LOSS OF THE SEA-GULL. 61 



annoy its peace ; and 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 11th of June the " Porpoise" arrived from Val- 

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

 and "Flving-Fish," were to have followed her in a few 

 clays. 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 JL9th 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 bv 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. 



