General Account of Kamtschatka, continued.--Of the Inhabitants.--Origin of
the Kamtschadales.--Discovered by the Russians.--Abstract of their
History.--Numbers.--Present State.--Of the Russian Commerce in
Kamtschatka.--Of the Kamtschadale Habitations, and Dress.--Of the Kurile
Islands.--The Koreki.--The Tschutski.
The present inhabitants of Kamtschatka are of three sorts. The natives, or
Kamtschadales; the Russians and Cossacks; and a mixture of these two by
marriage.
Mr Steller, who resided sometime in this country, and who seems to have
taken great pains to gain information on this subject, is persuaded, that
the true Kamtschadales are a people of great antiquity, and have for many
ages inhabited this peninsula; and that they are originally descended from
the Mungallians, and not either from the Tungusian Tartars, as some, or the
Japanese, as others have imagined.
The principal arguments, by which he supports these opinions, are, That
there exists not among them the trace of a tradition of their having
migrated from any other country; that they believe themselves to have been
created and placed in this very spot by their god Koutkou; that they are
the most favoured of his creatures; the most fortunate and happy of beings;
and that their country is superior to all others, affording means of
gratification far beyond what are any where else to be met with; that they
have a perfect knowledge of all the plants of their country, their virtues
and uses, which could not be acquired in a short time; that their
instruments and household utensils differ greatly from those of any other
nation, and are made with an extraordinary degree of neatness and
dexterity, which implies that they are both of their own invention, and
have been long in arriving at so great perfection; that, antecedently to
the arrival of the Russians and Cossacks among them, they had not the
smallest knowledge of any people, except the Koreki; that it is but of late
they had an intercourse with the Kuriles, and still later (and happened by
means of a vessel being shipwrecked on their coast) that they knew any
thing of the Japanese; and, lastly, that the country was very populous at
the time the Russians first got footing in it.
The reasons he alleges for supposing them to be originally descended from
the Mungalians, are, That many words in their language have terminations
similar to those of the Mungalian Chinese, such as, ong, ing, oing, tching,
tcha, tchoing, ksi, ksung, &c.; and, moreover, that the same principle of
inflexion or derivation obtains in both languages; that they are in general
under-sized, as are the Mungalians; that their complexion, like theirs, is
swarthy; that they have black hair, little beard, the face broad, the nose
short and flat, the eyes small and sunk, the eye-brows thin, the belly
pendant, the legs small; all which are peculiarities that are to be found
among the Mungalians. From the whole of which he draws this conclusion,
that they fled for safety to this peninsula, from the rapid advances of the
Eastern conquerors; as the Laplanders, the Samoides, &c. were compelled to
retreat to the extremities of the north by the Europeans.
The Russians having extended their conquests, and established posts and
colonies along that immense extent of coast of the Frozen Sea, from the
Jenesei to the Anadir, appointed commissaries for the purpose of exploring
and subjecting the countries still farther eastward. They soon became
acquainted with the wandering Koriacs, inhabiting the north and north-east
coast of the sea of Okotzk, and, without difficulty, made them tributary.
These being the immediate neighbours of the Kamtschadales, and likewise in
the habits of bartering with them, a knowledge of Kamtschatka followed of
course.
The honour of the first discovery is given to Feodot Alexeieff, a merchant,
who is said to have sailed from the river Kovyma, round the peninsula of
the Tschutski, in company with seven other vessels, about the year 1648.
The tradition goes, that, being separated from the rest by a storm, near
the Tschukotskoi Noss, he was driven upon the coast of Kamtschatka, where
he wintered; and the summer following coasted round the promontory of
Lopatka, into the sea of Okotzk, and entered the mouth of the Tigil; but
that he and his companions were cut off by the Koriacs, in endeavouring to
pass from thence by land to the Anadirsk. This, in part, is corroborated by
the accounts of Simeon Deshneff, who commanded one of the seven vessels,
and was thrown on shore at the mouth of the Anadir. Be this as it may,
since these discoverers, if such they were, did not live to make any report
of what they had done, Volodimir Atlassoff, a Cossack, stands for the first
acknowledged discoverer of Kamtschatka.[78]
This person was sent, in the year 1697, from the fort Jakutzk to the
Anadirsk, in the quality of commissary, with instructions to call in the
assistance of the Koriacs, with a view to the discovery of countries beyond
theirs, and to the subjecting them to a tribute. In 1699, he penetrated,
with about sixty Russian soldiers, and the same number of Cossacks, into
the heart of the peninsula; gained the Tigil; and from thence levying a
tribute in furs, in his progress crossed over to the river Kamtschatka, on
which he built the higher Kamtschatka ostrog, called Verchnei, where he
left a garrison of sixteen Cossacks, and returned to Jakutzk in 1700, with
an immense quantity of rare and valuable tributary furs. These he had the
good sense and policy to accompany to Moscow; and, in recompence for his
services, was appointed commander of the fort of Jakutzk, with farther
orders to repair again to Kamtschatka; having first drawn from the garrison
at Tobolsk a reinforcement of a hundred Cossacks, with ammunition, and
whatever else could give efficacy to the completion and settlement of his
late discoveries. Advancing with this force toward the Anadirsk, he fell in
with a bark on the river[79] Tunguska. laden with Chinese merchandize,
which he pillaged; and, in consequence of a remonstrance from the sufferers
to the Russian court, he was seized upon at Jakutzk, and thrown into
prison.
In the mean time, Potop Serioukoff, who had been left by Atlassoff, kept
peaceable possession of the garrison of Verchnei; and though he had not a
sufficient force to compel the payment of a tribute from the natives, yet,
by his management and conciliating disposition, he continued to carry on an
advantageous traffic with them as a merchant. On his return to the
Anadirsk, with the general good-will of the natives of Kamtschatka, himself
and party were attacked by the Koriacs, and unfortunately all cut off. This
happened about 17O3; and several other successive commissaries were sent
into Kamtschatka, with various success, during the disgrace and trial of
Atlassoff.
In 1706, Atlassoff was reinstated in his command, and appointed to conduct
a second expedition into Kamtschatka, with instructions to gain upon the
natives by all peaceable means, but on no pretence to have recourse to
force and compulsion; but, instead of attending to his orders, he not only,
by repeated acts of cruelty and injustice, made the natives exceedingly
hostile and averse to their new governors, but likewise so far alienated
the affections of his own people, that it ended in a mutiny of the
Cossacks, and their demand of another commander. The Cossacks having
carried their point, in displacing Atlassoff, seized upon his effects; and,
after once tasting the sweets of plunder, and of living without discipline
or controul, in vain did his successors attempt to reduce them to military
discipline and subjection. Three successive commanders were assassinated in
their turn; and the Cossacks being thus in open rebellion to the Russian
government, and with arms in their hands, were let loose upon the natives.
