We have two separate versions, both described as by Frances in 1836. The version immediately below is as headed. Below that is a longer document in the British Colombia archives, translated literally by Erica, an ancestor, sent to Madeleine Symes, another ancestor, who passed it on to Nick Harding another ancestor.
Notes copied from M.S.S of Frances Barkley – by her great granddaughter Ada Tyler Jan 17th 1907
This page has the text of Frances's description of parts of her life. Occasionally Ada added information and it is not always certain what was said by Frances and what by Ada [AT] below . Otherwise nothing is added to the text except for links to Wikipedia and similar. Anyone seeking context should buy and read The Remarkable World of Frances Barkley. A letter Frances wrote to her son in which she describes a scandalous situation about which she wants him to be aware in case it becomes important is on the Trevor Family and Mystery page.
"My father was married to his first wife, Miss Beacher a very beautiful girl but older than himself, he being under age, they were married in Edinburgh in the spring of 1759 contrary to the will of his guardian and his mother who were adverse to the match and would not consent. His eldest daughter was born on the 12th August 1760 and christened Harriot James (since Mrs Cook) his second daughter was borne on the 26th Oct, 1766 and named Jane Rebecca (Mrs Mullens since), third and fourth daughters being twins were born on the 16th of April 1769 and christened by the names of Elizabeth (eldest died young) and Frances (became Mrs Barkley).
His first son by his second marriage was borne on the 9th Jan 1774 christened John William. Second son Fred born 20th March 1776. Third son Charles born 28th September 1777 fourth son Henry born 28th September 1779. [AT. Dr Trevor's second wife was Smith sister of Horace Smith author of Rejected Addresses]
1786
I was married to Charles William Barkley Esq., formerly of the Hon East India Company’s service, but at that period he commanded the ship “Loudoun” bound to the N W Coast of America. The ceremony was performed at the Protestant Chapel at Ostend on the 27th of October 1786 by my father John Trevor DD, minister of the said chapel. Sailed from the harbour of Ostend on or about the [gap]
We were bound to the N E Coast of America, to sail round Cape Horn. Started either November or December [at the time of her marriage Frances Trevor was 17 1/2 years of age AT]
We arrived in China from our first voyage to the N W Coast of America in December 1787,
Touched at the ? Bay of All Saints first however we touched at St Jago, doubled Cape Horne – from thence to the Coast. Nootka Sound from thence to Sandwich Isles on the North East Coast of America from thence to Macao in China.
We arrived in the year of 1787 having performed the voyage in eleven months.
Sailed from there on to the Isle de France on board the Loudoun being then under Portuguese Colours and arrived there the same year 1787 where we remained until the June following that is to say 1788. We resided during a great part of that period at the country residence of a gentleman of fortune who was absent and permitted us to live rent free. It was a beautiful place called the Moulin. In having created a water mill on the premises which mill was turned by the waters that hurled down the mountain torrent which forms the Riviare de la Jammia where the story of Paul and Virginie originated which was true in parts. We moved into the town of Port Louis previous to my accouchement with my first child. I received great friendship from two French ladies (sisters) Mlle Collignia and Mme Alliesse. M. Collignia stood Godfather for the infant who had the name of Hippolite added to the others in compliment to him. He was born the 4th of March 1789 and we embarked on board a ship the name of which I forget.
An American commanded by a brutal man of the name of Babcock under whose bad management we were wrecked on the Banque de l'Edain a sandbank in the Bay of Havre de Grace on the coast of Normandy. We were towed up to Honfleur afterwards a complete wreck that ship having beaten in her bottom entirely but was kept from foundering in consequence of her cargo being of cotton we floated her at Ebb tide and with the assistance of every boat in the harbour she was towed into Harfleur where she grounded again and was lost. My beloved husband, myself our infant son Charles, then an “eleve” of CWBs and two faithful followers, one a native of Portugal named Emanuel Francisco and the other Brillo a French sailor (the American Capt Babcock having deserted his ship with all his crew in the night) and we were the only persons left on board. After a few days we embarked on board the English Packet and arrived at Portsmouth on the 12th November from Havre de Grace, 1789 having been shipwrecked on the 2nd of the same month.
The year 1790 CWB took the command and an interest in a very large teak wood India built ship of 12 hundred ton burden lying at Copenhagen (we went passengers to join her) to Elsinore which passage we made in four days from Gravesend in the Brig “England” Capt Tuglesh left England on 4th June 1790 from thence we went to Copenhagen where we remained the whole summer and sailed very late from thence to Ostend, had very bad weather and obliged to put into Langa sound coast of Norway.
We afterwards touched at the Helder or Elder a small port in Holland for the purpose of landing the Swedish Prince Ryvborty? after that we steered for Ostend where we were again detained for various reasons principally to take in passengers until the early part of the year 1791.
We met Mrs Mullens and family ? she was residing there during the absence of her husband, these delays occasioned the ship Princessin Frederica ? her ultimate destination which was to Bombay so long that I being in the family way was delivered of a fine little girl on board of her when off the Cape of Good Hope in a violent gale of wind, she was born on the 16 April 1791 and in the month of June we arrived off the coast of Malabar but the gales of wind consequent of the change of the monsoon or periodical trade wind were so tremendous that after buffeting about for nearly 3 weeks we were constrained to beat up and go round Cape Comorin and to Madras on the coast of Coromandel which was a sad loss as the cargo consisted of marine stores calculated for the Bombay dockyard. After discharging a part of the cargo, we sailed for the Ganges and accompanied Mr Forbes in his Budgerow up the river roads to Calcutta on our passage we had nearly been swamped by the boat of colomb? of water so called which ushers in the tide in the Ganges. Mr and Mrs Forbes stood Godfather and mother to our little Patty who was christened that name in a very handsome house my beloved husband had just fitted and furnished at Calcutta intending to take up his residence there and engage in what is called Country trade but our evil star brought his brother Capt John Barkley to Calcutta in the command of the Lord Hawkesbury, East Indiaman. He set his face against this as derogatory and with the assistance of a gentleman of the name of Connolly who was his Chief Mate and a very clever man – since raised to be Admiral in the navy proposed a voyage on his own account to the NW coast of America. An expedition was planned and executed off hand with the co-operation of a merchant of the name of Lambert. Two small vessels were purchased and fitted out and in less than 3 months we were once more embarked on board the “Halcyon” a brig about 80 tons burden once more destined to circumnavigate the Globe.
They tried to prevail on me to remain in Bengal and tempted me with a fine garden. House on the banks of the Hoogley, but I preferred the dangers of the sea, with peace of mind and my dear husband compared to all the luxuries of the East. But from that fatal day I date all our subsequent misfortunes. Our vessel was small and inconvenient, we were too late for the trade winds so that we were obliged to go by an unfrequented passage between the islands of the Sooloo Archipelago and in the Straits of Makassar we were becalmed for weeks and my husband was seized with a complaint common to those climates, a kind of colic, which from its violence I think would be called now, the Cholera Morbus – he happily got over it but we lost our Dear little Patty who was taken with a bowel complaint and died on board 15th April 1791. A leaden box was prepared and as soon as we could gain land she was buried in a burial ground belonging to a small Dutch settlement on the Island of Celebes where her remains were deposited under the shade of Coconut trees.
These Spice Islands are perhaps the most beautiful spots of earth. We afterwards made out passage between the Island of Gilolo and Mayura into the Pacific where we parted company with the Venus, the other vessel, a beautiful fast sailing cutter she to go across to the N W coast of America whilst we pursued our voyage to Kamchatka pursuant to the plan of the expedition the Capt of her, a vile fellow, a great rascal Shepard by name . We arrived without accident in Kamchatka in the early part of June of the same year 1791, found the country covered in snow. We anchored off Peter and Paul and carried on a brisk trade with the Kamchadales until the arrival of the Russian frigates commanded it is true by an Englishman Capt Hall, in the absence of Capt Billings who commanded the expedition on a voyage of discovery and had left his frigate to lead a party by land along the coast of Asia as far as Tschutski Noss in Bering Straits, in the hopes of finding a N W Passage into the Polar Sea.
But to return to our concerns, CWB found the Anglo Russian too knowing? for him, for after buying every article both of furniture food and raiment - he under hand – prevented the Kamchadales from trading, claiming every sable he could extort as tribute due to the Empress Catherine. Seeing this CWB took his departure but he had allowed himself to be so completely fleeced that long before we got to the Saccroror? de Island we were put to short commons and we were actually reduced to an allowance of a tea cupful of rice a day. There was plenty of grog however so that there was no murmuring on board and at the Saccroror? de Islanos we got plenty of pork but as the season was advanced he determined to make the best of his way to China and not to attempt to meet the Venus on the American coast as was intended.
We coasted and arrived in China 1792. We found the Venus who had arrived a day before and found she had brought a very small supply of skins after landing which she was freighting to Calcutta where it was intended the expedition should end, but it was otherwise ordained for after disposing of a part of the furs which sold very ill that year it was determined to take the principal part of the cargo to Bengal where Messrs __ represented they were in great demand by Russian Agents who were buying from the American Agents returned from the coast taking in a very valuable freight which together with the Brig and the cargo were valued at £10,000 which ought to have been insured (more of this and our visit to Cochin China anon)
Note At the time of our capture we were on our voyage to Bombay and only touched at I. de France for refreshments, water etc. Independent of the Halcyon, CWB had freighted a small Portuguese vessel which we kept company with, but she did not arrive fortunately? for a week after us, so at the I. de France there was time to convert? matters so that with it? convince if her Captain and Supercargo were perceived as being under Portuguese colours. We were captured on board the Brig Halcyon at the Isle of France on 6th June 1793 - the following year being released upon parole, we sailed for America on board the ship Betsy Capt. Page - bound to Newport in Providence, from thence we went to New York, where CWB bought with the wreck of his small means, the Brig "Amphion” but not being a citizen of America he was obliged to have a sailing master who ran away with her as soon as we landed out of her in October 1794. My beloved husband and myself arrived from New York in America October 1794 landed in Dorsetshire near Pool, went from thence to London and had lodgings in Norfolk Street, Strand.
From thence he went over to Amsterdam to look after Captain Sayer who had possession of the Brig and all our effects our sailing master the Brig under American colours. CWB sailed afterwards as passenger on board the "Ocean" back again to New York in the year 1795 in pursuit of the said Captain Sayer who kept possession of the Brig and freighted her for his own account. CWB got her out of his clutches after much trouble and the loss of the freight and returned with her the very day that dear Jane was born. I have removed from Cambridge Street, Hackney where I lived during his absence in Union Court, Broad Street. The term for which the house at Hackney was taken having expired - this was on 18th January 1796 the day Jane was born. We went to live in Cambridge Row, Hackney in the year 1795 as above related.
The dates that follow are inserted here as memorandums in order to find data for a more consistent narrative if I should not have courage to search for the incidents alluded to in the brief sketch.
F and CWB lived in Union Court Broad Street in 1796 early part and at Haverfordwest in Wales during the latter part which they left for Bristol and Churchhampton passing a week at Bridgwater (where her relatives lived). On the way CWB sailed from Bristol same year for the West Indies found FB on his return No. 16 Fenchurch Street London still 1797. During 1798, 1799 and 1800 they lived at Chase side, Enfield - second daughter Martha was born 1802 at Brigadier Hill 1801 and 1802 they lived at Brigadier Hill Enfield and had their residence there until February or March 1807 when they removed to Sunbury and to Bath that winter.
During these years many occurrences happened. CWB went to France to reclaim his losses at the Isle de France - after that he went to the Isle de France again by himself and on his return he took me with him to Plymouth.
We left our cottage at Brigadier Hill Enfield on 16th February 1807 to take up our residence with Captain John Barkley first in Gower Street and from thence to Sunbury on 24th March where we remained until 27th June at which time we departed for Bath where we resided entirely the whole of the year 1808 but in the Spring of 1809 Captain J. Barkley returned to Sunbury from that time we passed our time between Bath and Sunbury - alternating the summer at Sunbury and the winter at Bath until the death of Captain Barkley on 16th December 1822. A period of fifteen years of misery which we endured for the sake of our children. My beloved husband tried to escape from it in the year 1808 by engaging in a voyage to S.America on the Venus. A crazy Brig not fit for the voyage. He consequently returned 22 July 1809 having sailed for Rio de la Plata on the 29th October 1808. He abandoned the Brig there and came home on a Ship of War, a small cutter, a very uncomfortable vessel for so long a voyage. Mr. Forbes returned from India during his absence and that gentleman dying soon after and having bequeathed him a small portion of his wealth. We struggled on rather better after that. The girls likewise got a small independence from Mr. Forbes which much to their honour they applied (the interest) for their own wants thereby assisting their dear father who found it very difficult to supply his two sons in all their counting out of a pittance not exceeding £110 p.a.
