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White Slaves of Maquinna: John R. Jewitt's Narrative of Capture and Confinement at Nootka
John R. Jewitt's story of being captured and enslaved by Maquinna, the great chief of the Mowachaht people, is both an adventure tale of survival and an unusual perspective on the First Nations of the northwest coast of Vancouver Island.
On March 22, 1803, while anchored in Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Boston was attacked by a group of Mowachaht warriors. Twenty-five of her 27 crewmen were massacred, their heads "arranged in a line" for survivor John R. Jewitt to identify.
Jewitt and another survivor, John Thompson, became 2 of some 50 slaves owned by the chief known as Maquinna. Among other duties, they were forced to carry wood for three miles and fight for Maquinna when he slaughtered a neighbouring tribe. But their worst fear came from knowing that slaves could be killed whenever their master chose. Since most of the Mowachaht wanted the two whites dead, they never knew what would come first—freedom or death.
After Jewitt was rescued, following 28 months in captivity, he wrote a book of his experiences. It appeared in 1815 and became known as Jewitt's Narrative. It proved so popular that it is still being reprinted today.
On March 22, 1803, while anchored in Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Boston was attacked by a group of Mowachaht warriors. Twenty-five of her 27 crewmen were massacred, their heads "arranged in a line" for survivor John R. Jewitt to identify.
Jewitt and another survivor, John Thompson, became 2 of some 50 slaves owned by the chief known as Maquinna. Among other duties, they were forced to carry wood for three miles and fight for Maquinna when he slaughtered a neighbouring tribe. But their worst fear came from knowing that slaves could be killed whenever their master chose. Since most of the Mowachaht wanted the two whites dead, they never knew what would come first—freedom or death.
After Jewitt was rescued, following 28 months in captivity, he wrote a book of his experiences. It appeared in 1815 and became known as Jewitt's Narrative. It proved so popular that it is still being reprinted today.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1807
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About the author
John Rodgers Jewitt
21 books7 followersJohn Rodgers Jewitt was an armourer who spent 28 months as a captive of Maquinna of the Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) people on the Pacific Northwest Coast of present day Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 1, 2018
What an incredible story. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to go through what John Jewitt experience for almost 3 years. What started out as an adventure for him, quickly turned into a nightmare. I really enjoyed reading this story, and it really hit home what he went through. It’s been well written, and it certainly captured my attention.
Working down the docks as a blacksmith sure opened John Jewitt’s eyes, especially when he started talking to the sailors. After hearing about their travels around the world, he knew that’s exactly what he wanted to do. He was in luck when a position became available onboard The Boston, to assist in the armoury. Sailing on a ship was certainly different from being on land, and an adventure was exactly what John was looking for. However, when the ship was attacked by a tribe of Indians at Nootka Sound in Vancouver Island, he suddenly found himself a slave. Mind you, they killed just about everyone else on the ship, so being a slave for a couple of years was better than being killed. A great story that it well worth a read. If you enjoy reading this, then I would also recommend a fiction series based on this true story by Lance and James Morcan: ‘Into the Americas’
Working down the docks as a blacksmith sure opened John Jewitt’s eyes, especially when he started talking to the sailors. After hearing about their travels around the world, he knew that’s exactly what he wanted to do. He was in luck when a position became available onboard The Boston, to assist in the armoury. Sailing on a ship was certainly different from being on land, and an adventure was exactly what John was looking for. However, when the ship was attacked by a tribe of Indians at Nootka Sound in Vancouver Island, he suddenly found himself a slave. Mind you, they killed just about everyone else on the ship, so being a slave for a couple of years was better than being killed. A great story that it well worth a read. If you enjoy reading this, then I would also recommend a fiction series based on this true story by Lance and James Morcan: ‘Into the Americas’
June 6, 2019
Nineteenth Century English seaman-turned author John Jewitt provides readers with a mesmerizing account of his time as a captive of Mowachaht warriors on Vancouver Island. I doubt a more intriguing insight into the lives of Canada’s First Nations people has ever been written. And how he survived after 25 of his crewmates were slaughtered almost defies belief.
