Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Just like love when it touches the resolute mind,

It blends beauty with valour, with grace melancholy;
Till the soul to the triumphs of passion resign'd,
Grows insensate to fame and enamour'd with folly.

So the axe to the trunk of the ivy was laid,

And the fowls of the air from its branches were driven,
And its leaves which the altar in beauty array'd,

To pale desolation were ruthlessly given.

Then the wild bee complain'd as she sought her lov'd flowers,
Oh! why are the blossoms so tediously coming?'

And zephyr inquired for the evergreen bowers,

Where her voice had kept tune to the bees' gentle humming.

-Yet nature proclaims, 'that securely in earth,
Sleeps a root of the ivy its honours renewing;

And when time's ling'ring hand gives the slumberers birth,
It shall wave in its pride o'er the temple in ruin.'

THE RETROSPECT.

"I would not live life o'er again
For all its joys, to share its pain;

Life's springs and pastimes tempt me not,
To wish its cares again my lot.

What tho' youth's devious course hath been

A chequer'd yet a cheerful scene!

Our pleasures to the world are known,
Our silent griefs are all our own!

'Tis sweet to view from sheltering bower,
The high arch'd rainbow span the shower;
But he who still must 'bide the storm
Cares little for the rainbow's form.

When memory seems t' obey thy will,
She fails to cull the good from ill;
But true alike to joy and woe,

She culls them both, her power to show.

These from life's troubles could we take,

Their influence heaven and earth would make;
The charm that dwells with death would fly,
For who, with these, would wish to die?"

VOYAGES IN THE NORTHERN PACIFIC, &c. &c.

CHAPTER III.

The schooner is repaired, and the mutineers sent into the interior; sail for the Columbia river. Arrive at New Archangel or Norfolk Sound, for furs; return to the Columbia river-Sail for Monterey for the purpose of forming a factory to supply the establishment on Columbia river with provisions-Spaniards refuse to allow this-Sail for Bodago.-Russians refuse to allow the gentlemen to remain till our return to Canton.-Arrival at Owyhee.Visited by the King-Natives crowd on board. A summary method to get rid of them.-Two gentlemen of the N. W. company land at Owyhee to wait our return. -Sail for and arrive at Canton.

THE natives of the Columbia

brought us plenty of fine salmon, sturgeon, and fruit, such as strawber

ries, &c. for which we gave them, in exchange, knives, buttons, &c. We shortly after observed a remarkably large canoe coming off with two Indians very finely dressed: they proved to be the king's sons, Cosalas and Selechel, who made us signs that there was a three-masted ship above the point. We gave these people bread and treacle, of which they appeared to be very fond. Shortly after we perceived a schooner-boat beating down the river; and about 7 o'clock she anchored in-shore of us. I went on board of her well armed, and found Mr. Black, chief mate of the Isaac Todd, with several of the clerks be

[ocr errors]

longing to the North-west company, whom I brought to the Columbia. The schooner was manned with Sandwich Islanders. The next morning we weighed and ran up the river, passed two Indian villages belonging to the Chenook tribe, and come to above Village Point, along side of the Isaac Todd, in 7 fathoms water, good bottom. Captain Smith visited us, and a large bark canoe came across from Fort George, in which was the Governor, J. G. McTavish, Esq. with whom Captain Robson went on shore. Next day Captain Robson returned with a party from the fort to take the mutineers on shore, well guarded. After the necessary precautions, we then crossed the river in three and a half fathoms water, and anchored under Fort George in six fathoms water, very excellent holding ground. We were visited daily by Comley, king of the Chenook tribe, with his wives and family; and also by the other tribes about the river, bringing sea-otter and beaver skins, (which we were not allowed to buy from them) with plenty of fine salmon and sturgeon. During this time the Isaac Todd had been taking furs for China; Mr. Bethune, one of the North West Company, went on board as supercargo for China.