The history of this country from that period, till the grand revolt of the
Kamtschadales in 1731, presents one unvaried detail of massacres, revolts,
and savage and sanguinary rencounters between small parties, from one end
of the peninsula to the other.
What led to this revolt, was the discovery of a passage from Okotzk to the
Bolchoireka, which was first made by Cosmo Sokoloff, in the year 1715.
Hitherto the Russians had no entrance into the country but on the side of
Anadirsk; so that the natives had frequent opportunities of both plundering
the tribute, as it was carried by so long a journey out of the peninsula,
and harassing the troops in their march into it. But by the discovery of
this communication, there existed a safe and speedy means, as well of
exporting the tribute, as of importing the troops and military stores into
the very heart of the country; which the natives easily saw gave the
Russians so great an advantage, as must soon confirm their dominion, and
therefore determined them to make one grand and immediate struggle for
their liberty. The moment resolved upon for carrying their designs into
execution, was when Beering should have set sail, who was at this time on
the coast with a small squadron, and had dispatched all the troops that
could well be spared from the country, to join Powloutski, in an expedition
against the Tschutski. The opportunity was well chosen; and it is
altogether surprising, that this conspiracy, which was so general, that
every native in the peninsula is said to have had his share in it, was at
the same time conducted with such secrecy, that the Russians had not the
smallest suspicion that any thing hostile to their interests was in
agitation. Their other measures were equally well taken. They had a strong
body in readiness to cut off all communication with the fort Anadirsk; and
the eastern coast was likewise lined with detached parties, with a view of
seizing on any Russians that might by accident arrive from Okotzk. Things
were in this state, when the commissary Cheekhaerdin marched from Verchnei
with his tribute, escorted by the troops of the fort, for the mouth of the
Kamtschatka river, where a vessel was lying to convey them to the Anadir.
Besides waiting for the departure of Beering, the revolt was to be
suspended till this vessel should be out at sea, notice of which was to be
given to the different chiefs. Accordingly, the moment she was out of
sight, they began to massacre every Russian and Cossack that came in their
way, and to set fire to their houses. A large body ascended the river
Kamtschatka; made themselves masters of the fort and _ostrog_ the
commissary had just quitted; put to death all that were in it, and, except
the church and the fort, reduced the whole to ashes. Here it was that they
first learned that the Russian vessel, in which the commissary had
embarked, was still on the coast, which, determined them to defend
themselves in the fort. The wind fortunately soon brought the vessel back
to the harbour; for had she proceeded in her voyage, nothing probably could
have prevented the utter extirpation of the Russians. The Cossacks finding,
on their landing, that their houses had been burnt to the ground, and their
wives and children either massacred or carried off prisoners, were enraged
to madness. They marched directly to the fort, which they attacked with
great fury, and the natives as resolutely defended, till at length the
powder-magazine taking fire, the fort was blown up, together with most of
those that were in it. Various rencounters succeeded to this event, in
which much blood was spilled on both sides. At length, two of the principal
leaders being slain, and the third, (after dispatching his wife and
children, to prevent their falling into the enemy's hand,) having put an
end to himself, peace was established.
From that period every thing went on very peaceably till the year 1740,
when a few Russians lost their lives in a tumult, which was attended with
no farther consequences; and, except the insurrection at Bolcheretsk, in
1770, (which, has been already noticed,) there has been no disturbance
since.
Though the quelling the rebellion of 1731 was attended with the loss of a
great number of inhabitants, yet I was informed that the country had
recovered itself, and was become more populous than ever, when, in the year
1767, the small-pox, brought by a soldier from Okotzk, broke out among them
for the first time, marking its progress with ravages not less dreadful
than the plague, and seeming to threaten their entire extirpation. They
compute that near twenty thousand died of this disorder in Kamtschatka, the
Koreki country, and the Kurile Islands. The inhabitants of whole villages
were swept away. Of this we had sufficient proofs before our eyes. There
are no less than eight ostrogs scattered about the bay of Awatska, all
which, we were informed, had been fully inhabited, but are now entirely
desolate, except Saint Peter and Saint Paul; and even that contains no more
than seven Kamtschadales, who are tributary. At Paratounca ostrog there are
but thirty-six native inhabitants, men, women, and children, which, before
it was visited by the small-pox, we were told contained three hundred and
sixty. In our road to Bolcheretsk, we passed four extensive ostrogs, with
not an inhabitant in them. In the present diminished state of the natives,
with fresh supplies of Russians and Cossacks perpetually pouring in, and
who intermix with them by marriage, it is probable, that in less than half
a century there will be very few of them left. By Major Behm's account,
there are not now more than three thousand who pay tribute, the Kurile
islanders included.[80]
I understood that there are at this time, of the military, in the five
forts of Nichnei, Verchnei, Tigil, Bolcheretsk, and Saint Peter and Saint
Paul, about four hundred Russians and Cossacks, and near the same number at
Ingiga, which, though to the north of the peninsula, is, I learned, at
present under the commander of Kamtschatka; to these may be added the
Russian traders and emigrants, whose numbers are not very considerable.
The Russian government, established over this country, is mild and
equitable, considered as a military one, in a very high degree. The natives
are permitted to choose their own magistrates from among themselves, in the
way, and with the same powers, they had ever been used. One of these, under
the title of _Toion_, presides over each ostrog; is the referee in all
differences; imposes fines, and inflicts punishments for all crimes and
misdemeanours; referring to the governor of Kamtschatka such only as he
does not choose, from their intricacy or heinousness, to decide upon
himself. The Toion has likewise the appointment of a civil officer, called
a corporal, who assists him in the execution of his office, and in his
absence acts as his deputy.[81]
By an edict of the empress, no crime whatsoever can be punished with death.
But we were informed, that in cases of murder (of which there are very
few), the punishment of the knout is administered with such severity, that
the offender, for the most part, dies under it.
The only tribute exacted (which can be considered as little more than an
acknowledgment of the Russian dominion over them) consists, in some
districts, of a fox's skin; in others, of a sable's; and in the Kurile
Isles, of a sea-otter's; but as this is much the most valuable, one skin
serves to pay the tribute of several persons. The Toions collect the
tribute in their respective districts. Besides the mildness of their
government, the Russians have a claim to every praise for the pains they
have bestowed, and which have been attended with great success, in
converting them to Christianity, there remaining at present very few
idolaters among them. If we may judge of the other missionaries, from the
hospitable and benevolent pastor of Paratounca (who is a native on the
mother's side), more suitable persons could not be set over this business.