After the death of Captain J. Barkley we continued to reside at Sunbury, but 3 out of our 4 children being married, we found the living at Sunbury too expensive and on 4th June 1828 we took our final departure from thence and took up our abode in a comfortable house in North Crescent where we might have been very happy but for vexations of one kind or another which seemed to follow us up. On the 16th May 1832 I lost by beloved husband in his 73rd year - worn out more by care and sorrow than by years as he had been blessed with a very strong constitution. He is buried at Enfield in the vault at the side of his dear children where I intend to join them when it shall please God to call me hence. We had been married 45 years 5 months and one day during which period we had experienced vicissitudes of fortune and encountered great dangers, having been engaged in very perilous voyages together commenced with the ship Loudoun in 1786.
Having no tie to detain in Hertford I took a house in Warwick Road, Upper Clapton to be near my dear daughter Patty and her little family and furnished it with what I had saved from the wreck at Hertford and the proceeds of the sale of furnitures and fixtures, the latter was a dead loss as the water closet alone cost £70.00. I left Hertford after having disposed of the lease of the house there together with the principal part of the furniture which with the fitting up of the house and fixtures etc had cost £636.10 but it only realised £221 including furniture retained bought in which was deducted from the gross amount of the sale as will appe in a little memorandum book I kept at the time so that I lost at least £415 by the transaction during the short period of 3 1/2 year
1833 paid John and Mary a visit at Cambridge on 18th October and returned on 6th November 1834. Paid Jane and Mr. Perkins a visit at Southend on 3rd April. Returned on 10th to let my house on 26th and returned to Southend until 16th June remained a few days at Clapton and slept at Mrs Caffary’s [Mrs Cafary or Cafary was the sister of Mrs Morice and an aunt of Robert Grant Shaw] and then went to Mrs Cook’s where I remained until 17th July.
Then passed a few days at Tottenham with Mrs. Budgen and on 17th August off for Cambridge where I remain until 21st August then returned to Clapton and at Mrs. Caffarys excepting a short visit to Mrs. Budgen prior to her departure for Brighton and an occasional visit to Mrs. Cook. Dear Patty being so ill I did not like to leave her but my own house being occupied until 27th September on which day I took it back and did not leave her and my new house being occupied till 27 Sept on which day I took it back and did not leave house again the rest of the year.
1835 remained at home until 14th of May on which day I went to Southend and remained on a visit to Mr and Mrs Perkins until the 22nd May, remained at home until 16th June on which day again to Southend. Remained until the 30th. Dear Jane drove me to Croydon to meet the Brighton coach. Arrived that evening on a visit to Mrs. Budgen at Brighton where I remained until the 23rd July on which day I returned by Brighton coach to Croydon where dear Jane met me and I remained at ? until 30th July. on which day I went to London and thence to Cambridge and this same evening to Toft on a visit to dear John and Mary and on Sunday August 2nd I heard him preach for the first time in both the parishes of Toft and Caldecote which he served as curate to Rev. Bradburn. the Rector. John lives at the Rectory which is a very eligible residence for his family was much gratified by my visit to Toft. Dear John’s performance of his clerical duties gave me great pleasure.
August 1835. I remained at Toft 'til September 1st on which day I left in the Cambridge coach and slept at Tottenham and the next day ? off and arrived at Brighton on a visit to dear Patty and Mr Shaw found Mrs. Budgen ready to return the next day. She got home 3rd September. I remained with her til 6th October when I went to prepare a house for dear Jane and family in Bloomsbury Place where I remained on a visit to them until 14th of the same month and returned to Clapton the same evening. Went on a visit to Tottenham on 17th and remained with Mrs. Budgen until the 20th October. When I returned home finally having been travelling about from place to place from 17th June to 20th October my house had been in the occupation of Miguel de Pedrorena Esq during that time. 8th December accompanied dear Jane to Southend and remained there on a visit until January 4th 1836. Her little girl was born on December 20th 1835. ?1836 at Southend returned home to Clapton on 4th February went to little Edith's christening February 8th, returned February 9th.
Visit to Southend 27th March and returned the 1st to see my dear friend Mrs. Budgen, my husband's sister who departed this life on 6th April 1836 at the house in Tottenham. Let my house 1st of June and went to Sunbury where I remained until the 29th June went to Southend with Charles. Jane met us in London and took us to Southend remaining until 16th June. Came up to see Patty at Tottenham. Remained until 20th and went to see Mrs. Cook remained until 24th July. Returned Tottenham and set off to Cambridge on 26th July remained with dear John at Toft till 28th September 1836.
Came to Tottenham. Remained with dear Patty until the 12th October and went to Mrs. Cook's. Remained until 22nd October and from thence to Southend until 29th with dear Patty at Tottenham. Returned to Southend on 1st November and on the 3rd started for Hastings. Went to Dandrings Hotel on the 4th went into ? No 2 Kentish Buildings. A very severe gale of wind of the 29th of the month of November.
THE END OF A DUAL DIARY. A.T.
Notes referring to Voyages
Mr. Cummins a Supercargo was the name of the gentleman who lent us his house in Pria Precanine at Macau in China on our first voyage. The beautiful garden in which Camolus? wrote "The Lucuade?" was attached to, It belongs to the English factory, The Cave with the Poet's seat is preserved. It is an enchanting spot.
Henry Hubbard was Captain Badcock's Chief mate the time we were stranded on the coast of France Havre de Grace.
The Count de Huditot was Governor of the Isle de France when we first visited that Island.
Batinoo is the name of a man at the Isle de France who was possessed of a secret by which he could ? ships at sea long before they were visible to others with the best telescopes. Some thought it him possessed of second sight but he alleged that he could impart the secret but he could not persuade the Government to give him his price.
The country house we inhabited at the Isle de France belonged to a Swiss gentleman by whose permission we lived in it was a very find place built by a former "Sulindrat"? It was called The Moulin in consequence of a water mill being built on the estate turned by the mountain stream called the Riviere de la Tammiere? Large basins, canals and fish ponds confined the water and were a great ornament to the pleasure grounds. The story of Paul and Virginia originated in a tale said to have happened near the spot.
Monsieur Chalian de la Chelaignien? was the name and style of the hospitable French gentleman who afforded us shelter when we were captured at the Isle de France.
Batinoo is the name of a very extraordinary man, celebrated and well known at the Isle de France who being gifted with a sort of second sight as he could and frequently did announce the arrival of ships before they could be seen from the signal post on the top of a very high hill that overhangs the Town - whereas he was in the valley - in war time it used to be very interesting he could tell if they were five or three masted vessels and he said he could communicate the secret but the Government would not trust him; he wanted a large sum of money in advance.
The Register containing the Registry of my of c and many others as well as the Register of Baptisms from the year 1784 to the end of year 1786 and part 1787. Burials for the same period is now in my possession and it will be found at the bottom of a small deal box which contains the registers of the Protestant chapel at Ostend for the year 1786. The title of the book is as follows:
1784 The Register of the Protestant Chapel in Ostend ...
List of Births of Children born to Charles William and Frances Barkley
My 1st child was born on 4th March 1789 in the morning in the town port St. Louis in the Isle de France christened here William Andrew Hippolite. His last name after his godfather.
My 2nd a little girl was born at sea off the Cape of Good Hope. April 15th was christened Martha in Calcutta 1791. Sponsors: Mr. and Mrs. Forbes
My 3rd a little boy was born at Hackney in 1795 in January and died when a week old. Christened John.
My 4th a little girl born in London Union Court Old Broad Street christened Jane Hornby. She was born January 18th 1796.
My 5th child - a boy was born 18th November 1799 at Enfield Chace Side and christened John Charles.
My 6th child. A girl was born 25th September 1802 at Brigadier Hill and christened Martha.
My 7th child. A boy born 27th January 1805 at Enfield. He died when he was 20 months old named William.
My 8th child. A boy was born at Bath in Princes Building and christened in Queen's Chapel by name of Charles Frances September 1808
Sponsors: Dr Sherwin; John Barkley his uncle; Miss Rebecca Workman
My eldest son's sponsors were: Hippolite Collee and Mdm. Collee
Jane's sponsors: William Hornby Esq; Miss Hornby her paternal aunt; Jane Rebecca Mullins her maternal aunt
John's Sponsors: Uncle John Barkley; Uncle William Barkley
Patty's Sponsors: Her maternal aunt Mrs. Hornby; Her cousin Miss Williamson; Her paternal great Uncle William
Charles's Sponsors: Dr. Sherwin, John Barkley, Miss Rebecca Workman
Marriages
John Charles Barkley married 10th June 1823 Miss Mary Yarker at Clifton in Warwickshire.
Their children:
Charles William born March 1824 christened by Rev. J Dans at Ambleside named after his dear grandfather.
Sponsors: Charles William Barkley; William Yarker; Martha Budgen on his great aunt
John Trevor born 10th October 1825
Sponsors: CWB; Charles Francis, his uncle; Frances Barkley, his grandmother, Trevor being his grandmother's maiden name.
3rd son born 5th December 1826 named George Andrew
Sponsors: CWB, Charles Perkins Esq, Jane Hornby Perkins
The name of the cottage where he and his 2 younger brothers were born is ? Corner Cottage ??tminster although there is a chapel at Leigh the village in which the cottage is situated.
4th son born at Leigh - January 26th 1829. Named Edward.
Sponsors: Revd. Barkley Cooper; R.G. Shaw Esq; Mrs. Budgen Gt Aunt.
Robert and Henry were born
Resume of children: Charles William, John Trevor, George Andrew, Edward, Henry, Robert, Martha, Frances Jane
Eldest daughter born at Leigh called Martha
Sponsors: Rev. W. Johnson; Mrs. Budgen her great aunt, named after her aunt Martha Shaw - usually called Patty Barkley a very familiar name in the Barkley family
2nd daughter named Frances Jane.
Sponsors: Frances Barkley – grandmother; Frances Perkins, her cousin; Charles Perkins Esq. Died of whooping cough.
3rd daughter born December 4th 1834 named Frances Jane.
Sponsors as preceding
My dear Jane Hornby Barkley was married at Sunbury in Middlesex October 26th 1816 to Charles Perkins Esq. Their children as follows:
Frances Jane December 17th 1817.
Sponsors: John Barkley Esq, Francis Barkley, Amelia Perkins
Louisa 24th July 1819. Died same year. Buried St. Saviours in vault belonging to the family.
Charles Frederick born August 27th 1820
Sponsors: Charles W Barkley; Frederick Perkins - his uncle; Martha Budgen - his great aunt
Edward Moseley Born July 20th 1821.
Sponsors: Michael Hucklow Zackary Esq; Charles Perkins Esq; Amelia Perkins - his grandmother
Louisa 21st October 1823
Sponsors: Martha Barkley; Aunt Emily Perkins; Cousin John Charles Barkley
Amelia Sophia 29th July 1825
Sponsors: Amelia Bailey, her cousin; Sophia Perkins, her cousin; Farmer Bailey Esq of Hall Place Kent
Arthur born 24th February 1827
Sponsors: CWB, Hugh Barkley Esq; Susanna Perkins ?’s wife
Henrietta Silena May 20th 1828
Sponsors: Silena Perkins; Mary Barkley - (? wife), John Charles Barkley - Uncle
Henry George 9th March 1830
Sponsors: Henry Perkins of Spring Field and Hanworth Park; George Perkins; Helen Perkins - daughter of Frederick Perkins of Chipstead.
Octavia 23rd of June 1831
Sponsors: Matilda Perkins’ cousin; Frederick Oswald Perkins, cousin; Frances Jane - her sister
Reginald 21st December 1832
Sponsors: Robert Grant Shaw; James Mullens; Henrietta Perkins - his cousin (? Alfred Perkins).
Aeneas - born on 19th May 1834.
Sponsors: Henry Barkley, Surlena Barkley,
Edith 20th December 1836
Sponsors Frances Barkley - great grandmother; Mrs. Algernon Perkins; Algernon Perkins Esq
(in all 13 children).
My dear daughter Martha was married 10th May 1824 then being in her 22nd year to R.G. Shaw Esq he being in his 30th. Their eldest child Emily was born 25th August 1826
Sponsors: Mrs. Budgen, Mrs. Shaw, C.W.B.
Their second daughter Frances Martha was born 15th March 1828;
Sponsors: John Charles Barkley, Frances Barkley, Martha Budgen
Their third daughter Anna born January 31st 1830.
Sponsors: ?Hammond Esq Anna Hammond, Frances Barkley
Their fourth daughter 29th April 1832 Clara Jane
Sponsors Charles Perkins Mrs. Budgen
Their fifth daughter Laura born 6th February 1835.
Sponsors: John Charles Barkley, Mrs. F.C. Barkley, Frances Jane Perkins
Their son and heir 12th July 1839 named Robert Barkley.