Having finished the rigging of the schooner, we commenced taking in bar-iron, rum, powder, ball, &c. for the Russian settlements to the northward. Mr. James McTavish came on board as supercargo; Mr. Mc Lennan as clerk. Finding there were several American ships on the coast, we embarked two long six-pounders and a brass four-pounder, with small arms, &c.; also three Sandwich islanders who were left here by the Tonquin, three Canadians, an old man, who had been a long time in the Russian N. W. company's service, and a half-bred boy. On the 4th August, eight bark canoes belonging to the N. W. company, sailed with stores for the posts in the interior, with 7 men in each canoe, including 3 of our mutineers; the other being a blacksmith was kept at the river. On the 16th, both ships weigh ed with a strong breeze from N. W. and turned over the bar, in a heavy

sea in 3 fathoms water. We left the Isaac-Todd at anchor, and made all sail to the westward. On the 26th of August had a strong gale, sprung our bowsprit and fore-top-mast; and on the 30th saw Queen Charlotte's island. Sept. 2, we made the land called, by the Russians New-Archangel, and by the English, Prince of Wales's Archipelago; in the evening we were close in with the bay of islands, to the northward of the Norfolk Sound of Capt. Cook. When we got to the head of the sound, we run inside a group of islands, and came to off the Russian part in 3 1-2 fathoms water, a fine American ship, Capt. Bacon, laying there with a valuable cargo of furs on board, which they had collected on the N. W. coast. Captain Robson and the supercargo waited on the governor Barinoff. By the 21st we completed our rigging, wooding, and watering, took on board a quantity of fur, sealskins, and made all clear for sea.— While we lay here a large Russian brig arrived with a valuable cargo of furs from the Aluthean or Fox Islands; also sloop Constantine from Kodia, with furs and stores. At this time there were two large ships hauled on shore, undergoing repairs; two large sloops ready for sea, and two gun-boats; a ship of 400 tons which they had built here was trading for furs; and a large brig and schooner trading on California. The Americans were very friendly with us, often spending their evenings on board.

It is the custom of governor Barinoff to make his visitors drunk, when they dine with him. On these occasions he will commence firing guns, which must be answered by the ships, and I have often been obliged to fire above 50 guns in a day.

The Russians have a fine fort on a high rock, mounting about 60 guns, and well calculated to defend them from the Indians; a good ship would however soon destroy it. They have also block-houses and a town of about 60 houses, a church, ship-yard, &c. and about 100 Russians, chiefly convicts from Siberia. They employ a great number of Kodiac and Onalaska Indians to hunt the sea-otter and man their ships; they also hire Amer

to California, where the sea-otters are very plentiful, for the capture of which they allow the ships a certain proportion. They have also several hostages from the tribe about the Sound, and will not allow a canoe to come near the fort, without bringing a handsome present; they have a look-out house on the top of the fort, where a man is constantly kept with a spy-glass in his hand, and if a canoe should heave in sight, a gun-boat is immediately despatched after her. The town is inclosed by a high paling, and look-out houses at the distance of twenty yards from each other. Every Russian has cleared a piece of ground, where they plant potatoes, &c.; by which means, with plenty of fish and whale blubber, they live very comfortably, marrying the Koadiac and Analaska women, who are very industrious and good wives. The Russians are extremely fond of rum, and will part with any thing for it; tobacco is also in great request. This country abounds with wood, chiefly of the pine kind. The hills are covered with snow; and it rains a great deal; we had not six fine days while we lay there. The whole population of this establishment does not exceed 1000 souls.

ican ships to take Indians and canoes ed and came to in the anchorage in 11 fathoms, sandy bottom, about a quarter of a mile from Captain Vancouvre's Observatory, and about the I went same distance from the fort. on shore and was kindly received by the Spaniards, who had all their force (about 50 horsemen) drawn up on the beach to receive me. Mr. M'Dougal informed the governor that he wished to remain at Monterey to collect provisions for the N. W. company's establishment on the Columbia river. On the 16th Dec. we received a final answer from Mexico, that they could not allow any gentleman to remain in the country; we might land the goods we had brought to barter, and the governor was to see to the collecting of provisions for us against our return from Canton; but the cooper was allowed to remain (as a great favour) to superintend the curing of the beef. With these terms we were obliged to comply. On the 21st we sailed towards Bodago, a Mission establishment on New Albion, lat. 38° 0, which we reached. On the 24th we pulled up a large lagoon, where we saw a large number of Indians collected round a fire. We landed and found ourselves above an Indian village, for here they live under ground, and we could hear their voices beneath us.