It is needless to add, that the religion taught is that of the Greek
church.[82] Schools are likewise established in many of the ostrogs, where
the children of both the natives and Cossacks are gratuitously instructed
in the Russian language. The commerce of this country, as far as concerns
the exports, is entirely confined to furs, and carried on principally by a
company of merchants, instituted by the empress. This company originally
consisted of twelve, and three have been lately added to it. They are
indulged with certain privileges, and distinguished by wearing a golden
medal, as a mark of the empress's encouragement and protection of the fur-
trade. Besides these, there are many inferior traders (particularly of the
Cossacks) scattered through the country. The principal merchants for the
time they are here, reside at Bolcheretsk, or the Nichnei ostrog, in which
two places the trade almost wholly centers. Formerly this commerce was
altogether carried on in the way of barter, but of late years every article
is bought and sold for ready money only; and we were surprised at the
quantity of specie in circulation in so poor a country. The furs sell at a
high price, and the situation and habits of life of the natives call for
few articles in return. Our sailors brought a great number of furs with
them from the coast of America, and were not less astonished than delighted
with the quantity of silver the merchants paid down for them; but on
finding neither gin-shops to resort to, nor tobacco, nor any thing else
that they cared for, to be had for money, the roubles soon became
troublesome companions; and I often observed them kicking about the deck.
The merchant I have already had occasion to mention, gave our men at first
thirty roubles for a sea-otter's skin, and for others in proportion; but
finding that they had considerable quantities to dispose of, and that he
had men to deal with who did not know how to keep up the market, he
afterward bought them for much less.
The articles of importation are principally European, but not confined to
Russian manufactures; many are English and Dutch; several likewise come
from Siberia, Bucharia, the Calmucks, and China. They consist of coarse
woollen and linen clothes, yarn-stockings, bonnets, and gloves; thin
Persian silks; cottons, and pieces of nankeen, silk and cotton
handkerchiefs; brass coppers and pans, iron-stoves, files, guns, powder,
and shot; hardware, such as hatchets, bills, knives, scissars, needles;
looking-glasses, flour, sugar; tanned hides, boots, &c. We had an
opportunity of seeing a great many of these articles in the hands of a
merchant, who came in the empress's galliot from Okotzk; and I shall only
observe generally, that they sold for treble the price they might have been
purchased for in England. And though the merchants have so large a profit
upon these imported goods, they have a still larger upon the furs at
Kiachta, upon the frontiers of China, which is the great market for them.
The best sea-otter skins sell generally in Kamtschatka for about thirty
roubles a-piece. The Chinese merchant at Kiachta purchases them at more
than double that price, and sells them again at Pekin at a great advance,
where a farther profitable trade is made with some of them to Japan. If,
therefore, a skin is worth thirty roubles in Kamtschatka, to be transported
first to Okotzk, thence to be conveyed by land to Kiachta, a distance of
one thousand three-hundred and sixty-four miles; and thence on to Pekin,
seven hundred and sixty miles more; and after this to be transported to
Japan, what a prodigiously advantageous trade might be carried on between
this place and Japan, which is about a fortnight's, or at most three weeks,
sail from it?
All furs exported from hence across the sea of Okotzk, pay a duty of ten
per cent., and sables a duty of twelve. And all sorts of merchandise, of
whatever denomination, imported from Okotzk, pay half a rouble for every
pood.[83]
The duties arising from the exports and imports, of which I could not learn
the amount, are paid at Okotzk; but the tribute is collected at
Bolcheretsk; and, I was informed by Major Behm, amounted in value to ten
thousand roubles annually.
There were six vessels (of from forty to fifty tons burthen) employed by
the empress between Okotzk and Bolcheretsk; five of which are appropriated
to the transporting of stores and provisions from Okotzk to Bolcheretsk;
except that once in two or three years, some of them go round to Awatska
and the Kamtschatka river; the sixth is only used as a packet-boat, and
always kept in readiness, and properly equipped for conveying dispatches.
Besides these, there are about fourteen vessels employed by the merchants
in the fur-trade, amongst the islands to the eastward. One of these we
found frozen up in the harbour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which was to
sail on a trading voyage to Oonalashka, as soon as the season would
permit.[84]
It is here to be observed, that the most considerable and valuable part of
the fur-trade is carried on with the islands that lie between Kamtschatka
and America. These were first discovered by Beering, in 1741, and being
found to abound with sea-otters, the Russian merchants became exceedingly
eager in searching for the other islands seen by that navigator, to the
S.E. of Kamtschatka, called in Muller's map the islands of Seduction, St
Abraham, &c. In these expeditions they fell in with three groups of
islands; the first about fifteen degrees to the east of Kamtschatka, in 53°
N. latitude; the second about twelve degrees to the eastward of the former;
and the third, Oonalashka, and the islands in its neighbourhood. These
trading adventurers advanced also as far east as Shumagin's Islands (so
called by Beering), the largest of which is named Kodiak. But here, as well
as on the continent at Alashka, they met with so warm a reception in their
attempts to compel the payment of a tribute, that they never afterward
ventured so far. However they conquered, and made tributary the three
groups before mentioned.
In the Russian charts, the whole sea between Kamtschatka and America is
covered with islands; for the adventurers in these expeditions frequently
falling in with land, which they imagined did not agree with the situation
of others laid down by preceding voyagers, immediately concluded it must be
a new discovery, and reported it as such on their return; and, since the
vessels employed in these expeditions were usually out three or four years,
and oftentimes longer, these mistakes were not in the way of being soon
rectified; It is, however, now pretty certain, that the islands already
enumerated are all that have yet been discovered by the Russians in that
sea, to the southward of 60° of latitude.
It is from these islands that the sea-otter skins, the most valuable
article of the fur-trade, are for the most part drawn; and as they are
brought completely under the Russian dominion, the merchants have
settlements upon them, where their factors reside, for the purpose of
bartering with the natives. It was with a view to the farther increase and
extension of this trade, that the admiralty of Okotzk fitted out an
expedition for the purpose of making discoveries to the N. and N.E. of the
islands above-mentioned, and gave the command of it, as I have already
observed, to Lieutenant Synd. This gentleman, having directed his course
too far to the northward, failed in the object of his voyage; for as we
never saw the sea-otter to the northward of Bristol Bay, it seems probable,
that they shun those latitudes where the larger kind of amphibious sea-
animals abound. This was the last expedition undertaken by the Russians for
prosecuting discoveries to the eastward; but they will undoubtedly make a
proper use of the advantages we have opened to them, by the discovery of
Cook's River.[85]
Notwithstanding the general intercourse that for the last forty years hath
taken place between the natives, the Russians, and Cossacks, the former are
not more distinguished from the latter by their features and general
figure, than by their habits and cast of mind. Of the persons of the
natives, a description hath been already given, and I shall only add, that
their stature is much below the common size. This Major Behm attributes, in
a great measure, to their marrying so early; both sexes generally entering
into the conjugal state at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Their industry
is abundantly conspicuous, without being contrasted with the laziness of
their Russian and Cossack inmates, who are fond of intermarrying with them,
and, as it should seem, for no other reason, but that they may be supported
in sloth and inactivity. To this want of bodily exertion may be attributed
those dreadful scorbutic complaints, which none of them escape; whilst the
natives, by constant exercise and toil in the open air, are entirely free
from them.[86]
Referring the reader for an account of the manners, customs, and
superstitions of the Kamtschadales, at the time the Russians became first
acquainted with this country, to Krascheninnikoff, I shall proceed to a
description of their habitations and dress.