Sponsors: Edward Shaw, J.C. Barkley, maternal aunt: Mrs. Rogers
Charles Francis Barkley married at Brighton by his brother John on the 26th day July 1826 to Ann Murray daughter of
Their first child was born at Brighton on the name of Ann Murray on the
Harriet Trevor my sister was married in the year 1796 to John Cook by whom she had two sons both since dead the eldest was called Charles the second John Trevor who has left a son and 2 daughters who with his widow are residing with their grandfather Mr. ?Smith, Persian interpreter to the Supreme Court in Calcutta.
Jane Rebecca Trevor - my sister married Mr. Mullens who was brought up as sailor but turned Merchant and lived at Elsinor. Had a daughter Cecilia and 5 sons.
Jane visited with her aunt Mrs. Budgen 4th October 1810 being the year Mr. Forbes died.
Charles Francis cut five teeth before he was 9 months old he was a very forward child. He was 9 months old when his poor father left us to go to Rio de la Plata. I was dreadfully ill at the time confined to my bed by a rheumatic fever. Captain John Barkley was detained in London in consequence of a fall between the wharf and a lying in the London docks.
Miss Kitty Barkley was staying at Bath with us at the time and the following winter Mr. and Mrs. Budgen came to Bath and the Miss Jeffries were there also.
Dear Patty could talk very distinctly at 9 months old and at five was perfectly companionable, She was not quite five when we took her to Bath and she there sat at table and was her Uncle's pet poor child she used to be amused night after night at the card table when she was 6 years old looking on and playing with the counters
Dear Jane then only eleven was her only attendant. We had no maid servant to attend upon us until Charles was born. How I got through I do not know. John being then at a very troublesome age which obliged us to send him to a boarding school and fortunately fixed him with Rev C Cotton? where he was placed by his father 1808 who shortly after 15th October sailed in command of the Brig Venus for South America.
William and Jane had the measles in November ’93. John had measles July 1813 at which time dear Jane was attended by Sir W. Adams for inflammation of the eye. We lodged in London's St. James's Street 1813.
John had whooping cough at Enfield until year 1802. His aunt Hornby had it at the same time. Caught it off him. John and William both had scarlet fever from which the latter died.
Deaths
I lost my dear little Patty on the 15th April 1791. She died on board ship in the straits of Macassar and was buried under the shadow of a plantation of coconut palms in the Island of Celebes a Dutch settlement. Her remains having been placed in a leaden coffin in order that they might have a Christian burial. She wanted one day of a 12 month old.
My not to be forgotten first born son died at Brigadier Hill Enfield in his 14th year, 14th November 1802 and is buried in a vault in Enfield church yard where I hope to be laid when it shall please God to withdraw me from this mortal life.
Frances Barkley
An infant son January 1795 only lived 4 days and was buried in the old church yard Hackney. A second dear little William died 25 August after a very short illness in the year 1806 and was buried in the vault beside his brother.
My poor father died 1794 at Ostend in Flanders where he is buried in the Protestant burial ground established here by herself.
Captain Andrew Barkley in his Majesty's Navy died in February 1790 aged 49.
William Barkley of Gower Street and Sunbury died February 5th 1807 and was buried in a vault under St. Giles' Church.
His nephew and my dear husband's brother John Barkley died at his house in Princes Building, Bath December 1822 buried in a vault under the Abbey church. He was brought up in the Navy but afterwards went into the Indian Sea Service and commanded the Lord Hawksbury.
James Budgen Esq died at Tottenham March 1819.
Captain Yarker? died in 1816.
Mrs. James Budgen died 6th April 1836 of mortification in her great ? aged 80. Buried by the side of her beloved brother CWB at Enfield.
James Forbes Esq departed this life August 26th 1810 at Cromarty his native place and was buried by the side of his mother on the 29th August by his friend and cousin CWB who went to Cromarty by sea to attend him hearing he was dangerously ill and owing to contrary winds did not reach Cromarty until August 23rd although he left River Thames on the 13th and three days after he got there his friend breathed his last. After performing the last duties for his friend CWB returned home by the mail on 7th Sept 1810. Mr Forbes returned from Calcutta August 1809 after 40 years residence in India.
Mr. Edward Clark departed this life at the Saracen’s Head at Newport Pagnell near Leicester when on his way to Freford Park the seat of H. Vanhagen Esq.
My sister Mrs. Harriet James Cook died at her house 10 Wellington Road 14th September 1843 aged 83 years.She was born on 12th August 1759. She married in the year 1796, 28th October.
On the 22nd November Mrs. Shaw mother of my dear Patty's husband and next door neighbours to Mrs. Budgen when aged 72 buried at Cheshunt with her husband and children. My much lamented son-in-law Robert Shaw departed this life leaving my dear daughter Patty with 6 children to mourn his loss - he was a most affectionate husband and kind father.
Sacred to the memory of Andrew Barkley Esq, late Post-Captain in His Majesty’s Royal Navy who departed this life Jan 30th 1790 aged 49 years. He married Elizabeth Willis one of the daughters of Richard Willis of Digswell in the county Hertford, Esq, deceased who out of respect to the memory of her most affectionate husband has caused this monument to be erected. Also of Elizabeth, relict of the above named Andrew Barkley who died 1800. Also of John Barkley Esq his nephew who died 16th Dec 1822 aged 74 years.
Text of Frances Barkley's Reminisccnces from British Colombia archives
Frances Barkley’s Reminiscences written in 1836
Copied from microfiche of handwritten originals in the British Columbia Archives, Victoria by Erica Carrick Utsi. Typed by Madeleine Symes, with her notes in square brackets –2020
Notes by MS:
FB mostly used commas with only a few full stops, sometimes a dot for a mini comma, a slightly larger space after commas for a new thought or sentence. I have not included most of her dashes at the end of lines.
Mr. Moore’s murder on Destruction Island 1787 – ‘A Voyage Round the World performed in 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788’ by Captain George Dixon published 1789 states Mr. Miller, Second Mate, was murdered.
The Venus, trading Brig of 110 tons – Captn. Henry Shepherd.
Mr. Lambart was Anthony Lambert 1758-1800, went to India in 1781, became a successful merchant and trading agent in Calcutta, founded Lambert & Ross, became Sheriff of Calcutta in 1792. He had “natural” 3 daughters and 2 sons with Nancy from Delhi and Saim Bhegum from Calcutta.
Captn. Alexander Gray commanded the Phoenix.
Capten Henry Wilson of Pelew Islands (now Palau), 1740-1810, shipwrecked in 1783 off Ulong Island, Palau.
Captn. John Gore c1729-1790, American born, on Captn. Cook’s 1st and 3rd voyages.
Mr. John Webber RA 1751-1793, on Cook’s 3rd voyage as expedition artist.
Captn. James King 1750-1784, an astronomer on Cook’s 3rd voyage, commanded the Discovery after Cook’s death.
Captn. Joseph Billings 1758-1806, on Cook’s 3rd voyage, joined Russian Navy in 1783.
Captn. James Cook 1728-1779, his account of 3rd journey 1776-1780 “ Voyage to the Pacific Ocean” with Webber’s drawings, was completed after his death by Captn. King, published 1784.
Captn. Nathaniel Portlock c1748-1817, on Cook’s 3rd voyage.
Captain George Vancouver 1757-1798, on Cook’s 2nd and 3rd voyages.
Captn. Joseph Ingraham 1762-1800, maritime fur trader.
Captn. James Magee 1750-1801, China Trade merchant.
May the 2d in the Year 1836
The following Narative of My Voyages and Adventures of My life, Penned by me in the 66th year of my Age, must be considered in the light of a Reminiscence of former days, not a Correct tradition being founded upon very vague Data, as I never kept any Journal, it might however be improved by refferance to Log Books & Sea Journals, If I had courage to Peruse them, but it is too late in the day for such a reserch, to begin then
I was born at Bridgewater in Somersetshire, My Father the Revd Doctor Trevor was Rector of Otterhampton, where I was Christened in the Year 1772 being then upwards of two years Old, My mother whose Name was Beacher died when I was an Infant and a Twen, by all account a very weakly Child, My Father Marred a second Wife, Miss Harriot Smith of Bridgewater, he having by my Mother living at that time four Daughters, Harriot James, now Mrs. Cook Jane Rebeca, Now Mrs. Mullens My Twin sister Elizabeth who died at Hambourgh in her seventh Year, and my self Frances, all the three survivers, being Widows, – My Father had four sons by his second Wife, John, Frederic, Charles and Henry, three of whome are now Living Married and have numerous Famelies, excepting Fredc. who is a Bachilor, it would be tedious for me to follow up the various perigrinations of our Childhood, My Father being an expensive Man, contrived to spend a handsome Fortune & being of a restless disposition, a few years after his Second Marraige, quitted Bridgewater, and Came up to London, and took a House in Ormand, Street, the Journey, arrival at Bath, and the second day in London, is the first thing I recollect, at which time I must have been about five years Old, as all the Boy but John & Fredc. were Born at Hamburg where My Father took his Famely his Famely when the latter was an Infant, indeed I believe he was born at Hamburg as well as the other two, we went from England to Roterdam, and the story goes, that I was put into a Birth on board the Traeder on which we were boarded, and that I slept very comfortably the whole Passage, whilst My Father Mother in Law three Sisters the Infant & two Maid servants were all dreadfully afflicted with sea sickness, so that it seems I was destined to make a good sailor, from Roterdam we proceeded in two Carraiges, called Post Coaches, which My Father bought for the Journey to Hambro, for particulars see My Fathers Journal,
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18 1786
I was Married to my late Lamented Husband Charles Wm. Barkley Esqr. on the 27th of October 1786 he being in his 26th year, and I in my 17th we were Married in the Protastant Chapel at Ostend in Flanders, of which my Father was Minester by whom the Maraige Ceremony was performed in the presance of several Friends several of whom subscribed their Names in the Regester of the Chapel as follow,
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Charles William Barkley was brought up in the Honorable East Indea Company’s Sea Services but at the above period, he commanded the Ship Louden fitted out, and bound for the North West Coast of America on a Mercantile Speculation, we accordingly Sailed from the Harbour of Ostend on or about the [blank space] bound Round Cape Horn, on the [blank space] we touched at the Cape de Verde Islands, where we got plenty of live Stock and provisions, which were very acceptable as we had lost a vast number of Poultry &&c in the Bay of Biscay. where we had experienced a Violent Gale of Wind, -
sadly at a loss for Dates to be filled up at some future period – [copied from ‘The Remarkable World of Frances Barkley’ as some wording not legible]
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We had a long passage from thence, in consiquence of bafling Winds on the Line, and my dear Husband having caught a Violent Cold was laid up with a Rhumatic Fever, and being in Unskellful hands, there was little hope of his recovery. my Situation was very Critical at that time from the Unprincipled intentions of the Cheif Mate supported by the second Mate, who being a Leutenant in his Magesties Service ought to have had more honor -
to be continued
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Captain Barkley as I shall in the course of these notes Style him, however got better, and was able to resume his duties as Commander of his Ship, and directed her course for the Brazells, in order to recrute his health take in water and refreshments - the Portuguese Authorities, did not like the appearance of the Ship, the having so many Guns Mounted, with such a numerous Ships company Officers in Uneform, a Boats Crew dressed alike & the Manner of Managing the Oars, gave the whole an appearance of a Kings Sloop of War, so that they set a watch over her, but when they were given to Understand that She was bound to the Pacific Ocian and as they concluded on a Voyage of Discovery, they were altogether polite & attentive, allowed us a House on Shore at St Salvadore or Bay of All Saints x a Carraige to take us out Airing we received invitations from Famelies residing in the Country thinking it good for the Captains health, but at first he was too weak to be able to pay Visits, so that those invitations which it was deemed absolutely
Baea de todos Santos [at bottom of page]
[note at top of next page] x Murdered by the natives at Destruction Id. 1787.
