Across Siberia to America – Part 2
The Further Adventures of Khvostov and Davydov
In our last episode, we saw something of the character of Lt. Nikolai Aleksandrovich Khvostov, at least as Vice-Admiral Aleksandr Semenovich Shishkov chose to present it. This next installment will take the lives of Khvostov and his young subordinate (practically a sidekick, really) forward to one of the most romanticized events in the history of the Russian-American Company: the voyage of the ship Yunona from Sitka to San Francisco in 1806. This is the voyage on which, although Rezanov, Khvostov, and Davydov never knew it, they came within a week of meeting Lewis and Clark.
In this installment we will also see that controversy between Russia and Japan over Sakhalin island, north of Hokkaido, is nothing new.
Khvostov has just taken his tearful leave from his parents on his second journey from St Petersburg to America. He has arranged for his parents to receive half his pay for the duration of his time away.
SHISHKOV’S NARRATIVE (Continued)
When at last everything was decided, and he and his comrade Davydov (for he did not want to be left behind) prepared for the road, some new flame for this journey seemed to kindle in Khvostov. The spark was an interview with the Minister of Commerce, who asked him whether, if any Expedition requiring special toil and courage would open up, would he agree to take it on? Khvostov, with his usual fervor, responded: the more dangerous it is, the more appealing it will be for me. The Minister’s question revived in him the hope that opportunities to render extraordinary service might open for him. With his main passion so flattering his hopes, on 14 May 1804 they set off on their journey.
Here I must advise readers that some time before Khvostov and Davydov returned to St. Petersburg, State Counselor and Chamberlain Rezanov went as ambassador to Japan on a voyage of two ships, Nedezhda (Hope) and Neva, under the command of Captain-Lieutenant (now Captain) Kruzenshtern. The Japanese Government refused to accept this Embassy, declined to enter into friendly trade negotiations, and prohibited our ships from entering their ports. All this may be seen in more detail in the travel journal published by Captain Kruzenshtern. [From other sources, we know that the Shogun’s treatment and dismissal of Rezanov bordered on rudeness. The final official communication Rezanov received from the Japanese pointedly included detailed instructions for safe exit from Nagasaki Harbor. –JT.]
Meanwhile Khvostov and Davydov arrived in Okhotsk at the end of August, and from there set off for America on the ship Maria. But the ship sprung a leak, forcing them into Petropavlovsk harbor, where, because of the advanced season, they wintered. In May of the next year (that is 1805) the frigate Nedezhda, carrying Ambassador Rezanov, arrived from its unsuccessful mission to Japan. Khvostov and Davydov connected with him, and then came under his direct command and authority. Soon Kruzenshtern with his two ships returned to Russia, but Rezanov remained in the region, sailing with Khvostov and Davydov for America, to look after the affairs of the American company.
They called at St Paul Island, then Unalaska, then Kodiak, and finally arrived at Sitka Island in the port called Novo Arkhangelsk [New Arkhangel]. Here Rezanov, smarting from the insult he had received from the Japanese, pondered how to instill in them respect for our flag and make them feel that enmity and disagreement with us would expose them to danger from the force of our weapons, but in affection and concord they can be at their ease and expect great profit and advantage from us. He decided that the only way to deal with the Japanese would be to force them to enter into peaceful, commercial relations. His hope for this approach was all the stronger because during his time in Japan he secretly learned of a great tension between the administrators of the civil and spiritual powers there. The civil authorities and the people wanted to receive our ambassador and trade with us, but the spiritual power opposed this, and gained the upper hand.Seeking a way to provide some slight reinforcement to the civil authorities and silence the spiritual, he resolved on this plan:
Near Japan lies fertile Sakhalin Island, whose indigenous inhabitants are a people distinct from the Japanese. We [Russia] once (about sixty years ago) thought about settling it, but the fate of the village we established there is unknown. The Japanese took possession of the island and settled it, conquering the Sakhalins and treating them as slaves, very cruelly. Rezanov’s plan was to mount an expedition to the island, drive the Japanese off it, raze their establishments there, take everything that could be removed, and either set fire to the rest or give it to the inhabitants of the island. The Russian force would take the Sakhalins under their protection, distribute to their headmen silver medals, and declare them Russian subjects. On top of this, they would seize a few Japanese, and especially try to capture their priest with the shrine and all its idols and utensils. This last he considered necessary because he planned to take the captured Japanese to Okhotsk, and to allow the priest to conduct their rituals, so as to keep them as compliant as possible. After a year he would take them back to Japan, so that they would describe our treatment of them, and through this inspire the people with greater trust in us. [If this strikes you as a hare-brained scheme, don’t blame me; I’m just the translator –JT.]