The houses (if they may be allowed that name) are of three distinct sorts,
_jourts_, _balagans_, and _loghouses_, called here _isbas_. The first are
their winter, the second their summer habitations; the third are altogether
of Russian introduction, and inhabited only by the better and wealthier
sort.
The _jourts_, or winter-habitations, are constructed in the following
manner: An oblong square, of dimensions proportioned to the number of
persons for whom it is intended, (for it is proper to observe, that several
families live together in the same _jourt_,) is dug in the earth to the
depth of about six feet. Within this space strong posts, or wooden pillars,
are fastened in the ground, at proper distances from each other, on which
are extended the beams for the support of the roof, which is formed by
joists, resting on the ground with one end, and on the beams with the
other. The interstices between the joists are filled up with a strong
wicker-work, and the whole covered with turf; so that a _jourt_ has
externally the appearance of a round squat hillock. A hole is left in the
centre, which serves for chimney, window, and entrance, and the inhabitants
pass in and out by means of a strong pole (instead of a ladder), notched
just deep enough to afford a little holding to the toe. There is likewise
another entrance in the side, even with the ground, for the convenience of
the women; but if a man makes use of it, he subjects himself to the same
disgrace and derision as a sailor would who descends through lubbers hole.
The _jourt_ consists of one apartment, of the form of an oblong square.
Along the sides are extended broad platforms made of boards, and raised
about six inches from the ground, which they use as seats, and on which
they go to rest, after strewing them with mats and skins. On one side is
the fire-place, and the side opposite is entirely set apart for the stowage
of provisions and kitchen-utensils. At their feasts, and ceremonious
entertainments, the hotter the _jourts_ are made for the reception of the
guests, the greater the compliment. We found them at all times so hot, as
to make any length of stay in them to us intolerable. They betake
themselves to the _jourts_ the middle of October; and, for the most part,
continue in them till the middle of May.
The _balagans_ are raised upon nine posts, fixed into the earth in three
rows, at equal distances from one another, and about thirteen feet high
from the surface. At the height of between nine and ten feet, rafters are
passed from post to post, and firmly secured by strong ropes. On these
rafters are laid the joists, and the whole being covered with turf,
constitutes the platform or floor of the _balagan_. On this is raised a
roof of a conical figure, by means of tall poles, fastened down to the
rafters at one end, and meeting together in a point at the top, and
thatched over with strong coarse grass. The _balagans_ have two doors
placed opposite each other, and they ascend to them by the same sort of
ladders they use in the _jourts_. The lower part is left entirely open; and
within it they dry their fish, roots, vegetables, and other articles of
winter consumption. The proportion of _jourts_ and _balagans_, is as one to
six; so that six families generally live together in one _jourt_.
The loghouses (_isbas_) are raised with long timbers piled horizontally,
the ends being let into one another, and the seams caulked with moss. The
roof is sloping like that of our common cottage-houses, and thatched with
coarse grass or rushes. The inside consists of three apartments. At one end
is what may be called the entry, which runs the whole width and height of
the house, and is the receptacle of their sledges, harness, and other more
bulky gears and household stuff. This communicates with the middle and best
apartment, furnished with broad benches, for the purpose, as hath been
above-mentioned, of both eating and sleeping upon. Out of this is a door
into the kitchen; one half of which is taken up by the oven or fire-place,
so contrived, by being let into the wall that separates the kitchen and the
middle apartment, as to warm both at the same time. Over the middle
apartment and kitchen are two lofts, to which they ascend by a ladder
placed in the entry. There are two small windows in each apartment, made of
talc, and in the houses of the poorer sort of fish-skin. The beams and
boards of the cieling are dubbed smooth with a hatchet (for they are
unacquainted with the plane), and from the effects of the smoke are as
black and shining as jet.
A town of Kamtschatka is called an _ostrog_, and consists of several of the
three sorts of houses above described; but of which _balagans_ are much the
most numerous; and I must observe, that I never met with a house of any
kind detached from an _ostrog_. Saint Peter and Saint Paul consists of
seven loghouses, or _isbas_, nineteen _balagans_, and three _jourts_.
Paratounca is of about the same size. Karatchin and Natcheekin contain
fewer loghouses, but full as many _jourts_ and _balagans_ as the former;
from whence I conclude, that such is the usual size of the _ostrogs_.[87]
Having already had occasion to mention the dress of the Kamtschadale women,
I shall here confine myself to a description of that of the men.
The outermost garment is of the shape of a carter's frock. Those worn in
summer are of nankeen; in winter they are made of skins, most commonly of
the deer or dog, tanned on one side, the hair being left on the other,
which is worn innermost. Under this is a close jacket of nankeen, or other
cotton stuffs; and beneath that a shirt of thin Persian silk, of a blue,
red, or yellow colour. The remaining part of their dress consists of a pair
of tight trowsers, or long breeches, of leather, reaching down to the calf
of the leg; of a pair of dog or deer-skin boots, with the hair innermost;
and of a fur-cap, with two flaps, which are generally tied up close to the
head, but in bad weather are let to fall round the shoulders.
The fur-dress presented to me by a son of Major Behm (as already
mentioned), is one of those worn by the Toions, on ceremonious occasions.
The form exactly resembles that of the common exterior garment just
described. It is made of small triangular pieces of fur, chequered brown
and white, and joined so neatly as to appear to be one skin. A border of
six inches breadth, wrought with threads of different coloured leather, and
producing a rich effect, surrounds the bottom, to which is suspended a
broad edging of the sea-otter skin. The sleeves are turned up with the same
materials; and there is likewise an edging of it round the neck, and down
the opening at the breast. The lining is of a smooth white skin. A cap, a
pair of gloves, and boots, wrought with the utmost degree of neatness, and
made of the same materials, constitute the remainder of this suit. The
Russians in Kamtschatka wear the European dress; and the uniform of the
troops quartered here, is of a dark-green, faced with red.
As the people, situated to the north and south of this country are yet
imperfectly known, I shall conclude the account of Kamtschatka with such
information concerning the Kurile Islands, and the Koreki and Tschutski, as
I have been able to acquire.