necessary that I should accept, I was Chaparooned by x Mr. Moore the second Mate who being a Leutinant in the Kings service, cut a dash, with his sword at his side & his Naval Uniform, it was on one of those occations, when my Youth and inexperiance, led to a very ludicrus adventure, -
to be related -
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Having very much recovered his health and Spirits which naturally were of the most Exuberant kind fond of Company & Show, when on Shore but a great Martinet on board, he determined upon giving the Governer (or ViceRoy, I believed he was styled) together with his Lady Donna Maria [blank space] and his little Daughter, with a numerous suite - of Officers and attendants a fete on board, they came on board in a splended Barge, the Ship was Dressed as it is Called with the colours of all Nations, the yards Maned a salute fired, and a handsome collation prepaired, and after they had examined every thing on board, they departed in the Same Style & ceremonies, we had been entertained by this Gentleman & Famely several times on Shore at the Government House, and the Young Lady performed on a Musical Instrument, which I never saw or heard of before or after, it was play’d on by Keys like a Peanoforte, but instead of the hammers Striking Strings or Wires, it was fitted with Musical Glasses, and it had a most beautiful Harmonious Sound, it was Called an Harmonicon, the Ladies spoke French which was a great relief to me, who did not understand a word of Portuguese, at that time,
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1791 Second Voyage -
Left Calcutta in Bengal on the 29th of December 1791 on board the Brigg Halcion bound to the North West Coast of America, in Company with the Cutter Venus, these two Vessells having been bought and fitted for the Voyage to the South Sea at the joint expense of Captn. Barkley and Mr. Lambart of Calcutta a Merchant in the Ferm of Lambart & Ross, the expidition was intended to extend to Kamschatca & Japan, and a Cargo consisting of Sugar, Arrac, and other produce of Mr. Lambarts Factory and Farm at a place on the Banks of the Ugly River called Mayapoor a little below Achepoor, we Landed at this place, and were much interested with the Country, and the curious scenes that were presented to our View. Mr. Lambart has built a very neat House his Manager, a Mr. Scott, who resides in it, and conducts
1791 [at top of next page]
the Manufactory, the House is finely Situated on the River, and commands on it a very extensive View, Ships bound either up or down the River Sail very near the Banks, but at the back of the settlement the Jungle seround and inclose it, and it is no comfortable sensation at Night to know that you are liable to the Visits of Wild Beasts, prinsipally Tigars, we did not see any. but saw & were sadly anoy’d by the Noise of troops of Jackalls, a sort of Wild Dog which is very troublesome, [blank space] the Sugar is Manufactured entirely by Chinese Who have been brought here by Mr. Lambart, and regularly settled in a Village built according to the Chinese taste, where they live on the Estate by themselves according to their own Customs, and are very orderly and deligent, The Sugar made on this Estate is particularly fine, three Ships have loaded and sailed from hence bound to Europe this Year with entire Cargoes from the Estate consisting of Sugar Rum, which is in great estimation and Arrac, and great hopes are entertained of this New branch of Trade from Bengal, and when better understood, will furnish imployment for the Natives, as the sugar cane can be produced in any quantity where labour is so cheap, the site of this Plantation is particularly well chosen, as there is a Creek Runs through the Estate conveniant for shipping off the Merchandise, the Ships that have hitherto sailed from hence are bound to Ostend in Flanders and it is said that notwithstanding the distance Sugar can be Landed from hence to Europe cheaper then from the West Indea Islands, - after two day of pleasure on shore, we felt very loath to leave this peaceful spot, where every department was conducted with the utmost rigularity, to imbark on board a Vessel inferior in all respects to what I had been accostomed too, however, the liberal Supply of Vegitables sent on board by our good Friend Mr. Scott, we were often put in mind of his friendship, some very fine Cabbages in Pots gave us much pleasure, as they grew & flourished amazingly on board and the sight of them was quite a treat, which none but mariners can appreciate - to them any Verdure is grateful to the Eye, and during our passage down this Magnificient River we tryed to forget the ease & comfort we left behind, and our presentements of Evil were but to well verefied in the sequal, for from the date of this unadvised Expidition all our misfortunes took their rise, and are all attributable to the advice, and fatal Influance of our Evil Genius Captn. John Barkley, whom our unlucky Star, brough to Calcutta just in time to frustrate all our plans, which were to Settle in Calcutta, where My poor dear Husband had taken, and partly furnished a very Comfortable House, landed his investment out of the Princessa Fridarica, Consisting of Sheet Copper and Marine Stores intended for Bombay. a quantity of Plait Glass, and ornimental articles, and a large Stock of Cologne Gin, all of which would no doubt have sold well, in the course of time, altho at that time the Markets were very low, but as his intention was to imbark in what is termed the Country service, that is to say to trade from Port to Port in Indea, for the Command of a Ship in such a service he was emmenantly qualefied, and with the advice of Mr. Forbs a Couson of his, every thing was put in train for the prosicution of this plan, nothing but patience required, but of that Alas. he was deficient. he began to despair of selling his Cargo, and to get alarmed at the expenses of our Establishment, and just in the nick of time, his Brother arrived in the Command of the Lord Hawksbury IndeaMan, this Brother of his, began by disapproving of every thing and painting his Brothers situation in the most Gloomy Colours, alarmed his fears & ultimately succeeded in persuading him that it was very derogatory in him to become a Country Captn. which at that time, was not considered a genteel line of Life, altho large fortunes have since been made in it, - Mr. Forbes, who had previously forwarded his Views, now became cool upon it, and to cut the matter short, my husband gave up a plan, which but for the Pride of his Brother, would probably have made him a large fortune, for it was a great matter in those days to begin with a Capital which he had at that time realised to the amount of four thousand pound, and had at that moment in unperishable goods in his House, but want of patience in him & the pride of his Brother led to very fatal results, at this juncture of Affairs, his late Voyages began to be much talked of, and a Gentleman of the Name of Connolly, at that time a leutenant in the Navy, was Cheif Mate on board the Lord Hawksbury and an old friend of both Brothers, being a well informed Man and having Conexions in the Mercantile line, suggested the advantages of Making another Voyage to the Pacific Ocian, and a Friend of his, a Mr. Lambart the Gentleman before Aluded to, made Captn. Barkley proposals, and the Voyage which is now under my consideration was undertaken, two paltry Vessels bought at a great Cost, the one a Brig of Eighty Tons burden, (the Halcion) and a still smaller the Venus, both to sail a certain distance together, then to seperate the Venus, who by the bye, was commanded by a great Rascal was to go, to the North West Coast of America and the Halcion to Kamchatca the Kurile Islands & Japan, and afterwards to join Company in Nootka Sound, for this wise Scheme, the House, Furniture, all our little Valuables, the Ships Cargo &&c were left to the Mercy of Strangers, and in less than three Months we were again imbarked on board a Small Vessel indifferantly Officered, and worse Manned, the Sailors being cheifly Lascars unused to Cold Climats or the dangers and difficulties to be anticipated, in such an Undertaking, with this Crew we were once more doomed to Cercumnavigate the Globe, it is but justice however to my dear Husband and his pretended friends to acknolidge that I had my obtion of remaining in Bengal, and it was planned by the latter, and reluctantly agreed to by the former, that I should be left under the Care of Mr. Lambart and to reside at his Garden House, a beautiful Bunglaloo on the Banks of the River, in Garden Reach, where I was to have Servants, Palanqueens and every Luxery, which were painted in the most glowing colours by Captn. John, who did not appear to think there was any empropriety in my accepting. his Brother was to return in less than a twelve month, and we were to be set up in grand style, he succeeded, in persuading his Brother, that it would be Madness in him to take me with him with two Children, which was all true enough, but I considered the alternative worse, - for Young and inexperianced as I was I could not over look the impropriety of the plan, and in spight of the sneers of Mrs. Forbs. who patronised it, and thought me very squeamish in rejecting, I resolutely insisted upon declining, much to the satisfaction of My Husband, who never thought of being seperated from me; but when he became sensible of the great inconveniances he was subjecting me too, he began to waver, and when to late saw his error in entering into a speculation so detrimental to our comfort & happiness, blinded by the Spirit of Enterprise, he never, weighed sufficiantly the differance between the Brigg Halcyon and the Ship Louden, in which we had been so comfortable, so that when it came to the push, and he felt the difficulty’s he actually agreed to leave me; but united as we were in affection, I dont think he would have persevered even if I had given into the plan, therefore I relieved him of his anxieties by making it appear to be my Whim, in fact it was so, for when I saw that it was in Vain to resist the Scheme, which I did as long as I could venture, I made up my mind to brave every danger rather than separate thereby at any rate securing his peace of Mind, as well as my own, but we both imbarked, with heavy hearts, two Infants to share all risks the Youngest at the breast, she poor little Creature became the Victim of our folly. but I must return to my former subject I have been led into this digreshion by, by the perusal of some old papers, I had to refer too for dates, where I unexpectedly found the Substance of these remarks, made at the time, [blank space] to proceed then on our unpromising Voyage begun under every disadvantage, for we were too late for the regular Trade Wind, which obliged Captn. Barkley to try a very unusual, and unfrequented Track between the Sooloo Archepilego of Islands. In the Straits of Macassar we were becalmed three Weeks, but I should have first mentioned in persuance of my introduction to this unlucky Voyage, that Shortly after we left Mayapoor we got down the River below Diamond Harbour and the next day to Cox’s Island, where we found the Phen IndeaMan lying, bound to Calcutta, She was commanded by Captn. Gray, who kindly took our Pilot back, and was instrumental with Mr. Terry the deputy Master Attendent in procuring us a Boat belonging to one of the Pilot Schooners at this station, which was a great accommodation, Captn. B having left Calcutta without one, depending on one promised him, by his Brother out of the Lord Hawksbury then lying ready to Sail homeward bound at Diamond Harbour, in which he was disappointed by the negligance of Capn. John who never forwarded any orders to the Officer in charge, so that but for this lucky encounter, we might have gone to sea, without our compliment of Boats; very Brotherly conduct, the Pilot left us on the Evening of the 6th of January 1792, and we thought to get clear off, but the Wind changing, we were obliged to Anchor that Night, as were the Indea Men, which gave Captn. B. an opportunity of taking leave of his kind friend Captn. Gray, who loaded with kindness, and good Wishes, and furnished him with every kind of information he could collect, in fact he took the greatest interest in the Voyage, which in so small a Vessel seemed to every one a most dangerous undertaking. notwithstanding which Captn. Gray complimented his Friend by saying that if talents prudence, and good Sailor ship could ensure success, he would ensure it, this sort of encouragement from a Man, whose judgement, was good, could not fail of producing its Effects, and accordingly he returned in good spirits. and the next Morning the 7th of January we made Sail and soon parted company with the other Ships and took a last farewell of the Shores of Bengal, the Weather was so fine that the Vessel had scarce any Motion, and we began to think we should not find so much inconveniance from the smallness of the Vessel as we had anticipated and we were all in high spirits - we were however soon convinced of our error for in the course of the Night a high wind arose and the boisterous waves soon set our poor little Bar in motion, the Rain fell in torents, and the poor Lascars were soon driven below, almost drowned, the Wind blew a hurican and wafted us in Ten days, during which time it blew a Gale to the enterance of the Straits of Sunda [blank space] this kind of Weather is very uncommon at this season, and therefore appeared worse than it was in reality, besides being unused to the quick motion of so small a Vessel, besides the having a smaller Vessel in View, the Venus which is a very beautiful little Vessel, appeared compleatly the sport of the Waves, tumbling and tossing about at a Strange rate, sometimes buried in a gulph and hid from our sight in the trough of the Sea and then emerging from the breakers that seemed every moment to overwhelm her, so that we fancied at times we saw her keel out of the water as she turned over from the deep trough of the Sea upon the swelling waves - to add to our discomfort the weather was intensily hot, notwithstanding which we were obliged to the necessity of shutting all the Ports
1792 [at top of next page]
so that we could not get a breath of Air, without exposing ourselves to torrents of Rain upon deck the poor dear Children were almost sofocated, but fortunately not Sick, and my anxiety for them kept me from giving way, for the whole care and fategue of attending to them entirely devolved on me, our two black Girls being compleatly knocked up with sea sickness and fright, this boisterous Weather was succeeded by by a fine Breeze and fair weather & on the 25th of January at day light we made the Island of Ingano, which is off the enterance of the Straits, we passed this Island at a distance of four leagues & so saw but little of it, it is inhabited by Malays, and has a fine harbour to Leeward, in the Evening we discry’d Mount Pogong on the Coast of Sumatra and at day Light on the 26th after lying too some hours, made the low Land about flat Point, and afterwards cast Anchor between the Island of Kakatoire and Tamorand Island, on the
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27th weighed Anchor and stood into the Bay on the Coast of the Island of Katatoire, to take inn Wood & fill up the Water Casks - &&c the Island is high and covered with Trees of differant kinds, some emensely large, and there is a small Village of Malays at the watering place, the number of Inhabitants does not exceed an hundred, they brought plenty of Turtle, plantins, Mangoes Cocoa Nutts pumkins and Musk Melons and a few Water Melons, I went on Shore often, but was not allowed to Stray far inland as the Malays are not to be trusted, we frequently landed on the small Islands, in the Bay to take a strole, and found ripe Mangoes on the trees, which were very acceptable, as what were brought on board were all unripe, we remained in this Anchorage until the 3d of February, the day before we Sailed from thence, we experienced a dreadful thunder Storm, one clap of thunder laid us all prostrate on the Deck, but did us no other damage, the Venus was not so favoured, for it struck her Main Mast, and splintered it together with her Main & fore Top Masts and top Galland Masts, which was however soon remeded with others, and on the Evening of the 3d we made Bantom, and on the 4th we Anchored in Batavea Roads – being the 25th day from our departure from Bengal and allowing the five days spent at Kocatoir was reckoned a very short passage
