The Journal and Letters of Captain Charles Bishop on the North-West Coast of America, in the Pacific, and in New South Wales, 1794-1799

Michael Roe, Michael Roe

• Publisher: Hakluyt Society
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781317026792
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Histoire
• Subtopic: Histoire du 19ème siècle

In 1794, Charles Bishop sailed from Bristol as master of the Ruby, a trading ship bound for north-west America. He had instructions to procure otter furs from the Indians and then to proced to Canton via Japan and sell the cargo. During the years 1794-1802, he rounded South America to reach the Pacific coast, then visited the Pacific islands and the coasts of Asia and Australia. In the Moluccas, he sold the Ruby and purchased the Nautilus; correspondingly, the text is divided into two sections. This narrative is Bishop's journal of his voyages and relates a minor epic of adventure, courage and turbulent fortune. The records of his letters and financial accounts show something of the ships' general organization, and of the seamen who served such expeditions. Bishop also describes the various ports and peoples he encountered; his experiences typify European contacts in the Pacific, and the reaction between trader, missionary, administrator and local inhabitant. Dr Roe's introduction gives the background to the trading voyages of the 18th century and describes Bishop's pwn history. Records of his life continue until 1809, ending tragically in Sydney, where he passed some years in poverty and insanity, before being returned to England.. This is a new print-on-demand hardback edition of the volume first published in 1967.

INDEX

Where items are repeated time and again (e.g. Macao and Canton, Bishop, Teast), entry is selective and consolidated. Places are entered according to their distinctive name, even when that normally follows ‘Cape’, ‘Port’ ‘River’, etc.

Abemama, xliv, Map II, Map V

Abigail, American trader, 174 n., 185 n.

Achie, Chinese merchant, 241, 243, 244, 271

Achune, Chinese merchant, 246

Act 2 George II, cap. 36, 263

Act 33 George III, cap. 52, xxvii

Adamson, Cape, 87 n.

Adamson, J. W., adventurer and master of Jenny, xxvi, 15, 57, 81, 87 n.

Admiralty Bay, see Yakutat Bay

Africa, Bishop’s reminiscences of, 3, 39, 40

Alaska, xi, 79 n.

albatrosses, 33

Alexandra Bank, 74 n.

Allen, W., signatory to Bishop’s seal, xii n.

Alsea Bay, 54 n.

Amboyna, its place in Bishop’s travels, xi, xxxiii; Bishop’s account of experiences at, 214–20, 234; incidental references, 177, 196, 201, 207, 208, 221, 228, 247, 259, 260; Map V

Amboyna, H.M.S., 198, 201

Amowee, Chinese boy on Nautilus, 265, 293, 307

Amsterdam Island, 234 n.

Annathat, Indian chief, 108

Anson, George, explorer, 32

Apellton, George, seaman, 293, 308, 313

Aquie, —, French merchant at Canton, 179

Argonaut, early trader on N.W. coast, xx–xxi

arms, on Ruby at outset, 3, 4; ready for use in N.W. trade, 44, 62, 65, 69, 91, 92; Indians’ possession of, 56, 77; on Nautilus at outset, 215, 219, 223 n.– 224 n., 231, 262; on Nautilus from Sydney to Canton, 314 n., 315

Armstrong Channel, xli, Map I (b)

Arniston Point, 79 n.

Arthur, trader in eastern seas, 185 n.

Assancoe, Chinese seaman, 265, 269, 307

Astor, J. J., fur-trade tycoon, xviii

Atkins, Richard, deputy Judge

Advocate at Sydney, 282, 283, 314 n.

Attooi, see Kauai

Augustine, Cape, 89 n., Map IV

Aur, Map V

Austral Islands, xlvii, Map V

Avacha Bay, 273 n.

Bagman (Bargmin), Dutch merchant at Canton, 166

Baker, James, adventurer and master of Jenny, xxv, 54, 79 n., 101 n.

Baker, William, seaman, 293, 309, 313

Baker Bay, nomenclature, xxv; nominated in Teast’s instructions, 10, 11; Bishop’s first sojourn, 56–8; second sojourn, 113–29; inc...