The chain of islands, running in a S.W. direction from the southern
promontory of Kamtschatka to Japan, extending from latitude 51° to 45°, are
called the Kuriles. They obtained this name from the inhabitants of the
neighbourhood of Lopatka, who being themselves called Kuriles, gave their
own name to these islands, on first becoming acquainted with them. They
are, according to Spanberg, twenty-two in number, without reckoning the
very small ones. The northernmost, called Shoomska, is not more than three
leagues from the Promontory Lopatka, and its inhabitants are a mixture of
natives and Kamtschadales. The next to the south, called Paramousir, is
much larger than Shoomska, and inhabited by the true natives; their
ancestors, according to a tradition among them, having come from an island
a little farther to the south, called Onecutan. These two islands were
first visited by the Russians in 1713, and at the same time brought under
their dominion. The others, in order, are at present made tributary, down
to Ooshesheer inclusive, as I am informed by the worthy pastor of
Paratounca, who is their missionary, and visits them once in three years,
and speaks of the islanders in terms of the highest commendation,
representing them as a friendly, hospitable, generous, humane race of
people, and excelling their Kamtschadale neighbours, not less in the
formation of their bodies, than in docility and quickness of understanding.
Though Ooshesheer is the southernmost island that the Russians have yet
brought under their dominion, yet I understand that they trade to Ooroop,
which is the eighteenth; and according to their accounts, the only one
where there is a good harbour for ships of burthen. Beyond this, to the
south, lies Nadeegsda, which was represented to us by the Russians as
inhabited by a race of men remarkably hairy, and who, like those of Ooroop,
live in a state of entire independence.[88]
In the same direction, but inclining something more to the westward, lies a
group of islands, which the Japanese call Jeso; a name which they also give
to the whole chain of islands between Kamtschatka and Japan. The
southernmost, called Matmai, hath been long subject to the Japanese, and is
fortified and garrisoned on the side toward the continent. The two islands
to the north-east of Matmai, Kunachir, and Zellany, and likewise the three
still farther to the north-east, called the Three Sisters, are perfectly
independent.
A trade of barter is carried on between Matmai and the islands last
mentioned; and between those again and the Kuriles to the northward; in
which, for furs, dried fish, and oil, the latter get silk, cotton, iron,
and Japanese articles of furniture.[89]
The inhabitants of as many of the islands as are brought under the Russian
dominion, are at present converted to Christianity. And probably the time
is not very distant, when a friendly and profitable intercourse will be
brought about between Kamtschatka and the whole of this chain of islands;
and which will draw after it a communication with Japan itself. This may
eventually be greatly facilitated by a circumstance related to me by Major
Behm, that several Russians, who had been taught the Japanese language, by
two men belonging to a vessel of that nation, which had been
shipwrecked[90] on the coast of Kamtschatka, had been sent among those
islands.
The advantages that would accrue to the Russians by an immediate trade to
Japan, have been already adverted to, and are too many, and too obvious, to
need insisting upon.[91]
The Koreki country includes two distinct nations, called the Wandering and
Fixed Koriacs.
The former inhabit the northern part of the isthmus of Kamtschatka, and the
whole coast of the eastern ocean; from thence to the Anadir.
The country of the Wandering Koriacks stretches along the north-east of the
sea of Okotzk to the river Penskina, and westward toward the river Kovyma.
The Fixed Koriacks have a strong resemblance to the Kamtschadales; and,
like them, depend altogether on fishing for subsistence. Their dress and
habitations are of the same kind. They are tributary to the Russians, and
under the district of the Ingiga.
The Wandering Koriacs occupy themselves entirely in breeding and pasturing
deer, of which they are said to possess immense numbers; and that it is no
unusual thing for an individual chief to have a herd of four or five
thousand. They despise fish, and live entirely on deer. They have no
balagans; and their only habitations are like the Kamtschadale jourts, with
this difference, that they are covered with raw deer-skins in winter, and
tanned ones in summer. Their sledges are drawn by deer, and never by dogs;
which, like the latter, are likewise always spayed, in order to be trained
to this business. The draft-deer pasture in company with the others; and
when they are wanted, the huntsmen make use of a certain cry, which they
instantly obey, by coming out of the herd.
The priest of Paratounca informed me, that the two nations of the Koriacs,
and the Tschutski, speak different dialects of the same language; and that
it bears not the smallest resemblance to the Kamtschadale.
The country of the Tschutski is bounded on the south by the Anadir, and
extends along the coast to the Tschutskoi Noss. Like the Wandering
Koriacks, their attention is principally confined to their deer, of which
their country affords great numbers, both tame and wild. They are a stout,
well-made, bold, warlike race of people; redoubtable neighbours to both
nations of the Koriacs, who often feel the effects of their depredatory
incursions. The Russians have for many years been using their endeavours to
bring them under their dominion; and, after losing a great many men in
their different expeditions for this purpose, have not been able to effect
it.
I shall here conclude this article, since all we can say of this people, on
our own knowledge, hath been laid before the reader in the preceding
volume.
[78] It is proper to remark, that Atlassoff sent an advanced party, under
the command of a subaltern, called Lucas Moloskoff, who certainly
penetrated into Kamtschatka, and returned with an account of his
success before Atlassoff set out, and is therefore not unjustly
mentioned as the discoverer of Kamtschatka.
[79] This river empties itself into the Jenesei.
[80] Captain Krusenstern informs us, that the people in Kamtschatska, and
more especially the Kamtschadales, are decreasing in number very
rapidly, and from different causes. They are subject to several
epidemic complaints; one of which, he says, carried off upwards of
five thousand persons in the years 1800 and 1801. But the principal
causes of depopulation, which, if not speedily removed, threaten the
total extinction of the inhabitants, are not dependent on the
severity, or even any peculiar maladies of the climate. It is to the
excessive use of spirits, and an extraordinary disproportion in the
number of females, that this serious evil is to be chiefly imputed.
