The Voyage of George Vancouver, 1791 - 1795 by W.Kaye Lamb

Author:W.Kaye Lamb [Lamb, W.Kaye]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, General
ISBN: 9781317012337
Google: HAUkDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2017-05-15T01:29:38+00:00

Plate 28. 'Cheslakee's Village in Johnstone's Straits.'

extensive inland navigation. Herein I was disappointed, as this lofty structure either decreases in its vast degree of elevation, or it extends in a more inland direction.

The residence of all the natives we had seen, since our departure from point Mudge, was uniformly on the shores of this extensive island, forming the southern side of Johnstone's straits, which seems not only to be as well inhabited as could be expected in this uncultivated country, but infinitely more so, than, we had reason to believe, the southern parts of New Georgia were. This fact established, it must be considered as singularly remarkable, that, on the coast of the opposite or continental shore, we did not discover even a vestige of human existence, excepting the deserted villages! This circumstance, though it countenances the idea of the original inhabitants of the interior country having migrated, fallen by conquest, or been destroyed by disease; still leaves us unable to adduce any particular reason as the cause of this evident depopulation.1 The width of the passage scarcely any where exceeding two miles, can hardly have induced the inhabitants of the northern side, to quit their dwellings for a residence on the opposite shore, merely for the purpose of being that small distance nearer to the commerce of the sea-coast. On regarding the aspect of the two situations, and on reflecting that the winter season under this parallel must be severe and inclement, it appears reasonable to suppose, that any human beings, not restrained in fixing their abode, would not hesitate to choose the very opposite side to that which is here preferred, where, in general, their habitations front a bleak northern aspect, with mountains rising so perpendicularly behind them, that, if they do not totally, they must in a great measure, exclude the cheering rays of the sun for some months of the year. The northern side labours not under this disadvantage, and enjoying the genial warmth denied to the other, at certain seasons, most probably, possesses the requisites necessary to their present mode of life, at least in an equal degree; especially, as this country has, in no instance, received the advantages of cultivation. This would appear to be the situation of choice, the other of necessity; for the same source of subsistence, which is evidently the sea, affords equal supplies to the inhabitants of either shore. And that there was a time, when they resided on both, is clearly proved, by their deserted habitations, yet in existence, on the northern shore.

As neither Maquinna, nor any of his people, were at this village, I intrusted to the brother of a man named Kaowitee, who seemed next of importance to Cheslakees, the letter I received from Senr Galiano, as also one from myself, to be forwarded to Senr Quadra at Nootka, which this man undertook to deliver, on the promise of being handsomely rewarded for his service.1

The sandy island, by my observations, is situated in latitude 50° 35½′, longitude 232° 57′;2 the variation of the compass here being 20° 45′ eastwardly.

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