak for assistance--Long-boat
 prepared for the voyage--Some account of Sannack or Halibut Island.


Our necessary occupations, and the unpromising appearance of the
country, had hitherto prevented us from leaving the neighbourhood of
our hut; but we had seen nothing that led us to imagine that the island
was inhabited. We were, however, visited on the 28th, by a party of
natives, who had traced the fragments of wreck along shore.

About mid-day we saw them approach in three small skin canoes, with
one Indian in each. One of them, who had a gold medal about his neck,
came forward, and addressed us in the Russian language. The captain,
who had made a former voyage to these settlements, and understood a few
words of the language, contrived to make our situation known to him.
He immediately despatched one of his companions to a village on the
northern part of the island for assistance, and the other to Oonalaska
to give information to the commandant of the Russian settlements on
that island.

The chief himself remained, and most willingly gave us a share of his
provisions, which consisted of a bladder of train oil, and a basket
of berries, about the size of bilberries, preserved in oil. These,
to people in any other situation, would scarcely have been deemed an
acquisition. Even we, who had lived so long on raw muscles, found some
difficulty in reconciling ourselves to train oil; but we thought the
berries, which had been cured with seal oil, no small luxury. This
friendly Indian, who had hooks and lines, went out in his canoe, and in
a short time returned with a few small fish. He then kindled a fire in
the following manner: he laid a piece of soft wood upon the ground, and
took another within his teeth; between these he put an upright piece of
a harder quality, which he twirled rapidly around with a thong of hide,
as we would a drill; the friction soon kindled the soft wood, and by
placing it in dried grass, and blowing it, it burst into a flame.

We lost no time in broiling the fish, and enjoyed the first
comfortable meal we had since the shipwreck.

Next day about forty Indians, men and women, came and encamped beside
us; they made huts for themselves, by setting up planks, leaning
against each other at the top, and throwing earth upon them, over which
they put a covering of grass.

They brought a supply of provisions, consisting of berries, oil,
blubber, and dried salmon, and gave us a share of all they had with the
utmost liberality.

By the assistance of the Indians, who towed our boat with their canoes,
we made two more trips to the wreck, and were successful in saving a
considerable quantity of the cargo, as well as several articles of
greater use to us for our intended vessel; such as bolts of canvass,
cordage, and other naval stores, being part of the rigging of the ship
that was stranded in the harbor of St. Peter and St. Paul. In saving
these articles, the grappling-irons proved of the greatest service; for
though the wreck lay in about three fathoms, the water was so clear,
when the wind was southerly, that we could distinctly see what lay at
the bottom. A considerable part of the ship still held together.

In about a week after this, Mr. Bander, the Russian commandant of
Oonalaska, arrived in a large skin canoe or baidare, with twenty or
thirty Indians, who also hutted themselves beside us. The presence of
so many visiters formed a singular contrast to the solitude in which
we had hitherto lived. Our tent was now in the centre of a busy and
populous village.

Some of our new visiters erected huts, whilst others contented
themselves with sleeping under their baidare, which they placed bottom
up, and raised by supports from the ground on the lee side.

We were now in no want of provisions.--In addition to what the Indians
brought with them, they procured us a plentiful supply of fish and
fowl, particularly geese, in which the island abounded; these they shot
with their rifles, in the use of which they are very expert.

These rifles are no wider in the bore than our own; but the metal is
extremely thick, particularly at the muzzle. They load them almost
full of powder, over which they force a piece of lead, three or four
inches long, with a mallet; this comes out like an arrow. The piece is
rested upon two supports, which fold out, and are stuck in the ground.
I have seen them fire at the geese, which usually sat in rows, and kill
several at one shot.

Mr. Bander took possession of the ship’s cargo. Under his directions we
went off to her several times, in company with the Indians, and brought
away a considerable quantity of the nankeens and cloth; but were not
successful in getting provisions, for we secured nothing except a few
casks of damaged bread, and half a puncheon of rum.

Our chief attention was now turned towards our vessel, and we had a
reasonable prospect of completing her by the aid of our visiters.

From Oonalaska we procured twelve Indians who could use the axe, and
Mr. Bander promised us the assistance of Russian carpenters from
Kodiak. To obtain which, as well as to report the loss of the ship
to the governor of the Russian settlements, the long-boat was fitted
out for a voyage to Kodiak.--About the 6th of November the necessary
repairs were begun.

The seams were payed with a composition of the rosin that had been
saved from the wreck, and train oil, boiled to a consistence in the
kettles of the Indians. A kind of spar deck was formed, by laying the
boards of the hat boxes over the thwarts; and upon these we nailed a
tarpaulin: a hatch way was left at the stern, by which we got below,
and in which the man at the helm could stand. We laid a small platform
on the bottom, and covered it with skins; this formed a birth into
which we could creep, but it was too low to allow us to sit upright.
Out of the ship’s spanker I made a suit of sails. She was rigged a
sloop, and provided with a cable and grapnel. She was small enough for
a voyage of 500 miles at such a season, being only twenty-two feet
long, and measuring about six ton. She, however, proved an excellent
sea-boat.

Every thing being completed by the 17th, we laid in our stores,
consisting of dried salmon, berries, and oil, with a cask of water, and
sailed on the following morning. The crew consisted of Mr. Bartram,
second mate, myself, and seven more of the crew, one Indian, who acted
as pilot.

The island on which we had now remained two months, is called by the
natives Sannack; by Captain Cook it is named Halibut Island. It is
situated in latitude 54. 27. north, longitude 197. east, and lies 10
or 12 leagues to the south of the promontory of Aliaski, and about
60 east of Oonalaska. It is quite flat, with the exception of two
mountains, is eight or ten miles long, and about six broad. The main
land could be distinctly seen; and the remarkable volcano mentioned by
Captain Cook, bore N. N. W. from our tent. It was constantly smoking
during the day, and at night we could frequently see the flames.

The land produces nothing eatable but berries. To the south lies the
dangerous reef upon which we were wrecked; it is of great extent, for
when at the ship we observed breakers a considerable distance to the
southward.

There is a village of 12 or 15 Indian families at the northern
extremity of the island.--These people are under the government of the
Russians, for whom they provide furs for the American company. They
are a quite inoffensive race, converts to the Greek Church, and if not
very devout, are at least extremely attentive to the ceremonial part of
crossing themselves.

Their appearance and manners will be afterwards more particularly
described. As the whole of their sustenance, clothing, and, indeed,
every article they make use of, except a few berries, are the produce
of the sea, they are extremely expert in managing their canoes, and
most ingenious in their modes of catching fish and other sea animals.
They are excellent marksmen with the rifle and spear; to the latter
they fix a bladder, which prevents the wounded animal from taking it
under water, and dart it with great force and certainty by means of a
throwing stick.

Like all other savages I have seen, they are immoderately fond of
spirits and tobacco.




CHAPTER IV.

 Sail from Sannack in the long-boat--Touch at the Island of
 Ungar--Distressing state of the settlement there--Sail from
 thence--Anchor at the village of Schutkum--Departure from
 it--Boat nearly embayed on the north coast of Kodiak--Arrived at
 Alexandria--Transactions there--Boat fitted out to return to Sannack.


We sailed from Sannack, in the long-boat, on the morning of the 18th of
November; but had scarcely been an hour at sea, before we discovered a
leak in the counter, which forced us to put back.

Having repaired the damage, we again set sail next morning, with a
fair southerly wind. Our little vessel made better weather than could
have been expected, and so long as it continued moderate, she scudded
before the sea perfectly dry; we boomed out the foresail on the weather
side, and the wind being fair, proceeded on our voyage at a great
rate.--About noon it freshened into a smart gale, and the sea rose
considerably, frequently curling over the stern in an alarming manner.
Our open cock-pit rendered this extremely dangerous, till we adopted
an expedient of which I fortunately recollected having read in the
voyages of some Dutch navigators, who used oil to smooth the sea. Upon
trying the experiment, it proved an effectual remedy. We lashed a keg
of oil upon the taffrail, allowing a small stream to run from it, which
spread a scum over the surface in our wake, and completely prevented
the waves from topping.

The coast of Aliaski which we passed this day, is very mountainous,
and deeply indented with arms of the sea. Many small islands lie near
the shore, which are covered with brushwood. Sometimes a temporary
hut erected by the hunters is to be seen, but there were no other
symptoms of inhabitants. Extensive reefs of rocks lie a considerable
distance off the land; our pilot, who was well acquainted with the
navigation, took us within them; but strangers should be very cautious
in approaching this part of the coast.

About ten at night we were close in with an island of considerable
height, and attempted to pass to leeward, but were prevented by
breakers, which obliged us to tack and pass on the outside. A round
lofty rock lies a quarter of a mile to the southwest; the channel
within seemed also full of rocks, and we were obliged to make another
tack before we could weather it. Our situation for about two hours
after this, was very alarming; we passed many sunk rocks, and were
repeatedly obliged to tack in order to avoid them.

At day-break we found ourselves near a barren island, four or five
miles in length, lying to the south of a larger one called Ungar. We
passed through the sound between them, and, coasting along the southern
shore of Ungar, arrived about ten A. M. at a village, situated on the
eastern part of the island, after a run of 160 miles.

We found the settlement here in the most distressing situation. The
whole of the male inhabitants, except the Russian overseer and his son,
and the Indian interpreter, having gone out to catch seals, about three
weeks before this time, a severe gale of wind came on, which their
slight canoes were unable to resist, and every one of them perished.
This dreadful calamity did not prevent the survivors from receiving us
with the kindest hospitality. We were lodged in the hot bath, which was
effectually warmed by the steam of water thrown upon red-hot stones.

Ungar is nearly twenty miles in length; in the interior the country
rises into lofty mountains; near the sea it is more level, and is
covered with brushwood, but produces no vegetable food, except berries,
and a root from which the Russians make the liquor called quass. We
remained eight days at this place, during which we went out several
times to shoot deer, with which the island abounds, accompanied by the
son of the overseer and the interpreter; we had tolerable sport, and
the venison made a most acceptable addition to our store.

The natives seem, in all respects, the same as those at Sannack. The
settlement consisted of one Russian and about thirty Indian families.
The houses of the latter were built of mud, in the form of a bee-hive,
with a hole at the top instead of a door; they had no fire-places, but
warmed themselves by means of lamps made out of flat hollow stones,
with rush wicks, which when cold, they placed under their frocks. One
cooking place served for the whole village.

This island is separated from the main land, by a strait nearly ten
miles wide at high water, but so extremely shallow that it is said to
dry at low ebbs, when deer frequently pass over from the continent.

The village is situated on the north side of a small, well sheltered
harbour, the entrance to which is between two rocky heads, not above
a cable’s length asunder. Within it is a quarter of a mile broad, and
divides, a short way above the village, into two branches, one of which
extends a considerable distance to the west. There are three or four
high pointed rocks a little to the south of the entrance, but there is
deep water all round.

We sailed on the morning of the 28th, with the wind at N. W. and
steered between the main land and a small isle to the east of Ungar.
Before we reached the open sea, the wind headed us, and blew with such
violence as to force us back to the harbour we left in the morning.
Gales from the N. E. with heavy falls of snow, prevented us from
sailing for the eight following days. I employed myself in making a
squaresail out of a bolt of canvass we had for the purpose.

Having laid in a store of deer’s flesh, dried and boiled, the only
provisions the place afforded, we again sailed on the morning of
the 6th of December; the wind strong from the west, with squalls,
accompanied with snow showers. The excessive cold made us feel severely
the want of a camboose, or fire place in the boat.

We continued to coast along the main land, within half a mile of the
shore. Nothing could exceed the barren aspect of the country, which
consisted of a range of steep and rugged hills, destitute of wood, or
almost any appearance of vegetation. Many reefs lie a considerable way
off the land.

On the 7th we passed an island called St. Ivan, the weather still very
cold, with snow.

In the afternoon, the wind veered to the N. E. and blew with such
violence that we were driven out to sea; had the gale continued, our
situation would have been highly critical; for our water was nearly
expended, and we were unprovided with a compass to direct our course;
fortunately, however, it abated towards morning, when we tacked
and stood to the shore. About noon we were close in with the land,
and being anxious to kindle a fire, anchored in a bay, where the
brushwood grew down to the water’s edge. One of the Indians landed to
cut firewood, but, he was scarcely upon shore when three bears made
their appearance, and forced him to swim back to the boat. We were
reluctantly obliged to desist; and having weighed anchor, we went ten
miles further, to a village called Schutcum.

A number of sunk rocks lie about half a mile to the south of this
place, with an intricate and narrow channel, through which we were
piloted by the overseer, who came out to meet us in a bidarka.

After remaining here three days, we sailed again on the 13th, having
met with the same hospitable treatment we had uniformly experienced
from these islanders. They liberally supplied us with berries and oil,
bear’s flesh, and dried salmon. Soon after leaving Schutcum, we doubled
a bluff head, and opened up a strait[12] that separates Kodiak from the
main land; a short way beyond it passed a narrow entrance leading into
a spacious bay or inlet; the pilot told us that it stretched twenty or
thirty versts[13] into the country, and afforded an excellent shelter
for ships. We then stood over to Kodiak, which we reached in the
evening; the wind W. S. W. with fine weather; we run along shore during
the night. Next day, about two o’clock, we passed near a rock, on which
several outches, or sea-lions, were sitting; some of them swam towards
us, uttering loud yells; but as the boat was going at a great rate
through the water, we soon lost sight of them.

[12] Captain Mears, in the Snow Nootka, navigated this strait in 1786;
he named it Petrie’s Strait. In the chart affixed to Coxe’s Russian
Discoveries, and by Dr. Langsdorf, it is named the Strait of Chelekoff.

[13] A verst is about two thirds of a mile.

Soon after, whilst crossing a deep bay, the wind checked round to the
northwest, and blew so hard at times as to oblige us to take in all
our sails. We endeavored to run under the west point of the bay, where
there seemed to be good shelter; but we fell to leeward, and were under
apprehensions that we should not be able to weather the point that
formed its eastern extremity. Mr. Bertram proposed to run the boat
ashore, but the surf was so heavy, that the attempt would have been
extremely hazardous. I was of opinion that we might weather the point
by carrying sail, and he allowed me to take the helm. Having set our
close-reefed mainsail and storm-jib, the whole crew, except myself,
went below, and lay as much as possible to the weather side, by which
means the boat was enabled to carry sail till we cleared the head.
After this we had the wind upon our quarter, and the evening proving
fine, we made great progress.

The channel or strait, which separates Kodiak from the continent, is
about fifteen leagues in breadth, and as far as I could judge, is free
from danger, except close in shore.

We entered by moonlight the strait between Kodiak and several smaller
islands to the east, with a strong tide in our favor, and were clear of
it before daylight.

Being in want of water, we landed early in the morning, and having
kindled a fire, had a warm breakfast before embarking.--The country
here was well wooded with pines, but we saw no inhabitants. We made
sail about eleven, and entered the harbour of Alexandria before dark.
We hoisted a Russian jack which we had on board, upon which a Baiderai
came off and towed us in. There were two ships and a brig at anchor in
the bay.

Alexandria is the principal Russian settlement in the Fox islands, and
the residence of the governor, upon whom we waited immediately upon
our landing, with our letters from Mr. Bander.

He gave each of us a tumbler of brandy, and sent us to the cazerne, or
barracks, where the Russian convicts lodged.

The brig which lay in the harbour was ordered to be fitted out for
Sannack, for the purpose of taking in that part of the cargo of the
Eclipse which had been saved from the wreck. As it would take a
considerable time before she could be got ready, the governor ordered
us to return in the boat with the carpenters and tools required for our
vessel, that no time might be lost.

We remained here three weeks, and during that time we were employed in
preparations for our return. The boards we had nailed on the boat’s
bottom were stripped off, and she was thoroughly repaired by the
Russian carpenters. A camboose for our fire was made, by sawing a cask
in two, and filling it with gravel, and secured by lashing it to the
mast. We also provided ourselves with a compass, the want of which we
had experienced in our voyage thither, our view of the land having been
almost constantly intercepted by fogs and snow showers.

Mr. Baranoff, the governor, gave us a chart of the Fox islands and
adjoining continent; and furnished us with letters, in case we should
find it necessary to touch at any of the Russian settlements; he also
sent three carpenters to assist in the construction of our vessel.

By the 8th of January 1808, every thing was completed, and we had laid
in a good stock of provisions, consisting of salted pork and bear’s
flesh, two skin bags of rusk, two casks of water, and a keg of rum,
with preserved berries, and blubber for the Indians.




CHAPTER V.

 Departure from Alexandria--Boat forced into a bay by the weather, and
 hauled on shore--Obliged, by want of provisions, to leave the bay--A
 snow storm--The boat springs aleak--Is run on shore, and goes to
 pieces upon the rocks--A hut discovered, in which the crew pass the
 night.


We quitted the harbour of Alexandria on the morning of the 9th of
January, (O. S.)[14] on our voyage back to Halibut island.

[14] The dates in this part of the work, are according to the Russian
style.

With a fine breeze of southerly wind we coasted along the northeast
shore of Kodiak, leaving on our right a cluster of islands which lie to
the eastward. Upon the largest, which is called Afognac, I was informed
there are several Russian settlements.

This is the finest part of the island I have seen, the country being
covered with wood, chiefly of the pine tribe, and many of the trees of
great size. The other islands are also well wooded.

In the evening the wind died away, and the tide turned against us when
nearly half way through the straits. We anchored for the night in a
cove on the larboard side.

Next morning at daylight, we weighed, with a strong breeze from the
east, which soon carried us clear of the strait. Upon reaching the open
sea, we shaped our course to the northwest.

The headland or cape, which forms the extremity on the starboard hand,
is perfectly level on the summit for nearly a mile, and terminates in a
lofty perpendicular cliff.

On the following day the wind changed to the northwest, and blew hard,
with a heavy sea; as it was directly against us, with every appearance
of a gale coming on, we were obliged to bear away for a harbour. At
noon, we reached a well sheltered bay, on the northern side of Kodiak.
From the threatening appearance of the weather, it was judged prudent
to haul the boat on shore; and there being no habitations within reach,
we were under the necessity of living on board.

The bay was surrounded by high mountains, with a rocky shore, except
at our landing place, where there was a small extent of sandy beach.
The whole country was at this time, many feet deep with snow, which
prevented us from making any distant excursions. At this place we were
forced by the weather to remain ten days.

The dread of famine at last obliged us to put to sea, although the
state of the weather was by no means favourable for the prosecution
of our voyage. The surrounding country produced no food of any kind,
and our stock of provisions was nearly expended. We left the bay, in
hopes of reaching a settlement called Karlouski, which lay at no great
distance to the west.

We launched the boat on the morning of the 21st, and stood over towards
the main land. When about mid-channel, we discovered that the boat
had sprung a leak; at the same time a heavy fall of snow came on,
accompanied with violent squalls. The leak gained so much upon us, that
it became absolutely necessary to run for the nearest shore.--Had the
day been clear, we might have got back to the harbour we had quitted in
the morning; but the snow rendered it so dark that we could scarcely
see a boat’s length ahead; we had therefore no resource but to put
before the wind, and trust our lives to Providence.

The first view we had of the shore was most alarming; we were
completely embayed, with a heavy surf breaking amongst the rocks,
whilst, at the same time, the violence of the gale, and the state
of the boat, were such as to preclude any hopes of working out of
the bay. We therefore turned the bow to that part of the shore which
seemed clearest of rocks, and a sea carried us so far up, that when it
retired, we were left almost dry; the next wave carried us a little
further, upon which the second mate imprudently let go the anchor; when
it retired we all jumped out, and reached the shore in safety. Upon the
return of the swell, the boat swung round, with her head to the sea,
and being prevented by the anchor from driving farther up, she almost
immediately went to pieces upon the rocks.

That part of the island on which we were cast was quite barren, and
many miles distant from the nearest settlement, the path to which lay
across mountains covered with snow.

After collecting what we could save of the wreck of the boat, we
set out in search of some place to shelter us for the night, and
fortunately discovered, at no great distance, one of those huts that
are constructed for the use of the fox and bear hunters. It was too
small to admit of a fire in the inside; but the number of people
crowded into it rendered the cold less intense; and we lighted a fire
in the open air, at which we made ready our provisions.

Upon examining our remaining stock, we found, that with the utmost
economy, it would not last above three or four days; it became
therefore necessary to form some plan to extricate ourselves from so
deplorable a situation.

The bay in which we were wrecked was surrounded with high mountains,
which ran down to the shore, terminating in a steep range of rocks,
or what sailors call an iron bound coast. Karlouski, the nearest
settlement, lay, as we were informed by our Russian companions, at a
considerable distance to the west. We deliberated whether we should
attempt to reach it by crossing the mountains, or by going along shore
at low water. The danger and difficulty of making our journey over the
snow deterred us from adopting the first plan: we therefore fixed on
the latter, and determined to set out on our journey next morning.




