1794* Ruffians in an equal degree; but whether this may arife from a difference
^ ■ in their difpofitions, or whether it be owing to the Ruffians having come
more recently amongft them, and that a fufficient intercourfe had not
yet induced them to fubmit to a docile and confidential fubordiiiation,
we could not correftlv determine. Although, from the converfation of
the Ruffians, the former would appear to be the cafe, yet the Ruffians
feemed to repofe the greateft confidence in the party Mr. Johnftoiie met
with at the large Indian village, and to refign themfelves completely
to their power. This meafure might probably be indifpenfably requi-
fite for carrying into effect their commercial purfuits, which cannot fail
o f being highly advantageous to the Ruffian adventurers, who it is rea-
fonable to expeft may be enabled to difpofe of the furs thus collefted at
a much better market in the northern parts of China; and this after having
.procured them at a much more reafonable rate than either the European
or American traders could poffibly have done; firft becaufe they
are competitors, and fecondiy becaufe they have only one place in the
moft fouthern parts of China to refort to as a market; where the
Canton merchants purchafe the furs nearly at their own price, and moft
probably infinitely under their real value.
It is very poffible that no other people will hereafter be fo well able to
carry on this valuable traffic as the Ruffians, who, being natives of a frigid
region and naturally a hardy race, and little acquainted with the luxuries
of their more fouthern neighbours, have in thefe refpeffts greatly
the advantage over all other civilized nations. Without deviating much
from the habits and practices continued from their earlieft infancy, the
Ruffians can readily adopt many of the Indian cuftoms, by which means
the manners of the two people become much affimilated. This is greatly
furthered by their partaking of the fame fort of food, and wearing the
fame fort of clothing. Their external appearance differs little from the
natives; and with refpefi to the principal occupations of the Indians,
fiich as hunting and fiffiing, the Ruffian, who has no better means
of paffing away his time, for we fcarcely faw a book of-any defcription
amongft them, is moft likely able, from his fuperior knowledge, to
afford them in thefe purfuits fome inftru&ion that may tend to render
thofe
thofe exercifes more interefting and advantageous. Thefe, together with ‘ 794
fome ufeful utenfils, and a few articles of ornament or luxury now '---- -
and then given to the Indians, fecure to the Ruffian at leaft.the character
of a defirable companion; and who from his fuperior weapons and
knowledge in the art of war, when once a good underftanding (hall be
thoroughly eftablilhed amongft them, will be enabled to proteft them
againft any neighbouring foe; and the reward he will demand for fuch
important fervices will be no more than the Ikins (of little or no value to
the natives) of thole animals, which they have moft probably been ac-
cuftomed to take rather for the fake of-their flefti than for any other
purpofe. The habits and general conduct of the Ruffians are not very
likely to be adopted by any other maritime nation, there being, few I
believe who could retire to thefe frigid regions, and completely fubmit
to a life fo very foreign to the manners and cuftoms o f the civilized world.
The intereft that the Indians feem to,take in.the fuccefs and welfare of
the Ruffians, originates in principles: of attachment and regard which do
not appear likely to be eafily removed by the influence of ftrangers to the
prejudice of the Ruffian commercial intereft, and which from die practice
o f the prefent day may probably be ftrengthened in. the fueceeding
generations.; for although the Ruffians did not appear to us either ftu-
dious or learned, yet it was underftood, that in all their eftabliftiments
the children of the natives are taken at an early age to apartments provided
on purpofe, where they are maintained and. educated in the Ruffian
language, and no doubt inftrufted in fuch principles as are moft
likely hereafter to be advantageoufly directed to the interefts o f that
nation.
Thefe circumftances, with a few others .that will appear under the
head o f general obfervations, are the refult of the information procured
during our intercourfe with the- native or foreign inhabitants of thefe regions;
but;as our fituation and means of communication, allowed of but
few opportunities for acquiring fatisfa&ory intelligence, the whole I truft
will be received with indulgence, as an humble endeavour to tranfmit
all the light I received on a fubjefit, which in a commercial point of view
may be interefting- to perfons concerned in fimilar occupations..
| V.ol. III. D d The