TRIBUTE IMPOSED ON THE ISLANDERS. 
55 
they had been in the track after us during the whole summer, but 
had been prevented putting to sea until after the time appointed 
for meeting our vessel. It being a calm, the new vessel, which 
had received the name of Tschernoi Orel (Black Eagle) from its 
builder, came to an anchor first near the western shore of the 
Captain’s haven, close by the village of Natykinsk, from whence 
it was towed in the evening alongside the Slawa Rossii. 
On the 3d of September our officers held a consultation on 
the properest place for passing the winter, in which it was unani¬ 
mously decided, that, in consequence of the distance of Kamt- 
schatka and the lateness of the season, it was most adviseable for 
us to take up our abode off Unalaschka, and at the same time to 
remain on board our vessels. Captain Billings lhad, indeed, re¬ 
commended for the crew to be dispersed among the different vil¬ 
lages of the Aleutians; but, independent of the burthen which 
their support would have been to a people oftentimes unable to 
maintain themselves, the vehement and tempestuous winds which 
at present raged, made it altogether impossible to find any secure 
anchoring-station. We therefore determined, for the sake of 
saving our present stock of sea-provision, on curtailing the daily 
allowance, and on using every effort to recruit ourselves, which 
circumstances would admit of. 
In order to lighten the vessel and preserve our stores, I had 
a sort of magazine erected of poles, which were covered with 
thick grass instead of planks; and for a bakehouse as well as 
seperate dwelling for the sick, had a jurt built on a shore of 
floating wood. 
On the 12th, we proceeded to execute that part of our com¬ 
mission, which required us to number the inhabitants of the 
places subject to the Russian empire, to regulate the Japak or 
tribute in future to be levied, to acquire the good-will of the 
islanders by presents, and confer honorary gold, silver, and 
copper medals, in the name of the empress on the most re¬ 
spectable. We profited by the opportunity which presented it¬ 
self on that day, when the Aleutians were collected together, 
to receive the presents promised them by Captain Billings for 
the preparation of dry fish, berries, and roots. We accord¬ 
ingly distributed rewards among them, and dismissed them with 
still greater promises* They readily acceded to the tribute im¬ 
posed upon them, and engaged to discharge it at the commence¬ 
ment of winter, both for themselves and for all who might go 
to the chace, taking upon themselves the management of the 
whole matter. Hitherto the Japak had been imposed only on 
two or three, selected by our hunters, and on that account called 
Jassasbnas. 
By the middle, of September we had our magazines construct- 