CHAPTER VI.

 A party quit the hut in search of a settlement--Author’s feet
 frost-bitten--Progress of the party interrupted by a mountain--Return
 towards the hut, till prevented by the tide from passing a reef
 of rocks--Pass the night in a valley--Next morning set off at low
 water--Author falls behind, and in attempting to climb over a rock,
 gets his hands frost-bitten--Critical situation--Reaches the hut--Two
 Russians reach a settlement by the mountains, and send relief--Some
 account of Karlouski--Voyage to Alexandria.


On the morning of the 22d we quitted the hut, leaving one of the
Russians and our Indian pilot to take charge of what we had saved from
the boat.

Having proceeded some distance, we were interrupted by a reef of
rocks, over which it was necessary to wade. I was provided with strong
seal-skin boots, but unfortunately in crossing they were filled with
water, which, the cold being so severe, the exercise of walking did
not prevent from freezing. In a short time I lost all feeling in my
feet, but was able to keep up with my companions, till our progress
along shore was completely stopped by a mountain which projected into
the sea. Finding it impossible to get round the base, we attempted to
climb over the summit. It was very steep, and in many places crusted
with ice. I had by this time entirely lost the use of my feet, and
with all my exertions, was unable to keep pace with my companions.
In many places I was forced to dig steps in the ice and snow, with a
pair of boots I had on my hands for that purpose. At length, after
great labour and fatigue, I gained what I imagined to be the summit;
it proved, however, to be little more than half way up, and the higher
part of the mountain was quite inaccessible. I endeavoured to descend
again; but in a short time found that the state of my feet rendered
the attempt unavailing. I had no alternative but to slide down; and,
therefore, throwing away the boots, and placing my hands behind me, to
direct my course, I came down with such velocity, that at the foot of
the hill, I sunk at least ten feet into the frozen snow. I was at first
almost suffocated, till I made a little room by pressing the snow from
me. I called as loud as I was able for assistance, but could not make
my companions hear me, although I heard their voices perfectly well
calling upon me. I at length relieved myself, by compressing the snow
till it became sufficiently hard to bear my weight. I then planted my
feet into it, and reached the surface.

We turned back, and endeavoured to proceed by a valley which lay behind
the mountain. My feet by this time were frozen, never to recover; and
I was so ill able to ascend, that I was frequently blown over by the
wind, and sometimes driven a considerable way down the hill. Exhausted
by these fruitless trials to keep up with the rest, I became totally
unable to proceed, and was left to my fate. I laid myself down on the
snow in a state of despair. Having recovered a little, I resolved to
make another attempt to follow the track of my companions, but had not
proceeded far when I met them coming down the hill, which had proved to
be impassable.

We now set off on our return to the hut, but were soon interrupted by
a steep rock, which the rising tide prevented us from passing. We had
no resource, but to wait till low water next day, and to pass the night
where we were. This was a most unfortunate circumstance for me, for had
I reached the hut, and got my feet dried, they would in all likelihood
have recovered. It blew hard, and the night was piercingly cold; we
therefore returned to the valley, where there was at least some shelter
from the wind.

The Russians, who knew the effects of cold, informed us that the
consequences of lying down would be fatal. Although well aware of this,
I was so much overcome by cold and fatigue, that I several times dropt
asleep upon my feet; but my companions, who had not suffered so much,
took care to arouse me.

Next morning we again set off for the hut, and met with no interruption
till we came to the reef where I had got my feet wet. In consequence of
the high wind, the swell was heavier than it had been the day before,
and my feet were so powerless that a wave washed me completely off the
reef into deep water. It was fortunately towards the shore, and on the
returning wave I recovered my footing, and succeeded in getting over.

I followed my companions as well as my exhausted strength and the state
of my feet would permit, but fell considerably behind, and had entirely
lost sight of them, when my progress was impeded by a projecting
crag, through which a natural perforation formed the only passage. The
entrance was elevated a considerable way from the ground, and that
part of the rock over which it was necessary to scramble, was nearly
perpendicular, and almost covered with ice.

With a little assistance I could have easily got over; but situated as
I was, my own exertions were of little avail. My feet were of no use
in climbing, and I was obliged to drag myself up by my hands, in doing
which they also were frozen. After many ineffectual attempts, I had,
as I thought, gained the top; but when I had tried to lay hold of a
projection in the rock, my fingers refused to perform their office, and
I fell to the ground.

The tide was fast rising, and the surge already washed the spot where
I stood; in a few minutes it would have been too late, and I must have
perished had I been obliged to remain another tide, with my feet and
hands frozen, and my whole body wet. As a last resource, I collected
a few stones, which I had just strength to pile sufficiently high to
enable me to get over.

This took place early in the day, and the hut was only a few miles
farther on, but I was so much enfeebled that I did not reach it till
dusk.

I never again walked on my feet; but, by the blessing of God, recovered
the use of my hands, with the loss of only two fingers.

I was treated with great humanity upon my arrival, by the Russians,
who had preserved their clothes dry in seal skin bags. They gave me a
suit, and having cut off my boots, wrapped my feet and hands in flannel
drawers. I was laid upon a bed of dried grass, after having satisfied
my hunger with some rusk and blubber, which were the only provisions
that remained.

As our stock was so low, no time was to be lost in procuring
assistance; accordingly, the two who had remained set out next morning
to endeavor to reach the settlement by the mountains.

On the third day after their departure our provisions were completely
exhausted; but the weather had been tolerable, and we knew that if they
succeeded, they would lose no time in sending us relief.

On the 27th, those who had been on the look out brought the joyful
intelligence that five canoes were in sight, which proved to have been
sent by our companions, who had reached the village in safety.

We quitted the hut on the 28th, in the canoes, which were baidarkas,
with three seats in each. In crossing a bay we encountered a heavy sea;
in order to keep me dry I was put below, and the hole in which I sat
was stuffed up with the gut frock.

It was a great relief to me when we got into smoother water, for the
space into which I was crammed was so small that I had nearly been
suffocated. We arrived at Karlouski in the evening.

This settlement consisted of about thirty Indian families, and several
Russians; the latter lived together in a cazerne, and the Indians
in huts, which at this place were built of logs, wood being plenty.
I was carried to the cazerne, where I was laid upon a bed of skins,
and treated with the utmost attention; but as the place afforded no
medical assistance, my feet and hands began to mortify, and my health
was otherwise so much impaired, that I was frequently in a state of
delirium.

We remained here till about the 25th of February, when we took our
passage in a baiderai, or large skin-boat, bound to Alexandria, with a
cargo of furs, berries, oil, and fish.--They had for provisions the
salmon-roe, preserved in train oil, and kept in bladders. This is by
them esteemed a delicacy, but it was too strong for my stomach.

The first night we landed at a village constructed differently from
any I had hitherto seen; the whole of the houses, except the roofs,
were under ground, and communicated with each other by a subterraneous
passage. Bad weather, and contrary winds, detained us at this place
eleven days.

We sailed again on the 7th of March. The wind being fair we hoisted
a squaresail, and ran before it at a great rate. There is a group of
small islands abreast of the south point of North-Island, at which
place the tides meet, causing a heavy breaking sea; and as the baiderai
was deeply loaded, it had a frightful appearance. The frame of the
vessel was so extremely slight, that when between the waves, she was
bent into a deep curve, and whilst on the top of the wave the two ends
were as much depressed. I was in constant apprehension that the frame
would give way. She however, went through the sea drier than a stiffer
vessel would have done, and we reached the harbour of Alexandria on the
9th, without any accident.




CHAPTER VII.

 Author carried to hospital--Both his feet
 amputated--Account of the party left at Sannack--Employed
 in teaching native children English--Account of
 Kodiak--Natives--Dress--Canoes--Superstition--Food--Author sails in
 the ship Neva for the Sandwich Islands.


Upon our arrival at Alexandria I was immediately carried to the
hospital. The surgeon, on examining my feet, found them in a state of
mortification; he used poultices of rye, and other applications, for
several days, in hopes of effecting a cure. On the second day he cut
off one of my fingers; I lost a joint of another, but all the rest
recovered.

Finding no favourable symptoms in my feet, he informed me I must
submit to lose them in order to save my life. I had no idea that the
case was so hopeless, and was not prepared for such an alternative. I
requested three days to consider. At the end of that time I told him I
had made up my mind, and would submit to the operations. Accordingly he
amputated one of them on the fifteenth of March, and the other on the
seventeenth of April following. Unfortunately for me he cut them off
below the ankle joint, from a wish to take as little away as possible;
the sores extended above the place, and have never completely healed.
By the month of August I could creep about on my hands and knees.

My case excited great compassion, and a subscription was raised for
me by Governor Baranoff and the officers of the ships that lay in the
harbour, which amounted to one hundred and eighty rubles.

Whilst in the hospital, the brig arrived that had been despatched to
Sannack for the goods saved from the wreck. With her came Mr. Bander,
and also the mate and boatswain of the Eclipse, who had left Captain
O’Cain in consequence of a difference that had taken place. They
informed me that he had nearly completed the vessel, which was a brig
of about seventy tons, and that he would find no difficulty in manning
her with Russians and Indians. I afterwards heard from some Indians,
who had come with despatches from Oonalaska, that the vessel was
launched, and had sailed from Sannack. What became of her afterwards,
I never could learn with certainty, but it was reported that she had
foundered at sea, and all on board perished.

The mate, second mate, and boatswain, left Kodiak in a ship called
the Neva, bound for Sitcha, an island near Norfolk Sound, where
the Russians have lately established a settlement, from whence, I
understand, they went to China in an American ship.

Mr. Baranoff, the governor, went to Sitcha at the same time, leaving
Mr. Bander in charge of the colony.

When I had tolerably recovered my strength, I was employed by that
gentleman in teaching eight Indian children the English language,
in order that they might be qualified to act as interpreters to the
American ships that frequently touch at these islands. My pupils were
between the ages of eight and thirteen, and had all been taught the
Russian language, of which, by this time, I understood a little.

I had to labour under great difficulties for want of books and
grammars, and was obliged to form the letters of the alphabet in the
best manner I was able. This was no easy task to me, both from want
of practice, and the state of my right hand, which I could with
difficulty open or shut. I however succeeded in teaching them to read
the letters, but my farther progress was interrupted by my departure
from the island. I have very little doubt of my ultimate success, had I
remained, for the boys were uncommonly quick and apt to learn.

The island of Kodiak is the principal possession of the Russians on
the northwest coast of America. It is above a hundred miles long, from
northeast to southwest, and about fifty across at the wider part; but
its breadth is very irregular, the shore being indented with deep bays
and inlets.

The climate is by no means favourable; the snow lies on the ground till
the end of April, and although the cold in winter is not very intense,
the season is seldom free from fogs, snow, or rain. The summers are
also very wet, and subject to frequent fogs.

Kodiak contains but a scanty population, the inhabitants are scattered
through eight or ten villages upon the coast, and are employed in
collecting furs for the Russian American Company. These villages, in
general, consist of a few Indian families, who are under the charge of
a Russian overseer.

No part of the island is cultivated, except a garden or two near the
town, and a little barley at the village of Superscoff. It contains,
however, a great deal of fine timber, chiefly larches, spruces, and
other kinds of pine. Many of the trees are large enough to make spars
of considerable dimensions.

Alexandria,[15] the principal town on the island, and the residence of
the governor, is situated on the eastern side of an extensive bay. It
possesses an excellent harbour, being well sheltered by several small
islands that lie to the southwest. The eastern entrance, which is the
safest, is not above a mile wide, and is defended by a battery or small
fort. There is also an entrance to the west; but it is narrow and
intricate, and requires a leading wind to pass through.

[15] This place is named St. Paul by Captain Lisianski. We must suppose
that since his visit in 1803, the name has been changed in honour of
the present Emperor. Dr. Langsdorf merely calls it the new harbour of
Kodiak.

The town consists of about fifty houses, built of logs, the seams of
which are calked with moss, and the roofs thatched with grass; they
are, in general, divided into three apartments below, and as many on
the upper story. They are heated by stoves or ovens; when the wood is
reduced to ashes, the vent is closed by means of a slide fitted for the
purpose, and the heated air then diffusing itself through the room,
renders it extremely comfortable. The windows, instead of being glazed,
are covered with pieces of the gut of the seal, split up and sewed
together; this, after being well oiled, is stretched on a frame, and
defended from the wind by cross-bars on each side. Talc is also used
for the same purpose. This substance is found in flakes about the size
of the palm of the hand, and several of these are puttied together to
form a pane.

About sixty Indians reside at this place; they live in a large circular
building or barrack, called the Cazerne Aleuskoi.

The town also possesses a church, a barrack for the Russian convicts, a
school, and several storehouses belonging to the N. W. Company.

At the school the children of the natives are taught the Russian
language, writing, and arithmetic; there were about fifty scholars,
and as far as I could judge, from the few under my charge, there is no
difficulty in teaching them these acquirements.

Here, as at Kamschatka, most of the Russians are married to native
women.

This is the principal depot of the American Company;[16] the furs
collected at the different settlements on the coast are sent here,
and lodged in the Company’s stores till ships arrive to carry them
to Kamschatka, whence they are sent to China, or overland to St
Petersburgh.

[16] This Company was established in the reign of the Empress Catharine
II. for the purpose of giving solidity and effect to the fur trade; and
the better to promote these purposes, all the islands lying between
Kamschatka and the Russian part of the northwest coast of America,
were granted them in perpetuity. His present majesty, Alexander I. has
extended the privileges of the Company, and graciously declared himself
their immediate patron.

  _Lisianski, p. 13._


The natives, in return for the furs which they procure for the Company,
receive cloth, powder and shot, beads, toys, and articles of luxury,
such as rum, tobacco, and snuff, of which they are immoderately fond.

A considerable trade is carried on with the Americans who call at
these islands. Their ships take on board a certain number of natives,
with their baidarkas, and implements of fishing and hunting. They then
proceed to the coast of California, where there is great abundance
of fur seals, and otters, and with the assistance of the Indians,
generally complete their cargoes in two seasons. On their return the
American Company are entitled to a certain proportion of their furs,
as an equivalent for the labour of the Indians. The Eclipse was on a
voyage of this description, when chartered by the Russians to bring a
cargo from China.

A few miles to the west of Alexandria, there is another village
called Superscoff, the property of a Russian of that name, who had
been settled there above fifteen years. From this place the town of
Alexandria derives its principal supply of salmon and dried fish.--They
had a herd of black cattle consisting of seventy, all sprung from one
cow which Superscoff brought with him. The milk, butter, and cheese,
used at the town, were brought from this place.

Their stock of cattle, having been but recently introduced, is too
small to admit of their slaughtering any, and bear’s flesh is the
only fresh meat consumed upon the island. The bears are either shot
or caught in traps; the trap is merely a piece of board, about two
inches thick, and two feet square, stuck full of spikes, barbed, and
kept extremely sharp; this is set in their paths, and covered with
dust; from the weight of the animal, when he sets down his foot, the
spikes enter it; to assist himself in pulling the first away, he plants
another on the trap, and continues his exertions, till, at last, all
his four feet are transfixed, when he falls on his back, and is taken.

The natives of the Fox islands, or Aleuskoi, as they are called by the
Russians, are low in stature, broad in the visage, with dark eyes and
hair.

The principal article of their dress is a large frock called a parka,
made of fur or skin, frequently of the skins of sea-fowls, which they
wear with the feathers out during the day, and next their skin at
night. This piece of dress is nearly the same in both sexes. When at
sea, they wear a frock of another kind, called a camelengka, made of
the gut of the seal, to which a hood is attached, and tied close round
the face, the sleeves being equally tight at the wrist. Upon their
limbs they frequently wear boots and breeches in one piece, made of
seal hide, over which the camelengka is fastened close, so that their
dress is perfectly water-proof.

They are extremely fond of ornaments, particularly beads, with which
the women decorate themselves in great profusion, sewing them round the
neck, skirts, and wrists of their skin frocks. They also wear them in
their ears, or suspend them from a hole made in their under lip, and
sometimes hang them round each end of a bone about five inches long,
which they pass through the gristle of the nose, called by sailors
their spritsail-yard. They do not tattoo themselves like the Sandwich
islanders, but they often paint or rather daub their faces in streaks,
with red ochre and train oil.

Their canoes are made of the skin of sea-lions, stretched over slight
wooden frames; Those of the largest size, called baiderais, are open,
and can contain sixty or seventy people; the smaller kind, called
baidarkas, being quite close, have a hole in the covering, or deck,
for each sitter, and carry one, two, or three persons. They are rowed
either with double-bladed paddles, which are held by the middle, or
by single-bladed ones, with crutch handles, which are shifted to each
side alternately; the rowers sit with their faces to the bow, and pull
them with great swiftness. It is wonderful what long voyages they
make in these slight boats; several of them came from Oonalaska to
Kodiak during my stay in that island. No water can get into them in the
roughest weather, for the camelengka, a gut frock, which Indians wear
when at sea, is stuffed tight round them at the hole. From their flat
construction, and extreme lightness, the weight of the people sitting
in these canoes, renders them top heavy, and many accidents arise from
their oversetting. In this respect, the single-holed ones are much the
safest, for even when overset, a slight exertion is sufficient to right
them.

In catching seals, and other amphibious animals, these people show
great dexterity and ingenuity. Concealing themselves behind rocks, they
decoy them by throwing a seal skin, blown out like a bladder, into the
sea. To this is fixed a line made of the sinew of the whale, by which
they draw it to them, when it is followed by the seals, who take it
for an animal of their own species. As soon as within reach, they are
killed with spears or bows and arrows.

The natives, as I have already observed, are converts to the Greek
church, but their religion consists in little more than crossing
themselves, whenever they enter a house; they are however, abundantly
superstitious, and put complete faith in the predictions of their
shamans, or astrologers. Whilst I was there an eclipse of the moon took
place, on which occasion they confidently affirmed that it was the sign
of great events happening in Europe. Indeed, not only the natives, but
the Russians themselves seemed to be of the same opinion; and the next
ship bringing intelligence of war between England and Russia, served to
confirm their belief.

The food of the natives consists of fish, fresh or dried, principally
salmon; blubber, or whale fat; whale and seal oil; the flesh of seals
and other amphibious animals; and berries preserved in oil.

In consequence of this diet, as well as the state of filth in which
they live, they are very liable to the scurvy; indeed, few of them are
free from ulcers and scorbutic eruptions.

On the return of the Neva from Sitcha, she was ordered to be prepared
for a voyage to the Sandwich Islands, and was provided with a supply of
adzes, hatchets, teeth of the sea-horse, and other articles suited for
that market.

It would appear that the Russians had determined to form a settlement
upon these islands; at least, preparations were made for that purpose;
and I was informed by the commandant, that if I chose, I might get a
situation as interpreter. The ship had a house in frame on board, and
intimation was given that volunteers would be received; none, however,
offered; and I never observed that any other steps were taken in this
affair.

Being sure of meeting with American vessels at the Sandwich Islands, in
which I might get to Europe or America, I expressed a desire to embrace
this opportunity of quitting Kodiak, and was accordingly permitted to
take my passage in the ship.

The Neva had a crew of seventy-five seamen, belonging to the Russian
imperial service, and was commanded by captain Hageimeister, who had
been bred in the British navy, and could speak English fluently.
The ship herself was British built, and had made a voyage round the
world.[17]

[17] This ship sailed round the world in the Russian expedition under
captain Krusenstern, and was commanded by captain Lisianski, who has
published an account of the voyage. He talks in raptures of her good
qualities. “As to the Neva itself, I shall be excused if, with the
warmth of a sailor, I declare, that there never sailed a more lovely
vessel, or one more complete and perfect in all its parts. So little
had it suffered from the length of the voyage, and even from the
disaster of striking on the coral rocks at our newly discovered island,
that, in a few weeks, it was again ready for sea, and was despatched to
the north west coast of America.”

  _Lisianski’s Voyage_, p. 317.


The preparations for the expedition being completed, we left the harbour
on the 11th of December, O. S. with a fair wind, and soon lost sight of
the island.




CHAPTER VIII.

 Voyage to Sandwich Islands--Make Owhyhee--Touch at Mowee--Proceed
 to Wahoo--Tamaahmaah and other chiefs come on board--Author resides
 three months with the King--Account of his mode of life--Remove to the
 house of Isaac Davis--Account of him--Death of Terremytee, the King’s
 brother, and transactions that took place on that occasion--Remarkable
 water-spout--Author receives a grant of land from the King, to
 which he removes--Residence there--Arrival of the ship Duke of
 Portland--Anecdotes of the King--Departure from the Sandwich Islands.


