mss142-vasilevShishmarev-i5-019
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soldiers distributed on all the islands. They were fitted out
in red English uniforms, but without breeches or headdress. It
was impossible to look at them without laughing, because with
their red skin they resembled dressed-up monkeys. Forty thou-
sand guns were kept in a fortress built on a hill beyond the
settlement of Hanaruro. There, too, were several field pieces
with caissons belonging to them and all other appurtenances.
The fleet consisted of nine frigates and four schooners, in-
cluding the yacht. These vessels were commanded by the Eng-
lish, and the sailors were the natives. The captains could
not find enough praise for the dexterity and intelligence of
these people. The sailing of Hawaiin vessels extended not
only to the islands, but they sailed even to Canton. For the
coming summer, the king wanted to send a brig with salt to Kam-
chatka and to take from there salted and dried fish, which the
Hawaiins like very much, but do not know how to prepare..
The incomes of the king were not definite and depended
on the circumstances because there were no regular taxes or
collections. When the king needed money, he ordered a new
hut built for him and the old one demolished. Having moved,
he placed large clay pots at the doors, near which stood guards
and one of the king's retinue. Throughout the whole island
messengers were sent with information about it and every male
citizen more than ten years old was obliged to deposit a
Spanish piaster in the pot. This collection was repeated two
or three times a year on every island, depending on the needs
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