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367 
high sense of honour, and thorough knowledge on all points of 
etiquette and duty, and for whose judgment he had great respect, 
whose decided opinion and advice was, that it was his duty, as an 
officer of the government, under the circumstances of the case, to 
accept the command and go out in the Expedition; Captain Hudson 
sent the following acceptance. 
IT. S. Navy- Yard, 
New York, June 16th, 1838. 
Sir, — The peculiarly delicate situation in which I felt myself 
placed in relation to Lieutenant Wilkes, must be my excuse for the 
delay which has occurred in replying to your communication of the 
5th instant, proffering to me the situation of second in command of 
the Exploring Expedition. 
The coincidence of opinion between the President and yourself in 
relation to its character, in a military point of view, the claims of 
the nation upon the service of its officers, with the very flattering 
suggestion contained in your letter, have outweighed my scruples. 
I, therefore, from a sense of duty, accept the command, and tender 
my best services to promote the objects of the Expedition, and advance 
the honour of our common country. 
Very respectfully, yours, 
(Signed) Wm. L. Hudson. 
To the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, 
Secretary of War. 
The following order was issued : 
IV. 
NAVY GENERAL ORDER. 
The armament of the Exploring Expedition, being adapted merely 
for its necessary defence while engaged in the examination and 
survey of the Southern Ocean, against any attempts to disturb its 
operations by the savage and warlike inhabitants of those islands; 
and the objects which it is destined to promote being altogether scien- 
tific and useful, intended for the benefit equally of the United States, 
and of all commercial nations of the world; it is considered to be 
entirely divested of all military character, that even in the event of the 
country being involved in a war, before the return of the squadron, 