We proceeded on our voyage to the Sandwich Islands, and enjoyed fine
weather, with favourable winds.

No land was seen from the time we quitted the Fox Islands, till the
27th of January.

On that morning, at day break, we discovered the mountains of Owhyhee,
at the distance of ten leagues. In the afternoon, we were close in with
the land, and coasted along the north side of the island.

The breeze being light, several canoes came from the shore with fresh
provisions. We stood off and on for some time, carrying on a brisk
trade with the natives; amongst other things supplied by them, we were
surprised to find sheep and goats, the breed of which, although but
recently introduced, has increased so rapidly that they already form an
article of trade.

We passed the foot of Mouna-kaa,[18] one of the highest mountains
in the world. The sides are extremely steep, and although situated
within the tropics, the summit is perpetually covered with snow; a
narrow tract of level ground lies between the base of the mountain and
the sea, terminating in high abrupt clifts; presenting at a distance
a most barren appearance. On a nearer approach, however, we could
observe numerous patches of cultivated land, and the lower parts
of the mountain covered with wood. Farther to the west, the plains
are of greater extent, the country well wooded, and in a high state
of cultivation; with many villages and houses, presenting every
appearance of a numerous and industrious population.

[18] Captain King estimates the height of this mountain at not less
than 18,400 feet; exceeding the peak of Teneriffe, according to the
computation of the Chevalier Borda, by nearly 6,000 feet. The result of
a trigonometrical measurement by the latter, gives 1,742 toises, as the
altitude of that mountain above the level of the sea. _Vide_ _Cook’s
Third Voyage_, vol. iii. p. 103. and _Voyage fait par ordre du Roi, an
1771-2_, tom. i. p. 119.

Mouna-roa,[19] one of the mountains in the interior, is a volcano; a
few years before this time a violent eruption took place, when it sent
forth a stream of lava which ran into the sea. Isaac Davis, with whom I
afterwards resided, and who had gone in a canoe to witness it, informed
me that where the lava joined the sea, the heat was so intense that he
could not approach nearer than fifty yards. We did not see any flame or
smoke issuing from the crater.

[19] According to the admeasurement of Dr Horner, astronomer to the
Russian expedition under captain Krusenstern, in 1804, the height of
Mouna-roa is 2,254 toises. _Krusenstern’s Voyage_, vol. 1. p. 193.

We made sail in the evening, and reached Mowee the following day.

Whilst running along the southeast side of the island, several canoes
came off with refreshments. In one of them was a white man, calling
himself Joseph Wynn, an American. He had resided several years upon the
island, where he had a family, and cultivated a piece of land, which
had been granted to him by Crymakoo, a powerful chief.

I afterwards learned that his real name was Angus Maccallum, a native
of Houstoun, in Renfrewshire. Having served with his brother in the
Diana frigate, and coming from the same part of the country, a great
degree of intimacy naturally took place between us, and we had much
conversation together.

Amongst other things, I told him that I understood the Russians had
some intention of forming a settlement on the Sandwich islands. This
reached the captain’s ears; and he gave me a severe reprimand, for
having, as he expressed it, betrayed their secrets. He desired me
to say no more on the subject in future, otherwise I should not be
permitted to quit the ship.

I know not what obstacle prevented this plan from being carried into
effect; but although the Neva remained several months in the country, I
never heard any more of the settlement.

We came to anchor in the harbour of Lahina. The captain went ashore
and returned with a supply of fresh provisions. I wished much to have
accompanied him, but the surf rendered the landing too difficult for
one in my helpless condition.

Tamaahmaah, king of Owhyhee, Mowee, Wahoo, and the adjoining islands,
resided some years at this place. His house, which we could distinctly
see from the ship, was built of brick, after the European manner. Of
late, he has fixed his residence at Wahoo; upon learning of which, the
captain determined to proceed thither.

The island of Mowee is of great height. At a distance it appears like
two islands; a low flat piece of land running completely across, and
dividing it into two peninsulas. Maccallum informed me that it was very
fertile; that provisions were abundant, and much cheaper than at either
Owhyhee or Wahoo.

We weighed on the morning of the 29th, and passing between the islands
of Morokai and Ranai, reached the harbour of Hanaroora, on the south
side of Wahoo, the same evening.

A number of natives came off, as usual, the moment the ship hove in
sight. King Tamaahmaah was in a large double canoe; on his coming along
side, he sent his interpreter on board to announce his arrival.

The captain immediately went to the gangway to receive his majesty, and
shook hands with him when he came upon deck.

He was, on this occasion, dressed as a European, in a blue coat and
gray pantaloons.

Immediately on his coming aboard, the king entered into earnest
conversation with the captain. Amongst other questions, he asked
whether the ship was English or American? being informed that she was
Russian, he answered, “Meitei, meitei,” or, very good. A handsome
scarlet cloak, edged and ornamented with ermine, was presented to him
from the governor of the Aleutian islands. After trying it on, he gave
it to his attendants to be taken on shore. I never saw him use it
afterwards. In other canoes came Tamena, one of his queens, Crymakoo,
his brother-in-law, and other chiefs of inferior rank.

My appearance attracted the notice, and excited the compassion of the
queen; and finding it was my intention to remain upon the islands,
she invited me to take up my residence in her house. I gladly availed
myself of this offer, at which she expressed much pleasure; it being a
great object of ambition amongst the higher ranks to have white people
to reside with them. When the ship was brought to anchor, she sent me
ashore in one of her canoes.

Captain Hagemeister recommended me at the same time to the notice of
the king, by informing him, that I could not only make and repair the
sails of his vessels, but also weave the cloth of which they were made.

The king assured him that I should be treated with the utmost kindness.
It will be seen in the sequel how well he performed his promise.

Upon landing I was much struck with the beauty and fertility of the
country, so different from the barrenness of the Fox islands. The
village of Hanaroora, which consisted of several hundred houses, is
well shaded with large cocoa-nut trees. The king’s residence, built
close upon the shore, and surrounded by a pallisade upon the land side,
was distinguished by the British colours and a battery of sixteen
carriage guns, belonging to his ship, the Lily Bird, which at this time
lay unrigged in the harbour. This palace consisted merely of a range
of huts, viz. the king’s eating-house, his sleeping-house, the queen’s
house, a store, powder-magazine, and guard-house, with a few huts for
the attendants, all constructed after the fashion of the country.

At a short distance were two extensive storehouses, built of stone,
which contained the European articles belonging to the king.

I was conducted to the house occupied by the two queens. It consisted
of one large apartment, spread with mats; at one end of which
the attendants of both sexes slept, and at the other the queens
occasionally slept when the king was in the morai.

They and their attendants always eat here, and Tamena wished me to
join them; but as I had been informed by Crymakoo, that if I did so, I
should not be allowed to eat with men, I resolved to decline her offer.

The Neva remained in the harbour three months, during which time I ate
my victuals on board. At the end of that period, having completed a
cargo of provisions, consisting of salted pork and dried taro root, she
sailed for Kodiak and Kamschatka. I was then invited by the king to
take my meals in his eating-house, and at the same time he desired a
young American, of the name of William Moxely, a native of Norfolk in
Virginia, who understood the language, to eat along with me, to act as
my interpreter. The king’s mode of life was very simple; he breakfasted
at eight, dined at noon, and supped at sunset.

His principal chiefs being always about his person, there were
generally twenty or thirty persons present; after being seated upon
mats spread on the floor, at dinner a dish of poe, or taro pudding, was
set before each of them, which they ate with their fingers instead of
spoons. This fare, with salt fish and consecrated pork from the morai,
formed the whole of the repast, no other food being permitted in the
king’s house. A plate, knife and fork, with boiled potatoes, were,
however, always set down before Moxely and me, by his majesty’s orders.
He concluded his meal by drinking half a glass of rum; but the bottle
was immediately sent away, the liquor being tabooed, or interdicted
to his guests. The breakfast and supper consisted of fish and sweet
potatoes.

The respect paid to the king’s person, to his house, and even to his
food, formed a remarkable contrast to the simplicity of his mode of
living.

Whenever he passed, his subjects were obliged to uncover their heads
and shoulders. The same ceremony took place upon their entering, or
even passing his residence; and every house which he entered was ever
after honoured with the same marks of respect. Once, when employed in
the house of Isaac Davis, making a loom for the king, I observed him
passing, and being ignorant of this custom, requested him to enter and
observe my progress; but he declined doing so, informing me of the
consequence. He, therefore, seated himself at the door, till I brought
out my work for his inspection.

When his food was carrying from the cooking-house, every person within
hearing of the call Noho, or, sit down, given by the bearers, was
obliged to uncover himself, and squat down on his hams.[20]

[20] Scotice, “on his _hunkers_.” The emphatic word used by the author
in describing this particular mode of genuflexion, and which has no
English synonyme into which it can be translated, is thus defined by
Jamieson: “to sit with the hips hanging downwards, and the weight of
the body depending on the knees.”--_Scot. Dict. verb Hunkers._

    “Wi’ ghastly e’e, poor Tweedle-dee,
    Upon his _hunkers_ bended.”--BURNS.


This ceremony was particularly inconvenient when the water used in the
king’s house was carried past; there being none of a good quality near
Hanaroora, it was necessary to bring it from the mountains, a distance
of five miles. The calabash carriers were obliged, when any person
appeared in sight, to call out Noho. They, however, ran past as quick
as they could, not to detain his majesty’s subjects in so unpleasant
an attitude.

White people were not required to pay these honors, though scrupulously
exacted from the natives.

Tamaahmaah was most attentive in performing the duties of religion, and
constantly attended the morai on the taboo days, which took place about
four times each month. The ceremonies lasted one day and two nights;
during which time no person was permitted to pass the bounds of the
morai.

When the king was absent on these occasions, I did not experience the
same attention as at other times; the attendants became very remiss
in providing my dinner, and I was sometimes obliged to go without it
altogether.

I accompanied the king once to the morai; but not relishing the
confinement, and being unwilling to make complaints, I removed, about
the beginning of May, to the house of Isaac Davis, a Welshman, who had
been about twenty years upon the island, and remained with him till the
king gave me a grant of land about six months afterwards.

Mr. Davis arrived at the Sandwich islands as mate of a small American
schooner. The captain, a very young man, having incautiously permitted
the natives to go on board, without any restriction, a chief, of the
name of Tamahmotoo, observing this, planned her capture. For which
purpose a number of natives, under various pretences, crowded into the
vessel, and, upon a signal being given, threw the whole crew, five in
number, into the sea. Davis, being an excellent swimmer, laid hold of
one of the canoes, from which, however, he was beat off by paddles.
He swam to another, where the natives also attempted to beat him off;
but being a stout, athletic man, he was able to keep his hold. Having
no arms, they attempted to put him to death, by holding him under the
water, and beating him with their paddles; and also endeavoured to
strangle him, by placing his neck across one of the beams of the canoe,
and trampling upon him. But by this time the rest of the crew having
been destroyed, and the schooner taken possession of, they relented,
and ceased to torment him any farther. He was carried ashore blind,
and almost lifeless, and it was eighteen months before he recovered
his sight. He told me, that, before this time, he had never believed
in the existence of a God, and had led a very sinful life; that, upon
the near prospect of death, the idea of his offences filled him with
terror; and that he tried to repeat the Lord’s Prayer, and felt himself
strengthened after doing so.

Tamaahmaah, who was at a distant part of the island, was extremely
indignant at Tamahmotoo when he heard of this outrage.

He took the vessel from him for the purpose of restoring her to her
owners, and showed the utmost kindness to Davis. Nearly at the same
time another Englishman, of the name of Young, was detained upon the
island.

These two constantly attached themselves to Tamaahmaah; and, from their
knowledge of fire-arms, proved of essential service in the expeditions
in which he conquered Mowee, Morotoi, and Wahoo.

They were rewarded, by being raised to the rank of chiefs, and received
extensive grants of land.

When Tamaahmaah removed to Wahoo, Davis accompanied him, and he left
Young as governor of Owhyhee. These two he always treated with greater
confidence than any of the native chiefs. Davis had extensive grants
of land on several of the islands. Upon Wahoo alone he had estates on
which were four or five hundred people, who cultivated the land, and
paid him a rent in kind. These were exempted from the taxes paid by
the other chiefs for their lands; but Davis frequently made the king
presents of feather cloaks, and other valuable articles.

He was married to a native woman, by whom he had no children. By a
former wife he had three, two of whom were left under the charge of Mr.
Young of Owhyhee. His house was distinguished from those of the natives
only by the addition of a shed in front to keep off the sun; within,
it was spread with mats, but had no furniture, except two benches
to sit upon. He lived very much like the natives, and had acquired
such a taste for poe, that he preferred it to any other food. We had,
however, at all times abundance of pork, goat’s flesh, and mutton, and
frequently beef sent by Young from Owhyhee; and in the mornings and
evenings we had tea. His wealth, consisting of mats, feathers, and
cloth, the produce of the island, and a large assortment of European
articles, which he had acquired by trading with the ships that touched
here; these were contained in a large storehouse, built of stone,
adjoining his dwelling.

My first employment was to overhaul the sails of the king’s vessels,
and to repair such as were out of order. After working two or three
months at this, he desired me to make some canvass.

Having informed him that a loom was necessary, he ordered Boyd, his
principal carpenter, to make one. This, however, Boyd declined,
from an illiberal notion held by many of the white people, that the
natives should be taught nothing that would render them independent of
strangers. He told the king he did not know how to make looms; upon
which I undertook to make one myself; although, by so doing, I incurred
the displeasure of many of my countrymen. Davis had a native servant
called Jack, who worked as a Tailor, and was a very handy fellow. This
man showed much anxiety to observe how I proceeded; but his master told
me by no means to allow him, as he was so quick he would soon learn to
make a loom himself. When I said I had no wish to make it a secret, he
replied, that if the natives could weave cloth, and supply themselves,
ships would have no encouragement to call at the islands. Another
instance of this narrow way of thinking occurred, when a brother of
the queen’s, whose name I do not remember, but who was usually called
by the white people, John Adams, wished me to teach him to read,
Davis would not permit me, observing, “they will soon know more than
ourselves.”

The making of the loom, from want of assistance, and want of practice,
proved a very tedious job. I succeeded tolerably well at last; and
having procured a supply of thread, spun by the women from the fibres
of the plant of which their fishing lines are made, I began my
operations.[21] After working a small piece, I took it to the king as
a specimen. He approved of it in every respect except breadth, which
was only about half a yard, saying, he wished it made wide enough for
an awning to a ship. This was beyond my power; but I told him I could
make it a yard wide, and then sow it up into any size. He accordingly
ordered me to make a loom of the necessary dimensions.--The small
piece I wove he kept, and showed it to every captain that arrived as a
specimen of the manufacture of the country. I had nearly finished the
other loom, when the ship arrived in which I quitted the island.

[21] The author was obliged to employ a boy to work the treadles, not
being able to work them himself from the loss of his feet.

During the time I resided with Davis, Terremytee, the king’s brother,
died. His body lay in state for a few days, in the morai; and was
afterwards buried, according to custom, in a secret manner.

The public mourning that took place on this occasion was of so
extraordinary a nature, that, had I not been an eye-witness, I could
not have given credit to it.

The natives cut off their hair, and went about completely naked. Many
of them, particularly the women, disfigured themselves by knocking out
their front teeth, and branding their faces with red hot stones, and
the small end of calabashes, which they held burning to their faces
till a circular mark was produced; whilst, at the same time, a general,
I believe I may say an universal, public prostitution of the women took
place; the queens and the widow of the deceased alone exempted.

When the captain of a ship that lay in the harbour remonstrated with
the king upon these disgraceful scenes, he answered that such was the
law, and he could not prevent them.

About this time an immense water-spout broke in the harbour. It was
first observed in the south, about noon. The day was fine, with a
clear atmosphere, and nearly calm. When I saw it first, it appeared
about the thickness of a ship’s mast, reaching from the sea to a
heavy dark cloud that hung immediately over it. It approached slowly,
the cloud gradually increasing in size. When it came near, we could
observe the water ascending in a spiral direction, and the sea round
its base boiling up in great agitation. At this time it seemed about
the thickness of a hogshead. The tide was fortunately out; and upon
crossing the reef, about an hour after its first appearance, the column
broke, and such a mass of water fell, that the sea in the harbour was
raised at least three feet upon the beach. No squall was experienced,
nor did any rain fall. Hundreds of dead fish were picked up upon the
reef, and along shore after it broke. I have seen several water-spouts
at sea, and one that was nearly on board the ship in which I was, but
none of them at all equal in magnitude to this.

The natives quitted their houses, and fled with the utmost
precipitation in a direction opposite to that in which it approached. I
was informed, that a few years before, one had broken on the north side
of the island, by which a number of houses were washed away and many
people drowned.

In the month of November the king was pleased to grant me about sixty
acres of land, situated upon the Wymummee, or Pearl-water, an inlet
of the sea about twelve miles to the west of Hanaroora. I immediately
removed thither; and it being Macaheite time, during which canoes are
tabooed, I was carried on men’s shoulders. We passed by foot-paths,
winding through an extensive and fertile plain, the whole of which
is in the highest state of cultivation. Every stream was carefully
embanked, to supply water for the taro beds. Where there was no water,
the land was under crops of yams and sweet potatoes. The roads and
numerous houses are shaded by cocoa-nut trees, and the sides of the
mountains covered with wood to a great height. We halted two or three
times, and were treated by the natives with the utmost hospitality.
My farm, called Wymannoo, was upon the east side of the river, four
or five miles from its mouth. Fifteen people, with their families,
resided upon it, who cultivated the ground as my servants. There were
three houses upon the property: but I found it most agreeable to live
with one of my neighbours, and get what I wanted from my own land.
This person’s name was William Stevenson, a native of Borrowstounness.
He had been a convict, and escaped from New South Wales; but was,
notwithstanding, an industrious man, and conducted himself in general
with great propriety. He had married a native, and had a family of
several children.--He was the first who introduced into the island the
mode of distilling a spirit from the tee-root, of which, however, he
became so fond, that the king was obliged to deprive him of his still.
When I knew him he had bound himself by an oath, not to taste spirits
except at the new year, at which time he indulged to the greatest
excess. He chiefly employed himself in his garden, and had a large
stock of European vegetables.

In the end of February, I heard there was a ship at Hanaroora, and
went up with a canoe-load of provisions, wishing to provide myself
with some clothes, and, if possible, a few books. She proved to be the
Duke of Portland, South-sea whaler, bound for England. When I learned
this, I felt the wish to see my native country and friends once more so
strong, that I could not resist the opportunity that now offered. In
addition to these motives, the state of my feet had of late given me
considerable uneasiness; the sores had never healed, and I was anxious
for medical assistance, in the hopes of having a cure performed. I was,
indeed, leaving a situation of ease, and comparative affluence, for one
where, labouring under the disadvantage of the loss of my feet, I knew
I must earn a scanty subsistence. I was a tolerable sail-maker; and I
knew, that if my sores healed, I could gain a comfortable livelihood
at that employment. These hopes were never realized; the state of my
limbs renders me quite unable to hold a bolt-rope, and necessity has
compelled me to betake myself to a more precarious and less agreeable
occupation.

The king was on board the ship at the time, and I asked his permission
to take my passage home. He inquired my reason for wishing to quit the
island, and whether I had any cause of complaint. I told him I had
none; that I was sensible I was much better here than I could be any
where else, but that I was desirous to see my friends once more. He
said, if his belly told him to go, he would do it; and that if mine
told me so, I was at liberty.

He then desired me to give his compliments to King George. I told him
that, though born in his dominions, I had never seen King George; and
that, even in the city where he lived, there were thousands who had
never seen him. He expressed much surprise at this, and asked if he
did not go about among his people, to learn their wants, as he did? I
answered, that he did not do it himself, but that he had men who did it
for him. Tamaahmaah shook his head at this, and said, that other people
could never do it so well as he could himself.

He sent a handsome cloak of feathers by Captain Spence as a present to
his majesty, accompanied by a letter, which I heard him dictate to the
captain. The purport of it was to remind him of Captain Vancouver’s
promise, that a man of war, armed with brass guns, and loaded with
European articles, should be sent to him; and added, that he was
sorry he was so far away that he could not help him in his wars; and
concluded, by requesting his acceptance of the cloak as a proof of his
regard.

Having procured the king’s permission to depart, I went on shore to
take leave of my friends; particularly Isaac Davis, and my patroness,
the queen, who had always treated me with the utmost kindness. On this
occasion she presented me with several valuable mats to sleep upon on
board the ship.

