The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-05-08
J \ p 4 n

In April. 1871, Captain Golownin hal Tia
command of the Russian Sloop-ui-war Diann,
which then lay al KamIsrhaka, where he re-
crvci an order from the Minister ofrhe Marine,
directing him TO survey in the most minute man
ner, the Southern kurilc and >hanlai Islands,
aud the coast Of Talary. from latitude SO 3S
North to the Russian por, oi Okeizk.
1t appears that on the ION July our navga or
hel a friendly intercourse with the authorities
of X unaSchler. but next day, the lth. he landed
with two officers, Midshipman Moore aud the
pilot, Mr.. Chl"bnikoH. and Interpreter named
AlcNel--a native Of one of the kuriIe islands,
AMI four seamen. Captain Goownin so
tnIly persuaded that they stood on friendly
footing with the japanese, that he had not or
ocred the scamrn to arm themselves. The oili-
GERS, three in number, including himself, had
each a sword, IN a idition TO which the pilot had
taken with him n pockct-pislol more fnr the
purpose of making signal IN case ola fog, than
for defence. They landed close TO the fortress
of the town, in which they had conferred with
the japanese on the previous day. The Oyagoda
(romman Ter of Il district. } and two other officers
came out TO meet them, and begged that they
would wait a short time until everything shout
he prepared for their reception in the castle.
Wishing by his confidence in the japanese To
eXtineuish any suspicion they might entertain,
the Russian commander ordered his boat to be
hauled up on the shore until il was half out of
the water, and left one sailor with it. The
other Scamrn were ordered TO follow their OIL
GERS, carrying with them seats, and some pres
rn,s intended for the japanese. After a short
conversation between the captain and the Oya-
CODA, they proceeded TO the castle.
Here, TO the establishment of the Russians, a
very large number Of men were assembled, from
three TO four bundled Of whom were soldiers.
On the left of the gate by which they had en-
tered, was tent Of striped cotton cloth, sur
rounded by countless multitude of kuriles.
An entertainment and n conference now en-
sued. during which Mr.. Moor observed that
naked sabrcS had been distributed amongst the
soldiers. He Immediately mentioned this to his
Captain, who supposed that sabre or two might
have been accidentally out Of their shcaths; and
asked him with smile, whether he had not
made a mistake, as the japanese always carry
swords, and could OF present have no reason Tor
drawing them. This remark appeared to satisfy
Moor. The conference and entertainment con-
tinned, but many circumstances soon occurred TO
rouse the suspicious of the Russians. At length
the Governor, who had hitherto conversed in a
soft and gentle voice, altered his tone, spoke
loudly and with warmth, frequently mentioned
Resanof, a former envoy from Russia to JAPAN
and Chwostoff, commander in the service of
the Russian American Company, who had made
an attack on some fthe islands, and struck sew
eral times on his sabre. In this manner he
made long speech, of which the terrified
Alexei interpreted 10 the unfortunate party only
the following sentence: "The Governor SAYS
that if he let single one of us out of the castle
his own bowels will be ripped ups This was
brief and dccisivc The Russians Immediately
made all the haste they could to escape. The
japanese did not venture TO close upon Them
but sci up loud cry, and threw oars and large
pieces of wool at them, they then fired upon
them without effect, but succeeded in capturing
Moor, the interpreter, and one of the seamcn'
The rest ran to the landng-p place, but on arriv-
ing there perceived, with what horror may be