Account of Archibald Campbell's voyages to Japan, Aleution Islands and Sandwich Islands, 1806-1812

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Edited by James Smith. (263p.)

May 1806 on Thames Indianman to China; Pulo Penang on Prince of Wales Island

In China joined American ship Eclipse to Japan - not allowed to trade (June 1807); to Kamschatka, 'miserable' Russian settlement; left in August for Aleution Islands and wrecked during gale ('there were about 15 of us on the mast'); long boat also washed up on Halibut Island with other debris; visited by natives; sailed in repaired long boat to Alexandria, Kodiak (Nov. 1807); after provisioning voyage back to Halibut Island; wrecked - rescued by Russians - return to Alexandria; Campbell has both feet amputated due to frost bite; when recovered employed teaching English to Indian children; description of Kodiak and native customs; Neva ordered to Sandwich Islands in preparation for Russian settlement there; Campbell employed as interpreter (December 1808); Sandwich Islands January 1809; met Joseph Wynnan/Angus McCallum; King Tamaahmaak comes on board at Wahoo and invites Campbell to reside in his house; impressions of the country and of the court; ceremonial of carrying of King's food; Campbell removes to house of Isaac Davis (May 1809) - his house and family; Campbell repairs the King's sails; ceremonial of death of King's brother; breaking of water spout in harbour; granted land by King; neighbour William Stevenson, an escaped convict from New South Wales, who had introduced method of distilling spirit from tea root; Duke of Wellington arrives at Hanaroosa (Feb. 1810); Campbell needing more medical attention for his feet sails in her for England; King sends presents for King George; further description of Wahoo, its people, methods of cultivation of taro, potatoes and yams; inducements made to sailors to stay; native customs and government; ceremonies of Macohiite; houses; taboo; dress; catching fish by poison; games; ceremonial of war; King's desire for European contact; description of voyage home - arrived on Clyde 21 April 1812; Appendix 1: vocabulary of Sandwich Islands; Appendix 2: account of Campbell's injuries by Dr Mondgoorst; other notes.

(Notes and beginning and end have been bound in random order.)

(Published by Constable, 1816, 288p.)

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