Sept. 27, we made sail out of the Sound, and stood off towards Columbia river. We found the Isaac Todd had left the river on the 26th Sept. The Cheenook tribe of Indians were rejoiced to see us, and treated us in a very friendly way; their king Comley came on board as usual. I was therefore despatched in the schooner-boat to bring the body of Mr. M'Tavish to the fort. Capt. Robson read the burial-service. On Nov. 5th we finished a cargo of furs for China, and an assortment of goods for the Spanish main; and at length cleared the dangerous bar, and stood off to the southward towards Monterey. On the 22d made the coast of California; saw the harbour of Sir Francis Drake, and the port of St Francisco; passed the Fanbone rocks; at daylight saw the north point of Monterey bay; in the evening, it falling calm, came to in the bay in 50 fathoms sand; at daylight weigh

Several old women and children made their appearance; we gave them some beads, and by signs inquired where the Russians were; they pointed to the men round the fire, to whom we accordingly went up, and Their found them killing rabbits. mode of hunting them is to fire the grass for a considerable distance, and kill the rabbits as they are endeavouring to escape from the flame. The natives appear to be a very harmless race. We inquired for the Russians and they pointed to the northward. We then left them, and, on passing the village, some of our party had the curiosity to enter into their subterraneous abodes, but were obliged to make a hasty retreat, pursued by swarms of fleas, and an intolerable stench from a mass of filth. We reimbarked, made sail to the northward, were visited by some Russians in bodarkees; and one of them piloted us to the settlement,

where we anchored with the stream in 30 fathoms water, bottom of soft mud, about 1 mile from the shore. Mr. M'Dougal then went on shore to ask permission to remain while the schooner arrived from Canton, which was refused by Governor Kutscoff, without first getting permission from Governor Barinoff. At daylight we made sail for the Sandwich Islands. January 7, in lat. 27 N. we fell in with the N. E. trade-wind; on the 16th Jan. made the island of Owyhee; some natives visited us, and informed us that Tameamah was at the village of Tyroa. We made all sail for that place, and the next day ran between Owyhee and Mowee, and stood close in shore. The natives came off in great numbers, bringing with them hogs, vegetables, rope, and cloth of the country; we allowed a few to enter the vessel, and took a chief woman on board, who acted as pilot. About midnight we reached Tyroa, where we anchored in 30 fathoms water, very foul bottom; saluted Tameamah. Mr. McDougal went on shore, and returned with the King next morning: Tameamah in a coloured shirt, velveteen breeches, red waistcoat, large military shoes, and worsted stockings, a black silk handkerchief round his neck, no coat: he is a tall, stout, athletic man, nose rather flat, thick lips, the upper one turned up; an open countenance, with three of his front teeth gone. We weighed anchor, and towed close in shore in 14 fathoms sandy bottom; the canoes collected from all parts, and, in a short time, there were no fewer than eighty of them, with from 3 to 10 men in each, and some hundreds of men, women, and children swimming about the ship, regardless of the sharks; the decks were soon covered with them. Captain Robson being rather alarmed at having so many on board, told the king to send them on shore. He took a handspike in his hand, and said a few words, and in a moment the men flew out of the ship in all directions. The king ordered us to hoist a white flag, which here signifies taboo, or prohibition, and then ordered two of his hikanees, or confidential men, to remain on board to keep

the natives from stealing. The king, queens, and principal chiefs remained with us all day, and had their dinner sent on board to them not being allowed to eat ship provision. It is a strange custom, that any thing out of which the king ate or drank he had sent on shore. In the afternoon Captain Robson landed in company with his Majesty, who gave Mr. Mc Donald permission to stop in his dominions as long as he pleased, and assured him he should want for nothing.

The king sent off a supply of hogs and tarrow, some very good island rope; and the same night, Jan. 18th, weighed and made for Canton. On the 6th of March, it being foggy we sounded occasionally in from 35 to 20 fathoms of water; when it cleared up, we were surrounded by Chinese fishing boats, the sea being completely covered with them. On the 9th we ran into Macoa roads, and came to in 3 1-2 fathoms water. Capt. Robson went on shore in a Chinese boat: in the evening he returned, and the next day he took the young woman shore, the Chinese not allowing her to proceed to Canton in the schooner. On the 27th of March, we got a pilot, and stood up the river; we were three days in our passage up to Wampoa.