It will be believed that I did not leave Wahoo without the deepest
regret. I had now been thirteen months upon the island; during which
time I had experienced nothing but kindness and friendship from all
ranks--from my much honoured master, the king, down to the lowest
native. A crowd of people attended me to the boat; unaccustomed to
conceal their feelings, they expressed them with great vehemence; and I
heard the lamentations of my friends on shore long after I had reached
the ship.

We sailed next day, being the 4th of March.




CHAPTER IX.

 Description of Wahoo--Extent--Whyteete-bay--Account of Tamaahmaah’s
 navy--Town and harbour of Hanaroora--Bass’s harbour--Wymumme, or
 Pearl-river--State of cultivation--Breed of cattle--Account of the
 white people resident on the island.


The island of Wahoo lies about seven leagues to the northwest of
Morotai, and about thirty from Owhyhee, in the same direction; it is
nearly forty miles in length from northwest to southeast, and almost
half that extent in breadth.

Although only of secondary size, it has become the most important
island in the groupe, both on account of its superior fertility, and
because it possesses the only secure harbour to be met with in the
Sandwich islands.

In consequence of this, and of the facility with which fresh provisions
can be procured, almost every vessel[22] that navigates the north
Pacific puts in here to refit. This is probably the principal reason
why the king has chosen it as his place of residence; perhaps the
vicinity to Atooi and Onehow, the only islands independent of himself,
and the conquest of which he is said to meditate, is another and no
less powerful motive.

[22] During the thirteen months the author remained on the island,
there were at least twelve ships called at Wahoo, of which two were
English, the Duke of Portland, captain Spence; and the Otter, Jobelin.
One Russian, the Neva; and the remainder Americans, viz. the Catherine,
Blanchard; O’Kean, Winship; Otter, Hill; Vancouver, Swift; Liddy,
Brown; Dromo, Woodward; and three or four more, when he was at Pearl
river, whose names he does not remember.

The south coast of the island extends from Diamond-hill on the east, to
Barber’s Point[23] on the west, a distance of about twenty-four miles.
A range of mountains run almost parallel to the shore, from which it is
separated by a fertile plain, which varies in breadth; at Hanaroora,
where it is broadest, the distance from the sea to the mountains is
about five miles.

[23] Captain Portlocke distinguishes the first of these points by the
name of Point Dick, and the latter by that of Point Banks.

  _Portlocke_, p. 75.


A reef of coral runs along the whole extent of this shore, within a
quarter of a mile of the land; the greater part of it dries at low
water, and in the inside it is in many places too shallow even for
canoes, except at full tide.[24]

[24] Captain Broughton mentions a harbour which he surveyed, called
Fair Haven, which lies five or six miles E. S. E. of Whyteete; it is
formed by an opening through the reefs, with a clear channel, in a N.
N. E. direction. The wind generally blows fresh out of it, rendering
it necessary to warp in, as there is no room for working. The harbour,
though of small extent, is safe and convenient, with five fathoms sandy
bottom within the spits. A fine stream of fresh water empties itself
at the head. It was discovered in 1794 by Mr. Brown, master of the
Butterworth, the same who was afterwards murdered by the natives at
this place. _Vide_ _Broughton’s Voyage_, p. 39.

Whyteete bay, where captain Vancouver anchored, is formed by the land
falling back from the southern promontory of the island, called by the
white people Diamond-hill. It is open to the south one half of the
compass, and there being no channel, ships are obliged to anchor on the
outside of the reef.

Tamaahmaah formerly resided at this place, and great part of his
navy were hauled up on the shore round the bay. I counted more than
thirty vessels; they are kept with the utmost care, having sheds built
over them, their spars laid alongside, and their rigging and cables
preserved in stores.

They are chiefly sloops and schooners, under forty tons burden, and
have all been built by his own carpenters, principally natives, under
the direction of an Englishman of the name of Boyd.

He possesses one ship of about two hundred tons, called the Lily Bird.
This vessel was originally an American, which arrived from the coast
of California in a leaky condition. He purchased her from the captain,
by giving his largest schooner in exchange, and paying the difference
in dollars. She was repaired by his own carpenters, and laid up at
Hanaroora, along side a wharf built for the purpose. The remainder of
his fleet, ten or twelve more, were hauled up at the same place, except
one small sloop, which he kept as a packet between Wahoo and Owhyhee.
She was navigated by native seamen, under the command of an Englishman,
of the name of Clerk, who had formerly been mate of the Lily Bird.

Three miles to the west of Whyteete is the town of Hanaroora, now
the capital of the island, and residence of the king. The harbour is
formed by the reef, which shelters it from the sea, and ships can ride
within in safety in any weather, upon a fine sandy bottom. There is
a good channel through the reef, with three or four fathoms water;
but if there is a swell it is not easily discovered, as the sea often
breaks completely across. Pilots, however, are always to be had; John
Hairbottle, captain of the Lily Bird, generally acted as such. The best
anchorage is in five fathoms water, about two cables length from the
shore, directly in front of the village. Ships sometimes anchor on the
outside of the reef, but they run the risk of having their cables cut
by the coral.

The entrance to this harbour may probably, at no very distant period,
be filled up by the growth of the coral, which must be rapid indeed, if
Hairbottle, the pilot, was correct, when he informed me that he knew a
difference of three feet during the time he had been at Hanaroora.[25]

[25] Hairbottle had been fifteen years on the island, he was mate of
the Jackall, which arrived about the end of 1794. _Vide_ _Broughton._

A small river runs by the back of the village, and joins the sea at the
west side of the harbour; owing to the flatness of the country, the
water is brackish, and there is none fresh to be had within several
miles of the place. Ships, however, can be supplied at a moderate rate
by the natives, who bring it from the spring in calabashes.

Six miles to the westward is Bass’s harbour, also formed by an entrance
through the reef; within it is well sheltered, with good anchorage in
five or six fathoms; but there being no village in the vicinity, it is
little frequented.[26]

[26] This inlet is evidently the same which Captain Vancouver surveyed,
and which, he says, is named Oropoa; finding that, in consequence
of the bar, it was only navigable for small craft, the survey was
not continued. He merely says, that within “it seemed to spread out,
and to terminate in two bays about a mile farther to the northward.”
He mentions another opening to the eastward, called by the natives
Honoonoona, which must be either Bass’s harbour or Hanaroora. From the
similarity of the name, it is more probably the latter place; but he
passed it without examination, being informed that it was shallower
than the other inlet.

Wymumme, or Pearl river, lies about seven miles farther to the
westward. This inlet extends ten or twelve miles up the country.
The entrance is not more than a quarter of a mile wide, and is only
navigable for small craft; the depth of water on the bar, at the
highest tides, not exceeding seven feet; farther up it is nearly two
miles across. There is an isle in it, belonging to Manina, the king’s
interpreter, in which he keeps a numerous flock of sheep and goats.

Pearls and mother-of-pearl shells are found here in considerable
quantity. Since the king has learned their value, he has kept the
fishing to himself, and employs divers for the purpose.

Ten miles to the west of this is Barber’s Point, (so called from the
captain of a ship wrecked there,) the northwest extremity of the
island. It is very low, and extends a considerable way into the sea.

The tides upon this coast do not rise more than four feet at springs;
it is high water about three at full and change of the moon. The force
of the current is scarcely perceptible.

The flat land along shore is highly cultivated; taro root, yams, and
sweet potatoes, are the most common crops; but taro forms the chief
object of their husbandry, being the principal article of food amongst
every class of inhabitants.

The mode of culture is extremely laborious, as it is necessary to
have the whole field laid under water; it is raised in small patches,
which are seldom above a hundred yards square; these are surrounded
by embankments, generally about six feet high, the sides of which
are planted with sugar-canes, with a walk at top; the fields are
intersected by drains or acqueducts, constructed with great labour and
ingenuity, for the purpose of supplying the water necessary to cover
them.

The ground is first carefully dug and levelled with a wooden spade,
called maiai, which the labourers use, squatting on their hams and
heels. After this, it is firmly beat down by treading it with their
feet till it is close enough to contain water.

The plants are propagated by planting a small cutting from the upper
part of the root with the leaves adhering. The water is then let in,
and covers the surface to the depth of twelve or eighteen inches; in
about nine months they are ready for taking up; each plant sends forth
a number of shoots, or suckers, all around. This mode of culture is
particularly laborious, and in all the operations those engaged are
almost constantly up to the middle in the mud.

Notwithstanding this, I have often seen the king working hard in a
taro patch. I know not whether this was done with a view of setting an
example of industry to his subjects. Such exertion could scarcely be
thought necessary amongst these islanders, who are certainly the most
industrious people I ever saw.

The potatoe and yam grounds are neatly inclosed by stone walls, about
eighteen inches high. In addition to these native productions, Indian
corn, and a great variety of garden stuffs have been lately introduced,
and are cultivated with success, chiefly by the white people.

When the islands were discovered, pigs and dogs were the only useful
animals they possessed; but Tamaahmaah has paid so much attention to
the preservation of the breeds left by Vancouver, and other navigators,
that in a short time the stock of horned cattle, horses, sheep, and
goats, will be abundant.

At Owhyhee I was informed that there were many hundreds of cattle
running wild, and several in a domestic state. The king had introduced
the breed into Wahoo; and at the time I was there he had a herd of nine
or ten upon the north side of the island.

Sheep and goats are already very numerous. Several individuals had
large flocks of them. The queen had one, consisting of about one
hundred and fifty; and Manina had several hundreds on the island in
Pearl river.--The king had five horses, of which he was very fond, and
used frequently to go out on horseback. I was informed there were still
more at Owhyhee.

The cattle lately introduced are pastured upon the hills, and those
parts of the country not under cultivation, the fences not being
sufficient to confine them. The hogs are kept in pens, and fed on taro
leaves, sugar canes, and garbage.

The chiefs are the proprietors of the soil, and let the land in small
farms to the lower class, who pay them a rent in kind, generally pigs,
cloth, or mats, at four terms in the year.

At one time during my stay, there were nearly sixty white people
upon Wahoo alone; but the number was constantly varying, and was
considerably diminished before my departure. Although the great
majority had been left by American vessels, not above one third of them
belonged to that nation; the rest were almost all English, and of these
six or eight were convicts, who had made their escape from New South
Wales.

Many inducements are held out to sailors to remain here. If they
conduct themselves with propriety, they rank as chiefs, and are
entitled to all the privileges of the order; at all events, they are
certain of being maintained by some of the chiefs, who are always
anxious to have white people about them.

The king has a considerable number in his service, chiefly carpenters,
joiners, masons, blacksmiths, and bricklayers; these he rewards
liberally with grants of land. Some of these people are sober and
industrious; but this is far from being their general character; on the
contrary, many of them are idle and dissolute, getting drunk whenever
an opportunity presents itself. They have introduced distillation into
the island; and the evil consequences, both to the natives and whites,
are incalculable. It is no uncommon sight to see a party of them broach
a small cask of spirits, and sit drinking for days till they see it out.

There are, however, a few exceptions to this. William Davis, a
Welshman, who resided with Isaac Davis, used to rise every morning at
five, and go to his fields, where he commonly remained till the same
hour in the evening. This singularity puzzled the natives not a little;
but they accounted for it, by supposing that he had been one of their
own countrymen, who had gone to Caheite, or England, after his death,
and had now come back to his native land.

There were no missionaries upon the island during the time I remained
in it, at which I was often much surprised.

Most of the whites have married native women, by whom they have
families; but they pay little attention either to the education or to
the religious instruction of their children. I do not recollect having
seen any who knew more than the letters of the alphabet.




CHAPTER X.

 Account of the natives--Personal appearance--Ranks--Power
 of the king--Priests--Capital punishments--Mode of
 detecting theft--Religious belief--Places of worship and
 ceremonies--Macaheite--Houses--Food--Ava--Spirits distilled from the
 tee-root--State of the women--Marriages--Dress--Manufactures--Nets
 and lines--Modes of fishing--Trade--Price of
 provisions--Amusements--Funeral Rites--Military--Progress in
 civilization--Account of Tamaahmaah and family.


The manners and customs of the Sandwich islanders have been repeatedly
described by much abler observers; but my long residence has given me
opportunities of noticing many things which have escaped others; and to
these I shall, as much as possible, confine my remarks.

The natives, although not tall, are stout and robust in their make,
particularly those of the higher rank; their complexion is nut-brown,
and they are extremely cleanly in their persons. They are distinguished
by great ingenuity in all their arts and manufactures, as well as by a
most persevering industry.

They are divided into two great classes: the Erees, or chiefs, and the
Cannakamowree, or people. The former are the proprietors of the land,
the latter are all under the dominion of some chief, for whom they
work, or cultivate the ground, and by whom they are supported in old
age. They are not, however, slaves, or attached to the soil, but at
liberty to change masters when they think proper.

The supreme government is vested in the king, whose power seems to
be completely absolute. He is assisted by the principal chiefs, whom
he always keeps about his person; many of these have particular
departments to attend to; one chief took charge of the household, and
appointed the different surveys to be performed by every individual;
another, named Coweeowranee, acted as paymaster; his province was
to distribute wages and provisions amongst the people in the king’s
service.

An elderly chief, of the name of Naai, took a general charge of the
whole, and was, in fact, prime minister. He was commonly called Billy
Pitt by the white people, and was by no means pleased when they
addressed him by any other appellation.

The principal duties of the executive were, however, entrusted to the
priests; by them the revenues were collected, and the laws enforced.
Superstition is the most powerful engine by which the latter purpose
is effected; actual punishment being rare. I knew only one instance
of capital punishment; which was that of a man who had violated the
sanctity of the morai. Having got drunk, he quitted it during taboo
time, and entered the house of a woman. He was immediately seized, and
carried back to the morai, where his eyes were put out. After remaining
two days in this state, he was strangled, and his body exposed before
the principal idol.

The method of detecting theft or robbery, affords a singular instance
of the power of superstition over their minds. The party who has
suffered the loss applies to one of the priests, to whom he presents a
pig, and relates his story.

The following ceremony is then performed; the priest begins by rubbing
two pieces of green wood upon each other, till, by the friction, a kind
of powder, like snuff, is produced, which is so hot, that on being
placed in dry grass, and blown upon, it takes fire; with this, a large
pile of wood is kindled, and allowed to burn a certain time. He then
takes three nuts of an oily nature, called tootooee; having broken the
shells, one of the kernels is thrown into the fire, at which time he
says an anana, or prayer; and while the nut is crackling in the fire,
repeats the words Muckeeroio kanaka ai kooee, that is, kill or shoot
the fellow. The same ceremonies take place with each of the nuts,
provided the thief does not appear before they are consumed.

This, however, but seldom happens; the culprit generally makes his
appearence with the stolen property, which is restored to the owner,
and the offence punished by a fine of four pigs. He is then dismissed,
with strict injunctions not to commit the like crime in future, under
pain of a more severe penalty. The pigs are taken to the morai, where
they are offered up as sacrifices, and afterwards eaten by the priests.

Should it happen that the unfortunate criminal does not make his
appearance during the awful ceremony, his fate is inevitable; had
he the whole island to bestow, not one word of the prayer could be
recalled, nor the anger of the Etooah appeased. The circumstance is
reported to the king, and proclamation made throughout the island, that
a certain person has been robbed, and that those who are guilty have
been prayed to death.

So firm is their belief in the power of these prayers, that the culprit
pines away, refusing to take any sustenance, and at last falls a
sacrifice to his credulity.

The priests also practice medicine. Bathing is their great specific.
If the patient is too weak to be carried to the sea, he is washed with
salt water. The oil extracted from a nut, called tootooee, is used as
a purgative; and a black mineral substance, reduced to a powder, as an
emetic. This is very powerful in its effects; half the quantity that
can be laid on a sixpence forming a sufficient dose.

I have but few particulars to give of their religious opinions. Their
principal god, to whom they attribute the creation of the world, is
called Etooah; and they have seven or eight subordinate deities, whose
images are in the morai, and to whom offerings are made as well as to
the Etooah. Their names I cannot recollect.

They believe in a future state, where they will be rewarded or punished
for their conduct in this life. Their belief in the efficacy of prayer
has already been remarked. During the time I lived with the king, it
was reported that some person had prayed him to death; in order to
counteract the effects of this, the daughter of a chief prostrated
herself before the house, and turning towards the setting sun, prayed
with great fervency. I did not then understand the language, and
imagined that she was addressing that luminary; but William Moxely
explained that part to me. She said, How could the sun rise and set, or
the moon perform her revolutions, if there were not some superior Being
who regulated their motions.

They have a tradition of a general deluge. According to their account,
the sea once overflowed the whole world, except Mouna Kaa, in Owhyhee,
and swept away all the inhabitants but one pair, who saved themselves
on that mountain, and are the parents of the present race of mankind.

Their morais, or places of worship, consist of one large house, or
temple, with some smaller ones round it, in which are the images of
their inferior gods. The tabooed, or consecrated precincts, are marked
out by four square posts, which stand thirty or forty yards from the
building. In the inside of the principal house there is a screen or
curtain of white cloth, hung across one end, within which the image of
Etooah is placed. When sacrifices are offered, the priests and chiefs
enter occasionally within this space, going in at one side and out
at the other. Although present on one occasion, I did not enter this
recess, partly because I was doubtful of the propriety of doing so, and
also on account of the difficulty I had in moving myself, and the risk
of getting my wounds injured among the crowd.

On the outside are placed several images made of wood, as ugly as can
be well imagined, having their mouths all stuck round with dog’s teeth.

Their holidays took place about four times a month, and the ceremonies
lasted from sunset on the day preceding, to sunrise on the following
day; during which no person was permitted to pass the bounds of the
morai. This time was spent in prayer, in sacrificing pigs, in eating
the sacrifices, and in conversation. I attended only once, and was
not, at that time, sufficiently master of the language to understand
the purport of the prayers.

The priest continued nearly three hours, in a very solemn manner,
during which the most profound silence was observed; indeed, the
smallest noise of any kind, either within the morai or in the
neighbourhood, would have been a proof that the deity was offended, and
the prayer must have ceased; a proclamation was, therefore, made by
the public crier, whenever the king entered the morai, ordering every
animal near it to be confined, otherwise they should be seized and
offered up as sacrifices. Those present stood with their arms extended
towards heaven for about three quarters of an hour at the beginning of
the prayer, and the same length of time at its conclusion. I was not
required to perform this part of the ceremony.

The number present did not exceed forty, and were all of the higher
rank. Women are never permitted to attend on these occasions.

Human sacrifices are offered upon their going to war; but nothing
of the kind took place during my stay; unless in the case already
mentioned, of the man punished for breaking the taboo, and whose body
was exposed before the idol.

During the period called Macaheite, which lasts a whole month, and
takes place in November, the priests are employed in collecting the
taxes, which are paid by the chiefs in proportion to the extent of
their territories; they consist of mats, feathers, and the produce of
the country. The people celebrate this festival by dancing, wrestling,
and other amusements.

The king remains in the morai for the whole period; before entering
it, a singular ceremony takes place. He is obliged to stand till three
spears are darted at him: He must catch the first with his hand, and
with it ward off the other two. This is not a mere formality. The spear
is thrown with the utmost force, and should the king lose his life,
there is no help for it.[27]

[27] Tamaahmaah is so dexterous in the use of the spear, that
he probably runs little risk in thus exposing himself. Vancouver
relates, that in a sham-fight he saw him ward off six spears that were
hurled at him almost at the same instant. “Three he caught as they
were flying with one hand; two he broke by parrying them with his
spear; and the sixth, by a trifling inclination of his body, passed
harmless”--_Vancouver_, Vol. III. p. 254.

At the Macaheite, which happened when I was on the island, the eldest
son of Tamaahmaah, a youth about fifteen, was invested with royal
honours, and entitled to the same marks of respect as his father. What
share he had in the government I did not learn; but I observed no
alteration in the exercise of the king’s authority.

The houses of the natives are of the simplest form; they are oblong,
with very low side-walls, and high-thatched roofs; within, they are not
divided into separate apartments, nor have they any tables or seats.

It is only by size that the houses of the chiefs are distinguished from
those of the lower orders, for the same barn-like shape is universal.
They are, however, kept very clean; and their household utensils,
consisting of wooden dishes and calabashes, are hung, neatly arranged,
upon the walls. While the floors of the meaner houses are bare, except
the place for sleeping, where a few mats are spread, those of the
higher orders are entirely covered over with mats, many of which are
worked with great elegance into different patterns. At one end, a
platform raised about three feet from the ground, which extends the
whole breadth of the apartment, is spread with a layer of rushes, and
covered with mats. This forms the sleeping place for the upper part of
the family; the attendants sleep at the opposite end.

As the two sexes never eat together, the chiefs have always a separate
eating-house, and even the lower ranks have one to every six or seven
families for the men. The women take their food in the same houses in
which they sleep.

