APPENDIX. 459 



Vouchers for passages and expenses on scientific excursions on 

 public duty, will be taken when practicable for my approval. 

 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



(Signed) Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 

 To Messrs. Peale, 

 Rich, 



Pickering, 

 Hale, 

 Dana, 

 Agate, 

 Drayton, 



Scientific Corps. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Sydney Cove, December 23d, 1839. 



Sir, 



You will proceed to New Zealand by the first opportunity, and 

 attend to the following duties. 



1st. You will make hourly observations of the tides. 



2d. Observations of the temperature, at eight, twelve, and six; 

 winds, weather, &c. 



3d. Collect all specimens possible for the scientific corps, and 

 other departments of the Expedition. 



4th. Keep a journal, and note all the information you can obtain 

 relative to New Zealand, and make a report in writing to me. 



You will take with you a tide-staff, three thermometers, watch, 

 stationary, &c. 



I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 



(Signed) Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



Mr. J. W. Waldron, 



U. S. Brig Porpoise. 



Sydney, December 2d, 1839. 



Sir, 



The undersigned, naval officers and naturalists, attached to the 

 Expedition under your command, are prompted by sincere zeal in 

 the public service, and a most disinterested desire to promote the 

 important objects of the cruise, to submit to your indulgent consider- 

 ation the following proposition : 