Rezanov considered trade with Japan necessary not so much as a new source of wealth, but as the only and necessary means to feed all our establishments in the barren and hungry land [Alaska]. He saw an auspicious opportunity to meet this need, while at the same time answering the offensive acts and the refusal of the Japanese authorities to accept our embassy, and to gain advantageous terms by force of arms. But he still needed to formulate a plan by which he could bring this important expedition into action. He faced several difficulties: First, the way to Japan is poorly known. Second, although he assumed that the inhabitants of the island and the Japanese who settled on it were not naturally warlike, their numbers would be out of all proportion with our people’s; third, he could not send more than two ships, with 60 or 70 men, and these would be poor warriors, as the recruits would be trappers and traders [promyshlenniks]. We will see on what, in spite of all these problems, he founded his main hope.
Once he became determined as to the usefulness and need for the expedition, he ordered the building of two ships, and wrote Khvostov and Davydov this letter:
“My gracious sirs, Nikolai Aleksandrovich and Gavrilo Ivanovich:
“Your first step toward America gave me the pleasure of seeing personally your decisive spirit of enterprise; your successful return to Europe showed the experience of your art; and your second journey to this land has attested how deeply the noble feelings of the true love for the Fatherland lie in your hearts. Finally, I also made several voyages with you, which left me forever with the pleasant impression of a great spirit that holds the common good above all. TheGeneral Manager of these regions exemplifies the same jealousy and zeal, at which one day our descendants will marvel more than we. Taking advantage of only this fortunate meeting of several minds, striving toward a common goal, I decided have next year to make an expedition, which may lay down a new trade route, and will provide needed support to this region and relieve its wants. For this will need to sail two warships, a Brig and a Tender, which may be built here. I have already given the General Manager my instructions on this.
“Now it remains for me, my dear gentlemen, to say to you that to the ships for this first expedition must be appointed first-rate Officers. Not being a naval officer myself, I can only testify about your efforts, activities, and successes. Without deep knowledge of this science alien to me, I can only superficially judge by mere comparisons, acquired by experience. Still, I am sure in advance that your reports will justify my opinion; and I cannot help but feel true regard for those great and noble impulses that, in the eyes of everyone loving the fatherland, give you the right to be among those first Officers.I beg you now, as my friends, to prepare to sacrifice yourselves for the common good, to which we so willingly devote ourselves, to be ready to accept the command of the planned ships, assigning them according to your seniority, and to this end now proceed to review the drawings that the ship's apprentices will present, and upon their approval to participate in the supervision of their building, so that at the end of April they will be ready and in the first days of May we can set sail.
“I know that we will encounter many snags, but when did a great feat not have its difficulties? These do not frighten us and will only add to the glory. I do not find it necessary to dwell still on the subject of this expedition, about which you will receive full instruction from me in due time. In the construction of good ships, the diligence of the builders gives me hope; in sailing, your experience and your labor promise success. I confess that on my part I am impatiently awaiting the time of your venture, and so we will proceed with common purpose to accomplish a great deed and show that in our happy century, a handful of enterprising Russians will throw their weight into those huge deeds in which millions of alien peoples have been participating for centuries.
“With perfect respect, I have the honor to be your,
“My Gracious Sirs,
“Most humble servant
(authentically signed) “Nikolai Rezanov. No. 475. 29 August 1805. Baranov Island. Port Novo-Arkhangelsk. To Messrs. Fleet Lieutenant Khvostov and Midshipman Davydov.”
Having communicated in this way all the requirements for the proposed expedition, he sent, in the presence of Khvostov and Davydov, a report about it to the Court, and to the Minister of Commerce, His Lordship Earl Nikolai Petrovich Rumyatsov, to whom he explained the benefits of this expedition. Incidentally, he wrote, it would never have occurred to him to decide on this brave undertaking, if he had not been fortunate enough to have under his command Lieutenant Khvostov, an Officer full of fire, zeal, art, and exemplary fearlessness.