to be continued when I can find any data to go by but a long train of Misfortunes succeeded this part of the Voyage – of which I do not find any Memorandum -
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The passage between the Sooloo Islands presented the most beautiful scenery in the Known World, nothing else-where could equal the Verdure, broad terraces of green sward in some places, and on other parts of the Coast, Trees growing down to the Waters Edge, and generally a strong currant flowing between the Islands which unfortunately were against us, and the weather being Calm, we could not make any way against the Streem all tho we made sail with every light Air, that came off the Land, but altho they breathed the most luxureous perfume from these most fragrant Islands yet they were not strong enough to bear us on our Voyage, so that we were for three weeks buffeting with the Elements of Wind & Water and when Night came, we found our selves nearly in the spot from whence we started in the morning, altho we had been plying from Shore to Shore the whole day, and one evening in particular, we were greatly Surprised by perceiving a sort of commotion in the water along side like stream of water from a C [blank space] and sure enough the water was fresh, so that all hands were set to work, to fill up the Casks, and altho the water was a little brackish it served for a variety of purposes, up to this time the weather being fine, and by no means so hot as at Batavea, we consoled ourselves with fishing and enjoying the various objects that Serounded us, in these most beautiful Straits but alas a great misfortune was in store My beloved Husband was attacked with a dreadful disease, which is common to these Climats a Violent Colic but with the most extreordinary symptoms, and excruciating pain, attended with fever, and distortions of every kind, two Men could hardly restrain him, so as to prevent his hurting himself he turned all colours, sometimes appearing as if Actually dead, after a time the symptoms abated, and he got over it, but it left him in a dreadfully debelitated state, but a similar disease deprived us of our dear little Patty then a twelve Month old, saving one day. She died on board the Halcyon on the 15th of April 1791 or 92/ A Leaden Box was prepaired for her remains in order that they might be kept until we could Inter her remains in consicrated ground, in some Dutch settlement, and accordingly we made for the Island of Celebes, where after much negociation with the unfeeling Dutch Residant, and extortions of every kind She was laid in a burying Ground situated opposite the place where we were at Anchor & from whence we watched the Ceremony, not being allowed to go on shore to pay the last duties, to our dear Child, the spot where she is deposited is one of the most beautiful in the World as are all the spice Islands, there she lies under the Shade of a Grove of Cocoa Nut Trees, - after buffeting about from Island to Island, we made our passage between the Island of Gelolo & Margion, into the Pacific Ocean, - I never shall forget the beautiful scenery that these Islands presented to our View, as we Sailed along their Coasts, particularly on the two Islands which formed the narrow Strait we pushed through, at the rate of ten or twelve knots an hour, impelled by a Rapid courant, and so narrow that we might have spoken to the persons on shore had there been any and no depth could be found with ten fathom of line to the Lead, the Islands seemed like Fairy Land rising in green Terraces one above an other in the most graceful slopes, intersected with groves of Elegant Trees which seemed to fly past us, as we rounded the projecting Points of Land, for Rocks or Clifts there were none, so that you seemed to be sailing on a beautiful River, between pleasure Grounds
to be continued
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In the Latitude [blank space] an the [blank space] Longetude we parted with the Venus our [blank space] As agreed upon, She to proceed to the Nt. Wt. Coast of America, whilst we made the best of our Way to Kamchatca persuant to the plan of the Expidition, the Venus was a beautiful fast Sailing Cutter [blank space] the Man whose Name was Sheapard, was a great brute to his people, and turned out a great Rascal, -
to be continued when I can find Data from the Journal of the Voyage –
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[new page, following wording crossed out]
on the 16th of June we had a glims of Land of the Island of Paramoucha but so imperfect that we could not desern enough to assertain where we were, it was so enveloped with Fog
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1792
on the [blank space] day of May we fell in with one of the New Carolina Islands, which being laid down in the Spanish Maps very erroniously, we made it very unexpectedly, at day light, running at the rate of ten knots an hour, we had a narrow escape, as we were Sailing directly for it, so that our fate depended upon perhaps half an hours longer dark, or had it been Foggy the Vessel would probably have been lost, for the Shore was incompassed with sunken Rocks. Some few Fisher Men came off with a few Flying Fish, which they had no doubt for bait, they had-not any fruit in the Canoes, which was accounted for by their having been out on a fishing expidition probably long before they discry’d our Vessel, however these Natives appear’d to have seen ships before, as they did not shew any sygns of fear or astoneshment, they would not venture on board for some time, but a few Spike Nails lowered down, soon brought them along Side, and they made fast their Fish, and a few triffling orniments which they wore in their Ears in exchange for Nails and some triffling presants, one Man only came on board out of forty or fifty who were along side in Nine Canoes, the Men were a large well proportioned People with fine regular features with very bushy hair hanging loose on their Shoulders, they wore Caps made of a sort of neat matting in the shape of a sugar loaf, and they had Tortois shell Bracelets on their arms. and a kind of coarse Cornelian strung for necklaces, as well as Correll, their Ears were perforated, to which were appended large Shells which had elongated the apurtures, they were very much Tatooed, and stained in differand paturns all over their Bodies, they looked clean and healthy very differant from the Malays, they seemed to understand a few words that were spoken to them in the Language of the Sandwich Islands, which people they resemble in their gestures & Manner, but they are of a much lighter colour, and not quite so athletic their Canoes were very large made of planks siwd together, rather high out of the Water but very narrow, and sharp at each end in the Middle they have a platform of Planks raised about two feet above the sides of the Canoe’s and it extends beyond the sides - to which they have an out rigger and a log of wood to the Weather side fastened to act as a balance, they sitt on this platform, and take Shelter under it probably by Night, but - when under Sail all the spare hands get on the weather outrigger to keep the Canoe from oversetting, they have a very tall Mast & a large Sail made of Matting and Sail very fast, and when they alter their course they Shift the Sail, without turning the Canoe, which being both ends alike, no matter which end is foremost, they are very clean and painted in stripes Red & White, upon standing inn for the Shore we saw an emense number of Canoes, or Prows. for they were very large, but they brought us but little fruit, a few Cocoa Nuts, and some trash for which they were anxious to get Iron - the Island to wich they gave the name of Yapp, looked very beautifully wooded. and their houses, which we saw very distinctly with a teliscope being not more than a Mile from the shore) were well built, the best we had seen in the South Sea, and looked like our Farm Houses, with slaunting Roofs and alltogether a large Village. in fact we were surprised at their poverty, for in other respects they answer the discription given by Capten Wilson of the Pelew Islands, and the Natives seemed to understand the words given in his vocabulary of the language of those Islands, in fact if the pronounciation had been correct, we should have found the same here, and they talk very fast and loud - we had a very smart breeze as we stood along the Island, and the Prows kept up wonderfully with our Vessel, which being Coppered bottomed Sailed very well, we stood out to Sea in the afternoon, but the wind falling in the Evening it became Calm, and to our surprise we saw two Canoes make their appearance - and soon after several others, altho we were from three to four leagues from the Shore, they came from the west end of the Island, where we saw a large well peopled Village situated in a grove of Cocoa nutts, it looked very green and pleasant to the Eye, altho there was no appearance of cultivation - we were very glad that the Night proved Calm, for the poor Sailors, for when we stood off it had a very differant appearance,
to be continued,
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on the 16th of June 91 or 92 -
Made South Island made South Island, So called by Captn. Gore, who was the first who visited it, and discovered it, we were the Next Vessel that made this dangerous Rock for it hardly deserves the Name of an Island, it looks like a large high bluff Rock rising from the Sea, the Surge breaking violently on its rug [blank space] front there being no beach being thus perpendicular it was-not possible to Land on it Captn. Barkley rowed up to it, and surveyd it, in all directions, but in vain, its Top was lost in thick Clouds so that we could not see its hight, but from the convulsed agetation of the Clouds it was agreed by all hands that it Must be a Volcana there was no other way of accounting for the strange appearance it exibited, as there was a constant rising of the Clouds as if occationed by some explo [blank space] altho we could-not actually see any colom of smoke or fire arise, there were a few Boobys perched here & there, but no doubt destitute of any human Inhabitants, the existance of this Island has been much doubted, therefore our falling in with it gave great satisfaction to Nautical Men to be continued,
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1792
Altho we passed very near Sulpher Island we did not see it, altho Captn. Barkley was very desireous of making it, [blank rest of line]
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on the 16th of June we had a Glims of Land appearing like a Mountain of Snow, but it soon vanished, and the former dull scene was renued, nothing but fog & Mist, indeed the whole of this forlorn locality is most dreary. the transition was very trying. from the beautiful bright sky we left behind us, having so recently too. injoy’d fine summer weather, the change was greatly felt by the poor Lascars, who never felt Cold before, it made me very Ill too, and caused my face to swell and teeth to ache, this was the first Illness I experianced from being on board Ship ---- having from the very first of my Voyages been blessed with good health, which gave me courage to endure dancher, and to submit to privation – [blank space]
on the 17th we again made the Land, which proved to be the South End of the Island of Paramocha the Northernmost of the Kurele Islands seperated from the Main Land by a Narrow Strait, the weather still miserably Cold and comfortless with a drissling Rain and thick Fog and mist, which made our situation not only disagreeable but dangerous, in the afternoon the dull uniformity of the scene, was cheered by anouncement from the Mast head of a Sail in view, in fact a Russian Galliot, which was standing across us, and would probably have escaped our notice If the Fog had not cleared away a little, great must have been their astoneshment at being hailed by a foreign Vessel in those Seas, as soon as they Spyed the Colours, they altered their course and ran before the Wind, but the Hylcyon being Coppered, we soon came up with them She was last from St Peter & St Paul, two days from thence bound to Ochotck, where she belonged, She bore the appearance of Antiquety in her build, very bulky and mischapen, and without any orniment whatever, the bare planks shewing. without Paint or even Tar, her Sails If possible more awkward than her Hull as well as her Rigging which display’d less ingenuity even than any thing we ever saw, She had been on a cruze amongst the Islands and came direct from Awatcha Bay. Captn. B went on board her but found great difficulty in making himself understood, however he confermed our situation on the Chart - which corrisponded with his own reckoning for he had not been able to take an observation not even for the Latitude for several days - he likewise bought some sables which they produced at sight of a Cask of English Porter with which he had provided himself, as well as some Maderia Wine which was very acceptable to an Invalid who was on board, who had nothing to offer in return but his Lady a very handsome Young Woman who was with him, sent me a pritty small Sable Muff and wished very much to come on board our Vessel to see an English Woman, as did several of the Passengers - particularly the Women of whom there were several on board, but their Captain who appeared as uncouth as the Bark he commande, would not allow, however he came on board himself, and brought a few Skins, for which he extorted double their value in necessaryes of which they were destitute, however, the Ladies all stood upon Deck and we nodded and laughed and I was delighted to see any thing in the shape of rational beings, I believe they were European Women – very fair & good looking there is a constant inter course between the Islands and the Main, and at Ochotch there are many Russians sittled, Captn. B. was likewise so fortunate as to procure from the Sailors, several Dogskin Great Coats which proved a very Seasonable supply to the poor Lascars, who were perishing with Cold, indeed the wet & Foggs we met with was even worse than the Gale’s of Wind and Cold we had encountered during our passage, at this time the Sea was very high but it was nearly Calm, so that we were glad to get clear of the Galliot, the Sailors who accompanied the Captain on board, looked like English Sailors, and the Passengers were very fine looking Men, whose Dress under their Skin Coats, consisted of Smock Frocks, gaged as our Farmers Men, wear theirs, very neatly made, and Clean and smart, they were traders, no doubt, the men to the number of ten & twelve came on board, and were regaled with Rum and water, but they remained perfectly sober and appeared gentle and well behaved – the Russian Language in which they conversed is a very soft Language, more like Etalean than any of the Northern dialects,
on the 19th June we had a transient View of the Coast of Kamchatca
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1791 or 92
on the 19th of June we had a transient View of the Coast of Kamchatca, to the South Cape Gavaria – the Land made in high Hills covered with Snow, and altho we did not expect see such a wintery Scene, yet it was Land and as such pleasant to the Eye, but it soon vanished again in the thick Fog. which must have hid the Land whilst we were Coasting the Shore no very pleasant reflection, on such an unfrequented Coast, as this Pinunsula, [blank space]
