lie i!iii mjm iU- MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS o p MAURITIUS AUGUSTUS COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. VOL. J. V O N T e"^N T S OF THE FIRST VOLUME. An Account of the Troubles in Poland in the years 1768, 1769 J MORE particularly THOSE EVENTS IN which THE Count Benyowsky had a share, and which terminated in his being made prisoner by THE Russians. Page i Journal of the Travels of the Count Benyowsky into Siberia. 53 CHAP. I. IntrodiiSlion. The Count arrives at Tobolzk, the capital of Siberia. Humanity of the governor. Departure from that place. Villages on the road. City of Tara. River and towji of Tomjky. The Tartars inter eft themfelves in favour of the exiles. A propofal is made to the Count to efcape to China, to which his wounds prevent his acceding. Prefetit to the Exiles from the Tartars. Dif?iter- ejled behaviour of their conduSlor. Page 53 C H A P. II. Departure from Tomfzky. Jti/ka Krafnoiarfz}. IlUmfc. Price current of European goods and furs at that place. Jakutzk. Privileged company of traders in furs. The Count projeEls his future efcape ih concert with M. Hoffman. A fociety of Exiles formed. They depart for Jakutzk. Leaving M. Hofftnan behind. , Their guards quarrel. Alarming confequence of Mr. Hoffman s death. Its effects happily prevented, - - '(>i CHAP. 800100 6 CONTENTS. CHAP. III. Village ofjudoma. Sledges drawji by dogs. Arrival at Ochoczk. Dcjcription of that toicn and harbour. State oj its ccmmerce. The exiles embark Jor Kamchatka. Their dangerous paJJ'age. yz CHAP. IV. Arrival at Kamchatka, Conference loith fome Exiles there. They wait upon the governor, and receive inJiruBions. Village of the Exiles. Ordinances of the Czar Peter for their regulation. 80 CHAP. V. The Count forms an .intimacy 'with Mr. Crujliew, an exile. Society eJlabli/Jjedfor projeBi?ig the means of Efcape. The Count's fpeech and plan of a conjlitution. The exiles ivait upon the goverJior and the chancellor. The governor appoints the Count to teach the languages to his children. An unforefeen event tends greatly to miti- gate the dijlreffes and advance the projeSls of the exiles. - - 89 CHAP VI. The Count enters upon his office as language-mafler. The governor prefents him with a female (lave, and a fledge drawn by dogs. A propofal tnade to him by fome of the chief ge7itlemen of the town to ejiablijh afchool. A party at chefs. An evenings entertainment. Partiality of MtJs Aphanafa Nilow, the governor s youngeji daughter, for the Count. Madame Nilow approves her attach- ment. - - - - - 98 C H A P. VIL A building ereSled for a fchool. Converfation with Madame Nilow, Profits arifng from the Count's fkill at chefs. Mi/s Aphanafia converfes with the Count. The jociety of exiles reinforced. Him- iing the bear. - - - - 103 CHAP CONTENTS. 7 CHAP. viir. Public fchool opened. 'The fociety of exiles 7neet on bujlnefs relative to their efcape by Sea. Chefs. The Count compofes charts of the coafs and ifands adjoining to Kamchatka. Dangerous confequence of the affair laft debated in the fociety of exiles. Averted by the County ivho narrowly ef capes aff}ifJi?iation. His enemy punijhed. 109 C H A P IX. The exiles narrowly efcape poifoning, on New Tears D-ay. Difcovety of the author, who difclofes their projcSl, as communicated to him by one of their immber. The exiles meet, and put the traitor to death in the ?iight. Farther enquiries made by government, which are rendered abortive by an accidental circumjlance. - 117 CHAP X. The Count cotijlrucls a mufical infirument for his fcholar Mifs Apha~ na/ia. Members propqfed to the fociety of exiles. Plan of operatio?i fettled. The governor propofes a journey. Large fums of money won at chefs, and part prefented to the governor's family. Mijs Aphanafia declares her affeBion for the Count in the prefence of her father, who is exceedingly irritated, but is pacified by his colleagues in office. The governor makes the neceffary dijpofitions to revcrfe the fentence of exile under which the Count was banified. - 121 CHAP XL The Count is in danger of being put to death by his afociates. Their fufpicions removed. An etnbarraffing dilemma. Prefents made to the Count. The manner of his ahfolutionfrom the fentence of exile. He makes a propofal to the coimcil. Generous dijpofition of the chief inhabitants of the town, Confequences of the Count's advance- ment. - - - - 126 CHAP 8 CONTENTS. CHAP. XII. F roof of the confidence and attachment of the exiles to the Cowit. The governor and council liberate the exiles. The Count promifes to procure the enlargement of the perfon who attempted to poifon him. Farther progrefs of the exiles in their projeSls to efcape, Ati entertainment propofed. The gentlemen of the town fnake prefents to the Count. Good efeSls of the Count's exertions in favour of his enemy. - - - - 134. CHAP. XIIL Preparations for marriage. Sitigular preliminary cuftom. Precau- tions for preferving fecrecy and fecurijig the progrefs of the under- taking of the exiles during the Count's abfence. Grand projeBs for creating goverJiments and empires in the north. An entertainment on the occajion of the freedom of the exiles. - - 141 CHAP. XIV. A journal of an excurfon 7nade by the governor of Bolforetfky OJlrogg^ in company with the Count de Benyowfky. - - 1 49 CHAP. XV. An abridgment of the hifory and defcription of Kamchatka - 155 CHAP. XVI. An account of the natives of Kamchatka, their origin, food, habita- , tions, religion, c'c. The narrative of the proceedings of the exiles refumed CONTENTS. 9 refumed. Preparations for war. The conjlitution of the fociety of exiles altered, Confequence thence a^lng. - - i6i CHAP. XVII. Various proceedings in the ajfociatton for projeSling the efcape of the exiles from JJavery. - - - - 169 CHAP. XVIII. The exiles in danger of treachery. They etideavour to procure a vejfel^ hut without fuccefs. Their 7nilitary arrangement. Final pro~ jeSl. - - - - - 176 CHAP. XIX. A journey to Lopattka. Siberian forcery. Return to Boljlia. 1 85 CHAP. XX. A dangerous dijlurbance among the exiles. Its confequence. - 193 CHAP. XXI. The Count negociates with the captain of a •vejfel. Preparations for the approaching crifs. - - - -I 201 CHAP. XXII. Preparations for departure. Mifs Apha^iafia difcovers the intention of the exiles. - - - - 208 b CHAP. lo CONTENTS. CHAP. XXIII. Various proceedings. The chancellor receives information of the at- tempts of the exiles. The Count's exertions to prevent the cofife- quences of this difcovery, - - - - - 215 CHAP. XXIV. The fui>je^ of the preceding chapter continued. - - 221 CHAP. XXV, Various proceedings relative to the projtSled efcape of the exiles and the dtfcoverks made by government , - - - 225 » CHAP. XXVL Proceedings of the Government of Katnchatka, in cofifequence of the difcovery of the Cou?it's plan to liberate the exiles. - - 232 CHAP. XXVII. The Government fends a military force to take the Count prifoner. The exiles oppofe them and by their fiiperior bravery and ?nilitary fkill, ^JJiJled by a fortunate concurrence of events, they gain pojfef- f on of the fort. The Governor is fain in the attack. - . 141 CHAP. XXVIII. The froceedi7igs of the Count and his party of exiles, from the time of gaining pojfef ion of the fort, to the time The care and attention of this humane and generous friend reftored him to health, and enabled him to appear in decent clothes. He fliould; iiavi^ 38 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of have thought his misfortunes greatly alleviated if he had been permitted to li4ve remained at Nizym ; but on the arri- val of the fecond convoy of prifoners the Voywode placed him in charge of the commanding officer. His bencfadior, from whom he was then forced to part, had the generolity to prefent him with the fum ot two hundred roubles, v/hich, for fear of being robbed by fome of the Ruffian foldiers, he depodted in the hands of the commander, whofc name was Wolkow, with a requeft that he would keep it for him till his arrival at Cazan. On their arrival at Tula, the Count having occafion to purchafe fome pro- vifions and other ncceffaries, requefted a {qw roubles of the commandant in the prefence of fome of the other prifoners ; but the unprincipled wretch not only had the effrontery to deny his having received any money, but likewife treated the Count with the moft injurious arid abulive language, and from that time ufed every means in his power to render the reft of the journey uncomfortable to him. He even carried his malice fo far, that on" their arrival at Cazan he a ecu fed the Count before the governor, Count Krafnin Samaren, of attempting to raife a revolt among the prifoners ; and on this accufation he was loaded with chains and committed to prifon, from which he was not delivered but at the prcffing inftanccs of the Counts Marffial Czarneczky, Potockzy, and the young Pulauzky. After his deliverance from prifon he was lodged with a goldfmith, named Vendifchov, a native of Sweden, who treated him with great kindnefs and humanity. The re- putation of the Count, and his open difpofition, pro- cured him a numerous acquaintance among the Ruffian nobilty ; and one day, being invited to dine with a man of COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 39 of quality, he learned, by fcveral particulars of the con- verfation, that a dcfign was projefting againft the govern- ment. Some days afterwards, being invited again in the fame company, one of the guefls addreffed him, and pro- pofed many queftions rel'peding the difpofition of the prifoners towards Government ; at the fame time obferv- ing that the governor of Cazan, having no more than four hundred men in garrifon, was very uneafy left the. prifoners, whofe number amounted to leven thoufand, Ihould revolt, and that to prevent fo dangerous an event, he had fent to Peterfburgh, requefting orders to fend them into Siberia. The Count immediately perceived the intention of the perfon who queftioned him, but not thinking it prudent to enter into any converfation by which he mis^ht feem to enter into an engagement, he only replied, that the Governor, having a body of brave men under his command, who were armed and in pof- feflion of the fortrefs, had nothing to fear from men worn out with difcafe, and for the moft part adually difabled ; but that he doubtlefs a6ted prudently in taking every precaution fuitable to tlie offici; he held. The continuation of this difcourfe led the Ruffian at laft to declare to the Count, that the nobility of many of the governments were greatly difcontented with the defpotick authority of the Emprefs, and that, in order to deliver themfelves, they were difpofed to enter into a confede- racy to fhake off the yoke of flavery, and become as free as other nations ; that the prefent moment was highly favourable to their defigns, becaufe the troops were employed elfewhere, and the clergy, equally dif- contented, were ready to join the nobility, who bclidcs might 40 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of might caftly gain over the Tartars ot^ Cazan, a people naturally difpofed to declare in favor of the Turks. He ended his difcourfe by obferving that the Ruflian nobility likcwife depended much on the ailiftance of the prifoners who were fo unworthily treated in their misfortunes. The Count, without any embarraffment, replied {imply, that the prifoners being without arms, and always kept in light of their guards, could not dare to make any at- tempt againft government ; but that on recovering their liberty they were difpofed to fhew their gratitude in the moft zealous and eftedual manner, and that confequent- Jy, if they were delivered from their wretched fituation, no matter by whom, their deliverers might be alTiired ot their attachment. After this converfation the Count rejoined the company, and was received with fuch de- monftrations of friendfhip as convinced him that the whole party confifted of malecontents. Immediately after the company broke up, the Count waited on his old friend the Ivlarflial Czarneczky, to whom he com- municated his difcovery. On the following day the Maifhal invited feveral of the fuperior officers among the prifoners, and revealed the fecret to them, in order that by their deliberations it might be decided what mode of proceeding they fhould adopt, in cafe they fhould re- ceive any propofds on the part of the difcontented no- bility. It was accordingly determined in fecret com- mittee, that the confederates fhould not enter into any confpiracy againft the government in conjunction with the malecontents, to whom, neverthclefs, a promife might be mide, that in cafe they fhould become mafters of the city, the prifoners, being fet at liberty, would form a body COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 41 a body which fhould ad: in concert with their deliverers until the final orders of the generality of the confedera- tion might arrive. The Count de Benyowfky was entrufted with the management of this affair, which he purfued with the greateft zeal, prudence and fagacity, in fuch a manner as not to endanger any of the prifoners, even on the fuppoHtion that government fhould difcover the con- fpiracy. The malecontents, on the other hand, entered into their purfuit with fo much fpirit, that they fuc- ceeded in bringing over to their party the nobility of the governments of Voronicz, Bielogorod, Kiow, and the greater part of Mofcow, the capital of Ruffia. They only waited for the appearance of the Tartars of Cazan, who had engaged to prefent themfelves before the town of Cazan with nine or ten thoufand horfe. Such was the ftate of affairs on the 6th of November,. (1769) when a fudden change was produced by a quarrel between two Ruffian lords, one of whom informed the governor, that the prifoners, in concert with the Tartars, meditated a defign againft his perfon and the garrifon. This apoftate accufed the Count, in order to lave his friends and countrymen. On the 7th, at eleven at night, the Count, not fufpe6ling any fuch event, heard a knock- ing at his door. He came down, entirely undreffed, witli a candle in his hand, to enquire the caufe ; and upon open- ing his door was furprized to fee an officer, with twenty foldiers, who demanded if the prifoner were at home. On his replying in the affirmative, the officer fnatched the candle out of his hand, and ordering his men to follow him, went haftiiy up to the Count's apartment. Vol. L G The 42 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of The Count immediately took advantage of the miftake, quitted his houfc, and repaired to the quarters of his intimate friend, xMajor Wynbladth, who was likewife a prifoncr. After relating the adventure to him, and en- gaging him to make his efcape together with him, they quitted Cazan, and repaired to the neareft village, where they took horfes of the countrymen, with the intention of haftening to Sebukfar. On their arrival at this place they apprized feveral Ruffian gentlemen of the difcovery of their plot, who having the ftrongeft reafons to fear the confequences of the Count's being arrefted, gave him a podrufchna, or order for poft horfes, with money and cloathing. From Sebukfar they pafTed to Kufmoden Janfkoy, where they took poft, and continued their route as far as Nizney Novogrod, where they gave out that they were officers returning from Kizlar to Pe- ter{burg, charged with difpatches from the governor. The Voivod had the politenefs to invite them to dinner, and treated them elegantly, after which he furnifhed them with^\a letter for the Voivod of Volodomir, which was of the greateft fervice to them, as they certainly would have been arrefted if they had not been provided with it. They ftill continued to urge their courfe, and pafled through Mofcow, as well as Twer, Velki- novo- grod, and other places, in the night. At length they arrived at Peterfburg on the 19th of November, where the Count took lodgings in a hotel, cauftng his Major to pafs in the charader of his valet- de chambre. Upon his iirft going out he met a German tradefman, by profeffion an apothecary, v^ ho being given to underftand that the Count was dclircus of pafling by fca COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 43 fea into another country, direded him to the lodgings of a Dutch Captain. The Count accordingly waited on the Captain, and begged him to take him and his domeftic pafTcngers, promiiing to pay him five hundred ducats on his arrival in Holland. The Captain agreed to receive him on board, and as he was ready to fet fail the following day, he appointed the Count to meet on the bridge of Neva about midnight, who accordingly attended there exadlly at the time, with his companion. While they were waiting the arrival of the Captain with the utmoft im- patience, he at length appeared, and faluted the Count, begging that he would remain on the fpot a moment, as he would quickly return, after he had finifhed fome prefTmg bufinefs with his correfpondent. He did not fail to re- turn foon after, and beckoned the Count, who haftened to meet him. But at the very inftant he was about to exprefs his gratitude to the Captain, twenty foldiers feized on him, and knocked him down ; after which they conducted him, together with the Major, to the Count Cfecferin, Lieutenant-General of the Police, who, in a very mild and polite manner, propofed the follow- ing queftions to the Count. 1. He demanded the birth, country, age, and religion of the Count ? 2. Under what power he had ferved before he became engaged in the confederation ? 3. Who had perfuaded him to fign the act of confe- deracy ? 4. Whether he did not know that the court of France fiirnifhed money for the payment of the troops of the confederates ? G 2 c. Who 44 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of 5. Who had engaged him, being a prifoner, to excite the other prifoncrs to revolt, and what was his deiign irj caie he had fuccccded in getting poffeflion of Cazan ? 6. Whether tJae other confederate chiefs were con- cerned in the confpiracy or not, and whether there were not certain Ruihans engaged witji him to carry this abominable plot into execution ? their names, and the manner in which the engagement was brought about ? 7. After deferting from Cazan, why did the prifoner repair to Peterfburg, if he had not fome premeditated de- fign ? Whence had he money for making a journey of that length by poft, and why did he pretend that ,his companion was his fervant ? 8. On the fuppolition that his defign was that of quitting Ruilia, why did he prefer going to' Holland ? The anfwers of the Count were, 1. That he was born Magnate of the kingdoms of Hugary and Poland, is aged twenty-eight years, and profefTes the Chriftian religion. -[ ;,p 2. That he fervcd in the Imperial army in quality of oificer in the war again the King of PrufTia. 3. That in his quality of Starolfe, he thought it his duty to afUft the republic in fhaking off a foreign yoke. 4. That he was ignorant whether or no the court of France furnifhed the confederation with money. 5. That he had never excited the prifoners to revolt, liis defign being no other than that of recovering his own liberty ; and that the tyranny and cruelty he had ex- perienced in the prifons had forced him to this attempt ; that he never had any intention of feizing the town of Cazan ; \ COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 45 Cazan ; and therefore he could have no further in- tentions confequent to the imaginary capture of that town. 6. That in quality of prifoner, it was neither necef- iaxy nor expedient that he (hould become an informer, and confequently that he declined anfwering the fixth queftion. - 7. That after quitting Cazan he had repaired to Pe- terlburg, for the purpofe of more eafily quitting the empire by means of fone foreign {hips ; that as he had no other defign, he had caufed Major Wynbladth to pafs as his domeftic, that their difficulties and expences might by that means be diminished. 8. That as to his intention of repairing to Holland, he had no other motive than his having met with a Dutch Captain, who promifed him his paflkge, and that it was, befides, of little confequence to him what country he might go to, provided it were out of the dominions of Ruffia. After this examination the Count was conveyed to the fort St. Peter and St. Paul, and there confined in a fub- terraneous dungeon, feparate from Major Wynbladth. On the 23d in the morning, being the third day of his detention, his prifon was opened for the firft time, and after three days faft he received a morfcl of bread and a pitcher of water. On the fame day in the evening he was conduded by an officer and fix men from his prifcn to the minillcr. Count Panin, who was in his cabinet, and who prcpofed an hundred qucftions, one after the other, without giving him time to anfwer, and at laft ihewing him feveral papers, from which he affirmed that he 46 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of he was acquainted with all the machinations of the Count, he loaded him with the harfheft invedives, advifing him to affirm all queftions that might be afked in the council, which if he failed to do, he would find himfelf in a wretched fituation. After this mild and friendly advice Count Fanin ordered him to be re-conducled to his prifon, giving diredions that he fhould be loaded with irons. On the 23d he was again brought forth, and con- duced before the privy council. On his entrance into the place of meeting he beheld twenty Ruffians feated, each having a fheet of paper before him, and a pen in his hand. Count Panin prefided at this council. The perfon who performed the function of procureur read all the queftions v/hich had been made by the Count Cfecferin to the Count Beny- owfky, and alfo his anfwers. Count Panin afterwards ordered the Count Benyowfky to fwear that all thefe anfwers were conformable to truth, with which he immediately complied. After this preliminary. Count Panin required him to retra6t his oath, and confefs the truth, otherwife he fhould be put to the torture. This threat, fufficiently horrid to fhake the fortitude of the moft innocent perfon, irritated the Count, who replied to the minifler, that, as a judge, it ill became him to perform the office of executioner ; that juftice ought never to have recouffe to punifhment, before conviAion of the accufed ; and that the council having propofed to the Count to purge himfelf by oath, it was neceffary that his conviftion fhould be founded on proofs that his oath was falfe, or that otherwife every violent proceeding againft him would be an adt of barbarity, to which he never COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 47 never could believe that her Majefty the Emprefs would give her fandion. This anfwer of the Count, vi^hicli was written down word for word by the fecretary, caufed feveral members of the council to vindicate him againft the opinion of Count Panin. Thefe gentlemen obferved, that the prifoner, having been convidled of nothing but an attempt to defert, could not be condemned as a ftate criminal. This obfervation produced a difpute between the affefTors, and the Count was conduced back to his prifon ; from which he was again brought forth on the morning of the 25 th, and conducted before the council, where he was confronted with a Ruffian gentle- man, whom the governor of Cafan had fent to Peterf- burg to be examined by the council. This wretch was the fame who had accufed the Count to the governor of Cafan. He maintained before the council, that the Count knew of the plot which the Ruffians had formed againft government, that he had encouraged them, and that he himfelf was the perfon who had promifed the difcontented party to affift them with all the prifoners. The prefident ordered the Count to anfwer this accufation, which he did, by freely affirming that he had, in feveral companies of the nobility, heard propofals treated of againft the governor of Cafan. That thefe noblemen had a(ftually made formal propofttions to him, to become conned:ed with the party of malecontents, and to engage all the prifoners in their intereft : but that as his fttua- tion as a prifoner did not require him to abandon his prin- ciples and betray them, he had kept the fecrct ; and as far as related to the propofitions m.ade to him by the malecontents, he had anfwered without hefitation, that the 48 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of the priiouers would not engage in any attempt againft the government of Cazan, andftill lefs againft the intertfts of the Emprefs : That it did not become them to inter- meddle in the pretenfions of the Ruiiian nobility, who alone were to decide their own quarrel, and that the prifoners would patiently fuiTer their fate, though the difcontented nobility might depend upon their fervices, in the lingle cafe only that they firiould fi^il fet them at liberty. The Ruflian himfelf acknowledged that this account was true ; after which the Count was returned to prifon till the 29th, when he was brought before the council to receive his final judgment. At the commeneement of this fitting the prefident threatened the Count to put him to the torture ; but being unable to urge any crime but that of defertion againft him, he propofed to the Count to Hgn a reiignation, by which he obliged him- felf never to ferve againft the Ruflians ; to quit the em- pire without delay ; and never to return, on pain of death. Under thefe conditions Count Panin promifed him his liberty. Count Benyowfky did not hefitate to fign his refignation, of which the following is the pur- port. I, the underfigned, do acknowledge, that having been fcized in my flight from Cafan, and her Imperial Majefty of all the Ruflias having pardoned me by her natural clemency, I