April 11, 2018
NB: This is a review from the publisher.
May 1, 2018
THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN JEWITT: The true story that inspired Into the Americas
by John Rodgers Jewitt
A fascinating, compelling story of one many journey aboard "The Boston". He chronicles his life, through rough , and often brutal times. A courageous man who is determined to remain open-minded and kind, in a world of Cruelty. Through John's journals, we learn of the (horrific) treatment of the Native people, and how John coped during this tumultuous time. I highly recommend to all. A definite five star read!
by John Rodgers Jewitt
A fascinating, compelling story of one many journey aboard "The Boston". He chronicles his life, through rough , and often brutal times. A courageous man who is determined to remain open-minded and kind, in a world of Cruelty. Through John's journals, we learn of the (horrific) treatment of the Native people, and how John coped during this tumultuous time. I highly recommend to all. A definite five star read!
July 2, 2023
I read this among a dozen others as research for current manuscript. Astounding account too wild to be fiction.
March 3, 2017
In 1802, a trading ship left Boston, England, with the intent of buying furs from the natives of the Pacific coast of North America and selling them in China. In March 1803 it stopped at Nootka Sound, a harbor on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The captain insulted the chief of the local band of Nootka Indians (the politically correct name is now Nuu-chah-nulth), whose name was Maquinna, who had been insulted and robbed by white sailors before. While some sailors were out fishing, a party of Indians boarded the ship and killed everyone but two sailors (those fishing were killed separately), 19-year-old armourer John Jewitt and 40something sailmaker John Thompson, a veteran of the Napoleonic wars. Jewitt was wounded, but Maquinna spared his life; Thompson hid during the attack, and after the Indians found him, Jewitt begged Maquinna to spare Thompson's life by pretending that he was Jewitt's father. The armourer and the sailmaker became slaves of Maquinna for the next 28 months. Jewitt kept a journal in a blank logbook that came from the ship, making ink from berry juice and powdered coal. He made daggers, harpoons, clubs for his master, and rings and bracelets for his son; he learned the Nootka language, observed and recorded Nootka life and customs, participated in a raid on another tribe and acquired four slaves of his own, and even married a young woman from a neighboring tribe, fathering a mestizo child. In July 1805 one of the letters to European ships he sent through the neighboring tribes, in secret from Maquinna, reached its destination; an English ship showed up at Nootka Sound, arrested Maquinna, who boarded it with a letter from Jewitt that told of the massacre, and exchanged him for Jewitt and Thompson. After author Richard Alsop made a book out of Jewitt's journal, Jewitt became a small celebrity; the book was even made into a play staged in Philadelphia; however, he died in obscurity.
Overall, the lives of the Nootka were remarkably healthy, compared to the lives of contemporary Manchester textile workers or Russian peasants (but of course, a square kilometer of land could support many more of the latter than of the former). The Indians ate a lot of fish, fish roe, whale blubber, berries and roots. Their society consisted of Maquinna, who had nine wives and about fifty slaves, male and female (the latter he pimped to the passing white sailors), other chiefs, who were the only ones allowed multiple wives and slaves, and about 500 common warriors with their families. They hunted whales, fought their neighbors (mostly to capture slaves), prayed to a supreme being (there used to be an annual human sacrifice, but Maquinna's father abolished it and substituted a display of indifference to pain instead). There were some arduous rituals performed before a whale hunt and war, a lot of trade between tribes in goods and slaves (many chiefs wanted to buy Jewitt, a skilled armourer, but Maquinna refused to sell him), potlatch ceremonies. The technology of the Nootka was remarkably primitive; they did not have pottery, but instead boiled water by putting hot rocks into a wooden tub; they did not fasten the roofs of their houses to the posts in any way, and in a storm climbed on the roof naked and held the planks with the weight of their bodies, praying for the rain to stop. They adopted some Western technology but not other; Jewitt found it remarkable that, while Maquinna had many firearms, he did not use them while raiding other tribes, but he did like and used the iron harpoon and dagger Jewitt made for him. What is amazing is how much Jewitt adjusted to Nootka life in his 28 months of life among the tribe, which the older Thompson did not; for example, Maquinna once remarked that Thompson did not laugh at the tricks of a Nootka jester - which means that Jewitt did laugh at them! Although Jewitt takes pains to explain that he only got married because Maquinna threatened him with death if he did not, somehow he had enough attraction to his wife to father a child. I would not be surprised if, had a European ship not come for two more years, Jewitt would have become another Gonzalo Guerrero.
