448 APPENDIX. 



quently, for the protection of American citizens and commerce, and to 

 see that justice be done to all. 



The undersigned requests that this communication may receive the 

 careful attention and consideration of the Queen and chiefs, and that 

 a written answer may be returned to him on his anchoring in the 

 harbour of Papieti, where he intends to proceed with the vessels under 

 his command in a few days, for the purpose of affording the Queen 

 and chiefs an opportunity of visiting the vessels, and of receiving a 

 few tokens of friendship from the President as evidences of his con- 

 tinued regard. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



(Signed) Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 

 U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Matavai Bay, Sept. 18th, 1839. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



At Sea, October 10th, 1839. 



Sir, 



You will proceed to the most western island of the Navigator 

 Group, called Savaii, passing on your route to the northward of Upolu, 

 and leave an officer at Apia, to take charge of and attend to tide- 

 staves hourly. 



From thence on your route you will proceed to Manono and 

 Apolima. ascertaining the distance between each of them and Savaii, 

 by the methods pointed out in my surveying instructions ; you will 

 particularly examine Savaii for harbours, and will not allow any 

 thing to escape you that will tend to give facilities to commerce and 

 navigation. 



Dr. Pickering will join the Porpoise for the purpose of procuring 

 every thing relative to its natural productions. You will land him 

 at the missionary settlement at Savaii, with an officer to attend to the 

 tide-staves hourly, until you leave that island. 



Lieutenant Alden, with a boat and crew from this ship, will be put 

 under your orders, for duty. 



You will return to the harbour of Pago-Pago as soon as you shall 

 have finished, which will not detain your arrival beyond the 

 20th inst. 