have entered into the prefent renunciation, never to ferve any power againft the arms of her Imperial' Majefty ; and that, upon becoming in pofTelTion of ray fibcrty, I promife for ever to qirit her dominions, obliging riyfeif, under pain of death, not to enter them again- under COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 49 under any pretext whatever. Done at Peterfbiirgh, the 2 ^d of November, 1769. The Count, after having iigned this engagement, inftead of being fet at liberty was recondufted to his prifon, and there confined till the 4th of December, when, about two hours after midnight, an ofRcer with feven foldiers came to him, giving orders that they fhould take off his chains and clothe him in a fheep-fkin garment ; after which his fetters were again faftened on, and he was conduded into the court of the prifon and thrown upon a fledge, to which two horfes were harneffed, which immediately fet out with the greateft fwiftnefs. The darknefs did not permit the Count to difcern the objedts around him, but the noife of many bells led him to think that he was followed by feveral fledges, a cir- cumftance which excited a Ions; train of reflections on the fatality and Angular circumifances of his deftiny. At the beginning of his journey he conceived fome hopes that he was to be conduced into Poland ; but at day-break the fight of feveral villages through which he had paffed after his departure from Cazan deftroyed. that hope, and convinced him that he was on his way to Siberia as an exile. When they refted at noon the Count received a morfel of dry bread, and on defcending from his fledge to mount into another, he perceived Major Wynbladth, who was the companion of his misfortunes. The ex- ccffive cold caufed the Count to fuffer much pain from his wounds, and he was almoft frozen when the com- ELiander of the convoy made him difinount to pafs Vol. L H the 50 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of the night in a cottage. When he recovered the ufe of his faculties he perceived that he was in company with Major Wynbladth, who not being w^ounded was better able to fupport the rigour of the feafon. In this com- mon ftate of misfortune it was fome confolation that they could fee each other and communicate their refledions. The Ruffian commander, Prince Maneow, Lieutenant of the troops of the Senate, being affeded with their deplorable lituation, informed them, in confidence, that his orders were to conduct them to Mofcow, from whence they were afterwards to be carried to Tobolzk, and thence to Kamchatka, the place of their exile. He had like- wife the politenefs to caufe them to eat with him. When they arrived near Mofcow their condudor quitted them, and returned with fledges, and a detach- ment of fixteen foldiers, headed by a Lieutenant, who re- lieved the Prince Maneow, condudted them forward. on their journey. On the 13 th of December they arrived at Volodomir, where they were joined by four fledges with four exiles, likewife deftined to pafs the remainder of their lives at Kamchatka, and from that ftation they had the confolation of their company. The Count, who was well acquainted with the Ruffian language, made enquiries concerning thefe four prifoners. The one was VaffiiliVaffilics Panow, Lieutenant of the Guards; the fecond Hippolite Stepanow, Captain of Infantry ; the third Afaph Baturin, Colonel of Artillery ; and the fourth Ivan Juanies Solmanow, Secretary of the Senate of Mofcow. Their efcort confifted of forty-fix ..foldiers of Volodomir, under whom they were conducted to Nizney Novogrod, COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 51 Novogrod, where they arrived on the i8th, and from thence they were drawn to Kuzemodemjazkoy, a town where their guard was reinforced, with one hundred and fifty horfemen, to pafs more fecurely through the go- vernment of Cazan, at that time difturbed by the incur- fions of the Tartars, who, fince the departure of the Count, had already committed feveral afts of hoflility, and with whom a party of the prifoners deferted from Cazan had taken refuge. Thefe circumftances occasioned the commander of their party not to flop in any of the villages, but to make the beft of his way to the town of Malmitz, fituated on the banks of the river Viattka, where the reinforcement left them. From Malmitz they were drawn to Saragut, and thence to Kunzir, from Kunzir to Tuninkz, and from thence to Tobolzk, the capital of Siberia, diftant feven hundred aad eighty leagues from Peterfburg. On their arrival they were lodged in the town, each feparately with his guard. The Governor, Count Denis Juanovicz Cfecferin, brother of the Lieutenant-General of the Police of Peterfburg, a man as remarkable for his humanity, as for the politenefs of his behaviour, not only caufcd the irons of the exiles to be taken off, but likewife afforded them every kind of affiflance, even to the furnifhing them with linen ; and as he was afTcded with the mifery of thefe unfortunate men, he granted them his permiflion to pafs fourteen days in the town, to recover their health, which was much impaired by hunger and the inclemency of the feafon. During the whole time that the prifoners remained at Tobolczk they H 2 weie 52 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS, &c. were furnifhed with proviiions from his own kitchen, and on their departure he prefented each of them with the fum of fifty roubles, with a quantity of brandy, and like- ^wifc five hundred pounds of tobacco, an article of great value at Kamchatka. We fhall here terminate the narrative which we have collcded of the adventures of the Count, and fhall relate the fequel as it is written with his own hand. JOURNAL 5 n =ft=: JOURNAL OF THE TRAVELS of the COUNT BENYOWSKY into Siberia, in confequence of an order of the Senate of Petersburg, by which he was baniilied to Kamchatka. CHAP. I. INTRODUCTION. THE COUNT ARRIVES AT TOBOLZK, THE CAPITAL OF SIBERIA. HUMANITY OF THE GOVERNOR. DEPARTURE FROM THAT PLACE. VILLAGES ON THE ROAD. CITY OF TARA. RI\'ER AND TOWN OF TOMSKY. THE TARTARS INTEREST THEMSELVES IN FAVOUR OF THE EXILES. A PROPOSAL IS MADE TO THE COUNT TO ESCAPE TO CHINA, TO WHICH HIS WOUNDS PRE"\'ENT HIS ACCEDING. PRESENT TO THE EXILES FROM THE TARTARS. DIS- INTERESTED BEHAVIOUR OF THEIR CONDUCTOR. I WAS born of an illuftrious family in Hungary, and ferved the ftates of the republick of Poland with fome diftinfiion, under whofe colours I had the misfortune to be made prifoner by the Ruffians in open war, after receiving feventeen wounds. This unfortunate event fubjefted me to every calamity which tyranny can inflid:. I was con- veyed from one prifon to another, and at laft condemned to the unhappy ftate of flavery. In confequence of the order of the Ruffian Senate for my baniffiment, I was loaded 54 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of loaded with fetters, and conducted to Tobolzk, the capi- tal of Siberia, coniifting of about five hundred houfes, inhabited by Ruffians and Tartars. It ftands at the foot of a mountain, on the top of which is a caftle, com- manding the town, and ferving as a place of refidence for the governor. The garrifon of this town ufually confifls of two regi- ments of infantry, three fquadrons of cavalry, and two or three hundred Coflacks. The governor of Tobolczk, Count Denis JuanovieczCfecferin, a man equally eftimable for the humanity and generofity of his difpofition, caufed my fetters to be taken off the firff day of my arrival, and, after providing me with a lodging, heaped many favours upon me and Mr. Wynbladth, the companion of my misfortunes. This gentleman was a Major under the confederation, who having fhared in my former adven- tures, was likewife the partner of my banifhment. The greateft favor which I obtained from the governor was, doubtlefs, the ufe of pen and paper, to diflipate my cares. Precious inflrument, which can give the fhadow of liberty where the fubftance exifts not ! Ineflimable gift of art, whofe value can be truly eftimated by thofe only who have felt thy lofs ! Witli thee I (hall ftill poflefs the enjoyments of the mind ; and by thy afTiftance my misfortunes and complaints may be tranfmitted to futvire times ! I arrived at Tobolczk on the 2cth of January, 1770, and as I did not quit this town till the 4th of February, the benevolence and care of the governor enabled me to recover my health and flrength to fupport the voyage with COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. SS with greater courage. The governor, after having loaded me with marks ot his favour, which was likewife ex- tended to my five companions, difpatched us for our place of dcftination, under the efcort of a Sottnik of CofTacks, with twenty-four men under his command ; at the fame time he informed us that our conduifor had orders to treat us with kindnefs. We departed from Tobolczk with fixteen fledges, fo that we had a fledge for every two excepting the commander, who had one for himfelf. The firil paufe we made was at Sobulak, a village inhabited entirely by Tartars. Our commander lodged us all with him in a houfe, and promifed that this fhould be the cafe throughout the journey. We eat with him, and the Coifacks might have been taken for our fervants, from the particular attention which our conductor ordered them to pay us. His example caufed the whole troop to omit no means of rendering our jour- ney as agreeable and as comfortable as could be exoedled in a ftate of flavery. On the 5 th we departed from Jubalak to continue our journey, and at noon we refted near a river named Supkra to refrelh our horfes. Our conductor informed us, while his troop was employed in procuring I'ome provifions from the neighbouring villages, that he was the fon of a Swediili colonel, who had had the misfortune to be banifheJ, and that he himfelf, being a native of Siberia, had been inrolled among the Coilacks, over whom he at prefent was Sottnik, or commander of one hundred men; that fince his promotion he had always endeavoured to obtain the charge of the exiles which were to be con- duced into Siberia, as it gave him the greateft fatisfadion to 56 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of to have an opportunity of alleviating their misfortunes. The free and open manner with which this officer czpreired himfclf, fufficiently fhowed that he fpoke his real fentiments, and it was a great conlolation to us to find ourfelves under the diredlion of a virtuous and com- pailionate man. From Supkra we continued our journey- along the banks of the river Jrtiefli, and arrived at the fmall town of Berenowzky, where we pafTed the night. At this place we found twenty exiles, who treated us with fifh. Thefe unfortunate men affurcd us, that in the fingle province of Tobolczky there were upwards of twenty-two thoufand exiles, reduced to feck their main- tenance by the chace. From Berenowzky we departed on the 6th, and arrived very late in the night at Ilirga, a village compofed of about fifteen houfes, inhabited by exiles ; among whom I recognized an Hungarian, who informed me, that he had been Major of one of the regiments of Huffars in the Ruffian fervice, commanded by General Horvath ; and that he had the misfortune to be baniffied for requefting his difmiffion, in order to return into his own country. He affured me, that he was a gen- tleman of the family of Orofz. As I ran no rifk in con- verfmg with this unfortunate pcrfon in the Hungarian language, which was underftood by no one prefent but him and myfelf, I afked him many queftions, and among others, how it happened that fo great a number of exiles, reduced to the mofl: extreme mifcry, had not yet made Tome attempts to efcape ; to which he anfwered, that a confiderablc number of their companions had already X J attempted to efcape towards Perfia, but" having been met by the Nogais Tartars they were all (lain, and that this event COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 57 event had intimidated the others, and prevented them from follovi^ing their example. Belides which he informed me of fo many obftacles, that at laft I was convinced of the great difficulty of efcaping from exile at Tobolczk, and refledled with great fatisfadion that my deftination was to Kamchatka, on the fea coaft, though I am per- fuaded that there is no country whatever in which liberty may not be gained by an alfociation of refolute men, infpired with the love of independence. On the 7th, after having paffed the river Ifirga, we arrived at Jufka, a village inhabited by Tartars, who re- galed us with mare's milk and horfe flelli. The exceflive cold and the wind, which threw up the fnov/ in vv^hirl- winds and drifts, forced our commander to remain at' this village four days. We quitted it on the nth early in the morning, and about noon we refted on the banks of a river, over which we forded, and from whence we proceeded to Ahufca, a village fituated on the banks of a river of the fame name, which falls into the river Irtifck. Here we paffed the night, and the next day proceeded to Tara, the capital of the province of the fame name. The commander ot our troop propofed to pafs fome days in this town, on account ot the feverity of the weather, as well as that we might reft ourfelvcs, and be better enabled to fupport the fatigues of the reft of our journey, which was to be made without Hedges. During our ftay at Tara the commandant allowed us the liberty of walking in the town, and even in the environs : his friendly difpofttion towards us extended fo far, that he prevailed on the Voivode to invite us to dinner, and afterT? wards perfuaded feveral of the inhabitants to make us Ycc. I. I prefents. 58 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of prefents. Thefe confifted of habits for the feafon, and a coufiderable quantity of brandy. On the 2 2d wc at length quitted Tara, and after having repaffed the river Irtifka we arrived at Luky, a village inhabited by Tartai-s ; from whence we continued through immenfe woods and over lofty mountains, where we all fuffered greatly from fatigue, and more efpecially myfelf, who was covered with wounds. Our days jour- neys were very fhort, our nights paffed in the raidft of fnow, and our horfes had no other food than mofs. On the 3d of April, being encamped on the river Om, wc were furprized by a band of Tartars of the hord of Ba- rabuts. On their firft appearance we requefted tlie commandant to fupply us with arms to defend ourfeLves, and immediately mounted our horfes. The Tartars ap- proached, obferved us for a moment, and pafTed by, full gallop, without molefting us. After their departure we crofled the river Om, and continued our march to the river Juakra, on the borders of which we pitched our t^nts. At day- break, juft at the moment we mounted our horfes, we difcovered a troop of armed men on foot, who called out to us, in the Ruffian language, to wait for them, which our condudlor caufed us to do. On their arrival they faluted us, and afterwards addreffing our chief, they propofed many queftions refpedting our fituation, which, when they learned, they condoled with us, and informed us that they were our partners in mif- fortune, having been exiled into Siberia, and that for ten years pail they had fubfifted merely by the chace and firhing. Their number amounted to fixty-thrce men, who apparently had fome enterprize in contemplation. Our COUNT DE BENYOWSKY, 59 Our commander, who was apprehenfive of bad confe- quences from their company, propofed to part, but they compelled him to remain three days on the fpot. Thefe huntfmen, finding our provifion of brandy ex- cellent, did not fuffer us to depart but with regret : at length, however, being delivered from thefe importu- nate people, we quitted the river Juakra, and marched towards Bogorodekoy, where we arrived on the nth. From Bogorodekoy we crofled the river Oby, and on the 17th we arrived at Tomfzky, a town re- gularly enough built, but peopled, for the moft part, with Tartars. It is fituated on the banks of the river Tomfzky, and, for its defence, is provided with a kind of fort, in which the Voivode of the province refides, with four hundred foldiers and eight hundred Coll'acks. The governor's name was Villeneuf, of French origin, Lieutenant-Colonel in the fervice of Ruflia, and for- merly an exile. He received us with humanity, and by the perfuafion of our conductor, permitted us to re- main in the town till the loth of May, in order to avoid the inclemency of the feafon, which was fo much the more dangerous, as the weather is always extremely wet at the latter end of April and the beginning of May. We paffed our time not difagreeably at Tomfzky, be- caufe the Tartars, being informed by our conductor that we had had the misfortune to be made prifoners of war when fighting in conjuntflion with the TinkiOi army, made it a point of religion to allifi: us. Amonc^ others a dealer in fables interefted himfelf more particu- larly in my welfare, lie propofed to me to make my . cfcapc towards China, and exprciled his readinefs to I 2 run 6o MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of run the rifk of accompanying me. He informed me that he was born in the hord oi Kantay, in the country of KalkaZj on the borders of China, and was perfe6lly acquainted with the road thither. I fhould hav^e ac- cepted his propofal with joy, if the difficulty, or rather the impofTibiUty, of travelling at leaft three hundred leagues on foot had not detained me. The deplorable iituation to which my wounds had reduced me was fuf- ficient to convince him of the impolllbility of my accept- ing his proportion. He therefore loaded me with pre- fents, which, whether they came from him alone, or from the whole body of Tartars of Tomfzky, amounted to more than nine hundred roubles, a fum v^^hich we di- vided amongft us, and out of which we were defirous of making a prefent to our conductor. But this generous man refufed to accept of the fmalleft trifle, and affured us, that on our arrival at Kamchatka we fhould find fuf- ficient occafion for our money. C H A P. COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 6i CHAP II. DEPARTURE FROM TOMSZKY. JUSKA KRASNOIARSZK. ILLTMSK. PRICE CURRENT OF EUROPEAN GOODS AND FURS AT THAT PLACE. JAKUTZK. PRIVILEGED COMPANY OF TRADERS IN FURS. THE COUNT PROJECTS HIS FUTURE ESCAPE IN CONCERT WITH M. HOFFMAN. A SOCIETY OF EXILES FORMED. THEY DEPART FOR JAKUTZK, LEAVING M. HOFFMAN BEHIND. THEIR GUARDS QUAR- REL. ALARMING CONSEQUENCE OF MR. HOFFMAN'S DEATH. ITS EFFECTS HAPPILY PREVENTED. ON the 1 1 th of May we at length quitted the town of Tomfzky, and palfed through a defert country covered with woods and mountains, always encamped in the fnowj and after fourteen days moft painful march we were neceffitated to reduce our allowance to half a pound of bifcuit per day. Being thus exhaufted by hunger and fatigue, after loiing eight CofTacks and twelve horfes on the road, we at length arrived on the i8th at Jufka Krafnoiarfzk, a town fituated on the banks of the great river Jenifea : it conlifts of about thirty houfes, inhabited by Ruffian exiles ; the fort, more properly called the miferable intrenchment, in which the houfe of the Voivode is built, is a raifed fquare furrounded with pa- lifades, and the garrifon v/hich defends it is compofed only of twenty foldiers, who are likewife exiles. The Voivode of this province, famous for its mifery, lodged us in his fortrefs, and did not condefccnd to fee us till our condufior had informed him that we intended making him a prefent. This news, which our conductor likewife communicated to us, occafioned the Governor to invite. 62 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of invite us to fupper ; and he did not difdain the acceptance of fixty roubles as a prefent, and for a like fum he fold us a fmall barrel of brandy, containing about eighteen bottles. On the 19th in the morning the Voivode prcfled our condu6lor to depart, and we quitted this place about noon. The continuation ot our journey was not more agreeable than that from Tomfzk. No obje(5l prefented itfelf to our eye? but an immenfe plain of fnow, here and there inter- rupted by mountains. Every fucceeding day became more" fatiguing. We loft almoft all our horfes, and we palled the two chains of mountains which feparate the government of Illimfk irom that of Jenifeifk, almoft dying with hun- ger, having no other fubliftence than the bark of the birch tree fteeped in water. At length however we ar- rived on the 25th of July, and the 26th day of our march, on the banks of the river Angara, where we had the good fortune to meet a horde of Tungus Tartars, who gave us four elks, with a provifion of dry fifh, in exchange for tobacco and brandy. On the 26th we arrived at Illimfk, the capital of the province of the fame name, fituatcd on the banks of the river Illima. This town poflelTes a conliderable trade, arifing from the quantity of furs depofited here, which the exiles keep till the arrival of the Ruffian merchants, who purchafe them in exchange for European provifions and export them to China. They ufually gain 200 per cent, on the merchandizes of Europe, and on their arrival at China they again redouble their profit on the furs. The following is nearly the rate at which the merchandize of Europe is fold to the hunters and exiles of this place : one pound of gunpowder, three roubles ; onQ pound of tobacco. COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 63 tobacco, one rouble and a half; forty pounds of flour, five roubles ; ten pounds of butter, fix roubles ; a barrel of brandy of eighteen pints, fifty roubles ; and in propor- tion to thefe values they barter or purchaie one fable's fkin for one rouble ; one black fox's {kin, three roubles ; one bear's ikin, half a rouble ; fifty fkins of the northern fquirrel, (petit gris) one rouble ; one hundred fkins of the white rabit, one rouble ; twenty-four fkins of ermins, one rouble, &c. &c. The Voivode of this province, after having fupplied us with fix elks and twenty pounds of flour for our provifion, difpatched us to Uftkotfkoy, a village fituated on the banks of the Lena, where we embarked in canoes, made of the bark of the birch, in order to haften our journey. We pafTed down the river Lena, which runs by Jakutfzk, and after running through all the northern part of Siberia empties itfelf into the frozen fea. Our voyage by water was very commodious and agreeable on account of the beauty of the feafon, and we happily arrived at Jakutfzk on the 20th of Auguft, where we were all lodged in one houfe, having for our guard only four foldiers, commanded by a ferjeant who relieved our conductor. The town of Jakutfzk, which is fituated in the fixty- fecond degree of north latitude, is the capital of a province of the fame name. It is compofed of 130 houfes and a fortrefs, the whole built of wood, and inhabited either by exiles or cofTacks, a kind of military which the govern- ment has formed by enrolling all the male children of the Swedes and Germans formerly exiled into Siberia. This troop is ufually employed by government to levy tribute on the Tartars who are fubjed to RufTia. Their number, 64 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of number, in the year 1764, amounted to twelve thoufand armed men. During cur ftay at this place I became acquainted with fevcral Greek merchants to whom the Emprefs had granted the exclufive privilege of the fur trade in this province, in confidcration of the fum of thirty thoufand roubles. They allured me they had already griined above eighty thoufand roubles bcfides the purchafe money ; but that being obliged to fhare that fum with governors and minifters, tor the fupport of their rights, this trade had not been extremely advantageous, efpccially lince the war with Turkey had, during the laft three years, inter- rupted the freedom of commerce. I likewife became acquainted with fcveral exiles, from whom I learned that there were thirty-five officers exiled in that town, and that their number in that fingle province amounted to four hundred and twenty-five men. All thefe unfortunate perfons lamented the departure of Monf. de Brin, a Frenchman, Colonel in the fervice of Rullia, who had, during five years, been Voivode of the province ; and who, unfortunately . for them, had been relieved by a Ruffian as remarkable for his cruelty and barbarity as his. predecefTor was for his gcnerofity and goodncfs. On the third day after my arrival in this city I re- ceived a vifit from the Sicur Hoffman, a Surgeon, who was fent from Peterfburgh to Kamchatka, to exercife his profeffion as Surgeon Major of the Government, with a Jalary of one thoufand five hundred roubles. At our firft meeting I perceived, from his converfation, that he poffeffed a penetrating mind and a worthy and amiable difpofiticn. The account I gave of my misfortunes, an4 the COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 65 the excefs of barbarity under which I had long fuftered, affeded him greatly ; and as he confidered his miflion to Kamchatka as an exile, he did not hefitate to pro- pofe, without any previous overture from me, his opinion that on our arrival at Kamchatka, we fhould dired: cur attention to an efcape by the way of fea, either to Japan or China ; and that he faw-no other difficulty than the procuring failors to condud: the vefTel, which he pro- pofed to purchafe under the pretence of employing it ia fifhing. This propofition convinced me that he was determined to fhare mv fate. I therefore aflured him that he needed not be uneafy with regard to navi- gating the veffel, becaufe I was fufficiently capable of undertaking that tafk by virtue of the experience I had acquired during feveral voyages. I likewife informed him that it was with the