One thing I learned from this book is that the Nootka ate a lot of salal, and even preserved it for the winter. I see it growing all over the place, but I've never tried eating it (I didn't even know what this berry is called). Perhaps I should try it next year.
Overall, the lives of the Nootka were remarkably healthy, compared to the lives of contemporary Manchester textile workers or Russian peasants (but of course, a square kilometer of land could support many more of the latter than of the former). The Indians ate a lot of fish, fish roe, whale blubber, berries and roots. Their society consisted of Maquinna, who had nine wives and about fifty slaves, male and female (the latter he pimped to the passing white sailors), other chiefs, who were the only ones allowed multiple wives and slaves, and about 500 common warriors with their families. They hunted whales, fought their neighbors (mostly to capture slaves), prayed to a supreme being (there used to be an annual human sacrifice, but Maquinna's father abolished it and substituted a display of indifference to pain instead). There were some arduous rituals performed before a whale hunt and war, a lot of trade between tribes in goods and slaves (many chiefs wanted to buy Jewitt, a skilled armourer, but Maquinna refused to sell him), potlatch ceremonies. The technology of the Nootka was remarkably primitive; they did not have pottery, but instead boiled water by putting hot rocks into a wooden tub; they did not fasten the roofs of their houses to the posts in any way, and in a storm climbed on the roof naked and held the planks with the weight of their bodies, praying for the rain to stop. They adopted some Western technology but not other; Jewitt found it remarkable that, while Maquinna had many firearms, he did not use them while raiding other tribes, but he did like and used the iron harpoon and dagger Jewitt made for him. What is amazing is how much Jewitt adjusted to Nootka life in his 28 months of life among the tribe, which the older Thompson did not; for example, Maquinna once remarked that Thompson did not laugh at the tricks of a Nootka jester - which means that Jewitt did laugh at them! Although Jewitt takes pains to explain that he only got married because Maquinna threatened him with death if he did not, somehow he had enough attraction to his wife to father a child. I would not be surprised if, had a European ship not come for two more years, Jewitt would have become another Gonzalo Guerrero.
One thing I learned from this book is that the Nootka ate a lot of salal, and even preserved it for the winter. I see it growing all over the place, but I've never tried eating it (I didn't even know what this berry is called). Perhaps I should try it next year.
June 1, 2018
When John Jewitt went on the ship for the first time he thought that adventure was awaiting him. But it turned quickly in a nightmare he struggled to get rid off. To be cut off from all you know would be devastating to most but he made an effort to take down all he would learn during his captive years.
The diary of John Jewitt is a significant tool for any historian. It is laced with detailed accounts from shipbuilding to the natives colourful dressing to their eating habits. Each chapter is devoted to a particular skill and to the implementation in their daily lives. The illustrations that accompanied the chapters made it fluent in understanding and I enjoyed the book.
Although the author tried very hard to adapt to his new life you could always sense the loneliness and longing for his country. A riveting tale of survival, adapting in a different world and making the most of what you have. An inspiring read.
The diary of John Jewitt is a significant tool for any historian. It is laced with detailed accounts from shipbuilding to the natives colourful dressing to their eating habits. Each chapter is devoted to a particular skill and to the implementation in their daily lives. The illustrations that accompanied the chapters made it fluent in understanding and I enjoyed the book.
Although the author tried very hard to adapt to his new life you could always sense the loneliness and longing for his country. A riveting tale of survival, adapting in a different world and making the most of what you have. An inspiring read.
April 17, 2018
I found the book worthwhile mostly because it dealt with an area and peoples which I had had earlier personal exposure. It wasn't particularly engaging in terms of writing style and his frequent use of both names and local language made it a bit difficult to follow, but being a recollection of experiences and facts helped mitigate this obstacle. If I hadn't lived close to the area being covered and had acquaintance with neighboring tribes (at a much later date), I don't know if I'd have been able to complete reading it.