Few of the houses, except the largest, have any windows; the light
being admitted by the door, which is seldom closed. The dwellings of
the upper ranks are generally surrounded by a paling. In all of them
the utmost attention to cleanliness prevails.

Their mode of cooking has been often described. Poey, or taro-pudding,
which is the principal food of all ranks, is prepared by baking the
root in a pit with hot stones, upon which water is poured. It is
afterwards scraped, mashed, and mixed with cold water. When newly made,
it is not unpalatable, but it soon turns sour.

Fish are often eaten raw, seasoned with salt water. When cooked, they
are either done in their usual manner, under ground, or broiled, by
putting them, wrapt in leaves, upon the fire. When the leaves are
burnt, they consider them ready.

They preserve pork by taking out the bones, and rubbing it well with
salt; after which it is made up in rolls, and dried.

They frequently eat with their pork a kind of pudding made of
taro-root, which is previously cut in slices, and dried in the sun; it
keeps a great length of time, and is a good substitute for bread. In
this state it is preferred by the white people. The natives preserve it
for taking to sea, by mashing and forming it into a solid paste, when
it is wrapped in leaves, and will keep fresh for five or six weeks.

The sugar-cane, which they chew, is also a general article of food.

Instead of candles, the tootooee-nut is used, which being of an oily
nature, yields a considerable quantity of light. It grows upon a small
tree, and is about the size of a horse-chesnut. When pulled, they are
thrown into water, and those that sink are reckoned sound; they are
then baked under ground, and their shells broken off, in which state
they are kept till required. When used as candles, they string twenty
or thirty upon a slit of bamboo, each of which will burn five or six
minutes; but they require constant trimming, and it is necessary to
reverse the torch whenever a nut is consumed, that the one under it may
catch fire. It must, therefore, be held by a person whose business it
is to keep it always in order.

This nut, when pressed, yields an oil well adapted for mixing with
paint. The black colour, by which their canoes are painted, is produced
by burning the nuts after they are pressed, and by the cinders of the
torches, which are carefully preserved for the purpose; these are
reduced to powder, and mixed with oil.

Ava, with which the natives were formerly wont to intoxicate
themselves, is now giving way to the use of ardent spirits. I never saw
it used, except as a medicine to prevent corpulency, and is said to be
an effectual remedy. It causes a white scurf to strike out upon the
skin, somewhat like the dry scurvy.

The spirit distilled from the tea-root now usurps its place, and I fear
the consequences will be still more pernicious.

That plant grows wild in the upper part of the country, and varies
from the size of a carrot to that of a man’s thigh. It is put into a
pit, amongst heated stones, and covered with plantain and taro leaves;
through these a small hole is made, and water poured in; after which
the whole is closed up again, and allowed to remain twenty-four hours.
When the root has undergone this process, the juice tastes as sweet
as molasses. It is then taken out, bruised, and put into a canoe to
ferment; and in five or six days is ready for distillation.

Their stills are formed out of iron pots, which they procure from
American ships, and which they enlarge to any size, by fixing several
tier of calabashes above them, with their bottoms sawed off, and the
joints well luted. From the uppermost, a wooden tube connects with a
copper cone, round the inside of which is a ring with a pipe to carry
off the spirit. The cone is fixed into a hole in the bottom of a tub
filled with water, which serves as a condenser.

By this simple apparatus a spirit is produced, called lumi, or rum, and
which is by no means harsh or unpalatable. Both whites and natives are
unfortunately too much addicted to it. Almost every one of the chiefs
has his own still.

Smoking tobacco is another luxury of which the natives are very fond.
The plant grows in abundance upon the islands, and they use it in a
green state. In their tobacco pipes they display their usual taste and
ingenuity. The tube is made of a hollow stem of a kind of vine, fixed
to an iron bowl, which is inserted into hard wood. The stem is covered
with rings of ivory and turtle-shell, placed alternately; the whole
kept firmly together at the top by an ivory mouth-piece.

The women are subject to many restrictions from which the men are
exempted. They are not allowed to attend the morai upon taboo days, nor
at these times are they permitted to go out in a canoe. They are never
permitted to eat with the men, except when at sea, and then not out
of the same dish. Articles of delicacy, such as pork, turtle, shark,
cocoa-nuts, bananas or plantains, are also forbidden. Dog’s flesh and
fish were the only kinds of animal food lawful for them to eat; but
since the introduction of sheep and goats, which are not tabooed, the
ladies have less reason to complain.

Notwithstanding the rigour with which these ceremonies are generally
observed, the women very seldom scruple to break them, when it can
be done in secret; they often swim off to ships at night during the
taboo; and I have known them eat of the forbidden delicacies of pork
and shark’s flesh. What would be the consequence of a discovery I know
not; but I once saw the queen transgressing in this respect, and was
strictly enjoined to secrecy, as she said it was as much as her life
was worth.

Their ideas of marriage are very loose; either party may quit the other
when they tire or disagree. The lower classes in general, content
themselves with one wife; but they are by no means confined to that
number, and the chiefs have frequently several. Tamaahmaah had two,
besides a very handsome girl, the daughter of a chief, educating for
him. One elderly chief, Coweeooranee, had no fewer than fifteen.
They are very jealous of any improper connexion between natives and
their wives; but the case is widely different with respect to their
visitors, where connexion of that kind is reckoned the surest proof of
friendship, and they are always anxious to strengthen it by that tie.

The virtue of the king’s wives is, however, most scrupulously guarded;
each of them having a male and a female attendant, whose duty it is to
watch them on all occasions. Should it be discovered that any of the
queens have been unfaithful, these attendants are punished with death,
unless they have given the first intimation.

Immediately after child-birth, women are obliged to retire to the
woods, where they remain ten days, and must not be seen by the men.
The queen, who had a daughter whilst I was there, had a house for the
purpose of retirement; but, in general, they have no other shelter but
what the woods afford. They also retire in the same manner three days
in every month.[28]

[28] Captain Lisianski relates the same practice as prevalent among the
Aleutian women: if he is not mistaken in ascribing it to them instead
of the Sandwich islanders, or if our author has not fallen into the
opposite error, the coincidence is remarkable.

Campbell, upon being questioned, related several instances of its
having occurred in Wahoo. He cannot say as to the practice of the
Aleutian islands.

A simple garment, called pow, forms the principal part of the dress of
the women; it consists of a piece of cloth about one yard broad and
three in length, wrapped several times round the waist, with the end
tucked in below, and reaching to the calf of the leg. In cold weather,
they throw another piece of cloth, like a plaid, over their shoulders.
Round the neck they often wear wreaths of the leaves of a fragrant
plant called miri, resembling those of the vine.

An ivory ornament, called palava, is very generally worn, suspended
by a hair necklace, neatly plaited into small cords. The hole through
which it is passed is large enough to admit the thumb, and the plaits
are so numerous as to fill it entirely.

The hair is combed back in front, and plastered over with a kind
of lime made from burnt shells. This practice bleaches that on the
forehead nearly white.

Their heads are adorned with wreaths of flowers taken from the stalk,
and strung on the stem of a small creeping plant. They prefer purple,
yellow, and white, and arrange them alternately three or four inches of
each colour. This is twined several times round the head, and has a
very elegant appearance.

They are at great pains in ornamenting themselves, for which purpose
every female is provided with a small mirror. All ranks pay the utmost
attention to personal cleanliness.

The dress of the men consists merely of a small girdle, made of taper,
called the maro. Upon great occasions, the chiefs wear elegant cloaks
and helmets of red and yellow feathers.

The cloth called taper is entirely manufactured by women, and is made
from a bark of a tree, which is first steeped in water, and then beat
out with a piece of wood, grooved or furrowed like a crimping machine.
The bark is laid upon another piece of wood, grooved like the former.
As these two instruments are at right angles during the operation, the
marks in the cloth are crossed like warp and woof.

It is colored with the juice of berries, laid on with a piece of
turtle-shell, shaped like a knife, or with a brush, formed by chewing
the end of a slip of bamboo. In this manner it is tinged brown, green,
blue, and black; to produce a yellow, the cloth is dipt in a dye
prepared by boiling the cone of a tree in water. They often paint a
variety of patterns, in which they display great taste and fancy.

This cloth, from its texture, is, when wetted, extremely apt to
get damaged, in which state it tears like moist paper; great care,
therefore, is always taken to keep it dry, or to have it carefully
dried when it is wetted. When they swim off to ships, they hold their
clothes out of the water in one hand, occasionally changing it as it
becomes fatigued.

The mats with which the floors of the houses are covered, are also
manufactured by the women. They are made of rushes, or a kind of
broad-leaved grass, split at the stem, and are worked in a variety of
patterns.

The natives are most dexterous fishers, and their implements are
constructed with much ingenuity. The hooks are sometimes made of
mother-of-pearl and tortoise-shell, but those procured from ships are
coming into more general use.

Their nets and lines are spun from the fibre of a broad-leaved plant
called ourana, similar in appearance to sedge or flags; it is pulled
green, and the outside stripped off with a tortoise-shell knife, after
which it is steeped in water; the fibres are separated by the nail,
and spun into lines, by rolling them between the hand and the thigh.
The lines have sometimes two strands, and sometimes three, and are
much stronger than those of hemp. They drag these lines after their
canoes, and in this manner take bonettas, dolphins, and albicores.
For the hooks of their own manufacture bait is not required, the
mother-of-pearl shank serving the same end. When wire hooks are used,
they wrap a piece of white cloth round them.

The nets in which they take the flying fish are made of twine of the
same material.--They are about a hundred yards in length, by three or
four yards in breadth, and have a large bag in the centre.

They are set like herring-nets, with the upper edge floated by buoys
of light wood, whilst the lower edge is kept under water by weights of
lead or iron. In order to prevent the fish from flying over, branches
of trees are laid all along the head-line. When properly extended, a
canoe at each end of the net, gradually advances, forming it into a
circle, into which the fish are driven by a number of canoes, who fill
up the open side, and beat the surface violently with branches.--When
the canoes at each end of the net meet, they gradually take it in,
contracting the circle till the fish are forced into the bag in the
centre.

In this manner prodigious numbers are taken. I have known them return,
after a day’s fishing, with ten or twelve canoes deeply loaded.
Sometimes the net is so full they cannot take it on board, and are
obliged to drag it after them to the shore.

They have a singular method of catching fish by poison. This is done
by means of an herb like heath, stripped of its bark, and bruised;
with this they dive to the bottom, and place it beneath the stones,
where the fish lie. The poison is so powerful, that in a short time
they sicken, and come up to the surface.--When taken they are instantly
gutted, in order that the poison in their stomach may not affect the
quality of the fish.

The occupiers or proprietors of land are entitled to the privilege of
fishing upon their own shores as far as the tallest man in the island
can wade at low water, and they may exercise that right at all seasons;
but beyond that the sea is tabooed, except at two periods in the year,
of six weeks each, during which unlimited fishing is allowed. At these
times it is the general employment of the natives, and they cure enough
to serve them through the tabooed season.

In every article of their manufacture these islanders display an
extraordinary degree of neatness and ingenuity, considering the
simplicity of the tools with which they work.

The tool in most general use is a kind of tomahawk, or adze, called
toe; it was formerly made of hard polished stone, but is now
universally made of iron. To form it, they lash a thin plate of iron,
from one to four inches broad, and five or six long, to a branch which
has a piece of the stem attached to it. Plane irons are much in request
for this purpose; but the toe is frequently made of an old hoop.

This, with a piece of coral for a file, is almost the only tool used in
the construction of their houses, canoes, and implements of wood.

The circular wooden dishes, containing from half a pint to five or six
gallons, are formed with these simple tools, and are as neatly made as
if they had been turned in a lathe. It is astonishing how soon they
acquire the useful arts from their visitors. Many of the natives are
employed as carpenters, coopers, blacksmiths, and tailors, and do their
work as perfectly as Europeans.

In the king’s forge there were none but native blacksmiths; they had
been taught by the armourer of a ship, who quitted the island while I
was there.

Almost all their dealings are conducted by barter; they know the value
of dollars, and are willing to take them in exchange; but they seldom
appear again in circulation, being always carefully hoarded up.

Vessels are supplied with fresh provisions, live-stock, salt, and other
articles of outfit, for which they give in return cloth, fire-arms, and
ammunition, the teeth of the sea-lion, carpenter’s tools, hardware,
and, in general, European articles of every description.

Sandal-wood, pearls, and mother-of-pearl shells, are also the produce
of these islands, and are frequently purchased for the China market.

It is probable that the Russians will, in future, derive from hence
the principal supplies of provisions for their settlements on the Fox
islands, and northwest coast of America, and even Kamschatka.

With the island of Atooi the natives carry on a considerable trade. The
inhabitants of Wahoo excel in making taper or cloth, whilst those of
Atooi excel in canoes, paddles, and spears, and they very often make
exchanges in these articles.

Owing to the number of ships that are constantly touching at these
islands, provisions are by no means cheap. A pig is estimated by its
length. The largest size, called poanana, or fathom pig, measures that
length from the snout to the rump, and is valued at two axes; a junk of
the thickest part of the sea-horse tooth, five or six inches long, a
yard and a half of blue cloth, or five dollars.

Those that measure from the elbow to the opposite hand, are valued at
one axe, or about half the price of the larger size. A sheep or goat
may be had for a smaller piece of ivory; a maro, or a pair of fowls,
for a knife, a pair of scissors, or small mirror.

From their earliest years, the natives spend much of their spare time
in the water, and constant practice renders them so dexterous, that
they seem as much at their ease in that element as on land; they
often swim several miles off to ships, sometimes resting upon a plank
shaped like an anchor stock, and paddling with their hands, but more
frequently without any assistance whatever.

Although sharks are numerous in these seas, I never heard of any
accident from them, which I attribute to the dexterity with which they
avoid their attacks.

Throwing the top shoots of the sugar-cane at each other, and catching
them in their flight, is a favorite amusement, the practice of which
tends to render them very expert in the use of the spear.

Dancing, wrestling, and foot races, are also common amusements,
particularly at macaheite time.

The dances are principally performed by women, who form themselves into
solid squares, ten or twelve each way, and keep time to the sound of
the drum, accompanied by a song, in which they all join. In dancing
they seldom move their feet, but throw themselves into a variety of
attitudes, sometimes all squatting, and at other times springing up
at the same instant. A man in front with strings of shells on his
ankles and wrists, with which he marks time, acts as fugel-man. On
these occasions the women display all their finery, particularly in
European clothes, if they are so fortunate as to possess any. They
received great applause from the spectators, who frequently burst into
immoderate fits of laughter, at particular parts of the song.

They have a game somewhat resembling draughts, but more complicated.
It is played upon a board about twenty-two inches by fourteen, painted
black, with white spots, on which the men are placed; these consist of
black and white pebbles, eighteen upon each side, and the game is won
by the capture of the adversary’s pieces.

Tamaahmaah excels at this game. I have seen him sit for hours playing
with his chiefs, giving an occasional smile, but without uttering a
word. I could not play, but William Moxely, who understood it well,
told me that he had seen none who could beat the king.

The game of draughts is now introduced, and the natives play it
uncommonly well.

Flying kites is another favorite amusement. They make them of taper,
of the usual shape, but uncommon size, many of them being fifteen or
sixteen feet in length, and six or seven in breadth; they have often
three or four hundred fathom of line, and are so difficult to hold,
that they are obliged to tie them to trees.

The only employment I ever saw Tamena, the queen, engaged in, was
making these kites.

A theatre was erected under the direction of James Beattie, the king’s
block-maker, who had been at one time on the stage in England. The
scenes representing a castle and a forest were constructed of different
coloured pieces of taper, cut out and pasted together.

I was present on one occasion, at the performance of Oscar and Malvina.
This piece was originally a pantomime, but here it had words written
for it by Beattie. The part of Malvina was performed by the wife of
Isaac Davis. As her knowledge of the English language was very limited,
extending only to the words yes and no, her speeches were confined to
these monosyllables. She, however, acted her part with great applause.
The Fingalian heroes were represented by natives clothed in the
Highland garb, also made out of taper, and armed with muskets.

The audience did not seem to understand the play well, but were greatly
delighted with the after-piece, representing a naval engagement.
The ships were armed with bamboo cannon, and each of them fired a
broadside, by means of a train of thread dipped in saltpetre, which
communicated with each gun, after which one of the vessels blew up.
Unfortunately, the explosion set fire to the forest, and had nearly
consumed the theatre.

The ceremonies that took place upon the death of a chief have been
already described. The bodies of the dead are always disposed of
secretly, and I never could learn where they were interred. My
patroness, the queen, preserved the bones of her father, wrapt up in a
piece of cloth. When she slept in her own house they were placed by her
side; in her absence they were placed on a feather bed she had received
from the captain of a ship, and which was only used for this purpose.
When I asked her the reason of this singular custom, she replied, “it
was because she loved her father so dearly.”

When the king goes to war, I understand that every man capable of
bearing arms must follow his chief; for which purpose they are all
trained from their youth to the use of arms. I saw nothing like a
regular armed force, except a guard of about fifty men, who constantly
did duty at the king’s residence. There were about twenty of them on
guard daily, but the only sentry which they posted was at the powder
magazine. At night he regularly called out every hour, “All’s well.”

They were armed with muskets and bayonets, but had no uniform; their
cartridge-boxes, which were made by the king’s workmen, are of wood,
about thirteen inches long, rounded to the shape of the body, and
covered with hide.

I have seen those guards at their exercise; rapidity, and not
precision, seemed to be their great object. The men stood at extended
order, and fired as fast as they could, beating the butt upon the
ground, and coming to the recover without using the ramrod; each man
gave the word “fire,” before he drew the trigger.

The natives of these islands have been accused of being cannibals; but
as far as I could judge, either from my own observation, or from the
enquiries I made, I believe the accusation to be perfectly destitute
of foundation. Isaac Davis, who had the best means of knowing, having
resided there more than twenty years, and who had been present and
borne a share in all their wars, declared to me most pointedly, that
“it was all lies--that there never had been cannibals there since they
were islands.”

From a perusal of the foregoing pages, it will be seen, that these
islanders have acquired many of the useful arts, and are making rapid
progress towards civilization. Much must be ascribed, no doubt, to
their natural ingenuity and unwearied industry; but great part of the
merit must also be ascribed to the unceasing exertions of Tamaahmaah,
whose enlarged mind has enabled him to appreciate the advantages
resulting from an intercourse with Europeans, and he has prosecuted
that object with the utmost eagerness.

The unfortunate death of captain Cook, and the frequent murders
committed by the natives on navigators, particularly in Wahoo, in
which Lieutenant Hengist, and Mr. Gooch, astronomer of the Dædalus,
Messrs. Brown and Gordon, masters of the ships Jackall and Prince Le
Boo, lost their lives, gave such ideas of the savage nature of the
inhabitants, that for many years few ships would venture to touch at
these islands.[29]

[29] The editor has not thought himself at liberty to alter the
orthography of the king’s name adopted by Vancouver and Broughton.
Although, to his ear, it would be more correctly Tameamea. Every
voyager has spelt it in a different manner. Captain King has spelt it
Maiha Maiha; Mr. Samwell, the surgeon of the Discovery, who published
an account of Captain Cook’s death, Cameamea; Portlocke, Comaamaa;
Meares, Tomyhomyhaw; Vancouver and Broughton, Tamaahmaah; Lisianski,
Hameamea; Langsdorf, Tomooma; and Turnbull, Tamahama. As the hard sound
of _C_ and _T_ is scarcely to be distinguished in the pronunciation of
the language, and the h is silent, the reader, from a comparison, will
be able to ascertain the most correct way.

But since Tamaahmaah has established his power, he has regulated his
conduct by such strict rules of justice, that strangers find themselves
as safe in his port as in those of any civilized nation.

Although always anxious to induce white people to remain, he gives no
encouragement to desertion, nor does he ever attempt to detain those
who wish to depart.

In 1809 the king seemed about fifty years of age; he is a stout,
well-made man, rather darker in the complexion than the natives
usually are, and wants two of his front teeth. The expression of his
countenance is agreeable, and he is mild and affable in his manners,
and possesses great warmth of feeling; for I have seen him shed tears
upon the departure of those to whom he was attached, and has the art
of attaching others to himself. Although a conquerer, he is extremely
popular among his subjects; and not without reason, for since he
attained the supreme power, they have enjoyed repose and prosperity.
He has amassed a considerable treasure in dollars, and possesses a
large stock of European articles of every description, particularly
arms and ammunition; these he has acquired by trading with the ships
that call at the islands. He understands perfectly well how to make
a bargain; but is unjustly accused of wishing to over-reach in his
dealings. I never knew of his taking any undue advantages; on the
contrary, he is distinguished for upright and honourable conduct in all
his transactions.--War, not commerce, seems to be his principal motive
in forming so extensive a navy. Being at peace, his fleet was laid up
in ordinary during the whole time of my stay. When he chooses to fit it
out, he will find no difficulty in manning his vessels. Independently
of the number of white people he has constantly about him, and who are
almost all sailors, he will find, even among his own subjects, many
good seamen. He encourages them to make voyages in the ships that are
constantly touching at the islands, and many of them have been as far
as China, the northwest coast of America, and even the United States.
In a very short time they become useful hands, and continue so as long
as they remain in warm climates; but they are not capable of standing
the effects of cold.