greateft fatisfadlion that I learned his refolution, which I had myfelf conceived and formed from the firft inftant that I heard that Kam- chatka was the place of my exile ; and that provided he continued in the fame opinion, and kept the moft pro- found fecrecy, I would anfwer for its fuccefs. From that day our difcourfe was continually direded to the means of fecuring our efcape. I ran no hazard in making this propofal to my companions, who, during the whole journey, had fhewn me the moft particular rcfped:, which was increafed by thejundlion of Mr. Hoffman, who united himfelf to us by oath. On the 29th of Auguft the company eleded me their chief; it was compofed of Mr. Hoffman, Major Win- hladth. Captain Panow, Captain Hoppolite Stephano, Colonel Baturin, and Secretary Sopronow. The ardent Vol. I. K dc-fue 66 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of defire which we all had to carry our defign into execu- tion, induced us to ufc our endeavours with the Voivode to difpatch us to Ochoczk, a fca port in Siberia, from whence we were to embark for Kamchatka. He readily acceded to ourwifhes, and difpatched us on the 29th of the fame month under the guard of two Szottnik, or cap- tains, with twelve Coffacks under their command. Mr. Holiman unfortunately could not depart with us, on account of the neceflity of carrying his effedis with him. On our departure from Jakutzk we were attended by mofl of the exiles, who regaled us with a good dinner on the banks of the river Lena. Among thefe unhappy men were two Ruffian Lords, of the family of Gurgiew, both young, who, after having ferved in the guards of the Emprefs, were exiled by her orders on the death of the late Emperor. The new manner of travel- ling on fledges drawn by elks was very agreeable to us. The fwiftnefs and agility with which thefe animals run can hardly be conceived, and their manner of fubfifting is (till more furprifmg : an handful of mofs mixed with urine, enables them to fupport the fatigue of three or four days. The fixth day after our departure we arrived on the banks of the river Tola, where we were obliged to re- main two days, becaufe our condu6lor thought proper to employ that time in vifiting the Tartar chiefs of the hord Jakutti, to extort prefents from them, of which they brought a tolerable large quantity in fkins of mar- tins, foxes, and rofzomak, an animal peculiar to this province. Its figure nearly refembles that of the European wolf, and its fkin has the fame appearance, excepting that COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 67 that its colour is a glofly black. The women in Si- beria make bonnets of this fkin. On the third of September we pafled the river Tola, and continued our journey without interruption thus far, excepting a difference which happened among our conductors, during the time our camp was pitched on the banks of this river, where they made a ftop for the purpofe of gambling, an occupation which they had flrenuoufly followed ever fince our departure from Jakutzk. One of the Coflacks having loft all his pro- vifions in play againft the chief, thought proper to indulge himfelf in fome difrefpedlful exprefHons, upon which the Commander ordered the Coflacks to tie him up and give him one hundred laflies with the whip. Inftead, however, of executing the orders of their com- mander, the Coflacks took the part of the culprit, and after having ftripped their ofiicer naked, entertained him with more than three hundred ftripes ; an operation, which, though we bore no part in it, nevertheiefs afforded us fome diverflon. This adventure v/as quickly followed by an ev^nt which greatly alarmed us. We were informed by a CoflTack, fent exprefs from Jakutzk, that Mr. Floffinan was dead, and that, after his deceafc, the governor had found certain interefting papers among his effects, which he had forwarded to the governor of Ochoczk, in a packet, to be put into the hands of our condudlor, addreifed to Mr. Plenifner, Commandant of that tov/n, recommending to him not to fend us to Kamchatka. This relation convinced us that the Sieur Hoffinan had cither written fome letters to his friends at Peterfburg, Iv 2 in 68 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of in which he informed them of his projetl, or that he had made fomc notes rchitive to our affair. After many fuppofitions, wc concluded that the Governor at leaft fufpe£led our projed:, il he was not entirely convinced of it ; and that he had fent difpatches to the Governor of Ochoczk, in confequence of which, it was probable we might be lent to prifon a fecond time. In this fituation, I propofed to my companions to feize the packet and change the contents by the affiftance of Mr. Sophronow, who having been Secretary, might draw up a letter to our advantage, to be included among the other papers. My propofltion was accepted by my companions, and we immediately determined to avail ourfelves of every means of executing it. An opportunity foon after prefented itfelf. On the nth of September, as we were pafTmg the river Aldan in boats, our elks at the fame time fwimming over, the boat in which our condu6lor was placed with his difpatches was overfet by the malice of the Coffacks ; who, after having well flogged him, were de<- firous of playing another trick, to difembarrafs themfelves entirely of his company. It was a happy circumftance for him that he was a good fwimmer, and quickly reached the fhore. The readinefs with which I ran to his ailiftance, and the fufpicions he had of his Coffacks, led him to attach himfelf to me, and that more efpecially, becaufe he obfcrved that my companions treated me with Tcfpcd:, and of courfe that I might be very ufeful in de- fending him, in cafe the Coflacks fliould hereafter make, any attempts againft his fafety. This rough paffage over the river Aldan obliged our- condu<^ors to halt, in order to dry their cioaths, and I feized COUNT DE BENYOV/SKY. 69 felzed the occaxion to treat them with brandy, at the lame time that I engaged them in a gaming party. My ftratagem fucceeded fo well, that after having confumed nine pints of brandy, they every one fell afleep. During this period of infenlibility we feized the difpatches, wliich we found drawn up in fuch terms as were calcu- lated to render our captivity extremely wretched, and fhewed that we had every reafon to congratulate ourfelves on the lucky chance which offered itfelf. The letter of the commandant of Jakutzk to the commanding officer of Ochoczk was to the following efie(fl : — " The two Szottnik, Kolofow and Roftarguew, con- dud fix prifoners of ftate, fent by order of the Senate as exiles to Kamchatka, whom you are deiired to con- fine m prilon without delay, and keep them fafe until you fliall receive from me more ample informa- tion refpedling their conduc!^ and defigns, in order that you may then examine them with the utmoft ftriclnefs. My prefent knowledge refpedling them is as follows : On their arriv'al at Jakutzk I took pity oa them, and allowed them the liberty of walking about the town ; but they abufed my favour, by exciting feveral of the exiles to revolt, and one in particular among them, named Maurice Auguftovicz, has been artful enough to gain over to his interefts the furgeon Hoffman, who promifed to join with him at Kamchat- ka, to procure a fliip, that they might deliver all the exiles of Kamchatka. I was informed of this abomi- nable projed: by one of the exiles, to whom the Sieur Hofiman had fpoken in confidence before his deceafe» I have found feveral papery among his effcdls after his ^^ deadly 70 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS op *' death, which I do not underftand, becaufe written in *' the German language, but which I fend you, in hopes *' that you may be able to difcover their contents. *' Suppoling, however, that thefe wretches have no *' other defign than that of making their efcape, which, ** however, I do not conceive to be the cafe, it becomes neceffary to look ftridlly after them, and I advife you not to fend them to Kamchatka this year. I fliall tranfmit an account of this event in my firft difpatches to the Senate, and requeft their orders, which you cannot receive in lefs than a year." We examined the other papers of the Sieur Hoffman, but found nothing which tended to betray us. There was no other paper among the difpatches but the go- vernor's letter, which could have injured us, for which reafon we contented ourfelves with changing it for ano- ther, to the following tenor. " Sir, The two Szottnik, Kolofow and Roftarguew, con- dudl fix prifoners of ftate, fent into exile to Kam- chatka, by order of the Senate. After I became ac- quainted with them, I found their behaviour fuch as led me to intereft myfelf in their favour, and con- vinced me that they are all men of honour, efpeci. ]Iy the two foreigners, who are merely prifoners of war. My difpofition to affifl: the unfortunate induces me to write to you in their favour. Is it not practicable to " allow them a certain degree of liberty in your town, *' to preferve them from the fcurvy, a diforder which is " fo dangerous in your port? You will run no rilk in *^ allowing thefe unfortunate men a certain degree of " liberty, (C n vith veneration, and I was convinced, from the countenance of my auditors, that they (C C( (( (( i.i it COUNT DE BENVOWSKY. 95 they approved my proportions. In confequence thereof every one took, paper, and wrote a name according to his choice. Upon opening the papers, feven bore my name, and my paper that of Cruftiew, which determined them to nominate Mr. Cruftiew my fecond. We then proceeded to take our oaths, and I received thofe of the other members of the fociety. Such was the conclufion of my fecond day at Kam- chatka. After having fixed the meeting of the com- mittee for the I oth of the month, Mr, Cruftiew declared that he had feveral friends to propofe as members of our fociety, to which I acceded, and fixed the time of their reception on the loth. On the 6th we met, in order to proceed in a body to pay our compliments to the governor. He received us, and after having been informed that I fpoke feveral lan- guages, he appointed me mafter of languages to his fon and his three daughters, in confideration of which he difpenfed me from all public work, and ordered the fame fubfiftence to be allowed me as to the foldiers of the garrifon. After having acquainted me with this deter- mination, he called his children, and exhorted them to be diligent, and learn whatever I might teach them. After this ceremony we waited upon the chancellor, who admitted us in the fame manner. We found him playing at chefs with Koloflbw, hettman of the CoiTacks. He ordered us to wait till the game was finifhed. I ap- proached the table and examined the ftate of the game. My particular attention furprized the chancellor, who enquired if I underftood chefs ; i anfwered in the af- firmative. Soon after, finding his own game defpcrate, and, 96 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of and, in his opinion, loft, he told me he would give me iifry roubles if I could win it. The hettman protefted that he would not play with an exile, as it was contrary to the laws, but the chancellor maintained that he might legally do it, as the laws prohibited only the communi- cation with exiles ; and at laft the hettman, rather piqued at the chancellor's intimation that he was fearful of lofing the party, confented that I fhould play the game out. He had the advantage of a caftle, a knight, and two pawns. At the third move I uncovered my caftle, which ftood behind a bifhop and oppoftte to the queen, at the fame time that 1 checked the king with my bifhop. The lofs of the queen fecured the game in my favour, fo that I foon gave the check-mate. At the end of the game I found that it had been played for five hundred roubles on a fide, and I imme- diately received the fifty roubles. The hettman being vexed, was defirous of having his revenge, and the chan- cellor confented to find money for my ftake. He difmified my companions, after prefenting them with two bottles of brandy, and detained me to play at chefs. I won three fuccefiive games, which put two thoufand roubles into the chancellor's pocket, ol which, my part amounted to one hundred and fiity roubles. At dinner time I re- tired, and foon after, with great furprize, perceived the hettman clofe behind me. He called after me very civilly, and informed me that he had a projedl in his head, in which, if I would join, I fhould find it much to my ad- vantage ; but for my part I was apprehenfive that his lofs might make him my enemy, and therelorc propofed to rcftore the hundred and fiftv roubles which had been pre- COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 97 prefented to me;' at the fame time making the beft ex- cufes I could for what had happened. But my fears were foon diflipated when he difcovered his projedt ; which was, that I fhould play againft fome rich mer- chants, who had won large fums of money of him, and that if I had the good fortune to win he was certain of gaining an immenfe fum, of which the fifth part fhould be paid me on the fpot. The fituation in which I found myfelf, and the want of money to carry my enterprize into execution, made me determine to accept his propofition, and to affure him of the fortune of his rivals in this play. As foon as I had given my confent, he forgot my fituation as an exile, and prefied me to go to dinner with him. I was received by his fami-y with great refpeft ; for he prefented me in the character of an illuftrious, though unfortunate gentleman, to whom his family owed great obligations. At dinner we were furprized by feveral of the chief people of the town, but my entertainer, who, by his charge, was the third perfon in the government, knew fo well how to manage the converfation, that he perfedly cftablifhed that degree of confideration, which he was defirous I fhould pofiefs. At my departure he caufed me to be iupplied with provifions, namely_, butter, fait meat, rice, and brandy lufficient, at leaft, to entertain my company five days. When I arrived at home I afiembled my companions, and related to them every thing that had happened. At the fight of my provifions and the hundred and fifty roubles, they thought they beheld providence in perfon ; their hopes were ftill more highly elevated, when I informed Vol. I. 6 tliem ^8 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of them of the plot in which I had engaged with the hett- man, againll: the merchants. Our evening thus pafled with great chearfulnefs, and many were the caftles we built in the air. As foon as the company was gone, I employed myfelf in writing out copies in the Latin, French, and German languages, for my fcholars ; and afterwards, enlivened by hope, I retired to reft, and enjoyed the moft refrefhing fleep. CHAP. VI. THE COUNT ENTERS UPON HIS OFFICE AS LANGUAGE-MASTER. THE GOVERNOR PRESENTS HIM WITH A FEMALE SLAVE, AND A SLEDGE DRAWN BY DOGS. A PROPOSAL MADE TO HTM BY SOME OF THE CHIEF GENTLEMEN OF THE TOWN TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL. A PARTY AT CHESS. AN EVENING'S ENTERTAINMENT. PARTIALITY OF MISS APHANASIA NILOW, THE GOVERNOR'S YOUNGEST DAUGH- TER, FOR THE COUNT. MADAME NILOW APPROVES HER ATTACH- MENT. /^N the yth, my late riling obliged me to haften to ^^ the governor's, where I found the younger part of the family afiembled in the hall. I gave them the copies, and caufed them to fpell the words. The youngefl: of the three daughters, whofe name was Apha- naiia, who was Hxteen years of age, propofcd many queftions concerning my thoughts in my prefent litu- ation- Her queftions convinced me that her father had given them fomc information concerning my birth and misfortunes. COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 99 inistortunes. I therefore gav^e them an account of my ad- ventures, at which my fcholars appeared to be highly affeded, but the youngefh wept very much. She was a beautiful girl, and her fenlibility created much emotion in my mind ; — -but, alas, I was an exile. The governor afterwards came in and attended to my inftruclions. He appeared exceedingly well fatisfied with my method, and informed me that he intended to prefcut me with a Kamchatka female flave, a fledge, and two dogs. 1 thanked him for this favour, but obferved, that as an exile I could not poffefs any property, and that I was refolved to endure my fate with patience. He periifted, however, in his refolution, and obferved that the fenate would not be difpleafed at his kindnefs for me, after having received an account of the effential fervice I had done the ftate, by preferving the veflel, with the lives and fortunes of the fubjedls of the Emprefs. The goodnefs of his dif- pofition afFedled me greatly, and I thanked him with the utmoft iincerity ; after which I took my leave. But he detained me a fhort time, and ordered a fledge to be har- neffed, which he put into my hands, with a condudlor, whom he ordered to obey me. When I arrived with this new equipage, my com- panions cried out that miracles were revived ; and more efpecially, when I informed them of all that the go- vernor had faid, they verily believed themfelves delivered from the yoke ot flavery under my protccflion. But Mr. Panow furprized the affembly by obferving, that they had no fuch reafon to rejoice, for the governor's benevolence would flacken my zeal, and that afterwards, at the firft change of a governor, we fliould remain ex- O 2 pofed roo MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of poft'd to the mercy of the barbarians. He was going on with his difcourfe, when I judged it proper to interrupt him by renewing my oath, with every airurance of my being devoted to the good of the fociety. After dinner I received a vifit from the hettman, who was accompanied by MeflVs. Cafarinow and Rofcurakow, two principal merchants. After the firft civilities they pre- pofed to me to eftablifb a fchool for the languages, arith- metic, and geography ; and, to enable me to undertake this, they made an offer of putting together an entire houfe, newly built, at any place where I might choofe to eftablifh a public fchool. I accepted their offers, on condition that they fhould perfuade the governor to fend his children to this fchool : becaufe, as I was obliged to repair every day to the governor's, I fliould not otherwife have it in my power to fuperintend the public fchool. We concluded our arrangement with the condition, that I fhould receive five roubles per month for each child ; that they fhould pay me befides half a rouble for wood and lights ; and laftly that they fhould contribute together to furnifli my houfe with moveables and a ftock of pro- vifions, together with a fervant to drefs my vi6luals. The more I refleded on the favourable change of my lltuation, the more my hope increafed that I fhould be able in fafety to execute the plan I had formed for my deliver- ance. For the diftrcfling image of a wifewhom I loved, and who in my abfence, in all probability, had given birth to an infant, prefented itfelf conflantly to my mind, and permitted me to receive no perfet^l fatisfadion. Abforbed in thefe reflections, I paid little attention to the conver- fation between my companions and our guefts j but the hettman COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. loi hettman roufed me out of my reverie, by requefling mc to come and dine with him and play a few games at chefs. He informed me, that he had propofed this party to Mr. Cafarinow, then prefent, who would take no denial, and that each game fhould be for three hundred roubles, of which he would ftake on my jQde one hundred and twenty, and the chancellor the fame fum, and that, if I won, the fixty roubles of each game would belong to me; but that, in cafe 1 loft, they would bear my lofs. Mr. Cafarinow confented to the engagement, on condition that fifty games fhould to be played ; and that he might be permitted to make an afTociation, any one of whom fhould be at liberty to play againft me, as in like manner it iLould be permitted either for the chancellor or the hettman to play in my ftead. The hettman replied, that he could not ftipulate but for himfelf : it was there- fore determined to wait on the chancellor, to whom we accordingly went. This gentleman performed his part very dexteroufly, by making fome difficulties at firft, though at laft he confented, and the articles were written down and figned, w^th the additional ftipulation, that ready money fhould be paid down at the end of each game. The agreement w^.s ratified by an evening's entertain- ment, at which fifty perfons were prefent ; and the governor himfelf, with his family, came in. On his arrival the mufic v/as fent for, and dances began. As for myfclf, I v/as a friendly fpc6lator of the whole ; and, being now upon terms ol great familiarity with every one, I requefted the chancellor to fend a few bottles to my companions. He invited them all, appointing a chamber for their ufe, where they could fee every thing that pafied without 102 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of without coinirmnicating with the aflembly contrary to the laws. During the whole entertainment, my fcholar Apha- nafia never quitted me but to join in the dance, which fhe did very gracetully ; her mother came up tons once, and whifpered to me, I think your fcholar will become your friend ; have an eye over her : I am a kind mother. — She fpoke to me in very good German ; and as it was the firft time I had converfed with her I felt fome embarrafTment, but foon recolleding myfelf, 1 afiured her of my rcfpe6t and inviolable attachment. The governor, obferving me in converfation with the mother and the daughter, like- wife came up to us, and afked the fubje<5t of our con- verfation ; but Madame de Nilow prevented my anfwering, by faying, that Hie was enquiring whether I could not teach her daughter mulic. This mezzotermino delivered me from all apprehenfion, and a fhort time afterwards the governor and his lady retired. Mifs Nilow returned to me, and informed me that her father had confented to the eftablifhment of a public fchool, and that confequently file, with her {ifters and brothers, fhould often have the pleafure of vifiting her mafter. It is impofTible to defcribe the amiable and graceful manner of this charming girl. Two hours after midnight I attended my fcholar, with her fifters, to the governor's houfc, and afterwards returned home. CHAP, COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 103 CHAP. VII. A BUILDING ERECTED FOR A SCHOOL. CONVERSATION WITH MADAME NILOW. PROFITS ARISING FROM THE COUNT'S SKILL AT CHESS. MISS APHANASIA CONVERSES WITH THE COUNT. THE SOCIETY OF EXILES REINFORCED. HUNTING OF THE BEAR. ON the 8th my friend Cruftlew came to me at day- break, to enquire what iituation I had chofen for the new edifice, and on going out of my hut I found ahnoft all the pieces of wood for the building ready. As foon as I had marked out the fituation the workmen began to put them together. After breakfaft I repaired to the governor's houfe to give the ufual leiTons to my fcholars, whom I found ready, with the alphabet in their hands. When they had faid their fpelling leffons, they requefted me to write fome German and French words in the Ruffian characters. It fortunately happened that I was provided with a grammar of the Ruilian, German, and French languages, which I had found among the books of my friend. I put this into their hands, with fome inftrudiions for the ufe of it. As foon as the IcfTons were ended, I was afked a thoufand queftions concerning my country, its manners, cufloms, &cc. When I was preparing to depart, the governor's lady arrived, and after difmifling her children, made me fit down befide her. She informed me, that fhe was the daughter of a SwedifL colonel, exiljd into Siberia ; that her mother had changed her religion, and that fhe had married Mr. Nilow, at that time lieutenant-colonel, a wortliy 104 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of worthy man, but greatly addided to drinking, the excefs of which rendered him brutal and iiifupportable ; that fhe enjoyed no pieafurc excepting that of feeing her family grow up around her, though at the prefent inftant, after having fuffered the mortification of feeing her two eldeft daughters married to two officers who were addicted to gluttony and drinking in the moft difgufting excels, fhe could not but lament the fate of the youngeft, who was intended by her hither to be married to a certain kuzma, one of the moft difagreeable perfons in the univeffe. She therefore intreated me to endeavour to gain the con- fidence of the governor, and to ufe my utmofc exertions to change this refolution. My reply to this good mother was, that I would do my bcft, and that at all times fhe fliould find me obedient to her commands. Soon after I took my leave, and returned home, where I found an invitation from Mr. Hettman to form a party at chefs. In the mean time we dined, and after dinner Mr. Cruf- tiew prefented to me the candidates for reception into our fociety. About four o'clock a woman carne to take my meafure for fhirts and clothes, according to the cuftom oi this country, where the women perform the taylor's bufinefs. At feveii o'clock I waited on the chancellor, where I found five merchants. We played five games at chefs, four of which I won, and after receiving one hundred and eighty roubles, 1 took my leave. On the 9th a merchant, named Cfulofnikow, heariitg that I polfefied feme money, propofcd to me to play a couple of games with him, but declared that he v/ould not play for lefs than two hundred roubles a game. I accepted his propofal, only deferring it till afternoon, bccaufe COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 105 becaufe I was obliged to attend my fcliolars at the gover- nor's houfe. When I entered the hall I was furprized to find Mifs Aphanafia abfent, and ftill more to hear that fhe was ill in bed, but being defirous of taking her leflbn, (he had afked leave for me to come to her, which her mother had granted. I was accordingly introduced into her chamber, where this amiable girl difclofed the fentiments of her heart with fuch opennefs and fimplicity, that the Ruffian language at that moment appeared to me the moft mufical in the univerfe. Our converfation was inter- rupted by the appearance of Madame Nilow. I therefore took my leave, and on my arrival at home I found Mr. Cfulofnikow, who loft three games at chefs. The reft of the day was employed in fettling the order for the reception of the candidates to be prefented by Mr. Cruf- tiew. We agreed that the council of eight fhould alone be entrufted with the fecrets, and that fuch other perfons as might in future be admitted fhould be informed only of ftich particulars as the council might judge neceftary to commimicate to them to fecure their con- fidence. At this meeting, therefore, the form of the oath was drawn up, and we employed the reft of the evening in preparing an entertainment. On the loth, at day-break, Mr. Cruftiew went in fearch of his candidates, and at nine in the morning returned with them. Their names were as follow ; Demetrius Kuzneczow, a free Ruffian merchant. Aphanaft Kumin, Captain of the ColTacks, free. Andrew Gurcinin, Chamberlain of the Emprefs Eli- zabeth, an exile. John Sibaew, Captain of the Hunters, free. Vol. I. P Alexis io6 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of Alexis Protopop, Archdeacon of the Chiirch, free, Lcvonti Popovv, Captain of the Hunters, free. John Cfiirin, brother to the captain ot a merchant fliip, free. Magnus Meder, of the Admiralty, exiled twenty years. John Wolkow, a free hunter. Cafiimir Bielfki, a Polifli ftaroft, exiled fifteen years before. Gregory Lobczow, Colonel of Infantry, an exile. Heraclius Prince Zadfkoy, exiled eighteen years before. Julian Brandorp, a Swede, exiled fix years before. Nicholas Srebernikow, Captain of a regiment of Guards, an exile. Andrew Biatzinin, an exile. At eleven in the morning the candidates were intro- duced to the committee, and the oaths and engagements were read to them. They immediately took the oath, and figned their engagements ; but in order to confirm their fand;ion we determined that all thofe who were of the Ruflian religion fhould go to confefiion, and take the facrament to corroborate their oaths. In confequence of this order Mr. Cruftiew attended them to the church, where their confeflions were received, and the lacrament was adminiftered to them by the Protopop. After their return we celebrated our little feaft, and the governor with his family, the chancellor, and the hettman, with feveral other principal perfons of the town, came to us in the evening, and honoured our aflcmbly with a vifit, which fixed the epoch of the independence of the exiles : For the governor, being extremely drunk, fwore, that he acknowledged COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 107 acknowledged me as chief of the exiles, and com- manded the chancellor to regifter an ad in the chan- cery, to authenticate this nomination ; at the fame time promising to write a reprefentation in my favour to go- vernment, in order that I might be employed in the fervice of the ftate : The chancellor and the hettman fupported the intentions of the governor, and had the fatisfaftion to win near feven thoufand roubles from the merchants, at chefs, who by this means paid the charges of our entertainment. On the I ith we determined to go in chace of the bear, and obtained permifTion from the governor of four days abfence. On this day I received a confiderable prefent in linen and fome peices of plate from Mr. Nilow. 0« the I 2th we departed, to the number of fixteen, well ar- med, with eight fledges, and went down the river which was frozen. At the diftance of twenty-eight verftes we flopped at the dwelling of the tajou or chief of Cfekawka : he gave us an account of the feveral vifits he had re- ceived from the bears in his neigbourhood, and entertained us and our dogs with a dinner ; after which he conduced us to a brook which fell into the river of Kamchatka. But the inflant that he perceived three bears at play on the banks of this rivulet, he earneftly entreated us to re- tire, affuring us that thefe creatures would be the death of us. After delivering this advice, he decamped, and we approached our enemies 'till within the diftance of mufqutt fhot, when we difcharged our fire-arms, and wounded rhcm. Enraged with their wounds, they came forward to attack us with the utmoft fury. It was a fortunate circumftance that my companions were P 3 accuflomed io8 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of accuftomed to this chace. They met the bears, and, after a long combat, flew the whole three ; for none of them chofe to quit the field of battle. The following circumftances are proper to be taken notice of refpeding this manner of hunting. At fight of a bear one of the hunters advances to begin the attack, which he does by prefenting his left arm to the animal, having previoufly fecured himfelf by thick pieces of wood,, faftened lengthways upon the arm, in order that the bear may not break it at the firfi: gripe. The moment the animal feizcs the arm the hunter fir ikes him with a lance within the left fhoulder. After this ftroke the other hunters continually run their lances into the body of the animal, who often breaks the weapons, and, if the firfl: flroke be not effedlual, throws down his opponent and ftrangles, or at leaft maims him. After having fiain thefe three bears we laid them on our ficdges and returned towards Cfekawka. At the half diftance we met the tajou with twenty natives of Kam- chatka, armed with lances and bows. They acquainted us that they came to aflift us ; but when they faw the dead bears they fung our praife, and conduced us back in triumph. The firft care of the Kamchatka men was to fkin the bears, for which they gave us twenty-fix martins fkins, and eight foxes fkins for the ilefh. This bargain was very agreeable to us, and we refolved to fally- forth by moon-light to make another prize. We fuc-^ ceeded very well in this attempt likewife, for we flew five others, but Sibaew was wounded. Among thefc bears there was one of prodigious fize, and as white as fnov/. We fct apart his fkin as a prefent for tlue governor i COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. ic^ governor ; and propofed to apply the four others to our own ufe as mattraffes. We therefore laid them on our fledges, and returned towards our habitations, where we ikinned them, and faked the flefh ; after which we carried our prefent to the governor, who was highly pleafed with it» CHAP. VIII. PUBLIC SCHOOL OPENED. THE SOCIETY OF EXILES MEET ON BUSINESS RELATIVE TO THEIR ESCAPE BY SEA. CHESS. THE COUNT COMPOSES CHARTS OF THE COASTS AND ISLANDS AD- JOINING TO KAMCHATKA. DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCE OF THQ AFFAIR LAS^ DEBATED IN THE SOCIETY OF EXILES. AVERTED BY THE COUNT, W^O NARROWLY ESCAPES ASSASSINATION. HiS ENEMY PUNISHED. ON the 14th, the fchool-room being ready, I received my fcholars, and made choice of Mefl*. Cruftiew and Panow as my afliftants. At four in the afternoon the governor's children appeared. The number of my fcholars amounted to twenty-three, among which were three merchants, who came to learn arithmetic. On the 1 6th Sibaew requefted me to call a meeting, in order to communicate a difcovery relative to our enter- prize. I appointed that very night at eleven o'clock. When ths com.mittee was affemblcd, 1 demanded of him the communication he had to make, which was as follows. In 110 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of * In the coiirfe of the preceding month of Auguft, Cfur lofriikow faildB from Ochoczk with a veflel of one I\un- dred and fifty tons, armed, and bound to the Aleuthes iflands, to catch beavers. His crew confifted of twenty- eight hunters, who had never been at fea before, and thefe being overtaken by a violent tempeft, had run the veffel afhore. Cfulofnikow in this jund:ure had forced the people to work without intermiflion to get the veflel off the ground ; and upon their refufal to perfevere, had obtained military afliftancc from the governor to compel them. In confequcnce of which treatment they had unanimoufly determined, firft to get the veffel off, and afterwards to n:iake their efcape with her out of flavery. Mr. Sibaew having been confulted by them on this affair, took advantage of their difpofition to infinuate that they had no chance of fucceeding in their attempt unlefs they could engage me to take the command, which they immediately refolved to do, and entreated him to inform me of their determination. He therefore thought it in- cumbent on him to acquaint the committee, that they might determine what was propereft to be done in thefe circumflances, which in his own opinion he thought very advantageous to our intcrefls ; as by increafing our number we might put ourfelves in a fituation to employ open force in feizing a vcffel, and making our efcape with our arms in our hands, in cafe we could not fucceed by ftratagcm. This propofitlon appeared very interefting to us. The opinion of every perfon prefent was therefore taken, and the focicty was at laft induced to adopt mine, which was as follows : That COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. m That Sibaew jQiould return for anfwer to them, that I was greatly affefted with the fuiTerings they endured, but that having already been betrayed, once before, in my en-- deavours to aiTift the unfortunate, I could not trvift to their propofals. For it would be fufEcient if out of twenty-eight there fhould be one apoftate who might betray me ; and as the enterprize was of the nature of a revolt, they would be punifhed by being condemned for life to the mines. I recommended that no other anfwer fhould be made them on my part but this ; but I engaged Sibaew to encourage them in their difpofltion to quit Kamchatka, and perfuade them to ufe every means of gaining my confidence, while I referved to myfelf the conduct and management of their plot when it ihould be brought nearer to an ifTue. On the I yth in the morning Sibaew arrived with two of the principal perfons of the crew of Mr. Clulofni- kow, the one named Lapin, who was mafler, and the other Parenciin, who was carpenter. They both threw themfelves at my feet as foon as they entered, and con- jured me not to abandon them in their enterprize. They obferved, that their refolution ought to be agreeable to me, as I fhould thereby fecure my liberty ; and they offered to engage themfelves by oath to be faithful and obedient to me in all my commands, and to follow me to the end of the world. I continued to urge difHculties until they had aflured me that they would engage themfelves by the mofi: facred oath, and take the holy communion to corroborate every engagement into which I might think proper to require them to enter. This refolution determined me to give them foms 112 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of fome hopes that I would accept the charge, provide 1 they engaged their companions to follow my fortunes under the fame oath. For whu:h purpofe 1 told them, that as foon as they were all agreed, they might come lO me, in order to execute their oath of union. After their departure, I aflembled my companions, r.nd communicated to them the agreement I had made with. the chiefs of Cfulofnikow's people. The fteps I Ijad taken were approved, and the company finding them- felves reinforced by twenty-eight flrong, robuft and deter-, mined men, no longer doubted of fucccfs. We agreed: from that day forward to bufy ourfclves in making car- tridges, and preparing our arms. Each of us was dirc6lcd to provide a mufquet, a pair of piftols, a flibre, a lance, and fixty cartridges. On the 1 8 th I pafled the day with the chancellor in playing at chefs, and I won feven games. On my re- turn I found Mr. Norin, lieutenant of the garrifon, who afked me to lend him five hundred roubles, which he wanted to fit himfelf out, as he was nominated comman- der at Nifnioftrogg. I promifcd to comply with his re- queft, on condition that he gave me his word of honour to behave with humanity towards the unfortunate exiles dwelling within the limits of his jurifdidion. He ac- companied me home, where I put the five hundred roubles into his hand, and received in return his pro- teftations of friendfliip and gratitude. My companions were much concerned at my liberality ; but vvhen I affured them that I had near five thoufand roubles in my box, they found themfelvcs more at eafc in that rciped:. On COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 113 On the 19th the chancellor defired me to compofe a reduced chart of the Kurilles and Aleuthes iflands, together with the coafts of Kamchatka, and Ochoczk ; and, in order that I might obtain the neceflary information, he gave me permiiHon to take out of the archives w^hatever pieces I might find relative to the fubjedt. As this bulinefs tended to divert my wearifome fituation, and, at the fame time, to fupply me with the knowledge which was requifite to the execution of my projed:, I undertook it very willingly ; and on that very day I received out of the Chancery fcveral journals and relations of fea voyages, made either by the officers in the Imperial Ruffian fervice, or by individuals. At the firft perufal, however, I was convinced that I couid advance nothing with certainty, except fuch articles as I found in the journals of Span- berg, Bering and Tffiikow, On the 20th Madame de Nilow preffied me much to teach her daughter mufic. Unfortunately, however, my whole knowledge of this art confifted in playing the harp, an inftrument which it would have been a miracle to have found in Kamchatka. Neverthelefs, to pleafe this lady, I promifed to make one ; though I had never handled any cabinet-makers tools. On my return home I confulted with my friends, concerning the ac- compliffiment of my promife ; and, after I had made a model, Mr. Panow undertook to affiift me in the con- ftrudion of the inftrument ; Mr. Cruftiew engaged to make the firings with the entrails of dogs and rein deer, and Mr. Stephanow promifed to make all the iron fcrews. Vol. I. Q^ On 114- MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of On the 2ifl:, Mr. Cfulofnikow, the merchant, came to me, and reproached me with having excited his crew to mutiny, and threatened that, if I did not point out the ringleaders to him, he would directly go and com- plain to the governor, and demand an order for my im- prifonment. The direct and alTured manner in which this man made his attack, led mc to fear fomc treachery on the part of his people ; but, as it was necefl'ary to avoid every appearance of confufion, I replied, that he muft be out of his fcnfes to accufe mc with fo ftupid an undertaking. I admitted that his people had applied to me for an engagement to build my houfe, and that I had made a bargain with them, which, however, I would willingly cancel, if the governor judged it inconvenient. I aflured him that I entered into this explanation, not with a view to juftify myfelf to him, whom I defpifed too ■much to think of making any reply to his accufations ; but that I did it to make him bluili at his want of hu- manity. I moreover affured him, that I fhould lofe no time in waiting on the governor, and making him ac- quainted with the execrable treatment with v/hich he purfued his people, who> though unable to fubfill: with- out working, were deprived even of that refource, as far as his power could go ; and that, as to myfelf, I fliould foon find an opportunity to punifli him for his infolence, in having dared to attribute fuch proceedings to me. During our converfation, feveral of my companions came up ; and when informed of the fubjeA of our dif- courfe, they attributed his proceeding to a defire of avenging himfelf for the lofs of a fum of money againft me COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 115 me at chefs. The conteft foon became warm, and ter- minated in a fhower of blows, which fell to his fhare. To prevent the bad confequences of this adventure, I immediately waited upon the governor, and informed him of the accufation of Cfulofnikow, not forget- ting to mention the infolence of his behaviour. The governor, irritated by the rcnrefentations of his lady and the reft of his family,, fent a ferjeant in fearch of Cfulofnikow, and the moment he appeared, without fuf- fering him to fpeak, he declared to him, that if he ever infulted me in future, he would fend him to prifon, and profecute him for having loft the vefTel entrufted to his care ; and that fmce he had information that the veffel could not be got off, he would difcharge his crew from their contrad, and give them full liberty to enter on board of any other veffel. The governor accordingly fent his officer to the chancellor, in order that his commands might be carried into execution ; and poor Cfulofnikow found himfelf obliged to fubmit without fpeaking a word. I thanked the governor, and returned homewards, but had fcarcely proceeded one third of the way be- fore I was attacked by Cfulofnikow and his coufin, with two ftout bludgeons and drawn knives. I had no other arms than a ftick, and was at a diftance from every place of affiftance. Hov/ever I fet myfelf in a ftate of defence with my back againft a ftore houfe, and in this Htuation I received many ftrokes on the arm. One of my blows was fo lucky as to fall on the head of Cfulofni- kow' s companion, and extended him upon the earth ; upon which, having only one to deal with, 1 attacked my man with fury, broke my ftaff, and then flew upon 0^2 him ii6 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of him with my fifts. At the firft onfet I had the good fortune to ftrike him fuch a vie lent blow that he vo- mited blood, and begged his life, which I granted, at the fame time that I reproached him with his treachery. I promifcd, however, not to fpeak of this adventure to the governor. After I had left him and was proceeding on my way, I met Sibaew, v/ho feeing mc all bloody, With fevcral contufions on my head, enquired what had happened, and upon being informed, he ran to the governor's houfe to carry the news. The governor immediately fent a detachment to feize Cfulofnikow and his coulin, the latter of whom died that afternoon, by the fradlure of his fkull. Cfulofnikow was condemned to fix months public labour, and his whole property confifcated to the ufe of the ftate and the church. For my part it was with great difficulty that I reached home, and notwith- ftanding every care, I was obliged to keep my bed ten days, during which time I received continual vifits from the chiefs of the country, and efpecially the family of the governor, which appeared to be highly interefted in my welfare. CHAP. COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 117 C H A P. IX. THE EXILES NARROWLY ESCAPE POISONING, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. DISCOVERY OF THE AUTHOR, WHO DISCLOSES THEIR PROJECT, AS COMMUNICATED TO HIM BY ONE OF THEIR NUMBER. THE EXILES MEET. AND PUT THE TRAITOR TO DEATH IN THE NIGHT. FARTHER ENQUIRIES MADE BY GOVERNMENT, WHICH ARE REN- DERED ABORTIVE BY AN ACCIDENTAL CIRCUMSTANCE, ON the I ft of January, 1771, we paid our refpe(^s ta the governor and other principal perfons, and after- wards aflembled, in order to make a kind of entertain- ment. We had received from feveral merchants, prefents of tea and fugar, with v^hich we regaled ourfelves. But this pleafure coft us dear; for in a quarter of an hour after we were feized with violent cholics and vomiting. Mr. Panow was the firft who affured us that we were poifoned, for he affirmed that he had obferved many of the pieces of fugar tafted fait. In confequence of this fuppofition, each of us drank a large quantity of whale oil. It is impoffible to defcribe our fufferings ; fome were af- fedled more than others, and as to myfelf, who had only taken one cup of tea, I found, after I had taken the oil, that my pains difappeared with only a trembling in all my limbs. But my utmoft exertions were required to attend my other companions, conlifting of fourteen perfons, many of whom vomited blood. During this crifis, feveral of our companions came to fee us, who, when they found what had happened, made hafte to bring a quantity of the rein deer's milk, which iiS MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of which at laft mitigated our pains, and caufed them to go off with a trembling of the limbs, excepting Mr. Cfurin, who died in the night, and Mr. Panow, who continued fcarccly alive. As foon as we had recovered our forces and began to rcflccl upon this event, we examined the fugar. 1 gave a piece to a cat, and another piece to a dog, wrapped up in part of a fifli. Both thefe animals were flrongly convulfed, and burft in the fpace of half an hour. This experiment convinced us that Mr. Cafarinow, a merchant, had poifoncd the fugar ; but as it was of im- portance to fearch this affair to the bottom, we deter- anined to keep the fecret, for which rcafon we caufed the Protopop to attend the burial of Mr. Cfurin, and Mr. .Panov/, finding himfelf better, was conveyed to his hut. ■r: On the 2d, about noon, I waited on the governor, with •the intention of giving him an account of our accident ; and, as a proof, I carried with me the fugar loaf. The governor was not inclined to give credit to my decla- ration, for which reafon I oftered to convince him by fending for Mr. Cafarinow, and proposing to him to drink tea, at the fame time that notice might be incidentally taken, that I had prefented the governor with a loaf of fugar. For I obferved that the behaviour of Cafarinow ,on this occafion, could not fail, either to clear up his in- nocence, or indicate his guilt. Madame Nilow approved my propofal, and the governor confented to follow my advice, on condition that I fhould be a witnefs to what might happen, from a neighbouring chamber. The governor accordingly fent for the chancellor, the hettman, and Cafiirinow, with tv/o other merchants. The moment I f.uv them arrive, I retired into the next room. COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 119 rcom, where I could hesr every thing that paflcd. The chancellor and the hettman arrived lirft, and were in- formed of the bufinefs for which they had been requefted to come. They concluded that Cafarinow had executed this aft of revenue ag-ainft me on account of his havine loil: a large fum of money at chefs, and declared that they did not doubt the truth of my relation. They at the fame time obferved, that if the fadl Ihould be eftablifhed againft Cafarinow, it would be abfolutely neceffary to punifli him with the utmoft rigour of the law, by con- demning him to labour in the mines, after conhfcation of his whole fortune. Cafarinow at laft arrived with the two other mer- chants : the governor received them politely, and entered into difcourfe concerning the fitting out of fome {hip- ping for the iflands Aleuthes, to catch beavers. In the midft ol their dialogue, the governor propofed tea, which was accepted by the whole company, and he continued his difcourfe with Cafarinow, by afking if he was not in the habit of taking tea fev^eral times in the courfe of the day, to which he anfwered in the affirm.ative. In the mean time the table v/as fet out, and the governor, lookino; at the fugar-loaf upon the table, expreffed his fur- prize at the generofity of the exiles who arrived laft, and obferved that he had received as a nev/-year's gift from me, two lugar loaves, part of which he had now the pleafure of Oifering to the company. At thefe words Cafarinov/ turned pale, and upon the governor's enquiry whether he was ill, he replied he was, and begged leave to retire. The chancellor replied, that his ilinefs would go off after a couple ot dilhes of tea. He continued, however, to make I20 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of make his exciifes, but at lail the cup of tea being poured out was prcfented to him, and the governor infifted on his drinking it. At this crifts the unhappy wretch no longer doubted but that he was difcovered, and, throwing himfelf at the feet of the governor, declared, that he had poifoned the fugar, with the intention of delivering fociety from fuch a monfter as myfelf. He affured the governor that he would himfelf be convinced of this after hearing the depofition of a pcrfon of the name of Piat- finin, who had difcovered to him a plot, which I had formed, to arm all the exiles, and to feize veffels in order to cfcape from Kamchatka. The governor was too much enraged at the attempt of Cafarinow to pay any attention to his words ; but committed him to prifon, giving orders to the chancellor to proceed to the confifcation of his property, and to regifter the fentence againft him from his own confeflion, of an attempt to poifon. After having feen this wretched man dragged to jail, and the governor's dinner time being near, I retired. Immcdiatclv on my arrival I affembled the council, and afterwards all thofe who had entered into the oath of confederacy. I declared to them the treafon of Piat- fmin, who was then prefent, and the meeting fentenced him to die, but granted him three hours to prepare him- felf for death : the Protopop attended him, and in the evening he was led out and put to death during ■ the night, by fhooting