Narrative of the Adventures and Sufferings of John R. Jewitt; Only Survivor of the Crew of the Ship Boston, During a Captivity of Nearly Three Years Among the Savages of Nootka Sound: With an Account of the Manners, Mode of Living, and Religious Opinions
Middletown: Loomis & Richards, 1815.
Hardcover. Good. First edition of Richard Alsop's expanded version of Jewitt's "Journal Kept at Nootka Sound" (Boston, 1807).12mo, 203 pp, with frontis illustration of the ship Boston in Nootka Sound, in contemporary full-leather binding with gilt spine label. Frontis shaved at lower margin (minimal loss to image), light foxing and soiling to text, one leaf with a closed tear, crack in binding between frontis and title, but still quite sound. A good copy of one of "the best known and most popular of the early narratives of adventure and experience on the western coast" (Hill), and an important source on the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Jewitt was the armorer on the Boston, a merchant vessel with two officers and 24 crew. While trading at Nootka Sound in 1802, the ship was seized by the native people in response to a perceived insult to their chief, as well as built-up resentment relating to offenses committed by other European traders over the years. Only Jewitt and one other crew member survived the massacre. Jewitt was held captive by the Nootka for three years before he was rescued. Hill 887: "The work gives many particulars concerning the life and habits of the Indians of Vancouver Island, together with a three-page vocabulary and the war-song of the Nootka tribesmen. Howes A-189; Field 776; Smith 5206.
Item #22572
Sold