Three Accounts of the Vasil'ev-Shismarev Expedition of 1819-1822

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poorer than these island s. Incidentally, this attribute is common to all of Oceania. Of quadrapeds, there are rats and mice; of domesticated animals, the natives have pigs, goats, dogs, and cats. The last ones were brought in from the times of the discovery of the islands. Recenty, horses, horned cattle, and sheep were imported.

In those days reigned the king, Tameamea II [Kamahameha II] the son of the reformer and conqueror of the whole island group, Tameamea I,about whom Mr. Kotzebue, in the description of his voyage round the world on the brig "Riurik" talked in great detail. The son adopted the name of his father upon ascending the throne, and until that time he was called Rio-Lio [Liolio]. He was then about 25 years old, was of a very unattractive physical appearance, and did not distinguish himself like the rest of the nobility with tall stature and generally handsome figure. His mental abilities were also not outstanding, the reason why his wise father, knowing the weakness of his son, ordered on his deathbed that his favorite wife, the above mention queen, Kahumanna, should participate in ruling. Apparently, he[ Liolio ] was seemingly very contented with this order of his parent, and did almost nothing. He spent the whole day in his hut surrounded by his favorites, and sipping kava or rum, and occasionally madeira, which he preferred to all other wines. Sometimes, for a change,he got into his beautiful yacht and sailed among the islands in company of his favorite wife, Kamehameha [Kamamalu], who subsequently

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very brilliant vegetable colors. Having undressed, the king lay down on the mats and invited us to do the same. Then he started to inquire of us through the interpreter, the Frenchman Rivés, about Russia, whereby he expressed a desire to visit the Emperor Alexander; about our American colonies, known to him from the expedition of some fortune hunter, Doctor Sheffer [Georg Anton Shäffer], who presuaded the manager Baranov [of the Russian-American Company] that there was nothing easier than to occupy Vahu Island from which he was exiled by the late father of the king; and finally, about the purpose of our expedition, which he could in no way understand, and asked, what concern is it of our Emperor whether water or land are found in the North? Our captains asked his permission to set up tents on shore for astronomical observations, and he immediately ordered a place set aside for us on the right side of the fortress. When we wanted to take our leave, he took it into his head to invite us to his yacht. He got dressed again, and went with us on our tender. On the yacht, we were treated to wine and fruit. When we left, he ordered a salute of five shots, which were answered by as many from the "Discovery."

The next day, His Hawaiin Majesty honored us with his visit. He appeared in the uniform of a British admiral in a straw hat and in shoes [without stockings]. He was accompanied by the above mentioned Kraimoku, Governor Poki, like the king, in the uniform of the English fleet, and his favorite wife, Kamehameha [Kamamalu] in a white satin dress although her hair was made up in the Hawaiin manner, and her feet were without