him through the head. In confcquence of the depofition of Cafarinow, the chancellor caufed a coffack, of the name of Piatlinin, to come before him, and queftioned him concerning the fa6t. This poor wretch was at a lofs what to anfwer, but abfo- lutely COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 121 lutely denied ever having fpoken to Cafarinow, and the chancellor did not give himfelf the trouble to confront them, but contented himfelf with inferting in the fentence a declaration of falfliood againft the depofition of Cafa- rinow. CHAP. X. THE COUNT CONSTRUCTS A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT FOR HIS SCHOLAR MISS APHANASIA. MEMBERS PROPOSED TO THE SOCIETY OF EXILES. PLAN OF OPERATION SETTLED. THE GOVERNOR PRO- POSES A JOURNEY. LARGE SUMS OF MONEY WON AT CHESS, AND PART PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR'S FAMILY. MISS APHANASIA DECLARES HER AFFECTION FOR THE COUNT IN THE PRESENCE OF HER FATHER, WHO IS EXCEEDINGLY IRRITATED, BUT IS PACIFIED BY HIS COLLEAGUES IN OFFICE. THE GOVERNOR MAKES THE NECESSARY DISPOSITIONS TO REVERSE THE SENTENCE OF EXILE , UNDER WHICH THE COUNT WAS BANISHED. ON the 3d we were informed of all that had happened at the governor's as well as at the chancery, and it was with the greateft fatisfadion that we refleded on our narrow efcape from the confequences of treachery and poifon. Several of us, however, were afflicled with fe- vere fits of illnefs afterwards. On this day my muHcal inftrument being iinidied, and the ftrings mounted, I carried it to Madame Nilow, and played a few airs upon it before her, and though the found or the inftrument was far from being lively, the melody was thought inchant- VoL. I. R ing 122 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of ting by the governor and all his family. From that day forward their yoimgeft daughter Aphanafia was infepa- rable from her inftrument. On the 4th Mr. Stephanow informed us, that he had difcovered that Bocfarow, Ifmailow, and Lapin, three young pcrfons apprenticed to the fea, had refolved, together with five or fix hunters, to feizc a vefiTel, and efcape to the Aleuthes ifiands, to cftablifli themfelves there. He obferved, that fince the propofal firfl: came from them he could depend on their fidelity; but as the treachery of Piatfinin had made a ftrong imprefilon on the minds of my companions, I contented myfelf with propofing that Mr. Stephanow fhould form a connexion with them, and encourage them in their refolution till we fiiould have de- cided refpedling their admiflion ; but that we fhould poft- pone our decifion to the time of the execution of our pro- jed:. My opinion was agreed to, and Mr. Stephanow was intruded with the management of this afi-air. On the 5 th a committee was held, to confult on the means of carrying our projedl into execution. It was here determined, that, in order to prevent all fufpicion in future, the greater part of our companions fhould quit the town of Bolfha, and fettle at Nifney-oftrog during the winter, under pretence of following the chace : But that in the courfe of the month of March, or at fartheft by the 15th of April, they fliould rejoin me, in order that as the harbour began at that time to be cleared of ice, and the fhipping would be fitting out, we fhould embrace the carlieft opportunity of feizing the firfl: veffel we fhould be ready, in which we would embark, and leave Kam- chatka. In confcquence of this refolution it was deter- mined COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. i2t ^ mined that Meflrs. Criiftiew and Stcphanow fhould under- take to make fure of part of the crew of the hrft veiTel which might be fitting out, with a view to facilitate the execution of our projedl ; while I fhould attach myfelf to the governor, the chancellor, and the hettman, for the pur- pofe of fruftrating the effedl of the infinuations of the mer- chants, who, from the treachery of Piatfinin, and feveral other circumftances, had been confirmed in their fufpicions. On the fame day I requeued the governor's permifTion of abfence for my companions, that they might hunt near Nifney Novogrod, which I obtained. On the 6th they departed, after I had given them two hundred roubles to facilitate their eftablifhment, together with a letter of recommendation for Mr. Norin, commanding ofiicer at Nifney-oftrog. On the 7th the governor propofed to me to accompany him on a journey he intended to make in the courfe ot the month, together with his family. I complied with his orders, and promifed to be ready, but the chancellor and the hettman, who came in foon after, reproached me for abandoning their parties. The governor, how- ever, afiured them that he fliould not be abfent longer than feven or eight days ; in confequcnce of which they determined to make the fame journey, on condition that we took a chefs board with us. The governor was curious to know the fum they had won at that game fince I had borne a part ; and, upon making a calculation, it appeared that it amounted to forty-two thouland roubles, in money and liirs. The chancellor, to fliew his attachment to the governor, afferted, that he had agreed with mc to fet a fide one-tenth part of the R 2 profits •124 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of profits as a prefent to the governor's family, which he called me, as well as the hettman, to witiiefs. The governor was highly pleafed with this declara- tion, and immediately caufed his daughters to be called, and communicated to them the news of their good fortune ; obferving, that they were indebted to me, in the firft place, for this advantage, and next, to the friendfhip of the chancellor and the hettman. I perceived that Mr. Hettman was offended at the ftep the chancellor had taken, for which reafon I called him afide, and repre- fented to him that this adt of generofit)', as well as all the good confequences which might arife from it, would be Ihared by him, as well as us ; and that there ftill remained a vafl: field for us to extend our advantages. This affurance fet his covetous heart fomewhat more at eafe. The governor's family expreffed their acknowledgements to us ; but Mifs Aphanafia added, that fhe hoped, from the goodnefs of Mr. Chancellor and Mr. Hettman, that tliey would interefl: themfelves in my favour, and obtain the abo- lition of the fentence of my exile, and the neceffary grace, in order that I might be employed in fome charge under government, that her fincere defire of feeing me happy, and of partaking in my happinefs, might be accomplillied. At thefe words the governor flew into a rage, and loaded me with invedives, but the chancellor and hettman remonftrated ftrongly againft the injuftice of blaming me for the fentiments of his daughter. They obferved it was not impoflible but that I might in future poifefs a charge under government, and in that cafe the gover- nor could not do better to infure the happinefs of his family. COUNT DE BENYOV/SKY. 125 .family. Their arguments at length had fome effedl on ■the governor, who became calm, and addrefled them in thefe words : Gentlemen, you are witnefs to the declaration juft now made by my daughter, of which I fliould be much afhamed ; but, iince you find it excufable, I pardon her, and undertake to employ my credit in mitigating the fcntcnce of exile againft Beny- owfky. I therefore requefl that you will fign an ad: which I fliall propofe to you, which, according to the laws oi the Czar Peter, difcharges every exile from his fentence. This law enacts, that every exile who fhall have difcovered a plot form.ed againfl: government, or the chiefs, fliall be difcharged from the rigour of his fentence. The exile before you has a right to this abfolution ; for he has revealed to us the attempt of Cafarinow to poifon us. Without his declaration neither you nor myielf would now have been alive. You cannot therefore difpenfe with figning this act of abfolution, which we will fub- mit to the fenate, with our letters of recommendation, for the fake of the form only : For the ordinances of the Emperor do not prefcribe this to be done, but are politive in enadiing, that every governor or voivode, prefident of a college, or chancellor, with the confent of his counfellors, fhall be authorized to pronounce this abfolution. This fpeech of the governor was received like an oracle, - and the chancellor invited the governor immediately to call a meeting the following day, to carry his refo- lution into effed. The hettman made hafte to engage- Madame Nilow to join them, in order to confirm the governor 126 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of governor in this ftep, who beholding his family at his feet, and the chancellor and the hettman urging every entreaty, confented at laft, and complimented me with my liberty. CHAP. XI. THE COUNT IS IN DANGER OF BEING PUT TO DEATH BY HIS ASSOCIATES. THEIR SUSPICIONS REMOVED. AN EMBARRASSING DILEMMA. PRESENTS MADE TO THE COUNT. THE MANNER OF HIS ABSOLUTION FROM THE SENTENCE OF EXILE. HE MAKES A PROPOSAL TO THE COUNCIL. GENEROUS DISPOSltlON OF THE CHIEF INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN. CONSEQUENCES OF THE COUNT'S ADVANCEMENT. THIS bufincfs was not conduced with fecrecy. The governor's family divulged the adventure con- fufcdly, and the whole town was informed of my ap- proaching abfolution before I left the governor's houfe ; which I did, after having received orders to appear the following day at the chancery at eleven in, the morning. In my way I met many perfons who loaded me with com- pliments, and when I arrived at home, 1 found MefTrs. Panow, Stephanow, Baturin, and Cruftiew, who ac- cofted me with fome confvifion, and informed me that I muft appear before the general meeting. I enquired what prciring affair demanded my prefence, and obferved that I had very agreeable news to communicate to them ; but great was my aflonifhment at the anfwer of Panow, who iniormed COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 127 informed me that this news would cofl me my life, to which he added, that 1 was a traitor, and that nothing more could be faid on an affair which was of fufficient importance to be decided according to the conftitution I had myfelf cftablifhed. Surprized at this difcourfe, I had no time to consider what motives could lead them to adl in this manner. It was in vain that I folicited my beft friend, Cruftiew, to give me fome intimation oi the bulinefs ; for he refufed, by obferving that he was forbidden to fpeak to me, and that it was neceffary I fhould appear before the affembly. I then entered, and the firfl: objects which prefented thcmfelves to my light were two ol my affoci- ates, armed with fabres, at the door, and a goblet on the table filled with poifon. Thcfe preparations led me to fup- ppofe that I was charged with treachery, and that the pro- ceedings of the governor in my hivour had induced my companions to believe that I had accufed and betrayed them. On this fuppolition I demanded leave to fpeak, and immediately related to them every thing which had paffed at the governor's houfe, together with the decilion of the governor. After having ended my difcourfe, I demanded judgement. Confternation and joy was on every counte- nance. Mr. Panow advanced towards me the firfl:, and, throwing himfelf at my feet, entreated my pardon, affirming that he was the author of all that I faw. He informed me, that as he could net believe my conne6lion with the chiefs of the government was fimply the effedl of accident, he had long fufpefted me of treachery, and had not ccafed to follov.^ my fteps ; and that he had, on that very morning, followed me, and was convinced oi my duplicity, when he 128 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of he heard that, by virtue of the ordinance of the Czar Peter, I was declared to be at liberty : a conviction which infpircd him with the refolution of alTaffinating me ; though he had deferred the execution of his purpofe, merely with the intention of informing his companions of their danger. That in confequence of his declaration, they had determined to put me to death ; but that the prefervation of my life was owing to the refolution of Mr. Crufiiew, who perfuaded the meeting to hear me before they proceeded to the commiffion of a crime, as he would anfwer for me at the expence of his life : And as the afliirance of Mr. Cruftiew was now found to be true, he intreated my pardon for his precipitate Jiafte. I embraced this worthy aflbciate, and thanked him for his care, at the fame time begging that he would, in future, entertain a better opinion of me- The fears of the affociation being thus difiipated, they indulged themfclves in the plealing refled:ions, how much my liberation would tend to infure the execution of our project. After the rifing of the aiTembly, I con- fulted with MefTrs. Cruftiew and Protopop about my apprehenfions refpecting the governor's daughter and her mother, who feeing me in a ftate of liberty, preffed me to marry her, which was out of my power, becaufe I was already married, and refolved to profecute our voyage. The firft reprefented to me, that my marriage being by compuldon, would be unlawful, and that I might clear myfelf of it on my return into Europe. The fecond propofed to me to repeat the form of marriage, with- out entering into any engagement ; to which effed: he promifcd to give me a certificate. They both en- deavoured COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 129 deavoured to convince me that I needed not hefltatc to comply with the felicitations of the governor's family, for the piirpofe of fupporting the common intereft. But I refolved to do nothing which might injure my repu- tation. I therefore declared that I would put off this affair as long as I could, in order to gain time, and that I did not defpair of obtaining their confent to defer the marriage till the month of May ; at which period, it would be in our power to fettle the bufinefs in another manner. I confefs that in my own mind I felt the ut- nioft regret and uneafinefs, to be the inflrument of diftrefs to an amiable girl whom I tenderly loved; but the hope that flie might, at fom.e future period, be hap- pier in a marriage more fuitable to her fituation, tended in fome meafure to render my reflexions lefs affli6ling. I employed the reft of the day in preparations to make a decent appearance at the chancery, and in the evening I waited upon the chancellor and the hettman to thank them for their favours. Both thefe gentlemen loaded me with compliments ; the chancellor obliged me to ac- cept a traineau, very elegantly conftruded of whalebone and gilt, which was drawn by four white dogs, and ac- companied by a flave to dired: them ; and the hettman prefentedme with aparca, orpeliffe of beaver's fkin, edged with the fkin of the black fox, together with a bonnet of blue velvet bordered with fables. On the 8th, all the exiles affembled at my houfe. At ten o'clock the fecretary of the chancery, Mr. Szudeikin, came to invite me to the chancery. I accordingly or- dered my fledge to be harneffed, and waited upon the chancellor, attended bv my companions, who remained at Vol. I. ' S the I30 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS op the gate. The fecretary introduced me into the council chamber, where I found the governor fitting as pre- fident, with eighteen other principal gentlemen, includ- ing the cliancellor and the hettman. The governor made a very long fpeech, in order to render me truly fcnfible of my good fortune, in having fallen into the hands of jufl and enlightened men. He enlarged much on the mildnefs of the Ruffian government, and the excellence of its laws, and concluded his difcourfe by praiUng the Emprefs, whofe virtues he extolled to the flcies. After his fermon, he ordered the chancellor to read the adt of my abfolution, which was word for word as follows : " Aduated by the inviolable duty of juftice, after having materially examined the behaviour of Auguftus Samueloviez, an exile to this place, by order of the go- verning fenate, and (purfuant to) the will of her Impe- rial Highnefs, Catharine, Emprefs and Autocratrix of all the Ruffias, I do declare him abfolved from thepro- fcription pronounced in the fentence againft him, and I do command his remiffion, conformably to the in- tention of the legiflature, explained in the fifth fedlion of the infbu.. He confented, and on the 15 th we proceeded to view this famous volcano. I approached within five toifes of its mouth, where a fudden exhalation of fulphureous fume furprized me, and caufed me to fall backwards among the hot afhes, which burnt my face. But, fortunately for me, there were feveral natives of Kamchatka near at hand, who were provided with iron hooks, with which they dragged me out, and, after having rubbed the burned parts with whale oil, they reconduded me to Kolitova, where I found Mr. Kuzneczow returned from his expedition. He reported, that Levontiew had declared his refolution to his coufin at Nifney, who, not being able to diffuade him from it, had poifoned him in a glafs of brandy, which they drank together ; and that, on the arrival of Kuzneczow, this unhappy wretch was at the point of death. He confeffed his intention to Kuzneczow, and entreated, as a favour, that he would put him out ot his mifery, at the lame time that he declared the fociety had nothing more to fear, fince his letter was intercepted ; becaafe he liad difcovered his intention to no one but his coufm, who, Vol. I. X faithful 154- MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of faithful to his engagement, had poifoned him. This account gave me great fatisfaftion, and induced me to prefs the governor to return ; but, as he was determined lirfl: to vifit Tigilb, nothing could be done but follow him. On the 1 6th we arrived at Napana, where I met a fo- reign exile whofe acquaintance I immediately requeftcd,. and was not a little furprized to behold a man of the age of ninety-two years in perfed: health. He told me his name was Ehrenfchild, a Swtdifh colonel, who had been exiled forty-nine years before into Siberia, and had dwelt at Kamchatka for twenty-two years. I propofed to him to join us at Bolflia, to which he confented, and for which purpofe I obtained the governor's permiflion, but this unfortunate perfon died a fbort time after. On the I yth we arrived at Chippin, where we found the jourts forfaken. On the i8th we arrived at Volofka, which was likewife deferted, and on the 19th we at laft arrived at Tigilb, a town and fort, which I fball hereafter, defcribe. At this place the governor remained three days, and received confiderable prefents. On the 2 2d we pro- ceeded from thence to Galiny. On the 23d we arrived at Belozolova, and on the 24th at Sigican. On the 25th we reached Takout, from whence the governor fent the chancellor and the hettman the next day to Verchney Oftrogg to infpedt the military, while he himfelf, with his attendants, continued his journey towards Bolfha. On the 27th we arrived at Ivanka, and laftly, on the 28th, at Bolfheretzkoy Oftrogg, where I was received by my friends with that cordiality which can only be found in a fociety united by indifloluble interefts. The fitigue COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 155 fatigue of my journey did not allow me to proceed in copying out the work I had written for the governor, which, for that reafon, was not prefented till fome days after ; and as it may convey fome information refpeding this remote part of the world, I {hall infert it in this place. CHAP. XV. AN ABRIDGEMENT OF THE HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF - KAMCHATKA, THE peninfula of Kamchatka forms the north-eaft extremity of Afia, extending from the 6 2d to the 51ft degree of north latitude. The weftern coaft of Kamchatka is very finuous, forming many harbours, and is interfered by many rivers, among which Bolilia is the largeft. Veffels from Ochoczk enter this river, which, however, they cannot do with fafety but at the time of fpring tides, which rife between nine and eleven feet. It is difficult to go up this river on account of it's rapid ftream and the great number of illands it contains. Kamchatka, by offering an afylum for our navigators during winter, engages them in the purfuit of difcoverics. At the prefent time it is merely a place of rendezvous, and ftorehoufe for the exchange of rich furs, brought by the hunters from the Kurelles and Aleuthcs iflands ; but X 2 in 156 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of in cafe the fovcreign fhould think proper to cftablifK colonies in thofe illands, and cultivate a trade with China, Japan, Korea, and Idzo, Kamchatka would be- come a fource of great riches and profperity to the Ruf- fian empire. This peninfula may likewife ferve to eftablifh a com- munication between the two continents of Alia and America. The only commodious port on the eaftern coaft is the bay of Avatcha, named Racova. The go- vernor of Kamchatka has built a regular fortrefs, capable of defending its entrance. The inhabitants of the torrid zone are indebted to the fun for the art of producing fire, but the northern nations owe this to volcanos, I apprehend thefe phaeno- mena to be an effe6l of the central heat of the earth, which burfts forth, and that the fea may contribute to the phzenomena by a fermentation, engendered by the faline parts of the waters, filtrated through the earth. With- out entering into conjedlures refpeding the origin of volcanos, 1 muft take notice that there are more than twenty in the peninfula of Kamchatka; of thefe, the three mofl: celebrated are at Avatcha, Tolbatfchz, and the third near the rivTr of Kameralteria. The fame princi- ples which have given rife to volcanos have produced a great number of hot fprings, which have been found to poffefs the efficacy of mineral waters. The water which flows from thefe fprings is covered with a black fcum, fome of v/hich I collected, and found it perfe6lly adapted for wfe as India or China ink. With regard to the fertility of the foil of Kamchatka, after having made many remarks and obfcrvations, I cannot avoid COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 157 avoid contradidling the different accounts which have been delivered at the chancery. All the attempts which have been made to produce grain have been unfuc- cefslul, except on ground prepared by manure. Though fomc wood is naturally produced, fufficient for the con- fl:rud:ion of huts, there is none proper to be uf_d in the building of fhipping. In this refpecl I can contradidt Mr. Steller, who likewife reports, that this country abounds in herbage, and that the cattle are of a prodigious fize. If there had been any cattle at Kamchatka in his time their number ought to have increafcd till the year 1 77 1, in which I made the tour of the place ; and through- out the whole of Kamchatka I found only five cows and two bulls, which w^ere fed with the bark of birch nine months in the year, for there is no verdure except be- tween the months of July and September. Neither is the climate and the air of Kamchatka fo mild as many writers preten-d. A continual mifl, which covers the whole country, produces fcorbutic diforders and other illnclTes, which check population. The cold is fo extreme that feveral foldiers were found, durincr the late winters, frozen on their liands. The lon^- duration of the fnow likewife occafions blindnefs, inso- much that the natives of the country feidom exceed forty years of age before they become blmd. Kamchatka produces metals. Near Avatfet I found iron ores, and near Girova the ore of copper. The mountains afford rock chryflal, fome fpecimens of which are green and reddifh ; th£ natives of the country ufe it to make heads for their iavelins. The only kind of trees which grow in Kamchatka are a fpecies of baftard fir> cedars. 