on the 20th the weather having cleared we again saw Land to the North of that seen the proceeding Day, which presented a still more Magnificcent appearance, at the same time it bore the most dreary Aspect, high Mountains Clad with Snow from their Summit to the very waters Edge, the Tops however hid by a thick Mist, which continued to hover over the Peaks adding thereby to their apparent height, we were in great hopes of reaching the Bay of Awatcha so as to get into Port before night, but about Noon the Breeze died away and left us all together in the Evening only a few leagues from the destined Port. however to our great relief a small Breeze soon after Sprung up, and allowed us to get an offing, Captn. Barkley being alarmed at being so near an unfrequented Shore, in a dead Calm and the next Morning proved very fine, so that in the afternoon the setting Sun Shone in great Splendour and made the Snow so bright that it almost put our Eyes out, appearing like Mountains of polished Silver rising from the bosom of the Ocean we tryed our fishing lines in the hope of catching Cod Fish (which are said to be very abundant but without success, on the 21st we saw the long-Saught Light house situated on the point of Land which formes the enterance of Awatcha Bay, and our old Enemy the Fog having taken its departure, and the three Mountains with the Volcana smoking. made a sublime object - the alteration of weather when we became Imbayd was Surprising. we seemed to have passed from Winter to Summer in a few hours, still however the snow did not melt at four oclock in the afternoon be were abreast of the light house, and at six being pritty near the Town of St Peter & St Paul, we were surprised, by the report of three great Guns, and soon perceived the smoke to proceed from, a point of narrow Land very conveniantly Situated for the protection of the Town, a Boat was emmediately dispatched, [blank space]
they met a Canoe comming off with a Pilot to indicate the place, where the Vessel was ordered to cast Anchor, the spit of Land before mentioned is guarded by a Sargent and a few Soulders, who were drawn up, with their Muskets Shouldered, but they looked more like Bears than Men being Clad in the Skins of that Animal, the Village makes but a Miserable appearance, the View of it taken by Mr. Webber is very correct, and there does not appear any alteration since Captain King visited this settlement, the Harbour is Magnificent, the Hills run sloping dow to the Waters Edge leaving only space for the Village which however contains more Inhabitants than at first Sight, would be imagined, the Winter habitations being all under Ground so that all that appears of them is a Mound of earth the Vessel is Moored in a lac or Basin which is nearly inclosed on all sides and the water as smooth as a Lake & so transparent that the Shadow’s of the serounding objects, particularly of the Volcanoe in the distance has a very imposing Effect, and the Village in the fore-ground is very Pictures . . and our own Vessel and the Boats rowing about the little Harbour, enlivened & Peopled the scene, the Kamchadale Village on the Spit of Land makes a very Shabby appearance, a Leutenant resides at it with a Sargents Guard. but the Governor. who is a Major in the Army resides on the opposite Side of the Harbour, on the slope of a Hill, his house or Isba as they Call the kind of House he lives in, resembles a neat English farm house of a middling Class, or more in the Style of a Welsh Cottage, there is a small Garden in the front, and a little to the right a small Landing place, on which are mounted Six Guns, and on a platform above, the Main Guard are drawn up. consisting of a few Kamchatca Souldiers and a few Stand of Arms are piled, not unlike one of our very smallest Coast Guard Stations, not however in the grotesque figures that Man it, so that with the Guns on the Spit of Land on the other side, they seem to have more guns than Men, as soon as we came to an Anchor the Sargant came on board with Compliments from the Governer and a present of two Large Salmon, which the Sargent assured us had been buried several days to fit it for the Governers Table, no recommendation to us altho with wry faces we were obliged to Swallow it, he likewise brought us an invitation to dine the next day with the Governer, Major Ismailow, and accordingly the next day at Noon the Second in Command Captn. Rosterguff came to escort us on Shore, as we passed the Spit of Land the Guard was drawn up to salute us, and when we came to the Main Guard we received the like compliment, as soon as we landed I was met by two Ladies who proved to be the Captn. and the Sargents Wives, they conducted me with much ceremony up to the House where the Major stood in full Uniform to meet us, at the door, after a compliment not a word of which we understood, he gave Me his Arm and led us into his House, which is neat and Clean and realy very comfortable. furnished with deal Tables & Chairs as white as Snow, and the Women, altho old and very Ugly were very friendly and polite, the Governer appeared rather out of Place amongst them, being quite a Gentleman in manner, he appolagised by jestures, for the homely repast we had to expect which consisted of one of the same sort of prepaird Salmon, and by way of giving me a prefferance, I was helped to the Snout of the fish which is reckoned a great luxery. it was quite putrid & I was obliged to acknolidge myself a snob, by preffering a slice of the fresh Fish which was served at the bottom of the table for inferior guests, the rest of the dinner consisted of Cranberries - Salt Fish, and what they call bread altho it is made of Salmon Row, reduced to a powder, and then seasond and a few shreads of the Salmon mixed with it the whole kneeded together and fermented with something like Yeast. and then Baked in a Tin, it cuts like bread and is no bad substitute, the repast was not a little prized by the introduction of a fine Chechire Cheese and some bottled Porter which unexpectedly made its appearance, which was much relished, after that we had Cranbery puffs, what the past was made of I know not - and Punch with Cranburies instead of Lemon juce, after-dinner we took a strole to the Landing place, and were gratefied to find the snow was begining to Melt, and wild flowers begin to peep out, in due time Tea was served of the finest flavour and sweetened with very fine Sugar Candy. these articles they get over Land from China, and they likewise produced some hard bisquets, soon after Tea we got into our Boat, well pleased to get rid of the cevilities of the company and we had a delightful Row round the Bay of Awatchca, in order to see if we could detect any spot on which we could promise ourselves a Walk, we found the Snow disappearing in patches, but no appearance of a footpath, Major Ismailow, is an Elderly Man rather corpulant, he spoke a few words of English, he promised us a Visit on board the Next day. and gave us to understand that he had sent for a Cow and some Beef & Poultry in order to entertain is better, on our next Visit likewise some vegetables, he has a Farm about five miles inland, where he resides in general, only Visiting St Peter & St Paul occationally he being Governor of the Provence, the next day they all came on board, and in addition a fine little Boy of his about five years Old and a Smart Young Kamschatca Woman, all drest in their best, and looked a decent party, the Kamschadale woman very fine indeed She was dressed in the fashon of the Country, with a full Bodied Chemise Dress with large full sleeves of very fine Linin fastened with a gold botton at the Coller and plaited very fine like a habit Shirt, over it a vest tight to the waist fastened down with sugar loaf Bottons, with a very full short Cloth Pettecoat, colourd Stockings and Low topped Shoes & silver Buckles, She is a handsome woman fair Skin rather enbonpoint. very shy, and seemed out of her Place, but as the other Women patronised her. and the little Boy seemed very fond of her, we did not think it necessary to enquire much about her, the Major gave us to understand She was in attendance on his Child - She sat down to table as a matter of course and soon got very merry. the Major presented Me on coming on board with 10 fine Red Fox Skins called Shevadowsky’s they are marked on the Back with a White Cross, - and he gave Captn. Barkley a very handsome Sea otter Skin his little Boy also came prepaired with a presant, of two Sable Skins, which he gave to our little William, who was delighted to get a playfellow, altho he proved a rough one - we gave them an excellent dinner Poultry, Pork, fish & soup, besides pastry and preserves which we had in abundance from Calcutta and Batavia, besides what they liked better plenty of Wine, Beer, brandy and Rum, they were all very jolly. and the day passed of very pleasantly, they all seemed to like our good Cheer particularly, the Liquids they have they have no Lequors excep a kind of stuff they call Quass, I fancy it is what we call Mead, but I fear Captn. B made too great a display of Generosity, for they all took a fancy to somethin or other, and none went away empty handed, Captn. B hoped thereby to conceliate the Governer, so as to enable him to trade freely with the Kamschakadales, but he soon found that they were only permitted to trade by stelth - they used to come with their Skin Bag stuffed with Sables after dark, and at first a brisk trade was carried on, but as nothing was to be done, without Brandy & Rum, they soon misbehaved, and betray’d themselves, and it was soon seen that their Numbers fell off Captn. B remonsterated with the Governer but he made more & more proffessions of Friendship & got more and more presents to very little purpose, the Russians seem a treacherous Set. the next day we went on Shore to Visit the Hamlet, and called on the Captns Wife, she shew’d us her House, which was very neat and Clean her Bed Chamber was very neat & clean all the Rooms are on the ground floor, and the houses generally consist of four Rooms with a stove in the Middle opening like an oven in the Kitchin, and in the opening every thing is Cooked, I fancy there are seperate stoves contrived at the Side, for the Main opening seemed to be full of Feuel night & day and throw out a great heat and the three other appartments are so contrived as to abut on the Stove, and are all warmed by it - something like a german Stove, the three appartments consist of a Sitting Room & two Bed Rooms, this formes an Isba, of which there are about 9 in the Village of St Peter & St Paul, about an equal number of Yourts which are under Ground,
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there are about three or four Balangans or Summer habitations,
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the Village on the Spit of Land which I believe is more properly Styled the Town consists of about thirty Balangans, no Yourts but about 10 Isba s, the inhabitants all very cevelised and the Children even courtious, the Girls realy very pritty, they run out of their huts & before you are aware of it Kiss your hands and even the hem of your Garments, the better Sort expecting to be allowed to kiss your forehead, I mean the women, for the Men seem as stupid, as the Women were Cheerful and polite, all are for draging you into their houses, and all have some thing to offer mostly Cranburries, which are very large fine and well flavoured, we were gratefied to see the snow all melted, - and a track like a sheep Walk becoming Visible, we assended a little way followed by all the Children in the Village, all of whom wanted to Carress little William, who was glad enough to frolick and play with them, and we had many pleasant walks after that allways taking care to land at a distance from the regular landing place we preffered scrambling up the Rocks to the Anoyance of being followed, by this time the 24th of June the snow had entirely disappeared, and strainge to say the Banks that arose behind the Rocks were covered with Wild Flowers Shrubs and and Roots, there were several sorts of Ever Greens begun to shake off their Winter Coats, so that the Country really looked Green and pritty, but very difficult of access – however the South sides of the Hills are well wooded, every day presented fresh beauties in the vegetable World, never did I witness such quick vegetation, the south banks were covered with a profusion of wild Flowers in the short space of Time that we remained and the heat was intolerable, and swarms of Flys infested us, so that our evening walks were rendered disagreeable by them particularly if we happened to Stray from the Main Path which soon became trodden by the Kanchadales who went backwards & forwards to Verchenea where Major Ismalow seemed to keep all his Stores. we soon had a variety of preserved fruits, principally, differant Sorts of which they enumerated, Strawberries bil Berries, hurtle berries, wortle berries and Black berries, all of which they preserve a great quantity, we likewise pertook of a sort of bread made of a Root resembling a Lilly Root, which was really pleasant to the taste, the Major likewise sent us some new laid Eggs, and Milk every morning, our Goats not yealding a very good supply. about a Week after our arrival, we had a Visit from the Padra Papa whose title Corresponds with our Bishop. he was attended by the Priest of Paratoinska where there there is a Church we hear. he had likewise his Wife with him, they appeared very sciable, partook of our good Cheer, the Papa looked more like a jew Rabba than any thing else, there were likewise Some Good looking Men with him Merchants, they wore Silk Shirts, and a sort of Dowl as frock made very neatly, they all became very merry before we parted which was not until the Next day, they slept on the Cabin floor such as could not be accommodated with Beds, the next day we dined on Shore with the Major, whose table presented a very differant appearance to what it did on our first Visit it was now spread with a damask Table Cloth instead of a Coarse brown cloth, blue earthern ware instead of wooden platters, & pewter dishes and glass instead of horns, all of which articles Captn. B presented him with as well as Wine & Beer Cheese &&c, I likewise presented Mrs. Rosterguff with a Tea sett of real china, in return for which she gave me two Sables, and the Bed quilt from her Bed, which was made of Silk & lined with Squrrel Skins, with a border of Sea Otter Skins. She likewise gave me a very warm Pelese or Cloak, for it partook of the Character of both - and altho pritty well worn, was very acceptable of an Evening, for altho the Sun shone intensely hot yet there was always a Chill from the snow that still covered the Mountains of an evening, nothing material occured in this Visit the Major gave us an excellant dinner, there was no end to the dishes, which were served one by one, and a very good pastry, indeed all their food seemed well cooked, and flavoured, we had Something like a Sylabub after dinner, and prodigiously fine Fish, princepally Salmon dressed in all Manner of ways, I rather think the Major does not reside much at Petropaulowsky but occationally and that the Isbar is the residance of Captn. Rosterguff who commands the Station and that the Major who is the Governer of the Provence, resides in Bolscheretsk in the Winter and Verchenea in the Summer, how it happened that he was here so early in the Year I know not unless to get supplys from the Galliot before mentioned from Okotck, the Garrison seemed very badly off, but as they consist principally of Kamchadales, their wants are soon supplied, and the few Cossacks that are kept here live in the same manner, and are all Married to Kamchadale women, they are however fine looking Men and carry Arms, which the Kamchadales are not allowed. - Major Ismalow seemed to be liked, he succeeded Major Bymov in the command of the provence, he however seems to have been a very differant Character as narated in Captn. King’s narative, nothing material occured, Captn. B. got a few Skins by driblets, and the Governer kept up appearances, by sending us a supply of Vegetables from his Farm at Verchney which seems about a days Journey from hence, the Petro Papa left the Bay on the 20th in his