During my stay the building of the navy was suspended, the king’s
workmen being employed in erecting a house, in the European style, for
his residence at Hanaroora. When I came away, the walls were as high as
the top of the first story.

His family consisted of the two queens, who are sisters, and a young
girl, the daughter of a chief, destined to the same rank. He had two
sons alive, one about fifteen, and the other about ten years of age,
and a daughter, born when I was upon the island.

The queen was delivered about midnight, and the event was instantly
announced by a salute of sixteen guns, being a round of the battery in
front of the house.

I was informed by Isaac Davis, that his eldest son had been put to
death by his orders in consequence of criminal connexion with one of
his wives. This took place before he fixed his residence at Wahoo.

His mode of life has already been described. He sometimes dressed
himself in the European fashion, but more frequently laid aside his
clothes, and gave them to an attendant, contenting himself with
the maro. Another attendant carried a fan, made of feathers, for
the purpose of brushing away the flies; whilst a third carried his
spit-box, which was set round with human teeth, and had belonged, as I
was told, to several of his predecessors.

It is said that he was at one time strongly addicted to the use
of ardent spirits; but that, finding the evil consequences of the
practice, he had resolution enough to abandon it. I never saw him pass
the bounds of the strictest temperance.

His queen, Tamena, had not the same resolution; and although, when he
was present, she durst not exceed, she generally availed herself of his
absence in the morai to indulge her propensity for liquor, and seldom
stopped short of intoxication. Two Aleutian women had been left on the
island, and were favorite companions of hers. It was a common amusement
to make them drunk; but, by the end of the entertainment, her majesty
was generally in the same situation.




CHAPTER XI.

 Departure from Wahoo--Pass Otaheite--Double Cape-Horn--Arrival at
 Rio Janeiro--Transactions there, during a residence of nearly two
 years--Voyage home--and from thence to the United States.


The ship in which I left the Sandwich islands was called the Duke of
Portland, commanded by captain Spence. She had procured a cargo of
about one hundred and fifty tons of seal oil, and eleven thousand
skins, at the island of Guadaloupe, on the coast of California, and had
put into Wahoo for the purpose of procuring refreshments.

Every thing being ready, we sailed from Hanaroora on the 4th of March,
and stood to the southward with pleasant weather.

In the beginning of April we descried the mountains of Otaheite, but
did not touch at that island.

About a week before we doubled Cape Horn, we saw two large whales, and
the boats were hoisted out in the hope of taking them, but it began to
blow so hard that the attempt proved unsuccessful.

Early in May we passed Cape Horn; the captain stood as far south as the
latitude of 60, and we never saw the land. Although the season was far
advanced we did not experience the smallest difficulty in this part of
the voyage.

A few days afterwards we made the Falkland islands; the land is of
great height, and seems perfectly barren.

Upon the 25th we saw the coast of Brazil, and next day entered the
harbour of Rio Janeiro.

Being apprehensive of a mortification in my legs, I applied for
admission into the English hospital, which is situated in a small
island that lies off the harbour. When captain Spence, who took me
thither in his boat, mentioned that I had lost my feet in the service
of the Americans, he was informed, that since that was the case, I must
apply to them to take care of me.

I then went on board an American brig, called the Lion, the captain of
which directed me to call on Mr. Baulch, the consul for that nation;
by his interest I was admitted into the Portuguese hospital, _de la
miserecorde_.

During the whole voyage I experienced the utmost attention and kindness
from the captain and crew of the Duke of Portland; and when I quitted
them they did not leave me unprovided for in a strange country; they
raised a subscription, amounting to fifty dollars, which was paid into
the hands of the Portuguese agent on my account.

I remained in the hospital ten weeks; the Portuguese surgeons, although
they could not effect a cure, afforded me considerable relief, and I
was dismissed as well as I ever expected to be.

I was now in a different situation from what I had been either at
Kodiak or the Sandwich islands; I was in a civilized country, in which
I must earn my subsistence by my own industry; but here, as well as
there, I was under the protection of Divine Providence, and in all my
misfortunes, I found friends who were disposed to assist me.

Mr. Baulch, the American consul, gave me a jar of the essence of
spruce, which I brewed into beer; and having hired a negro with a
canoe, I went about the ships, furnishing them with that, and other
small articles of refreshment.

While engaged in this employment, I went on board the ship Otter,
returning from the South Seas, under the command of Mr. Jobelin, whom
I had seen in the same vessel at the Sandwich islands. He informed me
that he had visited Wahoo a few months after my departure, and found
all my friends in good health, except Isaac Davis, who had departed
this life after a short illness.

In this manner I was not only enabled to support myself, but even to
save a little money. I afterwards hired a house at the rent of four
milreas a month, and set up a tavern and boarding house for sailors;
this undertaking not proving successful, I gave it up for a butcher’s
stall, in which I was chiefly employed in supplying the ships with
fresh meat. This business proved a very good one, and I was sanguine
in my hopes of being able to raise a small sum; but an unfortunate
circumstance took place, which damped all my hopes, and reduced me
again to a state of poverty.

In the night of the 24th July, my home was broken into, and I was
robbed of every farthing I had, as well as of all my clothes.

As the purchase of carcasses required some capital, I was under the
necessity of giving up my stall for the present. I again took myself
to my old trade of keeping a bum-boat, till I had saved as much as
enabled me to set up the stall again.

I was much assisted by the good offices of a gentleman from Edinburgh,
of the name of Lawrie, who resided in my neighbourhood; he took great
interest in my welfare, and was of essential service by recommending me
to ships, as well as by occasionally advancing a little money to enable
me to purchase a carcase.

The state of my health, however, prevented me from availing myself
of the advantages of my situation; the sores in my legs, although
relieved, had never healed, and gradually became so painful as to
affect my health, and render me unable to attend to any business.

In consequence of this, I determined to return home, in hopes of having
the cure effectually performed in my native country.

On the 5th of February, 1812, I quitted Rio Janeiro, after a stay of
twenty-two months. I came home in the brig Hazard, captain Anderson,
and arrived in the Clyde on the 21st of April, after an absence of
nearly six years.

After residing nearly four years in my native country, and having
still a desire to visit the Sandwich islands, I left Scotland, in the
American ship Independence, commanded by captain John Thomas, on the
3d of September, 1816, for New-York. We had sixty-three passengers,
and after a very tedious voyage of fifty-three days, we arrived in
good health at our port of destination. I had been led to believe
that I should find no difficulty in getting a passage to the Sandwich
islands from New-York; but after a short residence there, I did not
see any prospect of obtaining a conveyance thither. My funds growing
low, I commenced soliciting subscribers for my work. In this I met with
considerable success, and was enabled to publish an edition of one
thousand copies. But on account of the ulcers in my legs never healing,
and being apprehensive of mortification, I was deterred from proceeding
any farther. I therefore applied to the governors of the New-York city
hospital for admittance, with the intention of having my legs amputated
higher up, so that I might not be troubled with them in future. I was
accordingly admitted on the 4th of November, 1817; and on the 20th of
the same month, one of my legs was taken off a little below the knee.
The second operation was performed on the 17th of January following;
and I was enabled to leave the hospital on the 3d of April, 1818.

I still wished to return to the Sandwich islands, and having so far
recovered as to be able to walk about with considerable ease, and
the favourable appearance of my wounds indicating a thorough cure, I
therefore made application to several gentlemen in New-York, by whose
means my intentions were represented to the Prudential Committee of the
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. By their advice
I removed to the institution belonging to that body, at Cornwall,
Litchfield county, Connecticut, in order that I might there study
under the Rev. Herman Daggett, and that I might become acquainted
with several young men, in that place from the Sandwich islands; to
the end, that if ever it should please Divine Providence to permit me
to visit those islands again, I might be able to render them and the
cause of religion, all the assistance that lay in my power, and that
my influence might be exerted on the side of virtue; and, above all
things, that I might be instrumental in forwarding the introduction of
missionaries into those dark and benighted islands of the sea.




APPENDIX.

VOCABULARY

OF THE

LANGUAGE OF THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.




APPENDIX No. I.

A VOCABULARY

OF THE

LANGUAGE OF THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.


In pronouncing the words as spelt in the vocabulary, _all letters must
be sounded_, with the exceptions after mentioned.

In sounding the vowels, A has always the sound of the initial and final
letter in the word _Arabia_.

E, as in the word _eloquence_, or the final Y in _plenty_.

The double E, as in _keep_.

I, as in the word _indolence_.

O, as in the word _form_.

The double O, as in _boot_, _good_.

U, as in the word _but_.

The diphthongs Ai, as the vowel sounds in _tye_, _fly_, or the I in
_diameter_.

Ei, as in the word _height_.

Oi, as in the word _oil_.

Ow, as in the word _cow_.

All other combinations of vowels are to be sounded separately; thus,
_oe_, _you_, and _roa_, _distant_, are dissyllables.

In sounding the consonants, H is always aspirated; the letters K and T,
L and R, B and P, are frequently substituted for each other.

Thus, _kanaka_, _tanata_, people; _ooroo_, _ooloo_, bread-fruit; _boa_,
_poa_, a hog.

Where the words are separated by a comma, they are synonymous, and
either may be used; but where there is no comma, both must be used.

Example. _Taate_, _Keike tanne_, a boy.

It frequently happens that the same word is repeated twice, in which
case it is connected with a hyphen; thus _leepe-leepe_, an axe.


  A

  Above                                           _Aroona_
  Adze                                            _Toe_
  Afraid                                          _Macaoo_
  After me, come                                  _Mamooraao_, _peemaio_
  Afterwards                                      _Mamoore_
  Agreable                                        _Nawee-nawee_
  American, an                                    _Tanata_, _Merikana_
  Angry                                           _Hoohoo_
  Arm, the                                        _Poheva_
  Arrow                                           _Eeoome_
  Ashore                                          _Ayooka_
  At                                              _Eia_
  Avaricious                                      _Peepere_
  Aunt                                            _Titooa waheine_
  Axe                                             _Leepe-leepe_
  Apple                                           _Oheea_


  B

  Back, the                                       _Tooata_
  Back, to carry on                               _Eoaha_
  Bad                                             _Eeno_, _heva_,
                                                      _nooe-nooe heva_
  Bad man                                         _Kanaka poopoota_
  Bald                                            _Oopoboota_
  Bamboo                                          _Ohe_
  Bark                                            _Hohore_
  Battle                                          _Emutta_
  Bed                                             _Moena_
  Beard                                           _Oome-oome_
  Beat a drum, to                                 _Erokoo_
  Bee                                             _Narro_
  Bees wax                                        _Tootai narro_
  Begone                                          _Hiere piero oe_
  Behind                                          _Temoore_
  Belly                                           _Manaoo_, _opoe_
  Belch                                           _Erooee_
  Below                                           _Deerro_
  Between                                         _Feropoo_
  Bird                                            _Mannoo_
  Biscuit                                         _Bikete_
  Bitter                                          _Ava-ava_
  Black                                           _Ere-ere_
  Bladder                                         _Toa-meeme_
  Blind                                           _Muka pa_
  Block, pully                                    _Pockaka_
  Blood                                           _Toto_
  Board, or plank to swim on                      _Papa_
  Board, on                                       _Aroona_
  Bone                                            _Oohe_
  Bonetta, a fish so called                       _Pehe rera_
  Bottom                                          _Okoree_
  Bowl, wooden                                    _Apoina_
  Boy                                             _Taate_, _keike
                                                      tannee_
  Boy, a familiar way of speaking                 _Heimanne_
  Bracelet of shells                              _Teepoo_
  Bread-fruit                                     _Ooroo-ooloo_
  Break, to                                       _Anaha_
  Breast                                          _Ooma_
  Blue                                            _Ooree-ooree_
  Bring me                                        _Peemai_
  Broken                                          _Motoo_
  Brother                                         _Keike tanee_
  Brown                                           _Aoora oora_
  Bucket                                          _Tabahoo_
  Button                                          _Opeehee_, _booboo_
  Buttons, string of                              _Poreema_
  Buy, to                                         _Tooai_


  C

  Cabbage                                         _Tabete_
  Calabash                                        _Areepo_
  Calm                                            _Maneeno_
  Cannon                                          _Poo nooee_
  Canoe, single                                   _Evaha_
  Canoe, double                                   _Makarooa_
  Captain of a ship                               _Eree te motoo_
  Care, to take                                   _Malamma_
  Carry, to                                       _Famo_
  Cat                                             _Bobokee_
  Cheerful                                        _Warra-warra_
  Cheeks                                          _Papareena_
  Chief                                           _Eree_
  Chest                                           _Pahe_
  Chicken                                         _Moa tina_
  Child                                           _Keike_, _kumaree_
  Child-bearing                                   _Hemo te keike_
  Cider                                           _Wyoheea_
  Clean                                           _Ooama_
  Cloak, or upper garment                         _Teaboota_, _tapa_
  Cloth, also clothes                             _Tapa_
  Cloth-plant                                     _Eaootee_
  Circumcision                                    _Poohe_
  Cock                                            _Moa tannee_
  Cockroach                                       _Patte-patte_
  Cocoa nut                                       _Caneeo_
  Cold                                            _Anoo_
  Come                                            _Here_
  Come here                                       _Here mai_
  Come with me                                    _Peemai taroo_
  Contempt, a term of                             _Poopoota_, _poopooka_
  Conversation                                    _Para paroo_
  Cooked, or baked                                _Oomoaroa_
  Coyness in a woman                              _Nonoa_
  Cough, to                                       _Ehapoo_
  Country, the                                    _Ayooca_
  Country, foreign, generally applied to Britain  _Caheite_
  Cow                                             _Peepe-nooe_
  Crab                                            _Pappee_
  Crab, particular kinds of                       _Epootoo_, _pehoo_
  Cray fish                                       _Pehe oora_
  Crimson                                         _Oora-oora_
  Cry, to, or weep                                _Taee_
  Cured, it is                                    _Oraroa_
  Cut, to                                         _Hakee-hakee_


  D

  Dance, to                                       _Ehoora-hoora_
  Dark                                            _Poa rere_
  Day                                             _Poa_
  Day, to                                         _Aeea poa_
  Dead                                            _Makeroa_
  Delicious                                       _Honnoo onnoo_
  Demon, or devil                                 _Etooa heva_
  Dig, to                                         _Maiai_
  Dirt                                            _Totai_, _erepo_
  Distant                                         _Roa_, _maroa_
  Dive, to                                        _Eehopoo-poo_
  Dog                                             _Edea cao_
  Dolphin                                         _Oona_
  Door                                            _Poola_
  Done, or finished                               _Poaroa_
  Drink, to                                       _Aeeno_
  Drunk                                           _Honnoo_
  Drum                                            _Pahoo_
  Duck                                            _Mora_
  Dusk, or twilight                               _Hoi-hoi te poa_
  Dwell, to                                       _Enoho_


  E

  Earth                                           _Ehonooa_
  Ears                                            _Pepeaoo_, _tareea_
  Eat, to                                         _Eeai_
  Eels, or sea-snakes                             _Hoohe_
  Egg                                             _Ehooeero_
  Egg, sea                                        _Neeootai_
  England                                         _Pritane_, _Kaheite_
  Englishman                                      _Kanaka Pritane_,
                                                      _Kanaka Kaheite_
  Enough                                          _Maoona_
  Enter, to                                       _Marokonai_
  Evening                                         _Ahee-ahee_
  European                                        _Ehoorei_
  Eyes                                            _Maka_
  Eyebrow                                         _Tooa maka_
  Excrement                                       _Tootai_


  F

  False                                           _Waha he_, _heva_
  Fan, a                                          _Taheina_
  Fan, to                                         _Taharee_
  Father                                          _Mokooa tanne_
  Fathom                                          _Anana_
  Farewell                                        _Aroho-oe_
  Fat                                             _Peea_
  Fear                                            _Matao_
  Feathers                                        _Hooroo_,
                                                      _hooroo manno_
  Feather necklace                                _Araia_
  Feeble                                          _Faeera_
  Feet                                            _Wawye_
  Female                                          _Waheine_
  Fetch hither                                    _Heire mai_, _peemai_
  Fin of a fish                                   _Tirra pehe_
  Fine                                            _Eahe_
  Fingers                                         _Tereema_
  Fish                                            _Pehe_
  Fish, a particular kind of                      _Ava_
  Flying fish                                     _Pehe orera_
  Fish, to                                        _Ehootee_
  Fist                                            _Amootoo_
  Flat                                            _Papa_
  Flea                                            _Ookoo rere_
  Flower, a                                       _Pooa mono_
  Fly, to                                         _Arere_
  Fly, a                                          _Enarra_
  Forgot                                          _Ooaro_
  Fowl                                            _Moa_
  Fresh                                           _Onoo_
  Friend                                          _Heitanne, poonarooa_
  Fruit                                           _Hooero_


  G

  Garment worn by the women                       _Paoo_
  Generous                                        _Horoa_
  Girdle                                          _Tatooa_
  Girdle worn by the men                          _Maro_
  Girl                                            _Keike waheina_
  Give, to                                        _Mukunna_
  Go                                              _Heire_
  Goat                                            _Peepe Koa_
  God                                             _Etooa_
  Good                                            _Meitei_
  Good morning                                    _Myty kakee aka_
  Good night                                      _Myty ahee ahee_
  Grandfather                                     _Poopooa tanne_
  Grandmother                                     _Topooa waheine_
  Gray                                            _Aheena heena_
  Grass                                           _Moo_
  Grass, broad leaved, of which lines and nets
        are made                                  _Oorana_
  Grasshopper                                     _Pepe rera_
  Great                                           _Nooe-nooe_
  Green                                           _Omomoo_
  Gun                                             _Poo_


  H

  Hair                                            _Lavo hoo_
  Handkerchief                                    _Haneeka_
  Hands                                           _Reema_
  Handsome                                        _Meitei_
  Harbour                                         _Aeeva_, _too-too_
  Hard                                            _How_
  Haste, make                                     _Weete-weete_
  Has, past time                                  _Roa_
  Hat                                             _Paparee_
  Have                                            _Havee_
  Head                                            _Po_
  He or she                                       _Oera_
  Hearing                                         _Faro_
  Heart                                           _Ehottoo_, _teate_
  Heat, or hot                                    _Mahanna_
  Heat of the sun                                 _Mahanna ke Laoo_
  Helmet                                          _Mayoree_
  Hen                                             _Moa waheine_
  Herb, used by white people for tea              _Nehe_
  Here                                            _Mai_
  Hermaphrodite                                   _Mahoo_
  Hide, to                                        _Ehoona_
  High                                            _Roehee_
  Hill                                            _Parei_
  Hog                                             _Poa_, _boa_
  Hold your tongue                                _Koore-koore oe_
  Hole                                            _Pooka_
  Hook for fishing                                _Mattoo_
  Hook, made of ivory, worn as an ornament        _Palava_
  Horse                                           _Edea nooee_
  House                                           _Harree_, _eharee_
  House (sleeping)                                _Harre_, _moe_
  House (eating)                                  _Harre eai_
  How are you                                     _Arohooe_
  Hungry                                          _Porore_
  Husband                                         _Tanne_


  I

  I, my, or me                                    _Waoo_, _tawa_
  Jacket                                          _Teakete_
  Interjection of grief                           _Aroha eenoo_
  Interjection of admiration                      _Taa ha ha_
  Iron                                            _How_
  Island                                          _Motoo_
  Itch, to                                        _Mairo_


  K

  Keep                                            _Vaihee_
  Kill                                            _Papahee_,
                                                      _matte-matte
                                                      make-roa_
  King                                            _Eree nooee_
  Knife                                           _Okee-okee_,
                                                      _kanee-kanee_
  Know                                            _Nono_, _eete_


  L

  Lame                                            _O-opa_
  Land                                            _Ayooka_
  Land cultivated                                 _Aiena_
  Laugh                                           _Attaha_
  Lazy                                            _Moolawa_
  Lean, not fat                                   _Amapoo_
  Legs                                            _Wawye_
  Let me see                                      _Meene-meene_, _nanna_
  Lie, to tell a                                  _Poone-poone_
  Light, not heavy                                _Eamma_
  Lightning                                       _Heaweetoh_
  Lines                                           _Towra_
  Lips                                            _Lehe-lehe_
  Little                                          _Pekene_, _oo ookoo_
  Lizard                                          _Moo_
  Look                                            _Meere-meere_
  Looking-glass                                   _Anee-anee_
  Loss                                            _Moomooka_
  Lost                                            _Ooreiro_
  Louse                                           _Ookoo_