158 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of cedars, willows, and birch ; the ceda affords a grain which the natives are very fond of: the L irk of the willows and the birch ferve? them inftead of bread. The only ufeful plant in this country is the farana, which flowers, and aiFords fruit in the month of Auguft. The natives of Kamchatka make a large provifion of this fubftance, which, together with cavear, forms a certain pafte, which thev think delicious, but upon which I think I never could fupport life. Bcfldes the farana, government has caufed another plant to be coUcdled, under the name of Vinovaya, from which a kind of brandy is diftilled, which produces a moderate revenue, but is hurtlul in its ufe, as nothing can equal the poifon of this plant. The go- vernor vv^ould adl very prudently by prohibiting this dif- tillation, and importing a larger quantity of brandy from Europe. Kamchatka makes no great figure with refpedt to ani- mals. The hrft rank belongs to the dog, which ferves inftead of draught horfes, and, after it's death, affords a (kin for the clothing of man. The dogs of Kamchatka are large, but adive and laborious ; they are fed with opana, which is a compofition of ftale fifh and the bark of the birch, but they are moft commonly obliged to feek their own food, which they find in the rivers produced by the hot fprings, where they find fifh. The fox comes next'after the dog ; its fkin is glofTy, and there is no fur in Siberia which can be put in competi- tion with the fox's fkin of Kamchatka. The ram of Kamchatka is excellent food ; its fkin is highly valued, and its horns are likewife an article of commerce j COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 159 commerce ; but of late years the number of this fpecics has greatly diminilhed. The fable is very common in Kamchatka, and the natives continually hunt this animal, as do likewife the hunters. The number of fables brought to market laft year from Kamchatka amounted to fix thoufand eight hundred. The fur of the marmotte is very v^^arm and light. Bears are very numerous in Kamchatka ; their difpo- iition is gentle, and they do no mifchief, except in their own defence. The hunters are obliged to hunt the bear for fubiiftence, but it often happens that they get torn, though the bear very feldom kills a man. It feems as if this animal fpared the life of the creature it no longer fears : they have never been known to hurt women. Thefe creatures are fat during the fummer and- lean in winter. Amphibious Animals. The manate refembles a cow in the form of it? headl The females have two nipples, and hold their young againfl their bofoms. The French have named this animal, lamenti, from its cry. It has a bkick rough fkin, as thick as the bark of an oak, and capable of refifting the ftroke of an hatchet. The teeth of the manate are pre- ferred to ivory. Kamchatka affords annually of thefe betv/een two hundred and fifty and three hundred. The £efh of the manate refembles beef when full grown, andl veal when young. Kamchatka likewife affords beavers. The fur of this, creature is as foft as down j its teeth are fraall and fliarp,, buc i6o MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of but its tail fliort, flat and broad, terminating in a point. Beavers are catched here with the line, and fometimes they are fhot under the ice. The Tea-lion is of the iizc of an ox ; its cry is dread- ful ; but, happily for navigators, it is one of the figns of the vicinity oi land during the fogs, which are fo common here. The fea-lion is a timid animal ; it is ftruck with the harpoon, or fliot with the mufket, or bow and arrow. The fea-calf is found in great abundance near all the iflands and headlands of Kamchatka ; it never goes far from fhore, but enters the mouths of rivers to devour ii{h. The fkin of the fea-calf is ufed to make bufkins. The inhabitants of Kamchatka take this animal with the line. Kamchatka affords a large quantity of different kinds of fifh, from the whale to the fmalleft fpecies, but the birds of this country are few ; and as I know of nothing new with refped to either, I fliall here conclude this article. CHAP. COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. i6i CHAP. XVf. AN ACCOUNT OF THE NATIVES OF KAMCHATKA, THEIR ORIGIN, FOOD, HABITATIONS, RELIGION, ETC. THE NARRATIVE OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE EXILES RESUMED. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY OF EXILES ALTERED. CONSEQUENCE THENCE ARIJING. THE original people of Kamchatka call themfelves Itelmen, which word denotes inhabitants of the country. If we were to attempt to difcufs their origin from the conftrudlion of their language, we fhould declare them to be defcendants of the Mongal tartars : their figure refembles that people ; their hair is black, their beard is thin, and their face broad and flat. This nation pollefles no tradition refped;ing its origin : it was numerous at the arrival of the firfl Coffacks, but has fince greatly dimi- niflied. The natives of Kamchatka have no other fubflftence than iifh, roots, bear's flefh, and the bark of trees, with water to drink, and fometimes brandy, for which they pay very dear to the merchants. Though this people is at prefent cloathed, for which advantage they are indebted to the Europeans, it has coft them dear, when placed in the balance againft the bar- barous and tyrannical treatment they have experienced from their new mafters. Their women are exceedingly difpofed to luxury, to fuch a degree, that they do not perform the ofRces of the kitchen without their gloves on ; and they v/ould not, on any account, fuffer them- WoL. I. Y felve« i62 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of fclves to be fcen by a ftranger witb.out their gloves and roLigc, which they fmear in large quantities upon their hideous countenances, Thefe people dwell in two kinds of houfes ; their winter habitation is called yourth, and that of the fummer balagan. The whole religion of tlie natives of Kamchatka confifts in the belief that their God, having formerly dwelled in Kamchatka, fixed his habitation upon the banks of each river feveral years, and peopled thofe places with his children, to whom before his difappearance to eftablifh himfelf elfewhere, he gave the circumambient country for an inheritance. For this reafon they never quit a do- main fo ancient and unalienable. The fenfations of this people are merely corporeal. Happinefs, in their opinion, coniifts in idlenefs, and the gratification of the natural appetites. It is impoflible to perfuade them that any mode of life can be more happy or more agreable than theirs, and they always confider the manner of living in Rufiia as worthy of their utmoft contempt and difdain. The inhabitants of Kamchatka have a peculiar cuftom in contracting marriages ; but as this ufage is defcribed in tlie memoir of Spamberg, I Ihall not repeat in thisit place. Every intimacy between the fexes is allowed of, and, according to the principles of the Kamchatka na- tion, a plurality of wives is allowed ; but the Ruffian government forbids poligamy, in which refped: perhaps it tends to depopulate this country. It is difficult to conceive what reafons could lead fo wretched a people, who have nothing either to lofe or to gain, to enter into war. But it is very certain that they are COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 163 are ftrongly addidled to revenge. The object of their wars can be only that of making prifoners, to em- ploy the men in work, and fubjed the women to their pleafures. There is no doubt, however, but that the Coflacks on their arrival excited troubles and difterences among them, in order to profit by their inteftine wars. The conquefl of this nation has been a very difficult taik to the Coflacks, for, though feeble in its wretchednefs, it has fhewn itfelf terrible in its defence. They have availed themfelves of ftratagem and treachery when force was un- fuccefsful ; and if it be true that this nation is bafe, yet the fear of death prevails fo little among them, that fuicide is very common. There are inftances of thefe people being befieged by the Coffacks in a place of retreat, and, when deftitute of all hope of efcape, they have iirft cut the throats of their wives and children, and afterwards killed themfelves. The ufe of muchomor is conv^enient for this purpofe, as a dofe of it caufes them to die by a profound fleep, which deprives them of all fenfation. The much- omor is a kind of champignon, very common in this country ; the infujQon of which caufes drunkennefs and hilarity, but, if ufed to excefs, produces ftrong convul- lions, which terminate in death. After I had prefented my abridgment of the hifloiy of Kamchatka to the governor, who found it a mafter-piece in his opinion, excepting that the cxprellions were not fufficiently free from a foreign manner, I applied all my attention to contrive fuch meafures and precautions as might infure the fuccefs of my plan. The two inftances of treachei"^- I had experienced made me very imeafy ; and as I had to do v.ith people who were governed by Y 2 ^ the i64 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS op the prejudice of religion, I could not take too much pre- caution to Iccure myiclh In confcquence of this, I con- vened all my alTociates on the ift ot March, about fix in the evening. I opened the committee by giving an ac- count of my voyage and the death of Levontiew, after whieh I declared that it appeared necelfary, in my opi- nion, that we fhould fummon all thofe who were abfent, in order that we might be ready to defend ourfelves, or to make an attack in cafe of ncceflity. Mr. Meder informed the committee that he had pre- pared one hundred cartouch boxes, each containing forty- eight full cartridges, and fixty other charges faftened to each ; and that Mr. Cruftiew had colledled, or caufed to be made, fixty knives, which might be ufed to advantage inftead of cutlafTes, as each of them was eighteen inches long and three broad : that fixteen pair of piftols and thirty-fix hatchets had been purchafed ; and that Mr. Pa- now had caufed one hundred pikes to be made. The number of our company amounted to fifty-nine perfons, every one of whom appeared fully determined to fupport each other. I therefore afiTured my companions that when we had united our forces we fliould be able to refift every open attack, provided we were all together. For this reafon I ordered Mr. Panow to fend an immedi- ate exprefs to thofe that were abfent. The approach of fpring permitted our coming together without exciting any fufpicion ; becaufe the governor and all the inhabi- tants of Kamchatka were perfuaded that our attention was taken up in preparations for our eftablifhment on the extremity of the peninfwla. In COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 165 In order to give more ftrength to this general opinion, I propofed to the fociety that we fhould draw up a me- raorird, and prefent it to the governor, in which we fliould pray him to grant us a lliip to tranfport all our provilions and efFe<9:s. The meeting was on the point of breaking up, when Mr. Panow made a motion. He began by obferving that the indifcretion of one fingle perfon would be fufficient to deftroy all our hopes ; for which reafon he held it to be of the laft neceflity to refolve in this committee that the affociation fhould give up all authority into my hands, in order that, after having given fo many proofs of my attachment to their interefts, I might in future be dif- penfed from communicating my intentions refpecling the meafures I propofed to take, and the means which I in- tended to employ in carrying my plan into execution. He therefore propofed that the whole fociety fhould agree to fubmit implicitly to my orders, and to ratify this fub- miflion by an oath. Hvf obfcrved, that when the fociety had thus granted me the fupreme authority, it would depend upon myfelf to nominate my council and the chiefs who might be propofed to the parties I fliould hereafter form. Mr. Stephanow oppofed this motion ; but it was agreed to by the fociety, fo that Mr. Stephanow remained alone. In order to difTipate his confufion, I declared that I would nominate him a member of my council, becaufe, as he was the only one who miftrufted my intentions, he might fuperintend my adions. The meeting, however, oppofed his nomination, at the inflance of Mr. Panow, who declared that Stephanow had rendered himfelf in- capable i66 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of capable of any confidence on our part, and that it was merely with a view of excluding him from our fecrets that he had made his propofition. For he could not, as he obferved, conceal that he was in pofleflion of in- dications of treachery meditated on the part of Mr. Ste- phanow, though he had never chofen to fearch to the bottom of his intrigues, becaufe he was defirous of fparing the life and honour of his relation. But he threatened, that if Mr. Stephanow did not confent to receive and fub- mit to the future orders, till the day of our departure, he fhould hold himfelf obliged to employ every means in his power to come at the knowledge of his proceedings, and to expofe him to the company. I was extremely aftonifhed to hear Mr. Panow exprefs himfelf in this manner, in the prefence of Mr. Stephanow, who did not anfwer a fingle word. The company, equally furprized, requefted me to force Mr. Panow to declare what he knew; but I refufed, by obferving, that I refpe6led the fentiments of Mr. Panow, and placed the mofl: unbounded confidence in his declaration. Neverthe- lefs I afked Mr. Stephanow, whether he would receive and obey the orders ; to whicli he anfwered in the affirmative, at the lame time that he loaded me with invectives, and declared that I was indebted to Mr. Panow for the prefer- vation of my life. He called his relation to witncfs, that he had no wifh to betray the interefts of the focicty, and that his vengeance had no other obje<5l in view than myfelf perfonally ; a lofs which, he faid, was of little confequence, as he was well alTured that many of the company were more capable of executing tlic appointment of chief than myfeli. Fie even took upon him to declare, that I had COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 167 1 Kad abufed my authority in putting Levontiew to death, in which affair his coufin had been deceived ; though the truth was, that I was defirous of ufurping his fortune after his death. This confident affertion excited the in- dignation of Mr. Kuzneczow, who prcfented the letter ol: the deceafed to the fociety. The hand- writing w^^.s irnmediately knov/n, and the contents juftified my relo- lution. This circumftance, however, produced no change in the ideas of Stephanow, who demanded the judgment of God between him and myfelf. This judgment is founded on a cuftom of the Coflacks, which elfablifhes that the two opponents fliall fight a duel, in prefence of witneffes, and the perfon overcome is efteemed guilty. His ridiculous appeal produced a divifion in the meet- ing. The moft rational part were of opinion that it was necefiary to interpofe their authority, and condemn Stephanov/ j but the reft hefitated. Upon this divi- fion I thought it proper to anfwer for myfelf, being affured that it was of the greateft confequence that I fhould give proofs of refolution. I therefore replied that I accepted his challenge, and appointed ten o'clock the following day to give him fatisia6tion, at the diftance of two leagues from our habitation. The affociates agreed to accompany us, imder pretence of hunting. This incident occafioned the final termina- tion of Mr. Panow's propolition to be retarded. He thought proper, neverthelefs, to keep Mr. Stephanow in. fight, and to endeavour to pacify him ; but finding it impoffible to produce any alteration in his difpofition, as he himfclf told me, he abandoned lum to- his unhappy fate, Onr i68 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS of On the 2d in the morning 1 ordered my fledge to be harnejfTed, and departed withMeflrs. Cruftiew and Kuznec- zow for the rendezvous. Mr. Panow attended his relation, and at nine o'clock the whole company were met, and de- termined that the quarrel fliould be decided with the broad fword. As foon as we had received our arms he advanced towards me with unexampled temerity. I parried the firft ftroke he made, by engaging his fword, which broke in two ; at which inftant I ftepped back to let him fee that I was not difpofed to take advantage of his being difarmed. The wretch then drew out a piftol, and fired it at me, without any other effedl except that the ball grazed my Icit arm. His treachery irritated me to fuch a degree that I advanced towards him, though I faw a fecond piftol in his hand, which, however, miffed fire. I then feized him and threw him on the ground. The afibciates immediately came up, and urged me to put him to death. This, however, I refufed. I put him into their hands, requefting that they would fpare the life of this wretched pcrfon ; but my requeft did not prevent their infulting and ill treating him on all fides. Mr. Panow took charge of him, and we returned to our habitations, where I appointed a meeting of the committee at fix in the evening ; and in the mean time I vifited the governor, with whom I dined. Our difcourfe ran upon the projects of Mr. Flettman. I omitted nothing to confirm the governor in the hope of poffeffing the government ot Ochoczk. After dinner Madame Nilow called me afide, and informed me that her daughter prcffed her refpedting the conclulion of our marriage, and confequently that it depended on me to perfuade her to COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 169 to wait the moment fixed for our union ; but that if I confented fhe would undertake to difpofe her hufband to agree to the celebration of our union. Being thus obliged to gain time, I had no other means of excufe than to urge my intention of firft making an excurfion to fix my new colony, and to build a houfe, and arrange my houfehold affairs, that her daughter might not be expofed to the rigour of the feafon, with- out every neceffary convenience. After a long conver- fation this good mother adopted my reafons, and pleaded my caufe with her daughter, to whom fhe introduced me ; but as fiie foon after left us, the whole charge fell upon me, and it was with difficulty that I prevailed 011 this amiable young lady to confent to the delay. CHAP. XVII. Various proceedings in the association for projecting the escape of the exiles from slavery. AT fix in the evening, I repaired to our meeting, •^^ where Mr. Crufliew prefided in my abfence. He addreffed me in the name of the whole company, which granted me the entire authority and moft abfolute com- mand over the fociety. I accepted their fubmiffion, which was confirmed by mutual oath. After this ce- remony, I required Mr. Panow to declare the motives v/hich had determined Mr. Stephanow to attempt my Vol. I. Z life ; I70 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of lite ; he at firfl begged me not to prefs him in this re- fpedt, as he obferved that he had given his word and oath to the unfortunate Stephanow, though he would not con- ceal that, in a long converfation with him fince his laft accident, he had obtained his permiihon to difcover the caufes that had produced his enmity towards me. My friends all declared unanimoufly that it was ne- celTary the wretch fhould himlelf appear, whereupon Kuzneczow immediately went out to fetch him. This unhappy man appeared before us, not only without the leaft confufion, but with a degree of audacity by which he appeared to dare me. I made a fign to Mr. Cruftiew, who queftioned him concerning the difjoofition of his mind, and the caufes which had produced his extreme malice againft me. His anfwer was to the following cffed:. " Ever fince I firfl: knew your chief, I found it im- *' poflible to forgive that fuperiority which he has affumed *' over us all. My jealoufy was often outrageous, but the confidence he repofed in me ufually reftored my recol- lection, and I have often applauded my own refolution in overcoming my natural difpofition, which led me to offend. I had even perfuaded myfelf that I poffeffed the moft unfhaken attachment to him, when I was furprized by jealoufy. I beheld the lovely daughter of the governor, I became enamoured of her, and the certain knowledge of her approaching marriage with your chief, caufed me to fwear his deftrudlion. You know the reft, gentlemen, and I here proteft, that though his generofity has preferved my life, it has made no change in my intentions. If, therefore, it be a of cc (( (( work: igo MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of work at ten o'clock, and immediately waited upon the governor. The ferjeant of the guard knew me at a dif- tance, and carried the news to the governor and his whole family, whom I found on the draw-bridge. I was greatly afTeded at the manner in which they received me. The eovernor took me with him into his clofet, and heard the account of my excurfion ; but upon the light of my plan it was impoflible to conceal his joy. He obferved that the cnterprize was really one of the moft happy thoughts in the world, and faid he had not the leaft doubt but her Imperial Majefty would give marks of her fatisfaction on receiving the plan, together w^ith his reprefentation of the collateral circnmllanccs. Full of this projeft, he fent for the chancellor and the hettman, to communicate his ideas to them ; while in the mean time he fent me to give an account of my abfence to his dear Aphanafia. This beautiful and lovely young lady received me with thofe tranfports which the candour and openncfs of her dif- pofition did not permit her to conceal, and her refpecS'- able rhother bore a lliare in her joy. I was detained to dinner, and, during my ftay, had no Icifure to refledt on the agitation of my mind. I'he different queftions of the governor, the chancellor, and the hettman, which required proper anfwers, af- forded fufiicient employment for my whole attention. But as foon as dinner v/as over I retired, on pretence of taking fome repofe, but was very far from being ca-' ]">ablc. For, on my return home, I could no longer iupport the anxiety which poileffcd my mind, and forced me to attend to an infinity of refle»flions that prefented thcmfelvcs. Every day brought the moment of the exe- ' cut ion # COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. igi cation of my enterprize nearer. Gratitude, and the at- tachment I had formed to the governor's family, feemed. to reproach me ; for I clearly faw that my departure would be artended with the ruin of him, and all his fa- mily, becaufe the court would attribute to him alone the crime of granting me the means of making my efcape. Tiiefe reflections were ftili further aggravated by the con- iideration that our enterprize, though well planne4> might fail, and, in that cafe, no other expedient would remain than to attack and gun poffeflion of the fort by furprize ; an expedient v/hich could not be carried into execution without riiking the blood of thofe who had fo greatly interefted themfelves in my welfare. It was- evident that the governor, who had given me his con- fidence, and had honoured me with his friendfhip, was intitled to my mofl: grateful returns •, but, on the other hand, as the chief of a party, I fliould become perjured, and unworthy to live if I fhould endanger or abandon the interefts of the fociety. Such were my reflexions, which I communicated to Mr. Cruftiew, a man of underftanding and a flncere friend After he had heard me, he embraced me, and afTured me that, from the knowledge of my cha- racter, he had always been apprehenfive of this crifis ; that he was infinitely obliged to me for the confidence I had placed in him, and would fpeak his fentiments with freedom. He admitted, that the court v/ouid impute my efcape to the governor, if inform.ation fhould be given rcfpeding the advantages he had aftorded me ; but that the chancellor and the hettman, being likewife concerned, there could be no doubt but they would draw up their report ill 'U 192 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of in fuch a manner that the court {hould know nothing of what the governor had done in my favour. For this reafon, he obferved, that I might difmifs my apprchen- lions ; more efpecialiy as my obligations to the gov^ernor could not be put in competition with my duty to the focicty. Such, he faid, was his opinion with refpc6t to our future efcape ; but in cafe we fhould be obliged to a6l by open force, one or the other event muft happen, either that we fhould all be put to the fword, or fhould become m.afters of the country. In which lafl: cafe, it would be in my power to carry the governor with me by force, who, no doubt, would embrace this determination with pleafure, with a view of efcaping from punifhment ; and that, on our arrival in Europe, I fhould lind means to fhew my gratitude to him and his whole family. Thefe reafons, weak as they were, ferved to quiet my mind, and I perceived, that when the mind ealily gives way to defpair, it is as eafily comforted. They who may read the prcfent pallage ought to beware of deciding either on my weaknefs or my fortitude. When Mr. Cruftiew obferved that my anxiety was removed, he propofed to aflemble a committee, which I appointed to to be held at eleven that evenino;. CHAP. COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 193 CHAP. XX. A DANGEROUS DISTURBANCE AMONG THE EXILES. ITS CONSEQUENCE. THE principal aflbciates met, and Mr. Kuzneczow informed me, that he had fucceeded in placing ten hunters and two natives of Kamchatka, on whom he could rely, among the crew of the packet St. Peter and St. Paul, and that he had likewife agreed with the cap- tain for his pafTage to Ochoczk, as well as refpc6ling the embarking and private conveyance of his merchan- dizes. This account of the advanced ftate of our affairs gave me the greateft fatisfadlion. On the 26th in the morning, I received an invitation for myfelf and friends h-om Madame Nilow, to attend her on an excurlion in our fledges. We therefore waited on the governor, and fct out with him and his family, ac- companied by the chancellor and the hettman. At the diftance ot two leagues from the banks of the Bolfha, near its entrance, we flopped and examined feme houfes, newly and very neatly built in wood. After this infpec- tion, the governefs informed me, that they were deilgned for me and her daughter, obferving, at the fame time, that fhe thought it became her, as a mother, to give us houfes and furniture, as her hufoand had given us land. The governor, v/ho was 'till this inftant unacquainted with his lady's undertaking, highly approved it, and ordered the chancellor to direct workmen to iinilli the building. Mr. Stenlianow, who was prefent, and Vol. I. C c heard 19+ MEMOIRS AND 1 RAVELS of heard all that pafled, could not avoid obferving to Mr. Criiftiew, that Jie favv very clearly that I deceiv^ed him, and fliould deceive the whole fociety, after which words he -yvcnt ofF with his fledge. Mr. Cruftiew concealed this difcourfe from me, and only faid, that he was obliged to go j immediately after which, he left us : fo that I remained alone with Mr. Batiirin, with whom I waited upon the governor home, and dined with his family. After dinner, Mr. Sibeaw reqiiefted to fpeak with me, and informed mc that it was abfolutely neceffary I lliould go home, as Mr. Stephanow had produced a dangerous riot. I fent him back with the affurance that I would