west coast. While at Nootka Sound (evidently the International meeting ground in this pre-colonial period) the Hawaiian chief Tianna (Kiana?) met in conference with the Indian chieftan Maquilla. Conversation was made possible through Comekela, an Indian who had been in Hawaii and could act as interpreter.[1]
During these years some few islanders may have strayed to shore, tired of the discipline of ship routine, or enticed by Indian life and have remained there, mingling with the natives of stream or forest. Such an accession while possible, would have been largely negligible, and actual emigration from the kingdom of the Kamehameha's to the Oregon country may well enough be dated from the Astoria venture.
Twelve Hawaiians were enlisted by the partners accompanying Captain Thorn to serve evidently as boatmen, their skill in the water having greatly excited the admiration of the adventurers. Three times as many were desired but the size of the Tonquin would not permit of this, although another twelve were enlisted to form part of the ship's crew. The tragedy that overtook the Tonquin on the Northwest Coast must have linked in common fate New England sea captain and barbarian islander. The twelve who were enlisted for service with the Company were to remain three years, and in addition to their keep were to receive one hundred dollars in merchandise.[2] This was in January-February, 1811.
These first immigrants were doubled almost a year later (October, 1811) by the ship Beaver whose captain shipped another twelve for the service of the factory.[3] What became of them during the misfortunes of war is not related, but doubtless they served out their term in
- ↑ The interview did not result in any international amity between the two barbarian peoples; Maquilla disliked Tianna for being larger than himself, and the latter despised the Indians for their small size and cannibalistic tendencies. Voyages, (1790), pp. XXXIX, 28, 209-210.
- ↑ Irving, Astoria, (rev. ed. 1864), p. 75.
- ↑ Ibid., p. 356.