August 15, 2019
This book appears to be a clear-eyed account of just what happened to the author in extraordinary circumstances. It is neither romanticized nor overwrought. There is a tremendous amount of detail of everyday life, yet the story is compelling. The description of Maquina is particularly good. It shows the full range of human character, and the author's ambiguous feelings towards him.
May 21, 2018
This book let me know that I’m glad I didn’t have to live back then.!!!!! The book was very informative and worth reading.
Thank you Lance and James.
Thank you Lance and James.
January 22, 2010
I was inspired to read more about NW coast Indians after reading The Curve of Time and this book was the perfect fit. I don't read much original source material, but I have to say, this was a real page-turner. Hillary Stewart (she's written many resource books on the NW coastal Indians) annotated this journal which was kept by a young man who was held captive by the Nootka on Vancouver Island from 1803 to 1805.(Ok, that sentence was way too long!)His observations of daily life, descriptions of the houses, canoes, clothing, and the tools for daily living and reflections about his experience captured my imagination and kindled a new interest in learning about NW coast history. A pleasure from cover to cover!
July 31, 2019
This was the perfect book to read while travelling in NW BC.
It puts indigenous culture into a new perspective when you can read first person accounts of life in 1802 before most of the western influences.
It puts indigenous culture into a new perspective when you can read first person accounts of life in 1802 before most of the western influences.
January 24, 2023
This book wins the Oscar for 2023. I’ll struggle to find a more interesting book than this one in 2023. This is another book that needs to be made into a movie.
Just a note: the book is read like an autobiography but with very interesting stories.
John R. Jewitt was born in 1783 in Boston- Great Britain to a father who was a blacksmith by trade. At the age of three, his mother died during Childbirth. His father determined to educate him very well and sent for a special school where he learned Latin and math. Later, his father wanted him to become a surgeon, but the young kid did not have the appetite for it. Eventually, he became like his father, a blacksmith, a trade that will save his live later during his strange adventure.
In 1802, he managed to convince his father to let him go in a long sea voyage working in the ship as an armourer. Reaching the western coast of Canada in the Nakota sound, they stayed there trading with natives with their King Maquinna-the main character of the majority of this book-. King Maquinna spoke little English due to his frequent dealings with Americans and English ships. The captain of the ship, gave Maquinna a gun as a gift which was broken. This was taken as insult by the natives creating a conflict between the captain and the king. The king determined to take revenge for this insult and for the many previous attacks suffered by the native from the Europeans. He came back with his men and slaughtered all the whites except John and another seaman (who was hiding in ship). John saw the chopped heads of all his companions but he himself was subsequently spared due to his skills in making weapons. In return, he was enslaved for almost three years among the savages as he described them.
To survive, John adopted the natives methods of living and he learned their language and almost became one of them. He managed to make an ink and started writing his journals which were used to write this book when he was back to civilization. He described the way of living, their manners, their food and was very attentive to all their customs. He was forced to abandon his Europeans cloths and was also forced to marry a native women ( a marriage that did not last for long but lead to the birth of a son). John observed everything, and brought very interesting stories and events. The reader will be astonished by some of the stories mentioned in the book.
One day he met a chief from another tribe who was tolerable and spoke a little English. He gave him a letter to be delivered to the first vessel that land on his lands, a promised that was fulfilled by the chief. He was rescued in 1805 by an English ship in a very peculiar way. When the Maquinna saw the Europeans vessel, he asked John to write a recommendation letter to the captain of that ship to guarantee his safety. John wrote a letter asking the captain to detain the King holding him as a hostage until they release John and his companion. This was achieved successfully, and John and his companion were both released in exchange for the king.
John gave an account of his appearance when he was first rescued by the English ship:
I have no doubt, that what with my strange dress, being painted with red and black from head to foot, having a bearskin wrapped around me, and my long' hair, which I was not allowed to cut, fastened on the top of my head in a large bunch…I must have appeared more like one deranged than a rational creature, as captain Hill' afterwards told me, that he never saw anything in the form of man, look so wild as I did when I first came on board.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I highly recommend it.
