Voyage of Discovery, into the South Sea and Beering's Straits, for the Purpose of Exploring a North-east Passage : Undertaken in the Years 1815-1818, at the Expense of His Highness the Chancellor of the Empire, Count Romanzoff, in the Ship "Rurick" (Meki povez)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1821 Excerpt: ...to Baranof's orders, was placed entirely under Scheffer's command, expressed his disapprobation of the proceedings in Atooi, through which they had all been placed in the greatest danger of their lives, and he considered it a great miracle that, in their flight from Atooi, only three Aleutians had been shot, as Tamary, who regarded them all as his bitterest enemies, might easily have killed many more. He also mentioned their dangerous voyage hither, and was now, with his people, in the most miserable situation, as of course they could not have provisions without payment. Fortunately I had laid in such a provision of stock-fish at Oonalashka, as enabled me to send these poor creatures provisions for a month. Taracanof, who seemed to me a very sensible man, had concluded a contract with M. Hebet, the owner of two ships lying here, by which he bound himself to maintain and clothe the Aleutians a whole year, on condition that he should bring them to California, where they should employ themselves in catching sea-otters on the islands there. After the expiration of this year, Hebet brings them to Sitka, and gives the Company half of the skins obtained. This contract was advantageous to the Company, which often lets out Aleutians in this manner; for these unhappy people will be the victims of their oppressors, as long as the Company is subjected to the dictates of a monster, who purchases every gain with the blood of his fellow-creatures. The necessary preparations were now made on board the ship, that we might leave Woahoo as soon as possible. M. Chamisso, in the mean time, made a short tour through the country. The 6th of October. To-day the American brig Boston ran in here, after having doubled Cape Horn and touched at Sitka, and intended from this place to p...