414 APPENDIX. 
17th. Should it, in your opinion, be found at any time during the 
cruise impracticable to carry into effect these orders, and you should 
be of opinion also that a further attempt south, during the present 
season, would be unavailing, owing to bad weather or obstructions, 
you will, on arriving at such conclusions, proceed direct to Valparaiso, 
and await further orders, making all necessary arrangements there in 
regard to a supply of provisions, &c, for the squadron. In such an 
event, you will immediately despatch the Flying-Fish to this anchor- 
age for further orders, which, if we have left, will be found in a pile 
of stones on the summit of Burnt Island, near the tent and lighthouse; 
in the absence of which, however, she will proceed to Valparaiso for 
further orders. 
In conclusion, I cannot express to you how much I feel for the 
safety of yourself, officers, and crews, on this first exploration you are 
about to make, and how deep an interest and anxiety I shall feel for 
you ; that you may meet with all the success I wish for, and that we 
may rendezvous again, to carry out this great national enterprise, is 
the fervent prayer of your attached friend, 
Charles Wilkes, 
Commanding Exploring Expedition. 
Captain Wm. L. Hudson, 
Peacock. 
XXVI. 
U. S. Ship Vincennes, 
Orange Harbour, Terra del Fuego, 
February 22d, 1839. 
Sir, 
The Sea-Gull, placed under your charge, will be attached to the 
Porpoise. I cannot impress upon you too strongly the necessity of 
keeping company, as the safety of the crews of both vessels may 
otherwise be hazarded ; you will, therefore, use every means in your 
power to prevent a separation. 
1st. You will keep a strict daily journal of every occurrence 
relative to your co-operations with the Porpoise. 
2d. A skeleton chart will be furnished you, comprising the lati- 
tudes and longitudes in which you will cruise, upon which chart an 
accurate track will be laid down of her route ; also the position of all 
