APPENDIX. 439 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



At Sea, January 31st, 1840. 



Sm, 



In answer to your letter of this date, enclosing the report of the 

 medical officers on the present state of the health of the crew ; and 

 requesting the opinion of the ward-room officers, as to the expe-. 

 diency of pushing farther south under the present circumstances, we 

 would state, that, in our opinion, it would be as well to hold on until 

 to-morrow at meridian, in order, should the weather then prove more 

 favourable, to attempt making the recently discovered land at another 

 point ; but that on a material increase of the sick-list, or continuance 

 of the present bad weather beyond the above period, we should run 

 to the northward. 



We are, very respectfully, 



Your obedient servants, 



(Signed) Overton Carr, 



1st Lieute?iant. 



A. Ludlow Case, 

 Joseph A. Underwood, 



Lieutenants. 



Edmund H. De Haven, 

 Samuel R. Knox, 



Acting Masters. 



To Charles Wilkes, Esq., 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



At Sea, January 31st, 1840. 



Sir, 



In answer to your communication of to-day, addressed to the ward- 

 room officers, calling upon them for their opinion with regard to the 

 practicability of our prosecuting the desirable researches in these 

 latitudes, I am of opinion, with due regard to the report of the 

 medical officers, which you have submitted for our perusal, that it is 

 very desirable to ascertain the extent of the recently discovered land, 

 by another attempt to the westward ; provided, of course, this object 

 can be attained without further endangering the health of the crew. 



Very respectfully, 



Your obedient servant, 



(Signed) James Alden. 

 Charles Wilkes, Esq., 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 

 vol. ii. 123 i 