  M

  Male                                            _Tanee_
  Man                                             _Tanata_, _tanee_
  Man that eats with women                        _Tanata inoa_
  Many                                            _Maoona_
  Married, to be                                  _Noho te Waheina_
  Marshmallow                                     _Etooa rere_
  Mat                                             _Ahoo_, _moena_
  Melon                                           _Ipoopeena_
  Mine, my own                                    _Maooa_, _mao_
  Month                                           _Malama_
  Moon                                            _Maheina_
  Moon, new                                       _Maheina erimai_
  Moon, full                                      _Maheina nooee_
  Morrow, to                                      _Apopo_
  Morning                                         _Aheea pa_
  Mother                                          _Makooa waheine_
  Mountain                                        _Parei_, _parei nooee_
  Mouth                                           _Waha_
  Music                                           _Heeva_
  Musket                                          _Poo_
  Mustard                                         _Totai Kumaree_


  N

  Nail                                            _How_
  Naked                                           _Tatarra_
  Name                                            _Einoa_
  Native of the islands                           _Kanaka mowree_
  Nasty                                           _Ereporepo_
  Navel                                           _Petto_
  Net                                             _Oopaka_
  Night, this                                     _Aheeapo_, _arere_
  No, not                                         _Aoaree_
  Noon                                            _Akeia_
  Nose                                            _Eehoo_
  Nut, used to give light                         _Tootooee_


  O

  Oar, or paddle                                  _Hoe_
  Ocean                                           _Tai_
  Of                                              _Te_
  Old                                             _Emotoo_, _baheeoo_
  Otaheitan                                       _Kanaka boolla-boolla_
  Oven, or pit for cooking                        _Eomoo_


  P

  Painting, printing, drawing, or writing         _Purra-purra_
  Palm of the hand                                _Apooreema_
  Parent                                          _Makooa_
  Pearl                                           _Mummee_
  Pearl-river                                     _Wai mummee_
  People                                          _Kanaka_, _tanata_
  Perhaps (affirmatively)                         _Ai pa_
  ---- (negatively)                               _Ooree pa_
  Pig                                             _Poa_
  Pigeon                                          _Eroope_
  Pinch, to                                       _Ooma_
  Place of worship                                _Morai_
  Plank                                           _Papa_
  Plantain                                        _Maio_
  Plantation                                      _Aina_
  Play, to                                        _Ehanne_
  Pleasant                                        _Nawee-nawee_
  Plenty                                          _Aroo-aroo_, _Maoona_
  Pluck, to                                       _Hootee-hootee_
  Potatoes, sweet                                 _Oowarra_
  Prayer                                          _Poore_, _anana_
  Priest                                          _Kahoona_
  Present, or gift                                _Makunna_
  Presently                                       _Areea_, _mamoore_
  Pressing with the hand when tired               _Rorome_
  Prohibition                                     _Taboo_
  Puncturation                                    _Tattoo_
  Putrid                                          _Peea-peea_


  Q

  Quickly                                         _Weete-weete_


  R

  Rain                                            _Eooa_
  Rat                                             _Eoree_
  Red                                             _Oora-oora_
  Remember, to                                    _No-no_
  Ringworm, a disease                             _Enooa_
  Ripe                                            _Purra_
  Ropes                                           _Toura_
  Rotten                                          _Purra roa_
  Row, to                                         _Ehoe_
  Rum                                             _Lumma_
  Rushes                                          _Anonoho_
  Russian                                         _Tonata Lokeene_


  S

  Sailor                                          _Kanaka hanna-hanna
                                                      te motoo_
  Salt                                            _Pakai_
  Salute, by joining noses                        _Hone-hone_
  Satisfied                                       _Maoona_
  Saw, a                                          _Pahe oroo_
  Scissors                                        _Oopa_
  Sea                                             _Tai_, _wai tai_
  Sea-snake                                       _Poohe_
  Sea-egg                                         _Neeootai_
  See, to                                         _Meene-meene_
  Shark                                           _Manno_
  Sheep                                           _Peepe_
  Show me                                         _Meere-meere_
  Ship                                            _Motoo_
  Shine                                           _Peenoo-peenoo_
  Shoot, to                                       _Mackeroa_
  Shore                                           _Ayookee_
  Shortly                                         _Mamooree_
  Shut                                            _Oopa_
  Sickness, or sore                               _Mai_, _Poonine_
  Sit, to, or squat                               _Noho_
  Sky                                             _Heiranei_
  Sleep                                           _Moe-moe_
  Small                                           _Ete_
  Soldier                                         _Kanaka etooa_
  Song                                            _Heeva_
  Spade, wooden                                   _Maiai_
  Speak, to                                       _Nummee-nummee_
  Speech, or harangue                             _Oraro_
  Spear                                           _Pahoo_, _pahe_
  Spit, to                                        _Too harre_
  Spread, to                                      _Hohora_
  Star                                            _Ehetoo_
  Stay, wait a little                             _Areea_
  Steal, to                                       _Ei hooee_
  Stink                                           _Peero-peero_
  Stockings                                       _Tokeine_
  Stone                                           _Pohakoo keeva_
  Stool, to lay the head on when asleep           _Papa rooa_
  Storm                                           _Teeooe-teoo_
  Stranger                                        _Tanata howree_
  Stop                                            _Marrea_
  Sugar-cane                                      _To_, _ko_
  Sun                                             _Laoo_
  Surf of the sea                                 _Horoo tai_
  Surgeon                                         _Nai_
  Sweet                                           _Lea-lea_, _onno_
  Swim                                            _Eaoo_


  T

  Tallow                                          _Oila_
  Take, to                                        _Laiva_, _ooleva_
  Take off, to                                    _Hemo_
  Take care                                       _Malamma_
  Tall                                            _Hoa_
  Taro pudding                                    _Poe_
  Teeth                                           _Neehoo_
  Tell                                            _Eetee_,
                                                      _nummee-nummee_
  That                                            _Mao_
  The                                             _Te_, _he_, _ke_
  Thief                                           _Tanata ihooee_
  Think, to                                       _No-no_
  This                                            _Aeia_, _Aheea_
  Tongue                                          _Alaloo_
  Twins                                           _Teetee_
  Twisting, in dancing,                           _Amee-amee_


  V

  Very                                            _Nooee-nooee_


  U

  Uncle                                           _Titooa tannee_
  Understand                                      _Eetee_
  Understanding                                   _Nono_
  Undress, to                                     _Hemo tapa_


  W

  Warm                                            _Mahanna_
  Water                                           _Wai_
  Water (fresh)                                   _Wai onnoo_
  Water (salt)                                    _Wai tai_
  Water, to make                                  _Meeme_
  Weak                                            _Faeera_
  We                                              _Taooa_
  Wet                                             _Purra_
  What                                            _Ehara_
  What is your name                               _Owhyt oe einoa_
  Where                                           _Awaya_
  Where have you been                             _Yahea oee_
  White                                           _Keeo-keeoo_
  White people                                    _Tanata howree_
  Why                                             _Tehala_
  Wind                                            _Matanee_
  Wish                                            _Mukee-mukee_
  Within                                          _Maro koo_
  With me                                         _Ta wa_
  Woman                                           _Waheine_
  Woman (married)                                 _Waheine mow_
  Wont, I                                         _Aoohee_
  Wood                                            _Tooheihe_
  Work, to                                        _Hanna-hanna_
  Wounded                                         _Tooitahe_
  Wrong, you are                                  _Waha hai_


  Y

  Yam                                             _Oohee_
  Yawn                                            _Poowha_
  Year                                            _Makaheite_
  Yellow                                          _O peeta-peeta_
  Yes                                             _Ai_
  You                                             _Oe_
  Your                                            _Kow_


  NUMERALS.

  One                                             _Atahee_
  Two                                             _Arooa_
  Three                                           _Akoroo_
  Four                                            _Ahaa_
  Five                                            _Areema_
  Six                                             _Ahonoo_
  Seven                                           _Aheitoo_
  Eight                                           _Awarroo_
  Nine                                            _Ivee_
  Ten                                             _Oome_
  Eleven                                          _Oome toome atahee_
  Twelve                                          _Oome toome arooa_
  Thirteen                                        _Oome toome akoroo_
  Fourteen                                        _Oome toome ahaa_
  Fifteen                                         _Oome toome areema_
  Sixteen                                         _Oome toome ahonoo_
  Seventeen                                       _Oome toome aheitoo_
  Eighteen                                        _Oome toome awarroo_
  Nineteen                                        _Oome toome ivee_
  Twenty                                          _Kanna roa_
  Thirty                                          _Kanna koroo_
  Forty                                           _Atahee kannaha_
  Eighty                                          _Arooa kannaha_
                       &c. &c.
  1600 or 40 x 40                                 _Ataha manno_
  3200                                            _Arooa manno, &c._


  DIALOGUES.

  Where are you going                       _Awaya heire oe_
  I am going on board the ship              _Heire waoo aroona te metoo_
  I am going ashore                         _Heir waoo ayooka_
  I wish you to go                          _Mukee-mukee heire waoo_
  Very well, can you go with me             _Meitei, heire oe tawa_
  No, the captain will not let me go        _Oaree pa, eree te motoo
                                                oaree mukee-mukee waoo
                                                heire_
  There will be no work on board to-morrow  _Apopo taboo, oaree
                                                hanna-hanna aroona
                                                te motoo_
  Very well, will you go to-morrow          _Meitei, heire oe apopo_
  I cannot tell                             _Oaree pa eetee waoo_
  Where is the king                         _Awaya te eree nooee_
  He is gone on board the ship              _Heire roa aroona te motoo_
  Has he taken any hogs on board            _Oolava poa aroona te motoo_
  No; but he will take plenty when          _Oaree, mamooree peemai
        he goes ashore                          ayooka lavee nooee-nooee
                                                te poa_
  The captain wishes to purchase a great    _Eree te motoo mukee-mukee
        many hogs                               tooai nooee te poa_
  The ship sails to-morrow                  _Apopo heire te motoo_
  Where is she bound to                     _Heire awaya_
  She is bound for England                  _Heire Kaheite_, or
                                                _Heire Pritane_
  Will you go ashore, and sleep at my house _Heire oe ayooka moe-moe
                                                to hare waoo_
  I will see in a little                    _Mamooree meene-meene waoo_
  Come hither. Go on shore, and tell        _Peemai oe, heire ayooka
        the king that the captain wishes        numme-numme te eree
        to purchase a great many pearls         nooee, eree te motoo
                                                mukee tooai maoona te
                                                mummee_
  I will go soon                            _Mamooree heire waoo_
  Mind that you remember                    _Malamma kow no-no_
  Do you know where the king is             _Eetee oe awaya te eree
                                                nooee_
  He is gone to the Morai                   _Ooheire marokoo te Morai_
  William Stevenson, literally Lean William _Willama Amapoo_
  John Young                                _Alhanna_
  Isaac Davis                               _Itseeke_
  John Hairbottle literally Lame John       _Keone o-opa_
  William Wordsworth, literally Hardbottom  _Willama Okoree how_
  James Stow, literally James Large Brow    _Keeme Laoo Nooee_
  James Beatty, literally the Block maker   _Keeme Hanna Pockaka_
  The Author’s name, literally Loss of
        the Feet                            _Moomooka te Wawyee_




APPENDIX No. II.


STATEMENT

OF THE

CASE OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.

BY DR. NORDGOORST,

IN THE SERVICE OF THE RUSSIAN AMERICAN COMPANY.

[Translated from the Russian.]




STATEMENT

OF THE

CASE OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.


The bearer hereof, named Archibald Macbrait, has had the misfortune to
have both of his feet frostbitten in so dreadful a manner, that nothing
remained but to endeavour to save his life, as there were no hopes
whatever of preserving his feet, although every attempt was made to
that effect.

For the information of the humane and benevolent, I subjoin a short
statement of my proceedings in his case, fearless of any compunctions
of conscience; being sensible of the hard fate of this poor fellow
creature, and how much he stands in need of assistance to support his
existence.

This Englishman sailed from Kodiak in the winter time, in the ship’s
cutter, for the island of Sannack. On their passage a storm came on,
in which the boat was wrecked. The crew saved their lives on shore;
but this man had both his feet frozen, and not having stripped off his
clothes for twenty-seven days, he was not aware of the extent of his
calamity, and did not apprehend the destruction of his feet.

The overseer of the district of Karlutzki brought him to Kodiak, at
eight o’clock in the evening, to the hospital called the Chief District
College of Counsellor and Chevalier Baranoff.

In the first place, I had his feet cleaned and dried; they were both
in a state of mortification (_gangrena sicca_.) The mortified parts
having separated from the sound to the distance of a finger’s breadth,
where either amputation might take place or a cure be performed, as the
patient himself hoped. I dressed the mortified, or frostbitten parts
with oil of turpentine, and the unaffected parts with olive oil, and
continued these applications for about five days, after which I used
charcoal, gas, and other chimical applications; but as there appeared
no chance of saving his feet, I began to consider that there was no
resourse left but amputation. That the patient might not be alarmed,
I talked over the matter with him as is usual in such cases, and
endeavoured to persuade him to submit to the operation, as the only
means of effecting a cure. But at first I was not successful, and could
not get him to agree to it. I was therefore obliged to continue my
former mode of treatment. At the end of three days, however, he gave
his consent, and I fixed a time for the operations, which I performed
satisfactorily. On the third day after the operation, the wound
appeared to be in a good state, and I continued to dress it daily as it
required.

The other foot remained to undergo a similar operation. I suffered
three weeks to elapse, when it also took place. The wounds are now in a
good state, and evidently healing up.

It is not in my power to complete the cure, being obliged to return to
Russia; but I have left the directions with the assistant surgeon how
to proceed in the treatment.

The illness of Archibald Macbrait, this Englishman, commenced on the
22d of January, 1808. The first operation took place on the 15th of
March, and the second on the 15th of April. He is twenty years of age,
and well made. He was cured by Dr. Nordgoorst, actually in the service
of the Russian American Company.

This statement should support the petition of this Englishman, who may
seek an asylum in Greenwich hospital, where the unfortunate of this
kind obtain relief and comfort.

N. B. This is an accurate description of the case and treatment; but
the true christian name and surname of the patient, is Archibald
Campbell.[30]

[30] The postscript was added in Latin, at the request of the author,
when the surgeon read the case to him, Archibald Macbride being the
name he assumed when he entered the American ship. _Vide_ p. 17.




APPENDIX No. III


NOTICE OF

ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL,

AUTHOR OF THE VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD.




NOTICE OF

ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.

[From Blackwood’s Magazine.]

Our readers cannot have forgotten the name of Archibald Campbell, the
poor Scottish seaman, whose account of his voyage round the world
was, three or four years ago, noticed at considerable length in the
Quarterly Review. This unhappy adventurer’s narrative was, in every
way, well deserving of the interest which it created at the time of
its publication. It was modest and unassuming in its manner, and, in
its matter, free to a great extent, from the many species of blunders
and inaccuracies which are commonly so abundant in the productions of
persons in the humble situation of life of Archibald Campbell. At that
time, however, its merits could not be quite so fully appreciated as
now. Although the apparent candour of the mariner was well qualified
to lend credit to all his statements, yet even his benevolent editor
abstained from expressing himself in any very decided manner respecting
their authority, and the same diffidence was, of course, shared by his
reviewer. But in the years which have now intervened, the narratives
of succeeding voyages have given perfect confirmation to all the
assertions of Campbell; and his story may, therefore, be considered as
forming an authentic link in the history of the Sandwich Islands, with
regard to which, for several years previous to his arrival there, we
had received no certain or direct intelligence.

We refer to Campbell’s book itself, and the review of it already
mentioned, for any information which our readers may require in order
to restore them to a perfect acquaintance with the early and important
incidents in his various life. At the time when his book was published,
it will be recollected, the sores upon his legs were still in a very
distressing condition, owing to the unskilful manner in which they had
been amputated below the ankle, by the Russian Surgeon, into whose
hands he fell immediately after they were frostbitten. The period of
tranquil existence which he had spent in the Sandwich islands, the
voyage homewards, and a residence of many months in his native country,
had all been found insufficient to remove the irritation of his wounds;
and he was still not only a cripple, but an acute sufferer, when he
attracted the attention of Mr. Smith, in the Clyde steam-boat. The
kindness of that excellent person soon enabled him to lay the story
of his afflictions before the public, and the success of the book was
such, as to furnish a sum far beyond the expectations of Archibald
Campbell. Had he remained in this country during the time when the
public impression was strongly in his favour, there is reason to
believe that something might probably have been done to provide the
means of comfortable retirement to one whose errors, in themselves
venial, had been so severely punished in the person of the offender,
and had furnished a lesson so capable of doing good to others. Neither
Campbell nor his friends, however, entertained, at the moment, any
expectations of such a nature, and the poor man, whose patience was
quite exhausted, resolved, as soon as he got a little money into
his hands, to seek in it the means of being once more transported to
the friendly territories of king Tamaahmaah, and his own comfortable
farm on the banks of the Wymumme. In the midst of all his distresses,
he found leisure for courtship, so he set sail with his wife, in the
autumn of 1816, for New-York, in the hope of finding a passage to
Owhyhee, on board of some of the American ships, which have, of late
years, been almost the only visitors of these islands. On the 23d of
December following, he writes as follows, to a medical gentleman in
Glasgow, who had shown him much kindness while in that city:--“I am
very sorry to inform you that we shall have no opportunity of going to
the Sandwich Islands this season, the vessels having all left Boston
for the northwest coast before our arrival, and it is very likely that
there will be no more ships going that way until they return again,
which will not be these two years; therefore I am at a loss what to do.
There is nothing at all doing here in my line, and times are much worse
here than at home, and a great many of the passengers that came out
with us have gone home again, not being able to find work of any kind.”
He then states his intention to procure, if possible, a passage to the
Brazils, where he had before been. In the meantime, however, it was
announced that some person was about to publish an American edition of
his book, which unhandsome procedure Archibald forthwith took the most
effectual method of preventing, by publishing an American edition of
it himself. Of this edition he sold 700 copies in a month, and cleared
about 300 dollars on the speculation.

His legs continued all this time to be as troublesome as ever; and
Campbell determined to give himself a chance of being a sound cripple,
by having them amputated over again above the ankle. This resolution he
carried into effect last winter with the most perfect fortitude. His
right leg was amputated on the 20th of November, 1817, and the bursting
of an artery a few hours after the operation, threw him into a brain
fever, from which he escaped with difficulty. “My whole leg,” says
he, “began from the end of the stump to be inflamed with erysipalas,
combined with phlegmatic inflammation, which, luckily for me, turned
into a suppuration. I am happy to inform you, that ever since, I have
been mending so fast, that I was able to go home all last week, and it
is only yesterday, (January 13, 1818) that I returned to have the other
leg cut; and the surgeon says I shall have a better chance of recovery,
as my habit is not so full.” The second operation was accordingly
performed in a few days after this, and his recovery was even more easy
than he had been led to expect. “As soon as I got out of the hospital,”
says he, “I made myself a pair of artificial legs, with which I already
begin to walk pretty tolerably, and am going to Albany, Baltimore, &c.
to get subscriptions for the second edition of my book.”

But during his stay in New-York, Campbell has not been an author,
publisher, and patient only. He has also been carrying on various
little species of traffic, in globe glass mirrors, plaster of Paris
casts, Scots Almanacks, &c. &c. with various, but, on the whole, not
very flattering success. As soon as he shall have sufficiently supplied
the transatlantic reading public with his voyage round the world,
Archy, who is a Jack of many trades, purposes to turn another of his
talents to a little advantage, and to make a voyage to the Clyde “to
see his friends,” in the capacity of a cook to a merchantman. He still,
however, has a hankering after his “steading” in Owhyhee; and it is
probable that ere long we shall have it in our power to inform our
readers that he has come to “his ain again.”

We might quote some farther passages from his letters to his friend
in Glasgow; but although they are all highly interesting to those who
have seen any thing of the man, we are apprehensive of trespassing too
far on the patience of the general reader. The letters are written
in a clear, distinct style, and in a very good penmanship; and his
account of the state of things in America, so far as it goes, shows
that Archibald has been in his youth no inattentive or unworthy member
of some of the “literary and commercial” clubs, so common in the west
of Scotland. The letters are all concluded in a very polite manner,
as thus:--“Be pleased, Sir, to give our best respects to your father
and sisters, and our compliments to your servant maids; meantime, we
remain, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servants,

  ARCHB. & ISABELLA CAMPBELL.”