come without delay ; but as it was necefiary that I fhould give fome reafbn to the governor for my hafty departure, I told him in public, that I was informed Mr. Stephanow had again fallen into a ftate of phrenzy, which required my airiflancc. Mifs Aphanafia faid openly, that fhe knew his diforder, and was convinced it was not at all dangerous. It was to no purpofe that I made figns to her to defift, as fhe took no notice, but dire(5ling her- felf to me ; You are going, faid flie, to interefl: your- felf in favour of an unhappy wretch, who wifhes to de- prive you of life ; upon which fhe burft into tears. Thefe words excited the governor's curiofity, who demanded an explanation ; whereupon I gave him an undifguifed ac- count of my adventure and combat with Stephanow, not omitting to obferve, that his enmity arofe from his paf- iion for Mifs Aphanafia. Upon this information, the governor dcfired me to let him fend him to prifon, where he would contrive to render him a little wifer. I infifted, however, upon its being left in my power to imprifon h mi COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 195 Iiiin at home, and, at the fame time, reprefented the necelTity of this a^ of authority for maintaining fub- ordination among thofe who were deftined to form the new colony. He therefore determined to grant me this right, and the chancellor added, that it was very proper that I fhoiild be permitted to exert my authority. Seeing the governor in this difpofition, I requefted the conceffion,^ of this power in writing, and accordingly the chancellor drew up an inftrument, which the governor immediately iigned. Thefe tranfaftions prevented me from returnirlg home' as foon as I fhould otherwile have done. Upon my ar- rival, I found more than fifty foldiers or cofiacks round our habitations, difputing with my companions. I was immediately informed that Mr. Stephanow, after a difpute with Mr, Cruftiev/, had called a foldier, who was in fight,- and told him to run for afiiftance, for that otherwife I fhould put him to death, and that he had fecrets to reveal to the chancery. The foldier had collected others, and feverai coflacks came to the afilftance of Stepha-' now, who was already fliut up by our companions. The foldiers infilled that he fiiould be fet at liberty, and at laft attempted to force their way into our habitations, fo that our companions were obliged to take arms to check their impetuofity. Upon this I enquired if any of the foldiers could read writing, and a corporal anfwered in the affirmative. I made this man read the conceffion of right, figned by the governor and the chancellor ; after which he begged my pardon, and intreated that I would not inform the governor of what had pafled. I promifed him I would not, and thus the difturbance ended. C c 2 As 196 iMEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of As foon as I came within doois, Mr. Crufticw informed me that he had luckily ioUowed Mr..Stcphanow, from a convidlion that he was going to create fome difturbancc ; but that as he did not overtake him till his arrival at his houfc, he took Meffrs. Kuzneczow and Gom-ciinin to accompany him. They all three entered Mr. Stcpha- now's houfe, whom they found bufy writing. At light of them he flew out into exclamations and threatenings too dangerous to be heard by ft rangers, and ended by declaring to them, that he would immediately go and difcover the whole plot. Thefe circumftances evidently fliewed how much this madman was to be feared. They attempted to feize him, but he proved ftrong enough to overthrow Mr. Cruftiew and Mr. Gourcfmin, and, in fpite of the efforts of Mr. Baturin, who held him faft, he had got out of the door, and excited the foldiers to aflemble, in order to deliver him ; for he told them, that the other exiles in- tended to poifon him, and that he had fecrets of treafon to declare at the chancery. Mr. Cruftiew proceeded to obferve, that while the foldier ran to the town, they bound and gagged Stephanow, whom they fhut up under guard; but a multitude being afterwards got together, and demanding the liberty of Stephanow, they faw thcmfelves necellitated to take arms, while Sibeaw ftood over the prifoner, with orders to put him to death, at the £rft report of any fire arms. This relation put me in fear for the life of the unhappy wretch, for which reafon I made hafte to change the orders of Sibtaw ; after which, fearing that the reports might reach the governor, I fent Mr. Cruftiew, with inftrudions to inform COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 197 inform him of what had paffed, and then I gave orders to aficmble the whole fociety. We only waited the return of Mr. Cruftiew to begin our proceedings, who at laft arrived, and brought the good news, that the governor left me entirely mafter of the prifoner and his punifhment ; but that with regard to the aflembling ot the foldiers and coiTacks, he would give orders that no perfon in future fliould dare to ap- proach our quarters with the intention of committing violence, under pain of fifty ftrokes ol the knout, and condemnation to the public works for three months. This agreeable mefiage was delivered to me by Mr. Cruftiew in the full meeting, and as foon as he had taken his feat, I demanded their advice how to ad: with regard to Stephanow. The greater part were for putting him to death, as a man capable of exceffes which, fooner or later, would endanger the fociety ; and infifted that it was better to fave the lives of fifty-feven perfons by facrificing one fingle perfon, efpecially one who was a criminal. I could not, however, confent to this refolution, on account of my attachment for Mr. Panow, who was related to the prifoner, and was not then prefent. I therefore ufed every perfuafion to induce them to defer the execution till his return ; but the company appeared very unquiet, and preffcd me to pafs judgment upon him. I fuccceded at laft in calming their apprehenfions by a ftratagem. I propofed that Stephanow Ihould be brought beiore us, be reproached by the whole company, and that fcntence of death fhould afterwards be pafied on him; but inftead of arfenic and corrofive fublimate, I would only give him an emetic, the effecls of which would lead him to believe J98 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS 6f believe his death near at hand. I affured the meeting that I was con\inccd that this crifis would produce his re- formation, and that the inftant would decide his fate, and convince him that life or death would depend on his repentance or perfeverance in his criminal deiigns. My propofal had its effed: on the company. I there- fore lent four armed all'ociates for the prifoner, and in the mean while the dofe of emetic was made up, confifting of three grains. On his arrival he appeared before us with fome firnmefs, but at the fight of the goblet on the table, he turned pale. Before any queffion was pro- pofed to him the order of the governor was read, and as he knew his hand-writing it was fbewn to him, that he might believe the evidence. After this' preliminary, I reprefented to him that his firfl mifcondud: indicated nothing more than malevolence againfl my perfon, and that therefore he had been pardoned ; but the prefent cafe being of fuch a nature as to endanger the whole fociety, it was not in my power to change the laws of the conflitution, and confequently that I mufl deliver him to their judgment. Mr. Cruftiew then difplayed all his rhetoric to reprefent to this unhappy wretch his crimes, and his blindnefs to his own individual intereft. His difcourfe threw the miferable Stephanow into tears, who confefied himfelf to be worthy of the greateft pu- nifhment. After this, each of the company beftowed fome words of deteftation on him, and as this ceremony lafted for fome time, poor Stepfianow fainted, and fell on the ground. By the application of fpirit of fal am- moniac and vinegar, he was brought to himfelf. During the time of his infenfibility, Mr. Crufliew drew out the fentence, COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 199 fentence, to which he liftened with the greateft anguifh, but at the lafi: words, which were, " for thefe caufes the Taid Stcphanow is condemned to drink the liquor con- tained in the bawl, in order that death may enfue," he fainted away a fecond time. Upon his recovery he afked to fpeak with me, which being granted, he intreated me to pardon his faults, and to deliver him, if poflible, from this fatal judgment, promifing that his life and blood fliould be employed in my fervice. He then openly declared, that this misfortune was, no doubt, a puni£hment from the hand of God, whom he had offended by attempting to contraft a marriage, though he was already married to a wife then living in Ruffia. He proceeded to declare, that from that moment he abjured the madnefs of love, which had led him to the lofs of his life in fo difgraceful a manner. At length this un- happy man^ being urged to drink the liquor, implored the grace and compaffion of the company, but in vain, for they periifled in the execution of his judgment- Being thus convinced of the iirmnefs of their refolution, he at laft took the cup in his hand, but upon bringing it to his mouth, his courage again failed him, and he fell back into the arms of Sibeaw and Baturin, who held the cup. Oh his recovery he wept bitterly, and again in- treated the company to pardon him. The peculiar ftate in which I beheld him, moved me to compafTion ; and as there was reafon to fear that the drink, though {imply an emetic, might deprive him of life through apprc- henfion, I interpofed to obtain his pardon, which was granted, on condition that he ihould be kept a prifoner until our departure. He confentcd to this ; bur, as he was^ -DO MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of was too much exhauftcd, the company did not prefs him to fign his fubmiliion. He had fcarcely ftrength enough to thank me in a tew words for my protedion before he fainted again. I caufed him to be taken to Mr. Cruftiew, where he was bled by Mr. Meder ; but this precaution did not prefervc him from a violent illnefs, which feized him and kept him in his bed till the time of our depar- ture. This incident having employed us almoft the whole night, the meeting broke up a little before day. On the 27th I awoke very late, and was, by that means, prevented from waiting upon the governor in the morning, as I had promifed. Mifs Aphanafia came to fee me, and reproached me for my neglecl. She break- faded with me and Mr. Cruftiew ; after which fhe re- turned, happy in the information that I had nothing more to fear from Mr. Stephanow. About noon, Mr. Panow came to me. This worthy aflbciate having been informed of the intereft I had taken in the fafety of his relation, fell on my neck, and thanked me for my indulgence. He afterwards told me, that he knew that Stephanow had meditated the carrying oft the governor's daughter, and had for that purpofe, conne6led himfelf with Ifmailow and Bofcarew, with fix others, who were determined to quit Kamchatka, but that he had defered adviftng me of the plot, becaufe Ifmailow and Bofcarew had aiTured him, that they would not take any ftep without informing him of it. Mr. Panow recommended thefe two men to me, as likely to be fer- viceablc on board, on account of their knowledge in fea affairs. After COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 201 After dinner I went to Stephanow with Mr. Panow, This unhappy man related to him his laft adventure, in which he did not fpare every expreflion fuitable to the enormity of his crime. It was with fome fatisfadion that I was convinced of the fincerity of his repentance. Mr. Panow did not fail to exprefs a due fenfe of his condu6l, and advifed him to fhew his gratitude to me in future. We foon retired, as we were not defirous of increaflng his confufion ; after which we returned to my houfe we where Ipent the evening very agreeably. CHAP. XXI. THE COUNT NEGOCFATES WITH THE CAPTAIN OF A VESSEL. PRE- PARATIONS FOR THE APPROACHING CRISIS. ON the morning of the 28 th, Mr. Kuzneczow re- quefted to fpeak with me in fecret, for which pur- pofe I begged MeiTrs. Cruftiew, Panow, and others, who were prefent, to retire. He then informed me, that Mr. Cfurin, commander of the Corvette St. Peter and St. Paul, had acquainted him, that he was unwilling to return to Ochoczk, becaufe of his debts, and for fear of the confequences of a procefs then againft him in the Ad- miralty court, the iilue of which, if it fliould turn againft him, might condemn him to the mines. He would not, therefore, confcnt to make the voyage but on condition that Mr. Kuzneczow would find fecurity to the Vol. I. D d amount 202 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS cf amount of three thoufand roubles, and would promife to obtain leave of the Admiralty that he might take the command of a merchant vcfTel. Mr. Kuzncczow ob- ferved that this overture had entirely difconcerted his projed, as he could not depend on the compliance of another captain, in cafe Mr. Cfurin fliould give up the command. This account at firft alarmed me, but, upon ferious reflexion on the fituation of Mr. Cfurin, I per- ceived fome reafon to hope that it would forward the projed; of gaining him over to my interefts. I immediately communicated my ideas to Mr. Kuzncczow, who thought them very well founded ; but he objefted that Cfurin was fo ftrongly. attached to a girl at Kamchatka, that he never would confcnt to go without her: I removed this laft difficulty, by obferving that he might carry the girl with him, to which Mr. Kuzneczow could make no objeftion. As it was my wifh to become acquainted with the fen- timents of Mr. Cfurin by pcrfonal converfation, I directed Mr. Kuzneczow to bring him to me, and to promife, in ge- neral terms, that he would do every thing that might be neceflary to render him the fervices he required. When Mr. Kuzneczow was gone, I rejoined Mr Cruftiew, who was in company with feveral of our aflbciates. I freely told them what I had heard, and the refolution I had adopted ; but I found them ftrongly pcrfuaded that I fhould not fucceed in the attempt. After dinner, Mr. Kuzneczow arrived, and informed mc of the approaching vifit of Mr. Cfurin ; I therefore went home and had juft time to order tea before he came. He made a thoufand excufes on his arrival for the liberty he 'had COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 203 had taken of waiting on me, and requefted to know if I had any commiflions for Ochoczk, as he, being the com- mander of the St. Peter and St. Paul, would gladly take charge of them, and I might depend on his diligence. On this offer I replied, that as it was my intention to import fome provifions and other articles for theufe of my colony, I would avail myf:lf of his kind offer to put a couple of thoufand piafires, into his hands, that he might convert them into fucli articles of merchandize as I fhould direct. To this I added, that if it was in my power to render him any fervices he need only fpeak, as I knew the gentlemen of the fea were obliged to engage in certain indirect bufinefs to enable them to fupport the charges which were neceffary to maintain their fituation with credit. I hoped therefore that he would not be ofTended at the offer of a fum for that purpofe. The open and undefigning manner in which I made this offer, appeared to affe6t him, and his manner con- vinced me that I fliould have no difficulty in fettling my bufinefs with him. Our difcourfe was interrupted by the appearance of tea, but we refumed it as foon as the table was cleared. He began by informing me of the fubjecl of the procefs he had at the Admiralty, the caufe of which vi^as as follows. Captain Lewafcheff had commenced a procefs againft Mr. Cfurin, for exciting a mutiny among the crew of the fhip St. Ecatherina, in the expedition of the year 1769. Several failors depofed that Mr. Cfurin was the caufe of the overfctting of the boat in the middle of the river Bolflia, in which captain Kreniczin then was ; and, as the captain was drowned by this accident, the procefs had been in- D d 2 flituted 204 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of ftituted criminally againft Cfurin. His explanation of the affair afforded ample matter to enable me to convince him that he would certainly be condemned. My rea- fons appeared to be fo well founded, that he declared he would pretend illuefs, in order to avoid commanding the vcffel. This deciiion reduced me to the neceflity of forcing his fecond retrenchment, which I did, by repre- fenting that his delaying his departure would not fave him ; becaufc, doubtlefs, when the council faw that he was de- termined not to return, they would require the governor of Kamchatka to fend him under guard, fo that by this ma- noeuvre, he would gain only a tew months delay ; after which the confulion of his affairs would be flill greater than before. He admitted the truth of this remark, and entreated me to fend him to my new colony, or, at leaft, to favour his procuring a paffage to the Aleuthes iflands, where he would finilh the reft of his unfortunate life. As he faid thefe laft words he burft into tears, and faid, that he could give up his life and fortune without regret, but that his affedion for a young pcrfon with whom he lived, was fuch, that he could not bear the thoughts of Laving her. After this confeffion, he begged me to have pity on his Situation, and grant him my protedion and advice, I promifed to refledl ferioufly on his affairs, but obferved, that it would require fome time to confidcr maturely what was beft to be done. I gave him my word, how- ever, that I would clear him of his embarraffment ; but at the fame time, as a previous condition, I infifted that he fhould not mention his lituation to any one, nor think of quitting the comniand of the veffel. He fwore COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 205 Iwore that he would comply with my diredions, and thus we parted. But as I thought it neceffary to intercft his mind by fome immediate advantages, I called him back, to put a bag of five hundred roubles into his hands, with the compliment, that I begged him to accept of this advance to purchafe a prefent for his lady. He refufed at firft, but I forced him to accept the prefent by declaring, that, if he perfifted in his refufal, 1 fhould not believe he was really attached to my interefts. He therefore accepted my prefent, and I was delighted at having made fo good a bargain. On my return to Mr. Cruftiew, I informed the fociety of the good difpofition of my client, and they were not a little afloniflied at the rapidi.ty of my proceedings. In confequence of which, they determined no more to op- pofe my decifions in future, but wait, with patience and calmnefs, for the refult. I aflured them of my readinefs to perform my part, and promifed to negledl nothing to fecure the fuccefs of my plan with the moft fcrupulous attention. I obferved, that by this management, fteadily adhered to, the moment of execution would be naturally eafy, provided we were not forced to precipitate our meafures, in confequence|gof treachery from our own aflbciates, or a difcovery on the part of government. This lafl reflexion induced Mr. Panow to requeft that I would at leaft communicate to the fociety the plan I fhould adopt, in cafe we fhould be difcovered or attacked when we leaft expeded it. To this pofitiv^e queftion I thought proper to anfwer, that my refolution would depend on circumffcances, and the meafures taken by Government j fo that it was impoffible, at this moment, to 2o6 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of to fix my determination. But in the mean time I exhorted the fociety not to be alarmed at the crifis, which might furprize us, but to confirm themfelves in the refolution of dying with courage. I likewife added, that to prevent any furprize, I had fecured means of re- ceiving pofitive advice refped:ing every ftcp which Govern- ment might take againft me ; and that, provided we could have one night before-hand, I would anfwer for the pofTefiion of the tort and garrifon ; after which I was convinced the town could not hold out, becaufe it flood expofed in every part to the cannon of the fortrcfs. This anfwer fitisfied Mr. Panow ; but it gave rife to a longer conference, wherein every one fpoke his thoughts, and the whole fociety unanimoufly repeated their profefiions of ftridt obedience at the critical moment. I left the company, and proceeded to pafs the evening at the governor's houfe, where I was received like one of the family; and, after pafiing the evening very agreeably, I returned home about midnight. On 29th I was bufied with Mr. Meder, in making three petards, to be ufed in cafe circumftances fhould require the gates of the fort4|fs or the chancery to be forced open. ^ During this work I refleded on the bufinefs of Mr. Cfurin, and digefted my plan ; for v/hich reafon I fent to defire to fee him in the evening. Before dinner 1 vifited Mr. Stephanow, whofe fever had increafed the preceding day. I found him tolerably eafy. He made many apologies for his attempts againft my perfon, and appeared to repent fincereiy of what he had done. I therefore endeavoured to raife his fpirits, by afiuring him, COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 207 him, that it would always be in his power to preferve my efteem and friendship, as long as he avoided a repetition of his offences. His reply conlifted of reiterated proftffions of amendment in his future condud:, which confirmed the good opinion I had formed of him. After dinner I returned home, where I waited the ar- rival of Mr. Cfurin, who came at five o'clock. He began the converfation with promifcs and alTurances of his devo- tion to my fervice, and concluded, by requefting to know what I had fettled refpedmg him ; t ) which I anfwered, 1 . That I required him to retain the command of the packet, and to conform exactly to the arrangement he had made with Mr. Kuzneczow. 