548 APPENDIX. 



P. S. I enclose a tracing of the island, on which the route of 

 Messrs. Peale and Rich is designated by the red line, and that of 

 Mr. Dana by the blue. 



Charles Wilkes. 



VII. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Harbour of Honolulu, 



November Uth, 1840. 



Sir, 



1st. You will proceed to the southward, holding your wind closely, 

 until yoii reach the Paumotu Group. 



•2d. Search for a small island in longitude about 146° 30' W., (to 

 the westward of Peacock Island,) and latitude 14° 30' S. 



3d. Pass by Raraka, search for, and survey three small islands and 

 reefs, said to exist between Tanea, Saken, and Phillips Isles. 



4th. Thence to the eastward, to look for two islands said to exist 

 between latitude 16° 05' S., and 16° 35' S., and longitude 141° W. 



5th. Thence to the southward, to search for the group of islands 

 said to exist in latitude 20° 15' S., and 21° 35' S., and longitude 142° 

 to 143° W. 



6th. Take up your party on the island that have been left to bore 

 the coral rock, and proceed thence to Tahiti, to fill up with water and 

 wood ; and examine the surveys made of the harbour of Papieti, &c., 

 connecting that of Matavai with Papoa. 



The charts are sent to you. 



After three days' stay, you will proceed in a northwest direction, to 

 the islands of Penrhyn and Flint : survey these, and proceed thence 

 to those called the Isles of Danger. After exploring this ground, you 

 will return to this island, falling in with some supposed islands and 

 reefs under the line, in longitude 160° W. ; sighting Palmyra's and 

 other islands, if you will not be delayed thereby, and passing about a 

 degree to the westward of the position assigned to the Manuel 

 Rodriguez Shoal, in longitude 155° W., where it is supposed to exist, 

 and examine and survey it. 



If you should obtain any information of islands or shoals, laying in 

 or near your track, you may make a deviation ; but as soon as you 

 have completed your search, you will resume the course pointed out 