Just a note: the book is read like an autobiography but with very interesting stories.
John R. Jewitt was born in 1783 in Boston- Great Britain to a father who was a blacksmith by trade. At the age of three, his mother died during Childbirth. His father determined to educate him very well and sent for a special school where he learned Latin and math. Later, his father wanted him to become a surgeon, but the young kid did not have the appetite for it. Eventually, he became like his father, a blacksmith, a trade that will save his live later during his strange adventure.
In 1802, he managed to convince his father to let him go in a long sea voyage working in the ship as an armourer. Reaching the western coast of Canada in the Nakota sound, they stayed there trading with natives with their King Maquinna-the main character of the majority of this book-. King Maquinna spoke little English due to his frequent dealings with Americans and English ships. The captain of the ship, gave Maquinna a gun as a gift which was broken. This was taken as insult by the natives creating a conflict between the captain and the king. The king determined to take revenge for this insult and for the many previous attacks suffered by the native from the Europeans. He came back with his men and slaughtered all the whites except John and another seaman (who was hiding in ship). John saw the chopped heads of all his companions but he himself was subsequently spared due to his skills in making weapons. In return, he was enslaved for almost three years among the savages as he described them.
To survive, John adopted the natives methods of living and he learned their language and almost became one of them. He managed to make an ink and started writing his journals which were used to write this book when he was back to civilization. He described the way of living, their manners, their food and was very attentive to all their customs. He was forced to abandon his Europeans cloths and was also forced to marry a native women ( a marriage that did not last for long but lead to the birth of a son). John observed everything, and brought very interesting stories and events. The reader will be astonished by some of the stories mentioned in the book.
One day he met a chief from another tribe who was tolerable and spoke a little English. He gave him a letter to be delivered to the first vessel that land on his lands, a promised that was fulfilled by the chief. He was rescued in 1805 by an English ship in a very peculiar way. When the Maquinna saw the Europeans vessel, he asked John to write a recommendation letter to the captain of that ship to guarantee his safety. John wrote a letter asking the captain to detain the King holding him as a hostage until they release John and his companion. This was achieved successfully, and John and his companion were both released in exchange for the king.
John gave an account of his appearance when he was first rescued by the English ship:
I have no doubt, that what with my strange dress, being painted with red and black from head to foot, having a bearskin wrapped around me, and my long' hair, which I was not allowed to cut, fastened on the top of my head in a large bunch…I must have appeared more like one deranged than a rational creature, as captain Hill' afterwards told me, that he never saw anything in the form of man, look so wild as I did when I first came on board.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I highly recommend it.
June 8, 2021
Canadians are still struggling to reconcile with aboriginal descendent survivors of a period of great suffering for First Nations, whose traditional way of life was decimated in the decades following Jewitt’s experience. Here is traditional Nootka life before their community was ravaged by disease and their resources reduced by European exploitation.
Even though the story starts with violence, murder, kidnap and conflict, Jewitt and Chief Maquinna find common ground and understanding. Jewitt had a remarkable calm demeanour and excellent powers of observation. The book is a fascinating record that for its time seems remarkably balanced.
The abundance of fish, the sociability and trade of different bands and villages along the coast, and daily life are described, and we get a somewhat depressing glimpse of what the reader knows will soon vanish under global colonization by the European powers. This book is a rare treasure. Over the years I have read it several times.
December 4, 2017
Fascinating narrative, full of detailed observations about the lifeways of the Nuu-chah-nulth during the early stages of contact. If you're looking primarily for a dramatic narrative, this might not be for you. If you're interested in a detailed look at another way of life from the perspective of an outsider who is immersed in a different culture, you might find this interesting. Jewitt combines the details of his ethnographic-like observation with accounts of his evolving relationship with Chief Maquinna and the Nuu-chah-nulth. His perspective is sometimes tinged with prejudice characteristic of his time, but his general tone is a bit more open and conciliatory than similar representations of Native Peoples of the period. I found his account, along with Stewart's introductory material, notes, and illustrations very helpful for a class project, but it was also simply an enjoyable read.