When construction of one of the two ships planned for the expedition had begun, an opportunity arose to buy another from the shipowner Wolf [John DeWolf or D’Wolf], who happened to come to New Arkhangel from the USA. This ship, placed under the command of Khvostov, was called Yunona [Juno]; another, newly built, was entrusted to Davydov, and given a name inspired by the attempt of this expedition, Avos [Literally “Maybe,” but “Possibility” might capture the sense better]. They remained on Sitka Island until 25 February 1806. By that time the Russian establishment was short on food, causing terrible hunger as a consequence, forcing Rezanov to commandeer Yunona for a voyage to California.
This voyage lasted several months. They were very well received by the Spanish, returned on 9 June to New Arkhangel, brought a notable quantity of food, and thus ended the famine violently raging. Finally, the Tender Avos was completed and everything was ready for the expedition. On 25 July Rezanov went to sea with the two ships, intending to be present personally at the execution of this enterprise, but a few days into the voyage, namely 8 August, he changed destinations and gave Khvostov a new order prescribing with regard to the Sakhalinians and Japanese all that we have already mentioned. He entrusted Khvostov with the care of the successful completion of this feat with little trouble, and instructed him to oblige everyone to sign a document that they would divulge nothing about this expedition, and guard its complete secrecy. He said that for his own part, although he wished to be a witness and an accomplice in their labors, so that he, as an eyewitness, could most fully report about it to HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY; but as the time was already late, he needed to hurry to St. Petersburg. He ordered the following: Midshipman Davydov was to continue his journey to the islands of Sakhalin and Matua, and there in the bay called Aniva, or in the Strait of La Perouse, await the return of Yunona; Khvostov, after dropping Rezanov off in Okhotsk, was to go to Aniva and rendezvous with Davydov, the two then proceeding with their joint efforts to fulfill their instructions.
When Yunona arrived at Okhotsk, Rezanov went ashore, and ordered Kvostov to have all in readiness to depart on the expedition. But meanwhile he demanded from him his orders, so as to supplement them. Once Khvostov was completely ready to weigh anchor, then Rezanov sent back the orders, with an addendum squeezed onto the end. Khvostov, on reading the addendum, hurried to Rezanov for an oral explanation, but he learned that Rezanov had already left Okhotsk. The contents of the addendum were as follows:
“Upon your arrival in Okhotsk, I find it necessary to expand again on the instructions given you. The fracture that opened in the foremast, the contrary winds that prevented us from sailing, and the very late autumn time oblige you now to hurry to America. The time arranged for your rendezvous with the Tender in Aniva Bay has already passed; now that hunting season is over the desired success is unattainable, and, moreover, in accordance with all these circumstances, I find it necessary for you, setting aside what was previously written, to proceed to America for reinforcements from the men of the port of Novo-Arkhangelsk. The Tender Avos is already under orders and you will have to return without it, but if the winds oblige you to go to Aniva Bay without loss of time, then try to charm the Sakhalinians with gifts and medals, and take a look at the state of the establishment the Japanese keep on it. Fulfillment of this will be enough to do you honor, and most of all your return to America, bringing substantial benefits, should be the main and first object of your zeal: and so provide the Tender with similar guidance, if you meet him. However, in the voyage you may encounter unforeseen circumstances, and you will meet them by acting in the best interest of the company, and your art and experience will surely bring out the best for the fulfillment of this last command. For my part, I am extremely sorry that the local port is incapable of changing the mast for you, and that circumstances obliged me to change my plan. (24 September 1806. No. 609. Over genuine signature: Nikolai Rezanov).”
In the next installment: Khvostov considers what to do in light of the ambiguous and apparently contradictory orders he has received from Rezanov. He eventually decides to prosecute Rezanov’s design for a wildcat raid on Sakhalin Island, but by the time he is able to rendezvous with Davydov, in command ofAvos, the season is too far advanced, and they winter in Petropavlovsk. The next year (1807) they conduct the raid on Sakhalin and return to Okhotsk, expecting a heroes’ welcome. Their reception by the possibly-deranged master of the Okhotsk port, Captain second class Bukharin, is not as they anticipated, and swashbuckling ensues.