LOSS OF THE SEA-GULL. 



nourished during the revolutionary war, still continue to annoy 

 its peace; arid there is, perhaps, no country in the world 

 where murder and robbery are so prevalent. Until a better 

 state of things be brought about, its improvement is hopeless. 



On the llth of June, the " Porpoise" arrived from Val- 

 paraiso. She reported that the " Vincennes," " Peacock," 

 and " Flying Fish," were to have followed her in a few days. 

 As for the " Sea-Gull," she had not been seen or heard from 

 since the time she was separated from the " Flying Fish" in a 

 storm off Cape Horn. 



On the 19th, the " Peacock" arrived, and the United States 

 ship "Lexington" sailed for the coast of California. The 

 following report was now very current, namely, that as soon 

 as the " Vincennes" arrived, this ship would be detached from 

 the squadron, and ordered to return home. 



June 20th, the "Vincennes" made her appearance, and 

 anchored near us. We understood .she left Lieut. Thomas 

 Craven at Valparaiso, with orders that if the "Sea-Gull"* 

 did not arrive there by a certain time, to charter a vessel and 

 go in search of her. It was the opinion of many of the officers 

 that she was lost. 



On the 21st, I received orders to report for duty on board 

 the "Peacock," it having been decided that the "Relief" 

 should return to the United States, after taking a cargo of 

 stores for the expedition, to Sydney, New South Wales. 



* She did not arrive at Valparaiso at the appointed time, and Lieutenant Craven 

 acted agreeably to his orders ; but he could neither find or hear anything of her. 



