their worn-out condition; thirdly and lastly, that if they did recover, they would be worthless. The same faults were applied to the packsaddles, parfleshes, and appichemens, that have been described in the beginning of this chapter, and which had caused so much trouble to procure. Their value, in the eyes of these gentlemen, was next to nothing. Under these circumstances, a notice was posted up at the few corners of the pueblo of Yerba Buena, that they would be disposed of by public auction. This attracted a great crowd, and among the number was the only representative of authority of the government, the redoubtable alcalde. The horses had been put in lots, as was likewise the case with the accoutrements. Each of these was announced first in English, then in Spanish, and last in French, which gave the auctioneer a full opportunity to descant upon their sore backs, lameness, visible ribs, and sorry appearance. The Spanish language seemed to be more copious in words to express their condition, for it certainly produced many jeers and much laughter among the motley throng. They went off briskly, however, in lots, from one dollar and fifty cents to five and six dollars each, principally under the bid of the redoubtable alcalde, who had arranged things well enough with those under his authority; but as there were some of our countrymen and foreigners there whom he could not overawe, he had to pay what was deemed a fair price for the worn-out animals, although they were sold without reserve; and when one considers that a brood-mare is valued here at less than a dollar, it will appear so. The proceeds of the sale amounted to two hundred and ten dollars. CHAPTER VII. CONTENTS. PREPARATIONS FOR SAILING-NEW DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICERS-LIEUTENANT CARR CHAPTER VII. SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 1841. By the 28th of October, all the exploring parties had returned, and the duties of the observatory and surveys were completed. The instruments were at once embarked, and preparations made to sail with the first fair wind. By a series of observations of moon culminating stars, the longitude of Sausalito Fort was found to be 122° 25' 36" W.; the latitude, by numerous altitudes, 37° 50′ 50′′ N. Full series of magnetic observations were also made, with the usual meteorological record. The mean temperature for the eighty days during which the Vincennes lay at Sausalito was 61.6°. The addition of the brig Oregon to the squadron rendered many changes necessary in the distribution of the officers. The command of that vessel was given to Lieutenant Carr, first lieutenant of the Vincennes, and such officers were ordered to act under him as would insure efficiency and harmony in the duties that remained to be completed. It was with no little regret that I parted with Lieutenant Carr, who had been the executive officer of my ship for upwards of two years, during which time his duties had been at all times responsible, arduous, and valuable to the Expedition. By his excellent management the vessel had been kept in the best possible order, and while the comforts of the men were carefully attended to, the rules and regulations of the vessel were strictly enforced. In addition to the sufficiently arduous duties of executive officer, he was, during my frequent and necessary absences, charged not only with the duties on board, but with those of the observatory, and was, besides, my assistant in the care of the chronometers. My regret at parting with him gave way, however, to the pleasure of assigning him a station to which his conduct had so justly entitled him, and which he was so well qualified to fill. To complete our supplies for the return voyage, it was expedient that we should again visit the Hawaiian Group: this was rendered absolutely necessary, in order to procure clothing for those who had lost every thing by the wreck of the Peacock; for deficiency in that important article might, had we pursued the direct route to the China Seas, have subjected the men, who had already undergone so much exposure, to the attacks of disease. I This necessity, added to the other delays the unfortunate loss of the Peacock had caused, was a source of profound regret, as it prevented me from availing myself of the permission granted in my instructions, to enter the Sea of Japan, through the Straits of Sangar. gave up this plan, to which I had looked forward as one of the most interesting parts of our cruise, with great reluctance; but the season was rapidly passing, and to undertake this remote expedition would render it impossible to accomplish the other objects marked out for me previous to my return to the United States. We might not, perhaps, have succeeded in entering into communication with the inhabitants of that interesting and little-known country; but we might certainly, by landing on some of the islands adjacent to its coast, have obtained much interesting information, and added greatly to the collections of our scientific departments. On the 1st of November, we had a wind that enabled us to make sail, although it was late in the day before it was sufficiently strong, and by that time the ebb tide was far spent. To avoid any farther loss of time, I determined to make the attempt. Signal was accordingly made; and the vessels were in a few minutes under way, and standing out of the harbour. It may, indeed, be said, that it is practicable to enter and depart from this port whenever the tide is favourable. We continued beating out to gain an offing until towards sunset, when it fell calm, and the tide failed us. The Vincennes was, therefore, compelled to anchor in six and three-fourths fathoms water, three miles from the land; and signal was made to the two brigs, which were about three miles outside of our position, to do the same. On our coming to anchor, there was scarcely any swell, and the |