APPENDIX. 
GENERAL ORDERS. 
411 
As difficulties frequently occur in regard to the dates of the log- 
books and journals of the squadron under my command, owing to the 
difference between civil and nautical time; hereafter, all the log-books 
and journals will be kept in civil time, commencing at twelve o'clock 
this day, being the meridian of the 20th of February, 1839. 
Charles Wilkes, 
Commanding Exploring Expedition. 
U. S. Ship Vincennes, 
Orange Harbour, Feb. 20th, 1839. 
XXV. 
U. S. Ship Vincennes, 
Orange Harbour, Terra del Fuego, 
February 22d, 1839. 
Sir, 
Although I am aware of the lateness of the season, and the risk 
to be incurred in attempting to make any explorations within the 
Antarctic Circle; yet I am of the opinion that there are many 
advantages to be derived from it, that will prove of incalculable 
benefit in any future attempts we may hereafter make at the proper 
season. 
You will, therefore, with the Peacock and tender Flying-Fish, 
make the attempt to carry out the following instructions. 
1st. On sailing from this anchorage, you will proceed as far as the 
Ne Plus Ultra of Captain Cook, in longitude 105° W., and from 
thence you will extend your researches as far to the southward and 
eastward as you can reach, without rendering yourself liable to be 
closed in by the ice. 
2d. You will carefully note your daily positions on the skeleton 
chart, herewith, and trace upon it by astronomical and tangent obser- 
vations (not by compass), all the ice you may fall in with during the 
cruise, whether island or field-ice. 
3d. You will navigate to the southward and eastward until you 
reach the western side of Palmer's or Graham's Land. 
4th. It is believed that the latter part of the summer will afford 
you an opportunity of penetrating here farther south than has yet 