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on his way to the Kurile Islands which he Visits once in three Years - I do not know the object of this Visitation, but I suppose to conferm the Inhabitants of those Islands, who all profess the Greek religion there is not a Hut in St Peter & St Paul that has not a saint hung up in a rude Frame, and they say their prayrs before it as they do in the Romish church - It was unfortunate for us we think that the Governor was on the Station, for it was his duty to prevent the Kamchadales disposing of their Furs, with which they pay their trebute to the Empress, - the Captn. and his Wife we think would have winked at the [illegible word, water stain on inner page sides] it would have been easier at any rate to Conceliate them, than to have to bribe a Man in a higher station, not that their Government got one Skin the more for our loss for the Kamchadales hide their Furs, until they have an opportunity of Bartering them away for Brandy and other necessaries with the periodical Merchants, who come from Ochotsk,
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we [illegible] 27th of the Month the whole Ostrog was [illegible] by the intellegance of a Vessel in Sight [illegible] the Light House, She soon after Anchored By the outer Bay and proves to be a Russian Fregate, last from Ocotck, we found that she formed a part of an Expidition sent from Russia on a Voyage of discovery commanded by Captn. Billings, who however did not come with the Frigate, having been Landed at Tschutshoisnoss, with the intintion of exploring Bearings Straits by the Land, for which he is provided with Canoes & natives of the differant Tribes of Assiatics, who inhabit this part of Seberia who do-not acknolidge the Alegiance of Russia, therefore it is considered a very hazardous undertaking, but Billings is represented as a very enterprising Charecter - the Fregate which appeared to be about Eight hundred Tons Burden, was Commanded by the second Captn. who is an English Man (Captn. Hall,) brought up in the Russian Service, rather a low bred Man, with great pretentions, we Saluted the Fregate with seven Guns which was returned with five, however Captn. Hall came on board was mighty Civel, and in his turn took a fancy to what ever he Saw, and on the second day after her arrival being the Annaversary of the Empress’s Birth Day we dined on board, together with the Governer, we were received with much ceremony. the Ship was decorated with ever Greens, the Yards were Man’d, and a band of music play’d I suppose patriotic Airs, the Frigate was well Maned an Officered, and She was very clean and every thing in order, Captn. Hall gave us a good dinner, and as soon as the cloth was removed, the Empress’s health was given under a Salute of 21 Guns, then the Arch Duke & Dutchess with 19 Guns, the rest of the Royal Famely with 19 Guns, the King of England with an equal number, Captn. Barkley & Mrs. Barkleys health and Sucess to the Halcyon with 15 Guns, the Governer of Kamchatca and the Garison with 15 Guns, we passed the afternoon with great harmony, and about three in the afternoon a Cutter belonging to the Expidition came into the Bay, and saluted the Fort with seven Guns - likewise the Frigate, which was returned with five, the Halcyon likewise saluted her with seven Guns which She returned with 5 after these ceremonies the Captain of her came on board the Frigate, and was introduced in form, both Officers and Men were in their Uniforme, the Officers of the Navy when in full dress wear nearly the same Uniform as the Army, but Captn. Hall wore the same as the Major - green turned up with white and two Epauletts, altho only a Captn. the Gentleman who commanded the Cutter, is a very Genteel Man, and all the Officers of both Ships were very cevil and attentive altho very reserved, with respect to the plans of the Expidition, we however learned that it consisted of two Frigates besides Store Ships and a Frigate in frame which with all sorts of Artisans & tools were convey’d overland to Yarkautsk on the River Lena, which was to be the rendevous of the differant branches of the Expidition, the Frigates Sailed from Archangle with a View of surveying the River Covimar or Kovimar, with the hope of finding a Passage into the North Pacific Ocean, or if possible to double Shagotskoy Noss, and round to Beerings Straits so as to compleat the discovery of that passage round East Cape, but they lost one Fregate at the Mouth of the River Kovima, and were a long time building the Fregate they brought in Frame - Whether it was intended to Navigate the Lena down to the Sea or not we could not make out, but they explored the River Kovima and brought away Petrefactions of branches of Trees which must have been buried for Centuries, Captn. Hall gave me some Valuable Specimens, - had they not lost the Frigate at the Mouth of this river, they expected to have made their way from it into the Anadur, for there it was that the Frigate now here was Stationed, and it was from thence that Captn. Billings was set a going as the high Land of which Tschutshois-Noss
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The Frigate and Cutter we have now in the Sound must have met the Expidition, from Europe
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to return to our own persuits I have only to add that as it was proposed on board the Frigate to renue the Convivialities of the Feast, in order to entertain Captn. Serichief the Captn. of the Cutter we took our departure, as did many of the party after being regaled with Tea of which they use the finest quality in this far distant Land, which with sugar Candy to sweeten it, are brought over Land from China,) upon our leaving the Fregate we were again saluted with a broad Side and also with three Cheers, - the Governer brought us on shore, but we were glad to part company on the Landing, glad to escape from any more ceremonious cevility, and indeed a little quiet was very acceptable after the Noise and bustle of the day, we took a walk round a part of the craggy sides of the clifts that overlooked the Bay, and were delighted with the appearance of it, enlivened by the Ships of War, and our own little Brig all decked with the Flags of all nations, our own little Union flying at our Mast head as well as from every other conspicuous place, besides being displayed on the Flag Staff, we contemplated it with actual devotion, delighted as we felt at the knolidge that we were the free subjects of the happy Country whose banner we owned for notwithstanding appearances, we saw enough on board the Russian to bless God that we were not under its Sway, - the Boats two skimming from side to side made the scene very cheerful, Captn. B. having made a Sygnal for his Boat, we embarked, and were saluted by Cheers when we passed under the Stern of the Frigate, the Company on board being very noisy. but every thing on the Land was serene and quiet, and a clear bright Moon prolonged the elusion which seemed to transport us to our own dear Country - after this we were constantly visited morning, Noon & night by these Strangers, who ate us out of house & home, the effects of the profusion of hospitality expended on them we had reason to lament in more ways than one afterwards, for they acted as Spye under the Mask of Friendship and we soon found that the Kamchatcadales were, more and more temid, and never brought their Furs to barter except by Stelth, Captn. Barkley complained to the Governer, who confessed that they were ordered to refrain from their Visits, on acct. of the effects of the Spirits, for which they sold their Skins, this when the whole party were drinking Wine without limit at our expense, besides every one of the people having secured a portion of Rum for his own use was too bad, and then these New comers, extorted from the Kamchadales every Skin they could detect, under pretence of Collecting the Empress’s trebute, the Governer was rather the best of the Party but he seemed in great Awe of the Navy Men, and soon left the Ostrog, to go to Vercheney from wence he sent a Cow and Calf and Vegetables of differant Sorts as a Sort of farewell present, and the day following we saw the Cutter get under Weigh, and we fount She was sent to Ownalaska, evidantly in order to Collect the Furs there, so as to be before hand with us, from all this it was but too clear that nothing was to be done in the way of Trade, all this time Captn. Hall was constantly proposing some kind of amusement to lull our suspisions and on one occation he had a
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on the 16th of August 1792 we made the Coast of America again, in two places the Northern and Southern extreens of Beerings Bay. With Mount St Elias & Mount Fair Weather in View, they are both very high Mountains with their Heads covered with Snow, the weather at this time was tolerabley warm, but misty and like the weather we met with on the Coasts of Asia, very changeable & at times chilly, the wind being unfavourable, and the Coast entirely unknown we did-not reach a port of safity until the 18th and then farther to the North than Captn. Barkley originally intended, the Land formed a Deep Bay, Called Adriralty Bay, a Sound of great extent, with many Harbours in it - the one in which we cast Anchor is called Lord Mulgraves Harbour, the Country looked Green and pleasant to the Eye, the Anchorage safe & snug, several Canoes soon hove in sight some from Fishing & some with women on board, they appeared most disgusting objects
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Objects covered with Greasy Sea Otters Skins, with the Fur to the Skin, and the leather Tanned Red, and beyond discription dirty - it was here we first saw women with those pieces of shaped wooden Lip orniments which are discribed in Captn. Cooks Voyages if such a frightful apendage can be called ornimental, a thing that distorts the Mouth, and gives the whole Features a new and most unpleasant Charecter - the piece of wood is inserted into a slit made in the under Lip when the females are about fourteen Years old, and it is replaced from Year to Year, larger & larger until in Middle Age it is as large as the bowl of a table spoon, and it is nearly the same shape to appearance being concave on the inside of the Lip, which it presses out from the Gum thereby Shewing the Whole of the teeth and Gums a frightful sight at best, but of Still worse when the Teeth are black and dirty which theirs were invariably, generally uneven & decayed, and this odious Mouth piece so compleatly disfigured them that it was impossible to tel what they would have been without it, for even their complexions could not be ascertained for their Skins were bismeard with soot & Red ocher their hair however is dark & Shiney and appeared to be kept in good order parted in the Middley & kept smooth on each side behind the Ears, and tyed at the top in a knot, the Men on the contrary have theirs Matted and daubed with Oil & Ocher, the dresses of both sexes is made made of the Skins of animals some tanned with the fur on and some without, the women seldom wear any valuable Furs, the Men sometimes wear the Sea Otter Skins of which they know the Value of and will strip themselves, when ever they can make a good bargain, the women have sometimes a kind of Rugg thrown over their Shoulders, a Manufacture of their own, they wear it over their Skin Dresses, the Men in like manner wear two or more Sea Otter Skins sewed together which they throw over themselves, but not having any tight Dress like the women underneath their Persons are dreadfully exposed, whereas the Women are very decent & Modest, the people we saw did not seem settled, they had come on a Fishing expidition we conjectured, and they hastily built up huts with boards with which each Canoe was furnished, upon a small Island, and when they had sold the few furs they had with them, and had begged and got all they could out of the Ship, they went off, leaving a few Fisher Men, who were very delegent in Catching small Fish, which we bought, and the Women returned frequently with very nice Berries of differant kinds, such as Wild Strawberries, black berries of differant sorts, not what we know by the Name of Black berries which grow on the black Thorn, but a berry resembling a Currand, Rasberries of excellant flavour and considering the difficulty of picking them, in such a Wild Country plenteful, the Men brought an indifferant kind of Salmon with a long snout, it might have been out of season, the flesh looked very pale they likewise brought a few River Trout very large but the flesh quite white, not the pale pink colour of our Trout, the only weapon for defence that we saw them with were Spears, with large Sharp Iron barbs at least half a Yard long of which they seemed to possess a great number and also Daggars which the Men wear suspended round their Necks, I was allowed to Land here often, and Captn. Barkley and myself explored the Island which Sheltered & indeed made the Harbour we Lay in and were astonished to see the traces of Cultivation the ground was covered with coarse Grass but a few oats amongst it, Peas, one crop apparently gust out of bearing & another in bloom, a very few plants of cuorse but plenty of Strawberry Plants not of the Wild Sort, but evidantly had been planted - they were all stripped of their fruit, no doubt by our Friends, who brought them on board indeed all they brought us were dead Ripe but of a good size of the sort we call Carolina, the Ship having now been put in Order and the Water buts filled, we were prepairing for our departure on the 25th when we were Surprised by the appearance of a Brigg which hove in sight in the Offing. we pleased our selves with the idea of seeing some of our Country Men, when we saw a Boat approach and entered the Sound Captn. Barkley went Off in order to conduct them into Port, or to render them any assistance they might require and was astonished and disappointed at finding that there was no Officer on board the Boat, only four Sailors, who said they were dispatched upon seeing a Sail in the Sound to get relief they being very short of Provisions, that their Vessel which was an American Brig, Commanded by a Captain Hancock last from China, that they were going to try their fortune on the Coast, and were on their way to Prince William Sound, the Brig was to remain at the enterance of the Sound until they returned to report their success, these four Men were detained to take refreshment being very much exhausted, and when rested they got on board their Boat again in order to join their own Vessel but no Vessel was to be seen, so that after pretending to have been rowing about all night they returned saying the Brig must have been blown off the Coast, but as it was a very fine Night Captn. Barkley began to suspect that all was not right, and as the Men appeared ablebodied Sea Men, he took them on board and promised them a passage to China - they were thankful, not as they said much relishing the being left to Winter on the Coast with Savages, they were without Clothes or provisions of any kind so that it had altogether a very odd appearance, We remained however three days to give the Vessel an opportunity of returning but - as they did not we set Sail with this addition to our Crew, that they had been turned adrift and deserted, there could be no doubt. - we had scearsly got an Offing when on the 29th a violent Wind arose so that we were obliged to Stand out to Sea and when we had weathered the Gale, Captn. B, went in the Boat to seek a Harbour but proved unsuccessful, and the Wind continuing to blow on the Shore, he was obliged to give up his intention of Visiting Portlocks harbour the Wind being so very unfavorable, but when the Weather became more Mild he made for Norfolk Sound, where we Anchored in a Cove at the Bottom of the Bay the serounding Country looked very green and pleasant. the day after our arrival brought a number of visiters who came in large well appointed Canoes, they fixed their habitations on the beach opposite the Vessel and displayed several fine sea Otter Skins but they set such a high value on them, that it was very difficult to deal with them, there was no end to their demands, Powder & shot was always the first demand, (arms they had plenty two or three Muskets in every Canoe, -) then Blankets, Cooking Utensels and tools or other Iron weapons, with which they are very expert, indeed they seemed the most dangerous and mischevious Set we had ever Met and so delatory in their traffick that, altho there seemed no difficulty in gitting a fresh supply they kept haggleing with what they had whereby much time was lost, yet Captn. Barkley purchased a pritty good lot, the Inhabitants increased dayly, and they got so bold and troublesome at last that it became difficult to avoid disputes, Stealing every article that they could lay their hands upon, stripping the Men, when they ventured on shore, and - upon the slightest offence presenting their fire Arms, the use of which they perfectly knew, but the had never felt the effects of them we conjectured, certainly not of the great Guns, Captn. B. upon one or two occations had them fired off to astonish them, but they only seemed to think him in play, thank God we left them in ignorance of their deadly effect, but as they saw the Trees shivered, and must have used their muskets in their warfare with other Tribes, they must have been awair of what mischief they could do -