2. That at his departure I would let him know what he had to do, but that at prefent I fhould only inform him that Mr. Kuzneczow would mange matters fo, that the fecond day after his departure the Ship fhould fpring a leak, which would afford a fufficient reafon for coming to an anchor, which he might do at Lopattka. In the mean time I promiled to obtain the Governor's per- miffion ihat he might be permitted to eftabliih himfelf among us. 1 obferved that this appeared to me to be the only honorable method of avoiding the voyage to Ochoczk ; and further, with regard to his eftablifliment and future marriage with the young lady in queftion, I promifed him two thoufand roubles, and the place of captain of the military. My propofal pleafed him, and he bound himfclt, by oath, to conform ftrictly to every particular. He even offered to fign an engagment to that effed:, which he confirmed by oath, This affair being iiniihcd, I difmiffed him, and haftened 2o8 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of haftened to call a committee, to communicate the news of my fuccefs ; and as I thought it very neceffary not to lofe fight of Mr. Cfurin, I charged Mr. Kuzneczow to conned himfelf with him, and not to leave his company. CHAP. XXII. PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. MISS APHANASIA DISCOVERS THE INTENTION OF THE EXILES. ON the 30th Mr. Cruftiew and Mr. Panow, at the head of twenty-five of our affociates, were depu- ted to wait on the governor, with a requeft that he would pleafe to receive the title of Protedlor of the new colony. They were likewife charged to wait on the chancellor and the hettman, with a fimilar requeft, that they would accept other titles relative to the colony ; and, in the laft place, they were to prefent a memorial to the magiftratcs of the town, to requeft their aftiftance and fupport in favour of the new colony, which was to bear the name of Nilovaga, in honour of the governor. They performed their commifTion, and returned with the news, that they had met with an agreeable reception from all the gentlemen on whom they had been dired:ed to wait. On the 3 1 ft I received a meffage from the magiftrates of the town, informing me, that they had favourably received my memorial, and that, in confequence of the utility COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 209 utility and fervices which the capital expc^bed from our iiiduftry and attachment, they had fent us an aggregation to the rights of citizens of Bolfharezk for all the children which fliould be born in the new colony. After f had made the meffenger a prefent, I communicated our good fortune to the company, which was greatly amufcd at this comedy of my compoHng. April the ift. As I knew that the vefTels employed between Ochoczk and Kamchatka ufually took no larger ftock oi water than ten or twelve butts, I ordered Mr. Solmanow to purchafe twenty or twenty-five butts, and carry them to Cfckawka, after getting them put in order, under pretence of applying them to the manufa6ture of fait from fea water. About ten o'clock this day I re- ceived a meflage from Mifs Nilow, that flie would call on me in the afternoon, requefting at the fame time that I would be alone, becaufe flie had affairs of im- portance to communicate. As I fuppofed the latter part of this meflage to be mere pleafantry, I was far from expe(fling any extraordinary information ; and my furprize at the event was much greater, as 1 had not the leaft reafon to fuppofe (lie had made any difcovery of my in- tentions. Mifs Nilovv^ arrived at three in the afternoon ; her agitation on her firfl; appearance convinced me that fhe was excedingly afHid:ed. At light of me flie paufed a moment, and foon after burft into tears, and threw herfelf into my arms, crying out, that flie was unfor- tunate and forfaken. Her fighs and tears were fo extreme that it w^as more than a quarter of an hour before I could obtain a conncded fentence. I was extremely ailed-ed at her fituation, and ufed every expedient to calm her mind, Vol. I. E e but 210 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of but this was extremely difficult, becaufe I was entirely ignorant of the reafon of her afflidion. As foon as {he became a little compofed, £he begged me to fliut the door, that no one might interrupt us. I came back, and on my knees entreated her to explain the caufc of her prefent fituation, which fhe did to the fol- lowing effe^l: : She informed me that her maid had difcovered to her, that a certain perfon, named Ivan Kudrin, one of my affociates, had propofed to her to fhare his fortune, and that this indifcreet perfon had afTured the girl, that he was about to quit Kamchatka with me, to make a voyage to Europe, where he hoped to place her in an agreeable iituation. The maid had iirft related the cir- cumftance to her miftrefs, but, as fhe could never believe me capable of fuch bafe and treacherous behaviour to her, £he was delirous of hearing the account herfelf, and had, tor that purpofe, perfuaded the fervant to appoint a meeting with Kudrin, in order to qneftion him more amply, while fhe herfelf might hear the whole, by being con- cealed behind a curtain. In this manner, fhe faid, fhe be- came convinced of her unhappinefs and my treachery, and that fhe would have fpared me the confufion of hearing this, if, from a convi6tion that fhe could not live after fuch an aflVont, fhe had not been defirous of bidding me a lafl: farewell. On finifhing thefe words fhe fainted ; and tho' I was ex- ceedingly alarmed and diflrefTed on the occafion, yet I did not {ail to arrange a plan in my mind, during the in- terval of her infenfibility. When this amiable young lady recovered, flie afked if (he might give credit to what fhe had heard. I thcii threw myfclf at her feet, and intreated her to COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 211 to hear me calmly, and judge whether I was to blame or not. She promifed fhe would and I addreffed her in the following terms, " You may recoiled:, my dear friend, the account I gave you of my birth, and the rank I held in Europe : I re- member the tears you fhed on that occafion. The mif- fortune of being exiled to Kamchatka, would long fince have compelled me to deliver myfelf from tyranny, by death, if your acquaintance and attachment had not pre- ferved me. I have lived tor you, and if you could read my heart, I am fure I fhould have your Pity ; lor the polTeflion of your perfon is become as neceifary to my exiftence as liberty itfelf. The liberty I fpeak oi", is not that which your worthy father has given me, but implies the poffeflion of my eftate and rank. I have hoped for the pofleflion of your perfon, with a view of rendering you happy, in the participation of my fortune and dig- nity. Thefe views cannot be accomplifhed at Kam- chatka. What rank can I bcftow on my love but that of an exile ? The favours of your worthy father may be of the ihorteft duration. His fuccefibr may foon recall liis ordinances, and plunge me again into that ftate of fui- fering and contempt, from which I was delivered for a fhort moment. Reprefent to yourfelf, my deareft friend, the afili6lion and dcfpair that would overwhelm my foul, when I beheld you a fharer in my pain and dilgrace ; for you well know, thai" all the Ruffians efteem the exiles as dilhonourcd pcrfons. You have forced me to this declara- lion of my intentions, in v/hich I have been guided by the attachment and Imcerity of my heart. I deferred the com- munication to you, but I fwcar that fuch was my rcfo- lution. — Why then, interri:ptcd Ihc, did yciu conceal E ': 2 vour 212 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of your intention from me, who am ready to follow you to the fartheft limits of the liniverfe ? — This affurance en- couraged me to proceed, and engage this charming young lady in my intcrcfts. I told her, therefore, that I was pre- vented only by the fear left fhe fhould refufe my propofals, on account of her attachment to her parents ; but that, as I now had nothing to fear in that rcfpedt, 1 could inform her, that my intention being to leave Kamchatka, I had determined to carry her off; and in order to convince her, I was ready to call Mr. Crufticw,. who would con- firm the truth. On this affurance fhe embraced mc, and intreated me to forgive her want of confidence, at the fame time that fhe declared her rcadinefs to accompanv me. This deo;ree of confidential intercourfe beino; eftablifhed^ I perfuaded her to difmifs every fear from her mind.. Many vvxre the trials I made of her refolution, and the event convinced me, that fhe was perfedly determined to follov/ my fortunes. The fecrct being thus fecure, by her promife to keep it inviolably, 1 had no other uneafinef's remaining but what arofe from the communication having been made to her fervant. I mentioned my fears to Mifs Nilow, who removed them, by afl'uring me that her fervant was too much attached to her to betray her fecret; and had, bcfides, an affedion for Kudrin,. fo that fhe could anfv/er for her difcretion. Thus ag;ree-^ ably endsd our converfarion, though the commencement was rather tragical ; and I received the vov/s of attachment, and fidelity from an artlefs and innocent mind. Mifs Nilov/ did not depart till about fix o'clock. I im- mediately fcnt for Kudrin, whom I reproached for his mif- condu(£i: COUNT Ds BENYOWSKY. 213 condud; and iiidifcretion, by explaining tlie great danger to which he had expofed the whole fociety. I promiied at the fame time not to divulge his fault to the fociety; but infifled that he fhould in future avoid all farther explanation of the ftate of our affairs to the young woman. I likewife promifed, in order to calm his uneadnefs, that I would contrive matters fo that he fhould take her with him. This poor wretch, on my firft accufation, was feized with the moft terrifying apprehenffons, and fell to the ground at my feet, crying out for mercy, as he fuppofed I fliould deliver him up to the judgment of the fociety, from whom he had nothing to exped; but death. But, on my conclufion, he arofe, kiifed my hand, and fwore eternal fidelity. For my part, I was very v/ell fitisfied to have extricated myfelf out of fuch a difagrecable embar- raffment, by fettling affairs on fo good a footing. After the departure of Kudrin, I Vv^ent to Mr. Cruftiew, who, being apprized in the morning, of Mifs Nilow's intended vifit, and feeing me come out fo late, thought proper to rally me up upon tlie occafion. But his hilarity foon gave place to aftonifhment, when he heard what had pafled. He was perfuaded, he faid, that I muff have been born under a happy influence, and that nothing, could fail us under fuch aufpices. I laughed at his enthufiafm, though I was truly fennble of that good- fortune which had removed, fo many unpleafant in- cidents . On the 2d Madame Nilow invited me to breakfaft, and took me apart to enquire what I had clone to her daughter, who ufed to be exceedingly in fpirits at hcr return home,, but had, ffnce yeffcrday evening,, becrt continually 214 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of continually in tears. It was difficult to anfwer this home queftion; to which I could at firft make no better reply than by faying, that Mifs Nilow had imparted a fecret to me, tliat related to herfelf alone, and was communicated under the feal of confidence, which I could not infringe. Madame Nilow laughed at this excufe, and afterwards ordered her daughter to be called, whom flie required to releafe me from the injundion oi fecrecy, that I might be at liberty to relate what had paffed between us yefterday ; to which fhc anfwered, that fhe would intirely rely on my prudence, and that if I thought it neceffary I was at liberty to fpeak, though fhe would be prefent, to know whether I fpoke the truth. I then related that fome perfon, with a view to injure me in Mifs Aphanaiia's opinion, had informed her that I was not of the Greek religion, and had perfuaded her to afk me me to become of that faith : that fhe had accordingly made the propofal to me two days ago, to which I anfwered, that though, in my opinion, all religions were alike, I could not confent to make any change in mine ; and upon her obferv- ing, that my determination might prevent our marriage, I replied, that then we rhould die without reproach, (he was vexed, and our friendly intercourfes had fuffered a flight in- terruption, till a fecond opportunity for explanation offered itfcU. I added, that in our lafl: convcrfation I had expreffed my hope that Mifs Aphanafia Vv'ould in future put lefs con- fidence in advifers. Madame Nilow, after liaving patiently heard my account, blamed licr daughter for prefuming to meddle in aftairs ot religion ; and faid, fhe hoped her pru- dence in future would prevent her going into any fuch ex- travagancies. She then retired, and leit us at liberty. I embraced COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 215 embraced the opportunity to confirm the young lady in her refolution; and flie affured me that I might remain perfedlly eafy with regard to her maid, who was as defirous as herfeit to fee us fafe in Europe. We finiHied our con- verfation on the happinefs we fliould enjoy when at perfefl liberty. After which I retired, and ordered a general meeting to be held on the 5th. I then vifited Mr. Stephanow, whom I found under the application of blifters, having been in a continual delirium for three days and nights* 3S2E^3^S9B» CHAP. XXIIL TARIOUS PROCEEDINGS. THE CHANCELLOR RECEIVES INFORMATION- OF THE ATTEMPTS OF THE EXILES. THE COUNT'S EXERTIONS TO PREVENT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS DISCOVERY. ON the 3d of April, Mr. Solmanow purchafed twenty- two butts and forwarded them to Tfekawka. Mr, Kuzneczow likewife advifed me, that he had purchafed a cafk ot brandy for fevcn hundred and eighty roubles, which I immediately paid. MefTrs. Baturin and Wyn- bladth, who were commiilioned to fait fidi, alfo informed me, that they had prepared two cafks of fiib, and one cafk of whale oil ; but they could procure no more than four hundred and fifty pounds of Hour. On the 4tliMr. Kuzneczow informed me that Mr. Cfurin was going on. board to fet the (hip to rights j and confe- quentJy ^i6 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of qiicntly thofe of our iiffociates who were engaged in the vcffel muft be ready to depart on the 7 th; and that in order to overlook the tranfa^lions of Mr. Cfurin, he had determined likewife to go on board himlelf. I agreed to his propofal, earneftly advifmg him to exert every attention to promote the bufinefs intruded to him; but at the fame time to hold himfelf in readinefs to return at the firft call. And, in order that our corefpon- dence might be rendered more certain, I commillioncd him to ftation a trufty native of Kamchatka at Mikutka, to carry my advices and orders to him. I was informed in the evening that the governor was indifpofed. On the 5th I put off the meeting 'till the evening, on account of the neceflity of vifiting the governor. On my arrival at the fort I found the whole family greatly afflidcd, and the governor very ill with a violent colic. I gave him a little extrad of aloes with brandy, and had the pleafure to fee him able to walk about by noon. He thanked me for my affiftance, and begged I would give him a provifion ot the medicine which had done him fo much fervice. I refufed ftaying to dinner, and returned home; after which the general meeting was held, where I gave the fociety an account of the mcalures I had taken to fecure the veffel St. Peter and St. Paul ; but I thought it likewife neceffary to exprefs to the m.eeting my iears of fome unfortunate accident. For this reafon I required that no one in future would go into the town without a companion, and that they wovild not haunt public houfes, where fevcral difputes had arifen between the foldiers of the garrifon or colTacks, and my people. I ob- ferved that the moment of the execution oi our projedf was nearly COUNT DE BENYOWSKY, 217 nearly approaching, for which reafon it was of the utmoft confequence to avoid every mifunderftanding, and to be upon our guard. I therefore exhorted them to remain peaceably in their houfes, and always near the chiefs which I had nominated, in order that they might come together in cafe of any unforefeen accident, and be in readinefs to obey my orders. The whole company imanimouHy replied, that they would ftridtly obey my orders, and that I might depend on their fidelity. Their readinefs gave me much fatisfadlioii : I thanked them for their conlidence in me, and regaled them with a large quantity of punch, the difpofal of which employed the company till four in the morning. On the 6th I remained at home the whole day, at reft, except in the evening, when I made a viHt to the go- vernor. On the yth, Mr. Kuzneczow took his leave with ten of our companions. This day Mr. Baturin in- formed me, that Ifmailow, Bofcarew and Zablikow had propofed a number of queftions to him concerning the new colony ; and that he overheard Ifmailow whifper Bofcarew, " we fball get nothing out of him, for he is Sa- " muelovicz's friend, let us go to the others," from which he fufpedled that thefe three men had receiv^ed fome in- formation of our projed:. From this account I recol- le which he informed them of the difcovery of an aflaflination committed by my order. In confirmation of this opinion; Mr. Cruftiew {hewed me the letter, which clearly convinced me, that it became us to prepare for an open attack : for tho' I was well affured that the circumftances which had accompanied the death of Levontiev/ could not be brought in evidence againft mc, yet I had juft reafon to fear that the depofition of the tajon, who had put the letter directed to the governor into my hands, would produce an effed: which, COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 235 which, fupported by the credit of the chancellor and the hettman, could not fail to overthrow me. The more I refledled on this bufinefs, the more critical I found it, and as I was ftill too weak to fit up for any length of time, I gave Mr. Cruftiew a charge to admit the two exiles, companions of Mr. Ivafkin, into our fociety, as I was fufficiently convinced of their attachment. This was done the fame day, and they were fo well fatisfied with this mark of confidence, that they thanked mc on their knees for the favour I had beftowed on them, as, they faid, of receiving them into my company, and giving them an opportunity either of avenging themfelves of the unjufl government which had oppreffed them, or of dying in the attempt. On the 2 2d I affembled the whole company, and caufed arms and the necefl'ary ammunition to be diflri- buted to each, in order that, in cafe our dwellings fhould be inverted, they might not be unprovided ; and as there was reafon to fear an attack in the night, I gave regular orders for a guard and patrole. The arms were diftributed in the night for the greater fecrecy. On the 23d Mifs Aphanafia came to fee me incognito. She informed me, that her mother was in tears, and her father had talked with her in a manner which gaA-e reafon to fear that he fufpedled our plot. She conjured me to be careful, and not to come to the fort, if fent for. She exprefTed her fears that it would not be in her power to come to me again, but promifed fhe would, in that cafe, fend her fervant; and fhe intreated me, at all events, if I fhould be compelled to ufe force againfl gov^ernment, that I would be careful of the life of her father, and not endanger my own. I tenderly embraced this charming young ladv, and thanked her for the interefl 'H h 2 • - file 236 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS o?- {he took in my prefervation ; and as it appeared important that her abfcnce fhould not be difcovered, I begged her to return, and reconmieiKi the ifiiie ol our intentions to good fortune. Before her departure I reminded her to look minutely after her father, and to fend me a red ribband in cafe government fhould determine to arreft or attack me, and, in the fecond place, that at the moment of an alarm fhe would open the ihutter of heir window, which looked to the garden, and caufe a fledge to be laid over the ditch on that fide. She promifed to comply with my inftruc- tions, and confirmed her promifes with vows and tears. As foon as Mifs Aphanafia was gone, I thought it proper to fet up a pole for the conveniency of hoifl:ing a light, and, at the fame time, I fent inflru6tions to my companions that the light fliould be the fignal for rallying. On the 24th, being bufied in preparing againfl: every furprize, I caufed a bridge to be broken dov/n, which had been laid over a ravine that feparated us from tha town ; and, inftead of the bridge, I caufed a fingle plank to be laid ; over which no more than one perfon could pafs at a time. At three in the afternoon, Mr. Cruftiew informed me that the hettman was on hi-s return, and had brought with him the tajon in qucflion, and that Ifmailov/ was likewifewith his uncle. This information was fuflicient to point out the fteps it became us to take ; but, in order to obtain a more perfe6l knowledge of the ftate of afiairs, we fent ten of our afTociates of the party of Bofcarew on difcovery. They did not return 'till very late in the evening, and -reported, that the hettman had had a long conference with the chancellor, and that about Rvc in the evening, they had waited on the governor, accompanied by COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 2,37 by Ifmailow and a Kamfchadal chief. This report caufed lis to double our guard and patrole, and the whole fociety remained under arms. On the 25th, in the morning, Mifs Aphanafia's fervant brought me a red ribband. She told mc verbally, to beware of coming to the fort ; that her midrefs as well as Madam.e Nilow, was in tears, as the governor had treated them with great feverity, and had even flruck his lady. About ten o'clock the governor fent a ferjeant to me, to invite me to breakraft ; to which 1 anfwercd, that as I was not quite recovered of a dangerous illnefs, I could not wait upon him then, but hoped I (liould be able to have that pleafure to-morrow. The ferjeant anfwered by adviUng me to go by fair means, if I did not wifh to be dragged to the fort by main force. To this I replied in iKort, by dcfiring him to mind his own bufinefs, and carry my anfwer ; at the fame time that I advifed him to make his confcfTion before he ventured to come on any fuch enter prize. About noon I faw the hettman coming towards our houfe. I received him very politely, and he informed me that he came on the part of the governor to perfuade me to come to the fort. The bulinefs, he told me in confidence, was to difcufs one of the ridiculous fancies of the chancellor, which I might eafily overthrow, and confequently, that I ought to make no difficulty in ac- companying him. But when I replied, that my illnefs did not permit me to wait upon the governor, and that I certainly fhould not go that day, he became angry, and threatened to force me thither by his Coff.icks. I laughed at his threats, which did not tend to reflore his calmnefs 2^9 MEMOIRS AND TRAVELS of calmners. He called out to his CofTacks to come in and compel me to follow him. I whiftled, and five of n¥y companions inftantly rufhed in, and difarmed the hettman and two Coflacks, to whom I declared that they were my prifoners. After this ftroke, the hettman afked permiflion to write to the governor, and I promifed to difpatch a letter from him, provided it was firfl fubmitted to my perufal. In his letter he propofed to the governor to enter into terms with me, at the fame time informing him that he was himfelf detained as a prifoner. Together with his letter I fent one in my own name to the governor, in which I explained that the premeditated treachery of the chancellor, which I was fufficiently informed of, had in- duced me to take this flep, and that I entreated him not to confider it as an attempt to incite an infurredlion, as it depended on his excellency's pleafure to permit me to depart for Lopatka. About five in the evening, the governor fent me word, that if I did not fct the hettman at liberty, I fhould pay for my infolence at the price of my life ; that my trial would be proceeded on in full afl'embly the next day, where, if I fhould be found innocent, he would take care that I fhould receive fatisfadion from the chancellor ; but that, in cafe I was confcious of guilt, he advifed me to come and apply to the goodnefs and clemency of the throne for my pardon. In a written anfwer to this meflage I replied, that if myielf alone were pcrfonally concerned, I would not he- fitate a moment to appear before him ; but as the chief of a party, acknowledged as fuch by his own proper order, I could COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 239 I could not aft without confulting my companions : and, as it was late, I propofcd likewife to confult them on the morrow. I add-d, that my perfonal condud, as well as, the liberty of the hettman,. would depend on their dccifion. At nine in the evening I fent a party of fix affociates to feize the chancellor, but he took care not to ftir out of the fort: in his ftead, however, they brought me if- mailow, his nephew, Szudeikin, his fecretary, and the tajon, who was intended to be produced in evidence againft me» On the 26th I received two red ribbands from Mifs Aphanalia, at the fame time that I learned from one of our affociates, that the governor had fummoned x council, at which no one could give an account how If- mailow and the tajon had been carried off; that, as no witnelTes appeared, the governor had reproached the chancellor, and threatened him with the effedfcs of his anger, calling him a traitor, who took a pleafure in ex- citing difturbances ; and laftly, that every one was per- fuaded that, the accufation of the chancellor being falfe, Ifmailow and the tajon had difippeared, becaufe inca- pable of ftanding the examination. He further repo ted, that the governor, enraged at the witneffcs not ap- pearing, had difmiiTed the council, and retired to the fort. At eleven o'clock I received a meffage that the go- vernor was convinced of my innocence, and confented that the company fliould keep Mr. Hettman as an hoftage ; but that, for the fake of the form,, he would; fend four foldiers for me, to whom he begged me to fur- lender. In reply to this meffage I anfwered, that 1 would. ;240 MEMOIRS and TRAVELS or would entirely depend on the word and honour of the governor, who might fend his guard for me, and that in the mean time, I would do every thing in my power to perfuade my alfociates to confent to. my departure, which I had no doubt they would agree to, in coniideration of their holding the hettman as an hofcage. Immediately after I had difmified this mefi.enger, I received another, with a letter from Mifs Aphanafia, who intreated me to come to the governor, and alfured me that her fatiicr was more prejudiced in my favour than ever. I could depend on the integrity and attachment of this unliable young lady, and her letter might have had its influence on me, if I had not obferved that it contained many clippings of red ribband, which fhcwed me iai what manner to proceed. I therefore gave orde.s to Me firs. Baturin, Wynbladth, and Panow, to place themftlves at the head of their divifions, in rcadinefs to act in the night, as I expecled an attack, from the inf>.rmation 1 had received, that the foldicrs of the garrifcn, as well -as the CofTacks of the town, wore bufied in preparing their arms. Our number amounted to fifty-feven perlons, but Mr. Cruftiew informed me that he had fent an order to Mr. Kuzneczow to return with his people, and that he expeded him at the clofe of the night. In order that I might not be taken by furprize, I formed three diviiions, who ftationed themlelves round my houfe, whik the fourth divifion remained within. C H A P, COUNT DE BENYOWSKY. 241 CHAP. XXVII. THE GOVERNMENT SENDS A MILITARY FORCE TO TAKE THE COUNT PRISONER. THE EXILES OPPOSE THEM, AND BY THEIR SUPE- RIOR BRAVERY AND MILITARY SKILL, ASSISTED BY A FORTUNATE CONCURRENCE OF EVENTS, THEY GAIN POSSESSION OF THE FORT. THE GOVERNOR IS SLAIN IN THE ATTACK. AT five in the evening, I obferved a corporal with four grenadiers, who came and flopped at my door, where they called out to me to open it by order of the Emprefs. I jocularly anfwered that he lied, for that the Emprefs being at Peterfburgh, would not honour fuch a rafcal as him with her orders ; but told him that if he thought proper to behave with civility, we might per- haps tranfad: our affairs in an amicable manner. Upon this he faid, that the governor had informed him that it was agreed I fhould follow him, and confequently that he was ready to com.ply with my wifhes in every refpedl. I then propofed that he fliould enter alone to drink a glafs with me, and afterwards take charge of fome papers that were neceffary to be prefented to the governor. He confented, and I accordingly admitted him, fliutting the door after him, at which inflant he beheld four piftols prefented to his breaft, and was threatened with inftant death if ne fhould dare to utter a fingle w^ord. After conducting him into my chamber, I queftioned him con- cerning every particular 1 was defirous of knowing, and when hia depofition was finiflied, I ordered hiin to call ihe foidiers one by one, each by name, to conic i n and Vol. I, I i