144 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



one for the season of the year, it was attended with the worst weather I ever experienced. We 

 had a constant succession of heavy tempest squalls, with heavy, drenching rains, some of them 

 peculiarly severe and frightful in appearance. The ship suffered more during this short passage 

 in her sails and rigging than on her whole passage out from the United States. 



I lament to have to state that on the 26th ultimo, while shortening sail in the border of the 

 typhoon spoken of, Charles Wentworth, an excellent man, a foretop-man, fell from the fore- 

 topsail yard overboard, and sunk immediately, first striking his head and breast upon the iron 

 work of the lower studding-sail swinging-boom, splitting his head open, which must have killed 

 him instantly. The death certificate required by regulation is herewith enclosed. 



The Macedonian was brought to an anchor off the town of Manila, in tempestuous weather, 

 late in the afternoon of the 10th instant. The next morning I saluted the place with twenty- 

 one guns, which were promptly returned. After which I made an official call on the governor, 

 or captain general, in company with our excellent consul, William P. Pierce, esq. We were 

 cordially received, and subsequently dined with his excellency by invitation. 



The public matters which you were pleased to confide to my care and judgment have been 

 disposed of, as far as I am concerned, and have considered that I had the power to act, in a 

 manner, I hope and trust, that will be acceptable both to yourself and to our government. 



My correspondence with his excellency the captain general of Manila upon the subjects 

 requiring to be brought to his notice is herewith enclosed — the copies of my letters, and the 

 original official replies in Spanish, together with a free translation of the same, are all respect- 

 fully submitted, as also an original detailed statement of the bloody tragedy at Santa Mesa, 

 addressed to me by Mr. C. D. Mugford, a brother of one of the murdered Americans. 



By aid of Mr. Pierce, our consul, a quantity of sugar-cane cuttings, desired by the Interior 

 and Navy Departments at Washington, and directed by you, have been procured, and are on 

 board the ship, in careful keeping of Rev. Mr. Jones, who has, with his characteristic energy 

 and faithfulness, attended to, and been successful in, the accomplishment of all the other direc- 

 tions contained in your instructions, as far as possible; and he will make report to you of all his 

 doings, which I have no doubt will meet your cordial approbation and approval. 



The young gentlemen, Passed Midshipmen Jones and Breeze, and Mr. Williams, master's 

 mate, detailed by you from the Mississippi to aid and assist Rev, Mr. Jones, have, besides 

 attending to his requirements, performed good service on board, having volunteered to keep 

 watch, and have done so. Passed Midshipman Jones has also performed good service with 

 Lieutenant Preble in the survey of the harbor of Kelung, the chart of which is in rapid pro- 

 gress of construction, and I think it may be relied upon for correctness. The chart by which 

 I entered the harbor is very erroneous in many respects, and should give place to a better and 

 more recent survey. 



In taking leave of Manila, I should be wanting in justice and generous obligation if I should 

 neglect to acknowledge the able assistance and friendly attention I received from Mr. Pierce, the 

 newly appointed American consul, in my intercourse with the authorities and citizens of the 

 place, and to make known his ready and careful attention to all the wants of the ship, together 

 with his generous hospitality to myself and others, and to express my belief that his appoint- 

 ment to the consulate is a judicious and happy selection for our commercial interests, and for the 

 protection of the rights and privileges of American residents within the bounds of his consu- 

 late authority and influence. 



The consul, together with the American gentlemen at Manila, desired me to" present to you 