once in particular Captn. B. saw several War Canoes, with his Night Glass stealing along under the shadow of the land on a fine moonlight Night, and as we were very indifferantly Man’d he was suspicious of their intentions, and therefore he had a whole Broad side fired off over their heads, which made a great noise amongst the trees, we heard them scuttle off, but kept perfect silence on board - that they might not think we were alarmed - early the next morning, they came along Side, dressed in their War dresses, and singing their War Song & keeping time with their paddles, when they had paddled three times round the Vessel they set up a great Shout, then pulled off their masks, and resumed their usual habits, and exhibited their Sea Otter Skins, and gave us to understand they had, been on a War expedition and had taken them from their Enemies - they never alluded to the firing, but went on trading as if nothing had passed, firing of their own Muskets in the Air, and then giving a great shout, they are a very savage race and their women still more frightful than the women of Admiralty Bay. the disgusting Mouth piece being still Larger than theirs, in fact the Mouth piece in the Old Women were so large that the Lip could not support them, so that they were obliged to hold it up with their hands, and to close their Mouths was a great effort and when shut the Under Lip entirely hid the Upper one entirely and reached up to the Nose, that gave them a most extreordinary appearance, but when they open it to Eat, they do not appear like anything for they are obliged to support the Lip whilst they open their mouths, and then they through the food into their mouths, throwing back their heads with a jerk to prevent the food lodging in the artificial Mouth or saucer which is concave, and lets down to receive whatever escapes the right chanel how any rational creature could invent such an inconveniant mchene, I am at a loss even to guess, as there is no Stage of it that has the most distant appearance of orniment in the Young Women it looks like a second Mouth as long as the lip will bear its weight, - the women supplyed us regularly with a vast quantity of fresh plucked berries and wild flowers, there was one sort of Berry differant to any one I ever saw, it was of a pale transparent Red colour, the size of a Currand but grows seperately like the black Currand - on the slender twigs of a very Elegant Bush, as tall as a Barberry & Much such a Plant, they brought Bough’s & the fruit hanging to it, the fruit was rather tart. but of a delicious flavour, I made some preserve of it, which proved very grateful to us all when we were at sea, and we regailed ourselves with it whilst in our reach the Strawberries were done but the other berries were often covered with the leaves of that plant - so that they must be wild in the Woods, altho those we met with in Admiralty Bay must have been cultivated, the Men did-not perform their task, by bringing Fish, they seem very Idle, now and then a few flat Fish is all we could obtain from them, they seem to think of nothing but their arms, being very proud of their Spears, which are a very formidable weapon, being Similar to those used by the Natives of Admiralty Bay, and they are very expert in the use of them, and say they like them better than Muskets because they are Sure to hit, but the fire arms made a great Noise but did not alway do execution - Aided by the Vocabularies annexed to Captn. Cooks Narative, Captn. Barkley soon understood their meaning, his aptitude in Languages, being of an extraordinary nature, to which was joined great perseverance, the language of the Natives of Nootka Sound he perfectly understood, having in our Visit to that part of the Coast in a former Voyage regularly Studied it, and the Chiefs Maguilla, and Callecum, seemed more intellegant beings, but not so Warlike as these Northern Savages, still they are more active and enterprising, and if we had stay’d a Winter on the Coast, I dare say that we should have got an excellant Cargo of Sea Otter Skins - but we began to be short of provisions, in consiquence of the extortions in Kamschatka - I have no memorandum of the time we remained, but the Long-Boat was dispatched from thence, to Captn. Portlocks Harbour, and was absent 16 Days and returned with one Skin, Mr. Nouil the Mate who commanded her, having experienced very bad weather he reported the Sound, in which Portlocks Harbour is situated, of such vast extent that he did not attempt to explore it, that is the part of the Coast that Captn. Barkley was most desireous of Visiting, but as I before observed we were blown off the Coast, which appears not to be favored with pleasant weather when we consider that this was the Middle of August, and the fruit we got, ripened at a much more advanced season on this Coast than the same berries do in England or even in Scotland, on our former Voyage we found the Climate much Milder, altho we had a dreadful storm the day we first made the Coast off Nootka Sound, which was the Northernmost, part of the Coast we Visited on that expidition and from thence made excursions to the Southward a part of the Coast, that Captain Cook was prevented visiting by temptious Weather, and we were consiquently the first Ship that ever at that time had visited a large Sound in the Latitude [blank to end of line]
and Named it Wickinanish’s Sound, the Name given it by the Chief who seemed to possess great Othority there, this part of the Coast proved a rich harvest of Furs, [blank to end of line]
likewise another very large Sound to which Captn. Barkley gave his own Name calling it Barkleys Sound, and several coves & Bays he Named, there was Frances’s Island - Williams point, and a variety of other Names there was Hornby Peak, and a variety of familiar, appellations, all of which were left out of the plan of the Coast, by Sir Josiph Banks, who surriptitiously obtained from Captn. Barkley his plans and drawings, and under various pretences retained them, in the same manner Captain Mears got possession of his Journal from the persons in China, to whom Captn. Barkley was bound under a penalty of five thousand pound to give them up, for a certain time, for mercantile objects, the owners, not wishing the knolidge of the coast to be published, Captn. Mears however with the greatest afrontery published and claimed the merit of the discoveries therein contained besides inventing lies of the most revolting nature, tending to vilefy the person whom he thus pilfered, no cause can be assigned except the wish of currying favor with the Agents of the Ship Louden which was the Ship that Captn. Barkley commanded, they the Agents having quarelled with him, in consiquence of his claiming a just demand, the fact was that he was appointed to the Command of the Louden, and ingaged to perform three Voyages, for which he was to have three thousand pounds, but the Owners being Supercargoes in China in the Service of the East Indea Service, as well as Directors at home, in the Company’s Service, they found that they were not waranted in trading to China [blank to end of line]
and therefore found themselves obliged to give up, and sell the Ship to avoid worse consiquences, they then wanted to get off their contract, with Captn. Barkly who - having made provision accordingly would have been actually a looser by the concern himself, after making upwards of ten thousand pounds for the owners, beside loss of time and great expenses incurred in returning to England, he of course brought an action against them for damages, but the affair was compromised by an Arbritation of Merchants, and he was awarded five thousand pound, the whole transaction being the most arbitrary asumption of power ever know, for they not only dismissed him to answer their own purposes, but appropriated all the fittings up and stores laid in for the term agreed for, which would have taken up at least ten years, for he was to winter on the Coast the second and subsiquent Voyages, which was to imbrace the whole of the Coast of America Kamschatka and the [blank space] Japan and to open a trade with the unfrequented ports of China, where the Furs were likely to Sell, of course he had supply’d himself with the most expensive nautical Instruments and stores of every kind, a great part of which he had been obliged to expend upon the owners, who had not laid inn sufficient Stores for such a Voyage, and then pretended that he was bound to furnish them, so that they actually brought him apparently in debt to the concern, and it became certain when the affair was investigated that all the articles thus obtained were transferred to Captn. Mears, who was in the same imploy, altho not acknolidged to be so, altho the same objection did not actually subsist with respect to his Vessel that there was to the Louden, the one having been fitted out in England, and the other in Bengal, so that there was no Law in force to prevent the Company’s Servants having a property in her, she being construed what was called a Country Ship, namely a trading Ship from Port to Port in the Indean Seas, whereas the Louden was actually a [blank space] Ship which by the Company’s Charter was not allowed to go to China from Europe,
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1792
Second Voyage in continuation
We made the island of Oyhee on the 7th of November after a tedious Voyage, as soon as we came in Sight at two or three Miles distance we were met by several large Canoes with provisions on board, which they were willing to barter for Iron, tools &c but we find them more difficult to deal with than they were on our first Visit, in addition to the usual productions of this fertile Island we found both March & Water Melons, they were given by Captn. Rogers, who brought the seeds, which have produced a wonderful Crop, and the seeds having been propogated, this cool refreshing fruit is now very abundant, we were afterwards highly gratefied to find Turkey’s on the Island which are the produce of a Turkey Cock & hen we left [blank space] or rather gave a Cheif [blank space] five years ago, they did not however bring any for Sale, they are too highly prized, and are principally handed from one Chief to another, as a peace offering upon great occations Originals having caused a desperate War, - here we met Tyanna the Cheif that Captn. Mears patronised, and courted, altho he proved to be a great Rascal, altho held up as a paturn of every excellance by that Gentleman, it was by his information, and conivance that a small American Shoner commanded by a Young Man of the Name of Medchalf was Cut off, and every Man but one were Murdered She was badly Manned and never intended to be Sent unprotected to the Sandwich Islands but, was fitted out & sent on a trading expedition on the Coast of America, by his Father Captn. Midcalf who, was on a trading Voyage and this Young Man was to meet his Father at a given point, but having missed his Fathers Ship at the place of rendevous, he sailed for the Sandwich Islands, in hopes of finding him there, and was unfortunately Cut off - the Schoner was carried into Caracacoa Bay -where she was taken we here fell in with a Young Man that had Sailed with Captain Vancouver in his Magesty’s Ship Discovery – he called himself Charles and it was from him we learned the Charecter of Tyanna, and of his hand in the transaction respecting the Schoner. Charles was a Native of Moratoi, and was only at Oyhee on business. this is the account he gave of himself, Captn. Barkley had intended taking Water here, besides provisions, but Charles remonsterated so strongly with him that he agreed to go to Wohahoo, particularly as Charles, who spoke English perfectly well,) that two Vessells had passed the East End of the Island the day before, probabley bound for that Island, indeed being very badly Man’d it was very desireable to meet with other Vessels, besides which the Venus might be one of them, accordingly we set all Sail, and on rounding the East Point we discryed them, and soon after spoke the Brig Hope Captn. Ingraham, from the Coast of Nth. Wt. of America, and afterwards the Ship Margaretta Captn. Maggee of Boston like wise last from the Nth. Wt. coast of Amercia, Captn. Maghee informed us, of the Venus, arrival on the Coast of America the latter part of June, and of his having been Since seen amongst the Queen Charlots Islands by Captain Vancouver and that Captn. Sheapard and all the Crew were well, this was good News - it was agreed between Captn. Maghee Captn. Ingraham & Captn. Barkley that we should keep Company for mutual security, and accordingly set sail for Whiteety Bay in the Island of Wohahoo, there to take in Water, but the supply of Water was very scanty, and likewise the provisions, compaired with what we should have found had we Anchored in Caracacoa Bay however we got a few Hogs, Potatoes, Yams, Sugar Canes, Melons Plaintains, &&c – at the bottom of the Bay is a very large and beautiful Village. situated in a Grove
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of Cocoa Trees, well cultivated grounds and very neat inclosures and large low built habitations, and it seemed thickly inhabited not only in this Village, but the whole Island appeared studded with habitations, and in high cultivation, which gave the place such a Cheerful appearance, that we were greatly pleased with the View, the Canoes however were few in number, the only Child I ever saw in any of the Islands, was in a Canoe in this Bay. its head was shaved, and appeared Ill favourd and dull, the Women are very bold and forward, but nether so handsome or so Clean as the Women of Oyhee - their dexterity in swimming is most surprising, they are quite equal to the Men in the Art, and cannot be distinguished from them in the Water, it is a disgusting Sight and both Men and Women have generally Sore Eyes, which detracts from their good look, I suppose this affection is owing to the glare of a tropical Sun on the Sea in which Element, they pass so much of their time, the Women have no pretentions to beauty but they are very active and lively, and also healthy, I did not see any any vestages amongst them of Leprosy, which we remarked amongst the Men of Awhyhee, we were surprised to find so few articles of curiosety amongst them, but the Feathered Cloaks & Helmets are only worn by the Chiefs and the King, who appears to Rule the whole of the Group of Islands Called by Captn. Cook Sandwich Islands the Kings name when we Visited Owhyhee was Tomahomehaw a perfect savage –
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Sayer an English Man