The great moral defect in the character of the native Kamtschadale, is
his propensity to drunkenness; in which, it will readily be believed,
he finds companions amongst his neighbours; and in which, still more
unfortunately, he is absolutely encouraged, for the most fraudulent
purposes, by the petty agents of the American Company, and the other
merchants in Kamtschatka. Nothing can be more infamous than what is
related by Krusenstern on this subject. Let the following description
suffice. It is applied by K. indeed to a state of matters which
formerly existed without controul, but which the government, he would
have us believe, has lately endeavoured to destroy. How far this
interference has availed, or is likely to avail, may be conjectured,
though not without some very painful emotions, from the circumstance
admitted by K. himself, that there are few Kamtschadales remaining on
whom its benefits can operate; and the opinion he has also given, that
before many years have elapsed, these few will perhaps have entirely
disappeared. "With no other wares," says this candid man, "than a
large quantity of very bad gin, the merchants travelled about the
country to procure furs. As soon as one of them arrived in an ostrog,
he treated his host with a glass of spirits. The Kamtschadales are all
so unfortunately attached to strong liquors, that it is absolutely
impossible for them to resist the pleasure of getting intoxicated. As
soon as he has drank a glass of gin, which he receives for nothing, he
instantly begs another, for which, however, he must pay; then a
second, a third, and so on. Still, however, he has had his spirits
unadulterated; but the moment he begins to be intoxicated, instead of
pure spirits, they give it him mixed with water; and in order that the
deception may be carried on with the more security, the merchants have
the vessels, destined for the spirits, called _fliäga_, divided into
two parts; in the smaller one of which they carry their unmixed
spirits, and in the other the mixed. The merchant now continues to ply
the Kamtschadale with the weaker liquor, until he becomes perfectly
senseless, and then takes possession of his whole stock of sables and
other furs, alleging, that they are to pay for the quantity of spirits
which he has drank. Thus, in an unfortunate moment, the Kamtschadale
loses the reward of many months labour and cost; and, instead of
providing himself with powder and shot, and other necessary and
indispensable articles, such as would have contributed to his own and
his family's comfort, he has exhausted all his wealth for one debauch,
which only weakens him, and renders him more helpless and destitute
for the future. This wretchedness is accompanied by a depression of
spirits, which must have a pernicious influence on his body, already
weakened by disease, and which, at length, from the total want of
substantial food, and of medical assistance, becomes unable to resist
such frequent attacks upon it. This appears to me the cause of their
annual decrease, assisted by epidemical disorders, which sweep them
off in great numbers." But another cause has been assigned in addition
to this very deplorable one, and this it may now be necessary to
specify a little more particularly. Let the words of the same writer
be taken in evidence, and we may say we have very little reason indeed
to give ourselves any concern about the condition of the people in
this distant settlement.--"The prospect of any increase of the
inhabitants of Kamtschatka was very much diminished, not only by the
smallness of the number of the remaining Russians and Kamtschadales,
but by that of the women bearing no kind of proportion to the men. At
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, where the number of inhabitants, including
the military, amounts to one hundred and fifty, or one hundred and
eighty persons, there are not five-and-twenty females. It frequently
happens, that the company's ships and transports winter here, and the
number of men is often increased to five hundred; while, on the other
hand, that of the women remains always the same. The consequences of
this pernicious disproportion are unproductive marriages, and a total
decline of all morals. I do not remember to have seen more than five
or six children at Kamtschatka, and these partly belonged to the
officers, and partly to such of the inhabitants as had distinguished
themselves by their exemplary conduct. All the marriages, with the
exception of three or four, were entirely unproductive." It is almost
needless to remark, that if the suggestions which Krusenstern has
given, have not been adopted and acted on, the superiority of the
diminishing agents will have wrought such an effect since his visit,
as may render it problematical whether or not this country ought to be
reckoned amongst the inhabited regions of the earth.--E.
[81] The Tayon, or Toyon, according to Krusenstern, is a person chosen from
amongst the inhabitants, and has a character somewhat similar to that
of _starost_, or elder, in the Russian villages. He has an officer
under him, who bears the title of _jessaul_, the corporal of the tent,
who, properly speaking, holds the executive authority of the ostrog,
as the tayon seldom does more than deliver orders to him. When the
tayon is absent, the jessaul assumes his place, and is supported by
the eldest Kamtschadale in the ostrog, who, for the time being,
becomes his substitute as jessaul. The power of the tayon is said to
be considerable, extending to the infliction of corporal punishment,
not, however, exceeding twenty lashes; and his duty, in addition to
the internal administration of his ostrog, consists in collecting the
best sables as a tribute to the government, and carrying them to town,
where they are examined by certain magistrates, appointed for the
purpose, and afterwards taxed by a person authorised by the crown.
Enough has been already shewn, it may be thought, for calling in
question the mildness, or at least the good policy, of the government
established here. A circumstance is mentioned by Krusenstern, which
seems to imply something very different, though lately modified, we
are told, and not without reason, as, to use his own words, it is
surprising that people could have endured it for a single hour. It may
be explained in a few words. The capitation tax, which is common
throughout the Russian empire, is levied according to a census, or
revision, which is generally taken every twenty years. Where the
population is on the increase, this is manifestly an advantage to the
subjects, who would necessarily have more to pay, if the imposition
were accurately adjusted to the annual augmentation of numbers. But
the operation of the principle becomes peculiarly oppressive, where,
on the contrary, as in Kamtschatka, the population has been gradually
diminishing, and, during some years, had been rapidly reduced. Thus,
in many of the ostrogs, we are told, that the inhabitants had declined
from thirty or forty, to eight or ten; and yet the tribute continued
to be levied on the remainder, according to the preceding census! This
was, in reality, the _caput mortuum_ of taxation, and perhaps was
never equalled, at least never surpassed, in absurdity, by the _ways
and means_ of any other government. Had this system continued for any
length of time, it is probable, that one or two individuals would at
length have had the _supreme_ felicity of being in reality the
representatives of a whole nation, and of course of paying for the
extraordinary honour. This reminds one of a curious enough occurrence
said to have happened after a battle in Germany, in which a regiment,
belonging to the Earl of Tyrconnel, had been engaged. A general muster
having taken place, his Lordship's regiment was of course called for,
when a soldier, stepping from the ranks, immediately replied, "I am
Lord Tyrconnel's regiment!" In fact, the poor fellow was the only
responsible survivor.--E.
[82] Krusenstern, who, as we have seen, is far from sparing the laity in
the distribution of his censures, makes every bit as free with the
clergy. "The priest of St Peter and St Paul," says he, "was a scandal
to his profession; in the interior, they are said to be no better, and
to be particularly obnoxious to the Kamtschadales." This is a serious
evil, no doubt, but it may reasonably be expected to cease with the
complaints of the parishioners, as it is very unlikely that at
Kamtschatka as elsewhere, there should be found any shepherds without
flocks. To be sure, in some other countries, where this occasionally
happens, there is this important difference, that the pasture at least
is worth looking after!--E.
[83] Thirty-six pounds English.
[84] This description, little as it may excite any high opinion of the
prosperity of the place, is nevertheless nearly a contrast to that
which Krusenstern has given. "The first prospect of St Peter and St
Paul might raise in the mind of a person newly arrived, and ignorant
of the history of this Russian establishment, the idea of its being a
colony founded a few years before, but recently abandoned. Nothing is
visible here that could at all persuade any one of its being inhabited
by civilized people; not only Awatska Bay, but the three adjoining
ones, are entirely forlorn and uninhabited; nor is the beautiful
harbour of St Peter and St Paul enlivened by a single boat. Instead of
this, the shores are strewed with stinking fish, among which a number
of half-starved dogs are seen wallowing, and contending for
possession. Two baidars belonging to the port, and hauled on shore at
a low sandy point of land, would be an additional proof of the infancy
of this colony; if, at the same time, you did not perceive the wreck
of a three-masted ship, bearing evident marks of having been in its
present condition for some years. This is the Slawa Rossi, the ship
which Captain Billing commanded, but which, after the completion of
his voyage, foundered in the harbour from want of care. The appearance
immediately brings to mind the celebrated Behring, who, seventy years
before, commenced his voyage of discovery from this port; But not only
the two baidars, but the sinking of the ship itself, are too clear a
proof that the nautical concerns of this colony are still in a state
of infancy." Krusenstern's descriptions, we see, come after King's,
somewhat in the manner of Holbein's Dance of Death, after whatever was
promising or agreeable!--E.
