#8 VOYAGE FROM OKHOTZK 



they now ftrove to imitate the manners and cuftoms of 

 the Ruffians, they affected to ridicule the other fava- 

 ges, as very ignorant people in companion of them. 

 Many of them I frequently took to my houfe with me, 

 where they faw a picture of our fovereign, and various 

 books, afking them what they faw remarkable ; I then 

 told them, with all due reverence, of her imperial ma- 

 jefty, of her gracious government, her power and fu- 

 premacy, and how happy they thought themfelves 

 whofe duty it was to obey her commands, and who 

 lived under her fway ; on the other hand, that they 

 were extremely miferable who evaded her laws, and 

 acted contrary to her will. I ufed my utmoft en- 

 deavour? to infufe into them this maxim, that every 

 one ought to be in eafe and feeurity, that every body 

 ihould be able to go wherever he pleafed alone, with- 

 out fear of attack or robbery. — By thefe and the like 

 reprefentations eafily comprehend ble to them, I had 

 actually wrought fo much upon them, that they beg- 

 ged and intreated me to drive from their ifland all that 

 ihould hereafter approach to land upon it ; alluring me 

 that they 'put themfelves entirely under my protection, 

 with the pro mi fe of being in all things obedient and 

 fubmiffive to me. As thefe poor people frequently 

 came to our dwellings, and there were witnefTes to the 

 alacrity and refpect with which my people obeyed me 

 arid executed my orders, they prefentiy began to ima- 

 gine, that none in the world cculd be greater than I. 

 ■ — i foon however fet them right on this matter, by 

 telling them that [ was no more than one of the mean- 

 eft fubjects of my emprefs, that a great many other 

 commanders were conftituted by her, whofe bulinefs 



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