CHAPTER IV.

on

Captain Robson gives up the command of the schooner Columbia; Captain Jennings appointed to succeed him.-Some particulars respecting Captain Jennings.-Sail from Canton.-Arrive at the Columbia river.-Massacre of three persons belonging to the Fort.-Assassins discovered and shot.-Another voyage to Monterey; plenty of provisions procured by the Cooper. -Description of the Town and Country. At Canton, Captain Robson found Mr. Bethune, and sixteen Sandwich Islanders who had been left by the Isaac Todd. On March 28th, 1815, being quite tired of the North West coast of America, and determined to return to England, he gave charge of the schooner to Captain Jennings, agreeably to an order from Mr. Bethune. Captain Jennings had left England in the brig Forester, and made an attempt to go round Cape Horn, but did not succeed. At last they bore up for the

Cape of Good Hope; going through the Straits of Tymore; the chief mate with four of the crew, took the gig and left the ship in the night. After a tedious and troublesome passage, the Forester arrived off the island of Woahoo (one of the Sandwich Islands) the crew being at that time in a state of mutiny. They saw several ships in the harbour, among which was the American schooner privateer Tameamah, Captain Porter. A canoe came off, and Captain Jennings intercepted a letter his crew were sending on shore, to say, that if the vessels in the harbour would send their boats out, they would find friends. Captain Jennings immediately made sail towards Owyhee. On arriving, he anchored at Tyroa, the residence of the king, who came on board with all his family, and on learning from the Captain his situation, promised him every assistance. He accordingly got the Forester underweigh and ran to Harakakooa-bay, where Captain Cook was killed: here the Indians watered the ship, bringing the water down from the mountains in calabashes.

A very serious accident took place on board the Forester while she lay here. A boy ran away, but was brought back again, having lost all his clothes. One afternoon, when the ship was on the point of sailing, and Capt. Jennings had occasion to go on shore, the boy went up to him, and told him he wanted his clothes, and would not go to sea without them. The Captain promised that he would try to get them; and if not, some slops should be provided: the boy, however, would not be satisfied, and was extremely impertinent, which at last enraged Captain Jennings so much, that he gave him a Upon this the mutineer took hold of the Captain, who was a small man, and threw him down. The clerk, Mr. Ebbets, immediately knocked the lad down, and the boatswain espousing his quarrel, ran aft and struck Mr. Ebbets so violontly as to stretch him on the deck. Captain Jennings then got clear, and called for irons to put on to the boatswain, who remained quiet for some time. The irons happened to be too small, and the

box on the ear.

[ocr errors]

culprit having called for man's irons, went forward where he procured a long knife, and swore he would stab the first man that attempted to put him in irons. The Captain now seized a musket lying by the poop, presented it, and told him if he did not keep quiet he would shoot him. The man opened his jacket, and baring his breast, told the Captain to shoot and be damned; on which the latter fired, and shot him in the shoulder, with a bullet cut in four pieces. He instantly dropped, crying out "he was murdered.' The crew were for rigging a whip to hang the Captain forthwith to the yard arm; but while they were still debating the matter, Captain Jennings sprang from the ship into a canoe, and was paddled by the natives to the shore, where the king, Tameamah, protected him. The wounded man was also taken on shore, but, from the want of proper assistance, mortification ensued; and as he would not allow his arm to be amputated, in a few days he died. Several of the crew left the Forester, vowing to be revenged. In the mean time, Mr. Piggot, the supercargo, took the command, and got one Adams to navigate her, and some islanders to work the ship. He then sailed from Karakakooa-bay for the coast of California, leaving Captain Jennings and five of the crew on shore. Some time after, his Majesty's ship Cherub, Captain Tucker, touched at Owyhee, under American colours, and the Forester's people having ventured on board, were detained while their late Captain kept out of the way. The Jacob Todd arrived shortly after, and his voyage to Canton in her led to the arrangement I have just mentioned. I sailed upwards of three years with him in the Columbia, and found him to be every way a proper person to command a ship in those seas.

Previous to sailing from Wampoa, on the 28th of April, we took all the Sandwich Islanders on board; several of whom died shortly after. On the 2d of May we weighed from Macoa roads, and sailed for the Columbia river, and on July 1st crossed the bar and anchored. At this time the river was full of Indians, and we were visited

« AnteriorContinuar »