[85] In Mr Coxe's work, we have accounts of three voyages subsequent to
Synd's, viz. those of Shelekof, of Ismaelof and Betsharoff, and of
Billings, all of which were performed betwixt 1778 and 1792. The
second of these, according to Mr Coxe's opinion, is by far the most
interesting of any yet made by the Russians. The last, which was of
very long continuance, and occasioned an enormous expence to the
government, did not fully answer the expectations entertained of it.
The commander, an Englishman, is not spoken highly of by Krusenstern,
who tells us, indeed, that, among the Russian naval officers, there
were many who would have conducted the expedition much more creditably
than he did. This may, no doubt, be very true. But how comes it, that
they were not known in time to be employed? Or, admitting that they
were known for superiority of talents, but that some reasons,
independent of any consideration of respective qualifications, decided
against their being employed, who was to blame, it may be asked, in
selecting an incompetent, or at least an inferior person, for the
command of so important an undertaking? Captain Krusenstern may be a
very able officer; indeed, no one can read his work without
entertaining a high opinion of his moral and professional character.
It is shrewdly to be suspected, however, that he is somewhat deficient
in that prophetic eye of wise policy, which at one glance can
ascertain the effects and consequences of one's own assertions and
reasonings. It is not thought advisable to enter upon the
consideration of the subject now adverted to by Captain King, as a
fitter opportunity will in all probability present itself for the
necessary discussion.--E.
[86] Captain Krusenstern, as may have been already perceived, thinks very
highly of the Kamtschadale character. In his judgment, the only
objection to it applies to that superinduced propensity in which the
avaricious merchant has so often found his account, though to the ruin
of the unthinking individuals subjected to his temptations. Their
honesty is greatly extolled; and a cheat is as rare among the
Kamtschadales as a man of property. So great is the confidence placed
in them in this respect, that it is quite usual, we are told, for
travellers, on arriving at an ostrog, to give their whole effects,
even their stock of _brandy_, &c. into the hands of the tayon, and
there is no instance of any one having been robbed to the smallest
extent. "Lieutenant Koscheleff," says K., "with his accustomed
simplicity, told me that he had once been sent by his brother, the
governor, with thirteen thousand roubles to distribute among the
different towns; that every evening he made over his box with the
money to the tayon of the ostrog where he slept, and felt much easier,
having so disposed of it, _than he would perhaps have done in any inn
in St Petersburgh_." No doubt, the superior purity of the country air
would occasion some difference in his feelings! The hospitality of the
Kamtschadales forms another topic of eulogium. With such moral
virtues, then, in alliance with great industry, and considerable
intelligence, it is not to be wondered, that Krusenstern should speak
of the probable extinction of this race as a most alarming calamity.
But we have seen that hitherto little care has been manifested to
prevent its occurrence. The very subject we are now on presents us
with another sample of the gross impolicy, not to speak of inhumanity
or injustice, that has been shewn towards these most valuable people.
The following passage from Krusenstern may be allowed to warrant the
most severe opinion we can possibly form of any government, that could
require such services from _its slaves_. "The necessity of the
Kamtschadales in Kamtschatka is sufficiently proved, by their being
every where the guides through the country, and by their conveying the
mail, which they do likewise, free of expence. In the winter, they are
obliged to conduct travellers and estafettes from one ostrog to
another; they supply the dogs of those who travel with jukulla; they
also lodge the travellers; this, however, they are not obliged to do.
This hospitable people has, of its own accord, engaged to lodge every
traveller, and to feed his dogs, without demanding any remuneration.
In every ostrog there is a supply of fish set apart for this purpose.
In general, the governor and all officers keep dogs, so that in this
respect they are not burthen-some to the Kamtschadales; but a story is
told of a magistrate high in office, having been here a short time
since, who never travelled but in a sledge like a small house, drawn
by an hundred dogs. Besides this, he is said to have journeyed with
such rapidity, that at every station several of these animals
belonging to the Kamtschadales expired, which he never paid for. In
the summer, the Kamtschadale is obliged to be always ready with his
boat to conduct the traveller either up or down the rivers; nor can
the soldier be sent any where without having one of these people for
his guide. Thus it frequently happens that they are absent a fortnight
or more from their ostrog, and lose the best opportunity of providing
themselves with fish for the winter, as, besides the mere act of
taking the fish, it requires several days of fine summer weather to
dry them. If the wet should set in, during this operation, the fish
instantly becomes magotty, and the whole stock is rendered useless.
From the great numbers of soldiers, (as, besides the cossacks, there
is a battalion of five hundred men, and about twenty officers,
quartered in Kamtschatka), and the small number of Kamtschadales, it
must be sufficiently evident, that the latter are frequently taken
from their work, and, it may be added, almost without remuneration;
for the post-money allowed by the crown, which amounts to one kopeck
the werst, considering the high price of every article, is, surely,
not only an inconsiderable, but an insulting reward for the service
performed," Thus far K. To some readers, it may be necessary to
mention, in order to their due understanding of this reward, that 100
kopecks make a rouble, the value of which varies according to the rate
of exchange from 2s. 6d. to 4s. 2d. British, having been so low as the
former rate in the year 1803, and that three wersts are about equal to
two English miles, so that we may fairly enough estimate this insult,
as K. expresses it, at one half-penny per mile!--E.
[87] Krusenstern's description of the houses and their contents is exactly
in proportion to the other parts of his very unfavourable report. Even
of two of them, which he says are the very ornament of Kamtschatka,
the furniture is represented as most wretchedly deficient. "That of
the anti-room consisted merely of a wooden stool, a table, and two or
three broken chairs. There was neither earthen-ware nor porcelain
table-service; no glasses, decanters, nor any thing else of a similar
nature; two or three tea-cups, one glass, a few broken knives and
forks, and some pewter spoons, constituted the wealth of the good
people (two artillery officers) who were both married. But what most
of all distressed me, was the condition of their windows; they had not
double sashes, which, in a cold climate, are as necessary to health as
to comfort; but such even as they had, were in a very wretched
condition. The panes were of glass, but notwithstanding their extreme
smallness, they were all of them broken, and made of pieces fitted
together. They afforded no protection against the snow and frost; and
I could not, without feelings of commiseration, behold the children,
who, in no part of the world, are brought up so wretchedly as here."
