3g 6 APPENDIX. 
XV. 
U. S. Ship Vincennes, 
Off Madeira, September 20th, 1838. 
Sir, 
Although, previous to sailing from Hampton Roads, I was aware 
of some of the deficiencies in the outfits of this ship and the Peacock, 
in preparing them at the navy-yard, Norfolk, for the service in which 
we are engaged, I omitted to mention the same to the Department, 
owing to the necessity of our sailing without delay or detention ; but 
since our arrival at this port, the Peacock particularly has been found 
in such a condition, that it is with regret I consider it my duty to 
represent the same to you, and take leave to enclose herewith, a 
report of her commander, by which it appears she was in a much 
worse condition on leaving the dock-yard at Norfolk, than had been 
anticipated ; instead of being well prepared for the service required 
in the Exploring Expedition. 
I have forwarded to you, through the navy-agent at New York, 
for your examination, a box containing an iron hoop, taken from one 
of the pumps of the Peacock, as a fair specimen of the little attention 
which had been bestowed upon her at the navy-yard, in her repairs. 
I have to state also, that a few days after the ship left the navy-yard, 
her fore and cross-jack-yards were found so much decayed, that it 
was necessary to replace them by new ones, on representation of her 
commander. 
I consider it my duty to state that we have found nearly all the 
men furnished us from the receiving-ship, Norfolk, by your order, 
unfit for the duty required of them ; and on sending some of them 
back, they refused to receive them; consequently I shall have to 
send them home, or transfer them to the squadron on the Brazil 
coast, if Commodore Nicolson will take them, and obtain others if 
possible. 
We shall be put to much inconvenience and delay at Rio de 
Janeiro, where it will be necessary to repair and recaulk the Peacock, 
as far as possible to enable her to perform the cruise required ; this 
will be attended with much additional expense, and is another reason 