April 4, 2025
This book would make a great movie. It has plenty of action, a breathtaking climax, and plenty of colorful characters that keep the slower-moving parts of the book interesting. It is very well written, although I know there was a lot of editing done after the publisher accepted Jewitt's manuscript.
Though I'm sure he had more than enough inspiration, the author did a great job illustrating the unwavering tension one feels when surrounded and trapped by people who would sooner cut off one's head than set one free. I also enjoyed John's growing connection with the Chief and their reciprocal respect despite their vast cultural differences. In the end, their patience with each other proved well served.
At the very least, this book is a singularly interesting read and great escapist literature.
Though I'm sure he had more than enough inspiration, the author did a great job illustrating the unwavering tension one feels when surrounded and trapped by people who would sooner cut off one's head than set one free. I also enjoyed John's growing connection with the Chief and their reciprocal respect despite their vast cultural differences. In the end, their patience with each other proved well served.
At the very least, this book is a singularly interesting read and great escapist literature.
February 10, 2024
I found this book in a nearby bookstore and am glad I ran into it. It's helpful in creating a deeper understanding of the region (and also of the trade happening between the English and the locals). I love reading stories that convey historical and cultural information, and this carried all of these elements. I think this is especially relevant with Vancouver Island, where I find it a bit difficult to get a hand on these kind of stories. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but the museum in Victoria did not even have an exhibition on Indigenous peoples the last time I went there.
Amazing that John was able to write this while in captivity and went through the effort to publicize it after his return.
Amazing that John was able to write this while in captivity and went through the effort to publicize it after his return.
November 18, 2017
I found this to be a fascinating tale with lots of vivid imagery. At times it seems a bit embellished, but not so much that it ruins the story. I think this book would make a good movie because it contains a good amount of dramatic suspense and interesting character conflicts. The footnotes from Brown serves more as a distraction than a necessity. I'd recommend skipping them.
This is probably a three star book, but since I have a certain love for the way these old-timey tales are written I consider it a four.
This is probably a three star book, but since I have a certain love for the way these old-timey tales are written I consider it a four.
March 27, 2018
I've always held a fascination with Maquinna and the Mowachaht people, having grown up in the Pacific NW. This memoir by John Jewitt is a treasure trove. It's an easy read and he conveys a very honest experience. It should be noted that although Jewitt's shipmates of the Boston were massacred, this followed the arrival of other European ill-intentioned visitors; essentially it was a preemptive strike based on unfortunate presumption.
January 6, 2024
Not at all uninteresting, but anecdotal. He's not trying - I think - to be overly negative about his captors, but nor is he trying to be fully observant. Or rather, he sees and reports, but doesn't try to understand. Ok, he was just a guy he didn't have the training etc., so fair enough. There are many of those narratives, and I guess that tends to be the norm.
January 1, 2025
Although not particularly well written, this is nonetheless an extremely interesting account of the captivity of two English sailors. The descriptions of Vancouver Island, the various native tribes, their customs, clothing and food are written in great detail. Recommended to anyone who has an interest in the people, their customs and the places.
February 15, 2025
No sé què tenen els dietaris del s. XVIII i XIX que m'agraden tant. Aquí explica els dos anys de captivitat d'una manera força amena i entenedora (no entenc les crítiques d'algunes reviews) i permet una aproximació subjectiva als costums d'alguns dels poblats de l'illa de Vancouver. Un lloc que val a dir que és preciós i al qual ara tinc encara més ganes de tornar.
October 16, 2025
This is a first person historical story by an English sailor that was made a slave and lived with the Nootka Indians of Nootka Sound here on VancouverIsland for two years. We recently visited this area and Friendly Cove where the story takes place so the book was easy for us to relate to. Janet & I both read and loved this book.
January 11, 2021
Some of this is dry reading, but it is all fascinating. Recommended.
November 26, 2023
Didn’t finish
Read
September 5, 2024Highly recommend reading the annotated (read: fact checked) edition by Hilary Stewart.
