INTRODUCTION*. 



THE expedition, a narrative of the operations of which is now laid before the public, was the first, 

 and is still the only one fitted out by national munificence for scientific objects, that has ever left 

 our shores. 



Whatever others are disposed to think, I am inclined to believe, that the originating, getting up, and 

 getting off a first national expedition, is a work of no small difficulty, and this is much increased by the 

 public thinking, talking of, and interfering too much with it. I felt this myself, although it did not 

 cause me much difficulty. The very state of things that brought the expedition into general disrepute, 

 was of great advantage to me, for I was left to perform my duties unmolested. 



In the following narrative, it may perhaps be necessary to state, that although our time was limited to 

 a few days at some of the places we visited, yet the number of officers and gentlemen engaged under my 

 command, enabled me to have every thing worthy of notice examined. The result of our obser- 

 vations, I am satisfied, will give a faithful representation of the countries and islands, during the period 

 of our visit. 



I received every facility for obtaining information from our consuls, as well as from missionaries and 

 American residents abroad. Some of them furnished me with interesting documents, connected with 

 the past and present state of the countries where they reside, and procured from the different govern- 

 ments many valuable official papers. Indeed, the facilities met with have evinced a desire in all to 

 further the undertaking with which I was charged. 



To the Governor of New South Wales, Sir George Gipps, my acknowledgments are particularly due, 

 for his generous liberality in ordering me to be furnished by the Colonial Secretary with all the docu- 

 ments published, not only at the time of our visit, but since. The latter have been kindly forwarded by 

 our consul, J. H. Williams, Esq., to whom the expedition is also greatly indebted. From all these docu- 

 ments J have been enabled to draw much valuable infonuation, which I hope will be interesting to the 

 general reader, as well as useful to our interests abroad. 



The reader who shall look to this narrative for my version of the developments which were elicited 

 by the proceedings of the courts-martial, will be disappointed. I shall make no allusions that I can 

 possibly avoid, to any of the subjects of a personal character that came before tribunals, after the return 

 of the expedition ; nor will the following narrative embrace any personal matters or difficulties that may 

 have taken place with the officers, for the reason that I do not regard such details as relevant or 

 interesting to the general reader. The attempts to throw impediments in my way were unsuccessful, 

 and I fully believe, that from whatever motive they ma^ have arisen, those who caused them are now 

 desirous that they should be forgotten. My countrymen will see that my duties were sufficiently 

 arduous without having other difficulties to contend with, and I have the gratification of feeling that 

 those duties have been performed, and the results fairly obtained. 



The performance of these duties is the best refutation that can be given to the many mis-statements 

 that have been circulated to the prejudice of the expedition, but which, I trust, will now be set at rest. 

 I have never had any personal feeling in the matter, except that which naturally arises from the wish 

 to overcome all impediments, of whatever nature they might be. I can, therefore, have no desire but 

 to give the true version of every circumstance of a public nature that may concern the expedition, and I 

 hope that I shall be able to do it with impartiality and justice, touching as lightly as possible on the 

 faults of individuals, and bestowing praise wherever it is justly due. 



I was called upon, in a few cases, to exercise the means in my possession to punish aggressions. Yet 

 my aim has been throughout the cruise, so to conduct the duties devolving upon the squadron, that it 

 would carry with it the force of moral principle. All the regulations and operations were made to tend 

 to this end. I considered this as one of my first duties, and in it I have been well supported by Captain 

 Hudson and Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, and by most of the officex-s of the expedition. I feel 

 great satisfaction in having received testimonials from the different missionaries, that my course has 

 been fully appreciated by them. Indeed, I have reason to rejoice that I have been enabled to carry the 

 moral influence of our country to every quarter of the globe where our flag has waved, and I trust that 

 the expedition will compare advantageously with any other that has preceded it, in its moral and correct 

 deportment. 



CHARLES WILKES. 

 WASHINGTON CITY, November, 1844. 



* Prefixed to the edition in five volumes, imperial Svo., printed at Philadelphia in 1845. 