We trust our readers will pardon us for detaining them so long with
the history of this poor countryman of ours.--Those of them who have
read his book will, we are quite sure, be happy in this renewal of
their acquaintance with him; for our own parts, we hope he will, on his
arrival, forthwith publish a full account of his adventures during this
last voyage. He must now be pretty well initiated into the ways of the
booksellers, and we do not see why Mr. Campbell should not succeed as
well in his transactions with that slippery generation, as many other
authors of greater pretension.




APPENDIX, No. IV.


HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

OF THE

SANDWICH ISLANDS.




HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

OF THE

SANDWICH ISLANDS.


When captain Cook discovered the Sandwich islands, in 1778, Tereoboo
was king of Owhyhee; Titeree, of Moratai; and Pereoranne, of Wahoo,
and the islands to leeward. The sovereignty of Mowee was contested
by Tereoboo and Titeree; the former claimed it for his son, who had
married the daughter of the deceased king; the latter claimed it as
heir male to the former sovereign. In consequence of this dispute,
these chiefs were engaged in war at the above mentioned period; but
captain King understood, before he quitted the islands, that an
arrangement had taken place, by which Titeree retained Ranai Taharoora,
whilst Mowee was ceded to Tewarro, the son of Tereoboo. Tamaahmaah, the
present king, is known in Cook’s Voyage by the name of Maiha-Maiha,
and was present at the death of that illustrious navigator. He was the
eldest son of Kaihooa, only brother to Tereoboo, and after his son,
Tewarro, next heir to the succession.

After the departure of the Resolution and Discovery, no ships touched
at the Sandwich islands till the year 1787. During the interval that
had elapsed, considerable revolutions had taken place. Tereoboo
was dead, and his dominions shared between his sons, Tewarro and
Tamaahmaah; and Titeree had conquered the islands of Mowee and Wahoo.

The accounts of these transactions, owing to the few opportunities of
inquiry which the navigators who touched at these islands enjoyed, and
their ignorance of the language, are extremely contradictory.

By one account, Tereoboo is said to have been put to death by
Tamaahmaah; by another, that he fell in battle; and by a third, that
he died a natural death. The causes of the division of his territory
between his son and nephew are involved in equal obscurity.

The ship Iphigenia, commanded by captain Douglas, arrived at Owhyhee in
1788, being the first which touched at that island after the death of
captain Cook. There was on board of her a chief of Atooi, named Tianna,
who had the preceding year accompanied captain Meares to Canton, and
had been enriched by the kindness of his English friends, with a
valuable assortment of European articles, arms, and ammunition.

Tianna was a man of great activity and ambition, and a distinguished
warrior. These qualities, and his wealth, particularly in fire-arms,
rendered him an acquisition of much consequence to an enterprising
chief like Tamaahmaah; and he induced him to settle upon Owhyhee, by
conferring upon him high rank and extensive tracts of land.

Captain Douglas had with him a small tender, built upon the northwest
coast of America. When Tamaahmaah learned this, the idea of having
a similar one built, immediately occurred to him; and he pressed
that gentleman with so much urgency to allow him the assistance of
his carpenter, that he was obliged to give a conditional promise.
Although the promise was never fulfilled, Tamaahmaah did not abandon
the project; and soon afterwards he prevailed upon an Englishman of
the name of Boyd, who had been bred a ship-carpenter, to undertake the
construction of a vessel.

About the same time, two other Englishmen, named Young and Davis, of
whom some account is given in the work, became resident upon Owhyhee,
and with their assistance he determined to build a vessel. Fortunately
for the attainment of this object, captain Vancouver arrived, and with
the aid of his carpenters, he was enabled to accomplish his favourite
object, by the completion of his first decked vessel, the Britannia.

It ought to be mentioned, to his honour, that whilst thus anxious
to lay the foundation of a navy, he had in his possession a small
schooner, which had been seized by a chief called Tamahmotoo, and which
he had carefully preserved, in the hopes of restoring it to her owners.

In 1791 he attacked Titeree, and captured the islands of Mowee,
Morotai, and Ranai. Whilst engaged in this expedition, he received
information that his own dominions were attacked by Tewarro,[31] and he
was, in consequence, obliged to abandon his conquest and return.

[31] It is not easy to ascertain the name, or even the identity of this
chief, called by captain King Tewarro; by Vancouver Teamawheere; and by
Lisianski, Kiava.

By the energy of his operations he soon vanquished his opponent, who
was slain by Tianna, and the whole island of Owhyhee was reduced under
his dominion. In the mean time, Titeree, availing himself of his
absence, recovered the islands he had lost.

Affairs were in this situation when Vancouver arrived, in March, 1792.
He found the islands in a most wretched state, from the long wars that
had taken place; and he endeavoured, but without effect, to establish a
peace between Titeree and Tamaahmaah.

Tamaahmaah was so sensible of the advantages which would result from
a closer connexion with a civilized power, that he made a formal
surrender of the sovereignty of the island to the king of Great
Britain, with the reservation, that there should be no interference in
their religion, internal government, or domestic economy.

Soon after the departure of captain Vancouver, Titeree died, leaving
the island of Wahoo to his son Tritoboorie, and Mowee to his son
Korkoranee.

A dispute arose between Tritoboorie and his uncle Tahaio, king of
Atooi, who laid claim to Wahoo; but Tritoboorie, supported by Mr.
Brown, and the crew of the ship Butterworth, not only repelled Tahaio,
but even invaded Atooi.

Tamaahmaah, availing himself of these dissensions, invaded and
conquered Mowee, Morotai, and Ranai. Next year, 1795, he invaded Wahoo
with one detatchment of his force, leaving Tianna to follow him with
the other. Whilst waiting the arrival of that chief, he received the
unexpected intelligence that he had gone over to the enemy; while,
at the same time, an insurrection had broke out in Owhyhee, headed
by Nomataha, brother to Tianna. Instead of being overwhelmed by this
unexpected intelligence, he took the resolution of instantly attacking
his enemies. The war was decided by a sanguinary battle, fought near
the village of Whyteete, in which Tamaahmaah was completely victorious.

Young and Davis accompanied him upon this expedition, and were of
essential service to him from their knowledge of fire-arms.

Tianna lost his life in the battle, while the sons of Titeree found
refuge in Atooi. Tamaahmaah immediately returned to Owhyhee, and soon
quelled the insurrection in that island.

He remained there about a twelvemonth; but either with a view of
consolidating the conquests he had already made, or of extending them
farther, he proceeded to Laheina, in Mowee, where he resided a few
years, and afterwards removed to Wahoo, where he was during the whole
time of our author’s stay, in 1809 and 1810.

Of the history of Atooi and Onehow, the only islands in the groupe
independent of Tamaahmaah, little is known with certainty. Captain King
says, that in 1779, they were governed by the grandsons of Perioranne,
king of Wahoo. It is probable, that upon the conquest of that island by
Titeree, they were also conquered; for it appears that Tahaio, or Taio,
brother of that chief, was king of these islands when captain Vancouver
visited them in 1798. He was succeeded by his son Tamoree, or Comaree,
who was king of these islands in 1810.




APPENDIX, No. V.

NOTES.




NOTES.


_NOTE A._

The author kept a journal in the early part of the voyage; but it was
lost in the events which succeeded, and he was afterwards placed in
circumstances where it was not in his power to keep one. He has in his
possession, however, several documents which serve to ascertain many of
the dates. These are,

1st. His letters to his mother, written whenever an opportunity
presented itself, and which she preserved.

2d. A certificate from the East-India Company of the time when he
quitted their service.

3d. The statement of his case by the Russian surgeon, a translation of
which will be found in the Appendix No. II.

The other dates are given from memory, and are either such as a sailor
would naturally remember, or circumstances of so remarkable a nature
that they could not fail of fixing themselves in a memory much less
retentive than that of our author.

Whenever the editor has had it in his power to verify them by
collateral authorities, he has not failed to do so; and the result of
the inquiry has been, even where corrections were necessary, to show
the general accuracy of the narrative: For example, his written account
of the first part of the voyage is literally, “The convoy sailed from
the Motherbank on 12th May, 1806, and cleared the Channel on the
18th; was twelve weeks on our passage to the Cape of Good Hope; lay
at the Cape fourteen or fifteen days; sailed from the Cape about the
19th August, and on the 19th September made the island of St. Paul’s;
arrived at Pulo Penang about the middle of October, and sailed on the
24th November; left Admiral Trowbridge’s flag-ship, the Blenheim;
arrived at China the eighteenth January, 1807.”

He added, that the convoy left the Cape upon a Friday, and on the three
following Saturdays they had each day a gale of wind; that on the third
of these Saturdays they passed St. Paul’s.

Some difficulties arose, however; for, upon consulting the Almanack,
the editor found that the 19th August, 1806, was not a Friday, but
a Tuesday. Upon asking the reason of his fixing on these particular
dates, he showed a letter to his mother, dated Portsmouth, 11th May,
saying, the fleet was to sail next day; from whence he concluded the
convoy sailed on the 12th; and counting twelve weeks, would fix their
arrival at the Cape on Monday, the 4th of August; and fifteen days
would make Tuesday, the 19th, as the day they left.

Upon consulting the newspapers of the time, it appears that the fleet
did not sail till the 14th of May, and arrived at the Cape on the
7th of August, being just twelve weeks and one day; and fifteen days
more fixes the day of sailing on Friday, the 22d. The editor has not
discovered whether the other dates in this part of the voyage are
correct to a day; but the author says, that the loading of the ships
was stopped about six weeks after their arrival, in consequence of
the dispute with the Chinese. Counting six weeks after the 18th of
January, would fix it about the 1st of March. By the accounts from
Canton, in Note B, it appears that this actually took place upon the
4th; which renders it probable that the date is correct, or at least
pretty nearly so.

In addition to these original documents, the editor has in his
possession a number of accounts, in the author’s hand, of particular
parts of the voyage, and the printed account of his adventures, _in
metre_, referred to in the preface.

Immediately after his return, in 1812, a gentleman in Paisley undertook
to get an account of his adventures published, provided he drew it up
himself. He accordingly made some preparations; but the death of the
gentleman prevented the publication.

The Vocabulary was written by the author as he recollected the words,
and transmitted to the editor, who arranged them, and afterwards read
them over to him, correcting the spelling from his pronunciation,
according to the rules which are prefixed to it.


_NOTE B, p. 17._

DISPUTE WITH THE CHINESE AT CANTON, IN 1807.

_Extract from the Morning Chronicle, 26th August, 1807._

“_Canton, March 4._--The English Company are involved in considerable
trouble, in consequence of some one of the crew of their ship Neptune
having killed a Chinese, for whose life this government have required
one of the crew to be delivered up, which had been positively refused.
This refusal has produced the stoppage of all the chops for that ship;
and Mouqua, (second of the Hong,) by whom she is secured, has been
with the linguist for the ship, carried in chains inside of the city.
I have conversed with Cheongqua and Conseequa, who have assured me no
inconvenience will attend the Americans; but they assert positively a
man must be given up.

“The sailors have behaved most infamously: They hauled down and danced
on the Spanish flag, and then destroyed it. Their captain apologized,
and next day compelled them to hoist a new one. Some few of the
scoundrels showed a disposition to pull down the American colours;
and a part of them were in the act of lowering the Swedish, but were
prevented. They have burnt one of the mandarin’s houses in front of the
factories. This shameful conduct has induced the Chinese to determine,
that no more sailors shall be permitted to come up on liberty. It is
generally thought the English business, except the country, will all
be stopped in a day or two. The English including the Lion man of
war, at Bocca Tigris, amount to 1600 men. A few days will decide the
unfortunate business.”

“_March 6._--We are every hour afraid of a rupture between the English
and Chinese, in consequence of the death of a Chinese, from the
accidental stroke of a club by an English sailor.

“The Chinese demanded an Englishman to die, conformable to the laws
of their country; and the English have refused, being unable to find
out the person who gave the blow. In consequence, the viceroy of
this province gave orders yesterday to stop their trade; and in all
probability the next step will be to intercept their supplies, and
seize on some person of the factory; a circumstance which must produce
the most serious consequences.

“I understand the English have no objection to give up a man, provided
they could find out the guilty person; and surely they cannot be blamed
for spurning the idea of making an innocent man suffer. God only knows
how it will end. They are allowed three days more to decide; and if
they do not comply, it is thought the Chinese will endeavour to compel
them. Should they be foolish enough to attempt the latter plan, I think
they will get a sound drubbing, as the English have now a force at
Wampooa and Bocca Tigris of 2000 able-bodied men, all eager for attack.”


MORNING CHRONICLE, DECEMBER 4.

_Extract of a letter from a gentleman lately resident in China, dated
Canton, April 18._

 “The affair between the English Company and the Chinese is at length
 adjusted. After many meetings, chin chinnings, &c. &c. the Chinese
 government ordered up for trial the fifty-two sailors belonging to
 the Neptune, that were on liberty when the fray happened. This order
 was complied with on the part of the Company; and about the 25th of
 March the sailors arrived in Canton, under the protection of a company
 of marines from the Lion ship of war. After they had reached Canton,
 the mandarins intimated that they must be taken into the city for
 examination. This was resolutely opposed; and it was finally agreed,
 that the trial should be held in the Company’s old factory, the lower
 part of which was accordingly fitted up in great style, with yellow
 and crimson silk carpets, cushions, tables, chairs, &c. &c. the whole
 intended to represent the emperor’s court. The business now appeared
 favourable, but was soon shaded by another serious occurrence. The
 mandarin who was to sit in awful judgment, required that the chief
 of the Company, the captain of the Lion, and the commodore of the
 Company’s ships, should not be permitted to sit in his presence
 during the trial. This was not acceded to, and threats were uttered
 on the part of the British. The mandarin was equally obstinate, and
 the business assumed a very serious aspect. As the mandarin could not
 come himself, or send one of high order, he sent one who was willing
 that the British should sit at their ease in good elbow chairs. Thus
 arranged, about the 6th instant the trial commenced; and of fifty-two
 sailors, eleven were selected as the most guilty, and laid over for
 farther proof. On the 9th, the eleven were again brought up for trial,
 and two were selected as the guilty persons, who were again laid over
 for farther investigation. On the 11th, the two were again brought
 forward, and one of them adjudged guilty, and ordered to be kept in
 possession of the Company, till the pleasure of the emperor should
 be known. The British ships are now loading, and will sail in about
 a fortnight. What fate awaits the sailor retained is uncertain; but
 it is probable that the mandarins would rather touch a few of the
 security merchants’ dollars, and keep the affair from the emperor,
 than retaliate the outrage against their countrymen. In this case, not
 less than one hundred thousand dollars will be necessary to patch up
 the affair.”

In the appendix to Sir George Staunton’s account of the Penal Code of
China, there is a detailed statement of the proceedings of the Chinese
court in this case. The editor has had no opportunity of seeing the
work; but the following abstract, taken from the Quarterly Review, Vol.
III. p. 315, will show how the cause terminated.

 “The British factory was fitted up as a court of justice; the great
 officers of state, and the judges attended; and the result was, the
 singling out of eleven men, as having been the most active in the
 affray. On a re-examination of these men, they endeavoured to prevail
 on some one to plead guilty, under an implied promise that he should
 not be punished. This failing, it was suggested that the affair might
 be got over, if the officers of the Neptune would depose that they
 had seen a sailor carrying a bamboo stick over his shoulder, against
 which, in the hurry and confusion, a Chinese had accidentally run his
 head. The proposal of so ridiculous and pitiful expedient met with
 the contempt it deserved. The next suggestion was, that some one of
 the sailors should be prevailed on to state, that finding an attempt
 made on his pocket, he had struck behind him, and might thus have
 wounded the deceased. This expedient meeting with no better success,
 they proceeded in their examination, and dismissed all except two,
 Julius Cæsar, and Edward Sheen. It appeared that Julius Cæsar had a
 small cane in his hand on the day of the riot, but was not outside of
 the factory; and that Edward Sheen was outside of the factory, but
 did not carry a stick; he confessed, however, that he had a Chinese
 tobacco pipe in his hand, the tube of which was of bamboo, the court,
 therefore, decided that he carried a stick, and, consequently, that
 he was the culprit. Having got thus far over the ground, a long
 negotiation took place as to the disposal of Edward Sheen, until the
 final decision of the case should be received from Pekin; and it
 was at length agreed that he should be left behind in charge of the
 supercargoes.

 “Having thus briefly stated the leading facts, we shall now see in
 what manner the case was represented to the supreme court at Pekin,
 and its decision thereupon. It is contained at full length in No. II.
 of the appendix, p. 521.

 “The viceroy of Canton states, for the information of the supreme
 court, that Edward Sheen, an Englishman, being in the upper story
 of a warehouse which overlooked the street, and in which there was
 a window opening with wooden shutters, did, on the 18th day of the
 first moon, employ a wooden stick, in an oblique direction, to keep
 open the shutter; and that, in doing this, the wooden stick slipped
 and fell downwards; that Leao-a-teng, a Chinese, passing at the
 moment, was struck and wounded by the falling of the said stick upon
 his left temple, and that on the evening of the following day he died
 in consequence of the wound. That repeated orders had been given to
 the chief of the English factory to deliver up the man to justice;
 that, in reply, it was alleged the said criminal was sick of an ague
 and fever, and under medical treatment; that on his recovery, he was
 confronted with the relations of the deceased; that after repeated
 examinations, the said criminal, Edward Sheen, had acknowledged the
 truth of all the facts here stated, without reservation; that he had,
 consequently, been proved guilty of accidental homicide, and ought,
 therefore, to be sentenced to pay the usual fine, to redeem himself
 from the punishment of death by strangulation.

 “Upon this report the supreme court observes, that the case appears
 to be one of those acts, of the consequences of which, neither sight,
 hearing, or reflection, could have given a previous warning; that the
 said Edward Sheen should, therefore, be allowed to redeem himself
 from the punishment of death by strangulation, by the payment of a
 fine (amounting to about 4_l._ 3s. sterling) to the relations of the
 deceased, to defray the expenses of the burial, and then be dismissed
 to be governed in an orderly manner in his own country.”

It appears that the bribe necessary to procure acquiescence of the
parties interested, to this mockery of justice, did not cost the
security merchants less than £50,000.




       *       *       *       *       *




Transcriber's Note


The text includes archaic and inconsistent punctuation and spellings,
which have been left as printed except as follows.

The following apparent errors have been corrected:

p. 2 "os learning" changed to "of learning"

p. 3 "5819" changed to "1819"

p. 3 "_Treasurer Benevolent Lodge_" changed to "_Treasurer Benevolent
Lodge_."

p. 3 "Jun. P. M" changed to "Jun. P. M."

p. 3 "_St. John’s No. 9, late No. 6_" changed to "_St. John’s No. 9,
late No. 6_."

p. 3 "_Phœnix Lodge No. 40, late No. 11_" changed to "_Phœnix Lodge No.
40, late No. 11_."

p. 3 "WEBSTER, W M." changed to "WEBSTER, W. M."

p. 3 "_St. John’s, No. 9, late No 6_." changed to "_St. John’s, No. 9,
late No. 6_."

p. 5 "by the long boat" changed to "by the long-boat"

p. 8 "No. I" changed to "No. I."

p. 12 (note) "Ocean." changed to "Ocean.”"

p. 14 "another hand" changed to "another hand."

p. 16 "15 days," changed to "15 days."

p. 26 "written" changed to "written."

p. 29 (note) "page 29" changed to "page 29."

p. 84 (note) "ts was" changed to "it was"

p. 84 (note) "America." changed to "America.”"

p. 84 (note) "p. 317" changed to "p. 317."

p. 86 (note) "mountan" changed to "mountain"

p. 87 (note) "height of of" changed to "height of"

p. 100 (note) "treadles" changed to "treadles."

p. 111 (note) "Ii was" changed to "It was"

p. 111 (note) "_Vidc_" changed to "_Vide_"

p. 114 "isle" changed to "ilse"

p. 131 "separte" changed to "separate"

p. 171 "Country the" changed to "Country, the"

p. 172 "Cry to," changed to "Cry, to,"

p. 173 "Pat" changed to "Fat"

p. 178 "Maried" changed to "Married"

p. 185 "Ome toome akoroo" changed to "Oome toome akoroo"

p. 203 "pretension" changed to "pretension."

p. 215 "adition" changed to "addition"

p. 216 "scroundrels" changed to "scoundrels"

p. 219 "behind," changed to "behind"

p. 219 "Sheen" changed to "Sheen."


The following possible errors have been left as printed:

p. 18 stampted

p. 20 deemded

p. 116 acqueducts

p. 134 the whole is closed

p. 192 resourse

p. 208 detatchment