If such were the condition of the best houses, we shall have little
reason, for the sake of any pleasure at least, to make any enquiry as
to those of an inferior kind, belonging to the other inhabitants. It
is perhaps enough then to say in general terms, that they are all ill
built, that they are so low, as to be entirely covered up with snow
during the winter, and that in consequence of this circumstance, they
are throughout that period completely deprived of the fresh air, to
which want, and to the badness of their provisions, it is
unquestionably with perfect truth that K. ascribes the pallid hue of
all the inhabitants, even, as he adds, of the youngest females. The
construction of a house at St Peter and St Paul, we are further told,
is very expensive, as there is no suitable timber in the neighbourhood
of the town, and the people are consequently necessitated to bring it
from the interior. It is in this manner that thirty or forty soldiers
are employed, when any public building is to be erected. They are sent
out under the command of an officer, and for several weeks, during
which time, and at imminent risk, they fell the timber, and float it
down the rivers. Thus says K., "the whole garrison of Kamtschatka had
been occupied during two years in building some barracks for ten or
twelve men, nor were they even then completed; and the church, on
which they had been several years employed, was in the same
predicament!" It is, no doubt, a very natural consequence of such slow
procedure, that, before a building is quite finished, some part of it
falls to pieces. Some persons have suggested the use of bricks in
place of timber, and it seems pretty obvious, from K.'s account, that
this is quite practicable. It may well be doubted, however; if either
the prejudices or the indolence of the people will yield to the
innovation; and much more, indeed, may it be doubted, if the people in
fact will ever require more houses than those which already exist. If
they should, notwithstanding such weighty evidence as has been adduced
to the contrary, the advice which K. has given on the subject, would
deserve the serious consideration of the government.--E.
[88] Spanberg places the island here spoken of in 43° 50' N. latitude, and
mentions his having watered upon it; and that this watering-party
brought off eight of the natives; of whom he relates the following
circumstances: That their bodies were covered all over with hair; that
they wore a loose striped silk gown, reaching as low as their ankles;
and that some of them had silver rings pendant from the ears; that, on
spying a live cock on deck, they fell down on their knees before it;
and likewise, before the presents that were bronght out to them,
closing and stretching forth their hands, and bowing their heads, at
the same time, down to the ground; that, except the peculiarity of
their hairiness, they resemble the other Kurile islanders in their
features and figure, and spoke the same language. The journal of the
ship Castricom also mentions this circumstance, of the inhabitants of
the country discovered by them, and called Jeso, being hairy all over
the body.
[89] This accounts for what Krascheninnikoff says, that he got from
Paramousir a japanned table and vase, a scymeter, and a silver ring,
which he sent to the cabinet of her imperial majesty, at Petersburg.
And if what Mr Steller mentions, on the authority of a Kurile, who was
interpreter to Spanberg in his voyage to Japan, is to be credited,
that nearly the same language is spoken at Kunashir and Paramousir, it
cannot be questioned, that some intercourse has always subsisted
between the inhabitants of this extensive chain of islands.
[90] The vessel here spoken of was from Satsma, a port in Japan, bound for
another Japanese port, called Azaka, and laden with rice, cotton, and
silks. She sailed with a favourable wind; but, before she reached her
destination, was driven out to sea by a violent storm, which carried
away her masts and rudder.
On the storm's abating, not one of the crew, which consisted of
seventeen (having probably never made any other than coasting
voyages), knew where they were, or what course to steer. After
remaining in this situation six months, they were driven on shore near
the promontory Lopatka; and having cast out an anchor, began to carry
on shore such articles as were necessary to their existence. They next
erected a tent, and had remained in it twenty-three days without
seeing a human being; when chance conducted a cossack officer, called
Andrew Chinnikoff, with a few Kamtschadales, to their habitation. The
poor unfortunate Japanese, overwhelmed with joy at the sight of fellow
creatures, made the most significant tenders, they were able, of
friendship and affection; and presented their visitors with silks,
sabres, and a part of whatever else they had brought from the ship.
The treacherous Chinnikoff made reciprocal returns of kindness and
good-will; and, after remaining with them long enough to make such
observations as suited his designs, withdrew from them in the night.
The Japanese, finding that their visitors did not return, knew not
what course to take. In despair they manned their boat, and were
rowing along the coast in search of a habitation, when they came up
with their vessel, which had been driven ashore; and found Chinnikoff
and his companions pillaging her, and pulling her in pieces for the
sake of the iron. This sight determined them to continue their course,
which Chinnikoff perceiving, ordered his men to pursue and massacre
them. The unfortunate Japanese, seeing a canoe in pursuit, and which
they could not escape, apprehended what was to follow. Some of them
leaped into the sea; others, in vain, had recourse to prayers and
entreaties. They were all massacred but two, by the very sabres they
had presented to their supposed friends a few days before. One of the
two was a boy about eleven years old, named Gowga, who had accompanied
his father, the ship's pilot, to learn navigation; the other was a
middle-aged man, the supercargo, and called Sosa.
Chinnikoff soon met with the punishment due to his crimes. The two
strangers were conducted to Petersburgh, where they were sent to the
academy, with proper instructors and attendants; and several young men
were, at the same time, put about them for the purpose of learning the
Japanese language.
They were thrown on the coast of Kamtschatka in 1730. The younger
survived the absence from his country five, the other six years. Their
portraits are to be seen in the cabinet of the empress at
Petersburgh.--Vid. Krascheninnikoff, vol. ii. part 4. Fr. Ed.
[91] Attempts have been made at different periods by the Russians to open
up a trade with Japan; and, indeed, one purpose of the voyage which
Captain Krusenstern undertook, was to conciliate the emperor or
government of that island. No one, who is at all acquainted with the
history of the people, will be surprised to learn that the Japanese
did not think themselves honoured by the embassy; that they even
refused the presents which had been carried out, and would not concede
the favour of an alliance which was courted. The result of the whole,
in fact, was rather a loss than a gain, as a permission which had been
previously given to visit Nangasaky was withdrawn. Thus, says K., "all
communication is now at an end between Japan and Russia, unless some
great change should take place in the ministry of Jeddo, or, indeed,
in the government itself, and this is perhaps not to be expected." We
are told, however, in a note, that some revolution is understood
actually to have taken place after this visit, and that too in
consequence of this dismissal of the Russian embassy. This is said on
the authority of a Lieutenant Chwostoff, who heard of it from the
Japanese, when he visited the northern coast of Jesso in 1806 and
1807. But as no particulars are mentioned, and as, indeed, the thing
is somewhat unlikely, one may be allowed to call in question the truth
of the report. The Russians then, like, the Spaniards, Portugueze,
English, and Americans, have utterly failed in establishing any
commercial intercourse with Japan; and the Dutch alone, of any of the
European nations, have continued, by virtue of their _bowing
propensities_, &c., to profit by a direct connection with it.--E.