552 APPENDIX. 



poise is hereby furnished you. Do not delay here more than three 

 days, as it may be found an unsafe harbour at this season, being open 

 to the north. Tlience proceed to the westward, to EUice's Group, 

 which you will carefully examine, and note particularly the currents, 

 and if there are any harbours there, supplies, &c. Next proceed to 

 the De Peyster Group, which joins them, and lilcewise examine them 

 fully. There are a few islands off to the westward, said to have been 

 seen : if chance offers, you will sight them. Thence to the Kingsmill 

 Group, which you will explore. The charts of Duperrey are fur- 

 nished you, likewise a manuscript chart of the Carolines, &c. You 

 will follow the trend of the islands, keeping your position at night, 

 and following up your surveys to the northward as far as the Pes- 

 cadores, which group you will examine and survey. Many new 

 islands will be fallen in with hereabouts. 



Thence to Strong's Island and Ascension. At the two latter, re- 

 freshments can be had in abundance. It is desirable that you should 

 follow out this group as far as longitude 150° E., and then return by 

 the Pescadores, which will afford you an opportunity of picking up 

 any islands you may have missed in your track eastward. From the 

 Pescadores, you will proceed towards the north, along the range of 

 islands, Gaspar Rico, &c., for the Columbia river, where your arrival 

 will be looked for from the 15th of April to the 1st of May : it must 

 not be later than the latter date. You will enter the river, and anchor 

 in Baker's Bay, should you not hear from me prior to that time, where 

 you will await my arrival. 



Daring your cruise, you will be particular in observing the dip, 

 intensity, and variation, daily, if possible, either at sea or on shore, 

 and trying the currents as often as possible, measuring the meridian 

 distances between place and place, or island and island, by your 

 chronometers, and observing equal and circummeridian altitudes for 

 latitude. The harbour of Apia is in longitude 171° 41' 09-12" W. 

 You will measure its meridian distance from this port in longitude 

 157° 50' 12" W., latitude 21° 19' N. 



I am, &c., 



Charles Wilkes, 



Comnumding Exploring Expedition. 



Captain Wm. L. Hudson, 



U. S. Ship Peacock. 