May 4, 2025
an incredibly interesting historical document, though wildly racist
October 17, 2018
A very interesting read - it reads like an adventure/captivity fiction, and I had to remind myself frequently that it was a true account of real events on Vancouver Island. Jewitt balances well between telling the story of his captivity and explaining the habits of the Nootka (Nuu-chah-nulth) peoples, including social ceremonies, hunting and food preparation practices, and inter-tribe relations. It is slightly difficult to read as there are no divisions into chapters or obvious break points. It only took me three hours to read, but I read it through taking almost no breaks
While there is obvious traces of colonialism and racism in his narrative, for the most part Jewitt remains objective, taking on the role of the Anthropologist. While he describes the "barbaric" activities of the "savages," he also notes that their behaviour was not necessarily unprovoked. On pg. 93,
Not only does this lengthy quote exemplify Jewitt's style of writing throughout the book, it shows an introspection not often seen in literature of the age, acknowledging that perhaps white men are not always right. However, he goes on to say that it is better to act kindly with "savages," in an attempt to fool them into good relations. Jewitt gives ample discussion on Maquinna's massacre of the Boston, so it is understandable why he might indisposed to paint the Nuu-chah-nulth people in a positive light. That being said, his relative objectivity regarding the Nuu-chah-nulth practices is informative and helps readers to understand the practices of this historic people.
While there is obvious traces of colonialism and racism in his narrative, for the most part Jewitt remains objective, taking on the role of the Anthropologist. While he describes the "barbaric" activities of the "savages," he also notes that their behaviour was not necessarily unprovoked. On pg. 93,
And here I cannot but indulge a reflection that has frequently occurred to me on the manner in which our people behave towards the nativs. For though they are a thievish race, yet I have no doubt that many of the melancholy disasters have principally arisen from the imprudent conduct of some of the captains and crews of the ships employed in this trade, in exasperating them by insulting, plundering, and even killing them on slight grounds. This, as nothing is more sacred with a savage than the principle of revenge, and no people are so impatient under insult, induces them to wreak their vengeance upon the first vessel or boat's crew that offer, making the innocent too frequently suffer for the wrongs of the guilty, as few of them know to discriminate between presons of the same genreal appearnace, more pecially when speaking the same language. And to this cause do I believe, must principally be ascribed the sanguinary disposition with which these people are reproached, as Maquina repeatedly told me that it ws not his wish to hurt a white man, and that he never should have done it, though ever so much in his power, had they not injured him.
Not only does this lengthy quote exemplify Jewitt's style of writing throughout the book, it shows an introspection not often seen in literature of the age, acknowledging that perhaps white men are not always right. However, he goes on to say that it is better to act kindly with "savages," in an attempt to fool them into good relations. Jewitt gives ample discussion on Maquinna's massacre of the Boston, so it is understandable why he might indisposed to paint the Nuu-chah-nulth people in a positive light. That being said, his relative objectivity regarding the Nuu-chah-nulth practices is informative and helps readers to understand the practices of this historic people.
May 11, 2013
I found myself completely immersed in this great memoir by a man held captive by First Nation natives on Vancouver Island in 1803. Having a life-long interest in the natives of this continent, I always enjoy something that can bring their original way of life into my thoughts. This first-person story by a clever Englishman who survived an utter disaster kept me interested all the way through. Each page was a new surprise. Like all of us, King Maquina could be at turns tender or savage, fearless or frightened, satiated or starving, and Jewitt does a nice job of bringing him and the Nootka people he ruled to life. Jewitt has a sensible way of recognizing his situation for what it is, and is remarkably modern-thinking. These natives had just started to be exposed to their first few Europeans, and is a lost world to us now except for books like this. Jewitt's memoir was great beginning to end.
Editor Brown provides some good, if dry, information about the area Jewitt explores, and chimes in with unexpected snarkiness in a footnote here and there.
Get it free at the Gutenberg Project, http://www.gutenberg.org.
Editor Brown provides some good, if dry, information about the area Jewitt explores, and chimes in with unexpected snarkiness in a footnote here and there.
Get it free at the Gutenberg Project, http://www.gutenberg.org.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews