SIR,

XXXII.

U. S. Ship Vincennes,

Orange Harbour, April 17th, 1839.

You will await here, until the 23d instant, for the arrival of the Relief; and when she arrives, you will immediately receive on board the gentlemen whom Lieutenant-Commandant Long may transfer to the Sea-Gull. You will afford them the best possible accommodation, and proceed with all despatch to Valparaiso, where you will find me or orders.

Should the Relief not arrive here on or before the 23d instant, you will proceed on the 24th, without delay, to Valparaiso.

You will report to Lieutenant-Commandant Long, on his arrival, and show him this order, after which your detention must not exceed six hours, as it is important you should reach Valparaiso.

If you should discover the Relief off, you will run out to take the passengers on board, with as little delay as possible.

Should she not arrive on or before the 23d, you will deposit the orders for Lieutenant-Commandant Long on the summit of Burnt Island.

THE officers of the Exploring Expedition will transmit to me, on the receipt of this order, such collections of shells, specimens, &c., as they may have made since leaving the United States, with lists of the same, for the purpose of having them placed in a proper state for preservation and safe keeping.

It is presumed that each officer has availed himself of every opportunity of aiding, by individual collections, this most important department of the Expedition.

U. S. Ship Vincennes,

Orange Harbour, Terra del Fuego,

April 16th, 1839.

CHARLES WILKES, Commanding Exploring Expedition

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS IN RELATION TO THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF SPECIMENS, SHELLS, ETC.

THE undersigned, commanding the Exploring Expedition, has examined the collections called for by him, and finds, with much regret and mortification, that few or none have been made.

The object of this communication is to avoid any misapprehension hereafter, in regard to the orders heretofore given by the Navy Department and myself, requiring the collection and preservation of all shells, specimens, &c.

To the country belong all our labours, and it being the earnest wish. of the government, that as large and extensive collections as possible be introduced into the United States by the Exploring Expedition, it is the duty, and should be the wish of every officer, to afford all the aid in his power in effecting this object.

Any selfish ideas of accumulating for ourselves, I trust are laid aside, particularly when it is considered that the opportunity of effecting this object will be much greater by united and general collections and preservations, as all which are left, after the government are supplied, would undoubtedly be returned to those who had collected them, if desired, in preference to others.

It is believed, that with proper exertions and attention, a sufficient number can be obtained during the cruise, to supply every one who may desire it, from the general collection.

No expense or means will be spared by me on the part of the government, to place every article in the most secure state of preservation and safe keeping; this could not be done, if all specimens are retained by the persons collecting them.

1st. Hereafter, each officer will avail himself of every opportunity of making collections, on shore and afloat, and transmit them to the commander, or such person as he may designate, who will cause them to be cleaned or arranged for safe keeping, and lists will accompany them, with the name of the person who collected them.

2d. All specimens, shells, &c., (in no case exceeding one hundred,) will be required if they can be obtained.

3d. The cost of any article purchased will be refunded, should it be wanted by the government. Valuable and rare shells, seldom met with, will of course be retained by the government.

4th. The Naturalists will have every opportunity afforded them, of examining and describing any fish, shells, &c., as soon as taken.

These arrangements will, it is hoped, produce the desired co-operation, and will insure success; not only meeting the view of the

country, but also holding out to individuals the only way in which they can be sure of procuring so desirable an end, as a complete collection of all those obtained by the different vessels.

I enclose herewith the general instructions relative to the collection and preservation of specimens, shells, &c., for the information and government of the officers of the Peacock, under your command.

Some suitable person on board will be selected to preserve all articles that may hereafter be obtained.

I wish to call the attention of the officers of the squadron to the duties required of them at every port we may visit, in relation to making and noting observations, &c.

To each and all of us attaches the obligation, not only of making collections, but furnishing descriptions of foreign countries, and people, their manners, customs, and inhabitants, their climate, soil, and productions, with the many instructive and interesting incidents which are afforded us.

The government expects and requires this of all officers attached to the Exploring Expedition, in addition to their other duties; and I trust that no opportunity will be omitted in complying with all that is required or expected.

You will proceed to the port of Callao, with all possible despatch. The Bouqueron Passage is recommended to you to enter by, as it will save you much time. You will anchor at the island of San Lorenzo, hear the wharf usually occupied by the Pacific Squadron. You have

permission to lift the bowsprit of the brig, and endeavour to discover and stop the leak; this must be done with all possible expedition, as you must be ready to sail in five days after my arrival there.

You will deliver the enclosed orders to Lieutenant-Commandant Long, of the Relief.

Every exertion is expected from yourself and officers to effect this object, in the speedy accomplishment of your repairs, whilst laying at the island of San Lorenzo. You will be very particular in noting the hourly observations of the temperature of the air and water.

Two boats of the squadron will tow you to sea to-morrow morning at daylight.

LIEUT. COM. C. RINGGOLD,

Commanding Porpoise.

SIR,

Yours, very respectfully,

CHARLES WILKES,

Commanding Exploring Expedition.

XXXIV.

U. S. Ship Vincennes,

Valparaiso, May 31st, 1839.

In consequence of the contemplated changes which have become necessary, you are hereby appointed commander of the United States Schooner Sea-Gull, one of the vessels attached to the Exploring Squadron (under my command), until further orders.

Your compensation will be the same as the lieutenants commanding brigs and schooners on the coast survey, when the Exploring Expedition left the United States, which will include all expenses while on shore or afloat.

I have directed Passed Midshipman Reid to report to you.

LIEUT. COM. T. T. CRAVEN,

Valparaiso.

I am, &c.,

CHARLES WILKES,

Commanding Exploring Expedition.

U. S. Ship Vincennes,

Valparaiso, June 1st, 1839.

SIR,

You will remain at Valparaiso until the arrival of the schooner Sea-Gull, one of the vessels of the Exploring Squadron, expected here hourly.

On her arrival, you will supply her with all possible despatch by requisitions on the navy agent, with all the outfits, rigging, stores, and provisions, (which you cannot more conveniently obtain at Callao,) when you will proceed direct to Callao; where you will find me, or orders with the navy agent, directing your further movements.

You will also procure any funds you may require from the navy agent on requisition and receipts, and will furnish me with a statement of the amount received and disbursed during your separation.

It is necessary you should join me at Callao, as soon as practicable. I trust, therefore, you will have every article ready to be put on board the Sea-Gull the first day after her arrival, and sail the succeeding day.

I have requested our consul, G. G. Hobson, Esq., to afford you every facility.

The Department has observed in the newspapers a notice of your gallant and successful efforts in rescuing a portion of the crew of the Chilian sloop-of-war Monteguedo, which, it appears, was wrecked in the harbour of Valparaiso, during the gale of the 24th and 25th of July last.

Although you have already enjoyed the highest reward of your exertions, in the success which crowned them, it would not do justice to its own feelings, did it refrain from expressing to you its admiration of the fearless self-devotion displayed by you on that occasion, and which is alike honourable to yourself, to the service, and to your country.

I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

LIEUTENANT T. T. CRAVEN,

United States Exploring Expedition.

(Signed) J. K. PAULDING.