APPENDIX. 433 



VI. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Ovolau, May 14th, 1840. 



Sir, 



You will proceed with the Peacock to the harbour of Rewa, where 

 you will anchor, and endeavour to effect the signing of rules and 

 regulations similar to those recently made by Tanoa, King of Ambau, 

 making friends with the chiefs and favourably impressing them with 

 our intentions towards them. You will, in all probability, overtake 

 Lieutenant Emmons, at Rewa, whom you will furnish with all the 

 aid in your power for the accomplishment of his work. You will 

 explore with your boats a river in the vicinity of Rewa, coming from 

 the centre of the island of Vitilevu ; affording the scientific gentle- 

 men an opportunity of making collections. 



In order to secure the safety of your boats, it will be necessary to 

 engage the services of a chief. There is a man, named Phillips, 

 residing there, who is well disposed and speaks English. A gun 

 will be fired morning and evening during your stay. After having 

 satisfied yourself that nothing more can be procured at Rewa, you 

 will proceed with the Peacock to the island of Kantavu, where you 

 will anchor, if possible, and explore as much of the coast and interior 

 as your time will permit. From thence you will proceed to examine 

 Vatulele, fixing its latitude and longitude. Thence you will run 

 down the coast to the west end of the island of Vitilevu, entering 

 within the reefs at Malolo, and anchoring in the harbour of Amboa ; 

 which you will reach by the 25th instant, and there be rejoined by 

 the boats of your ship. 



At Amboa you will, in all probability, meet the ship Leonidas, 

 Captain Egleston, and on board of that ship there is a Mr. London, 

 who is considered a good pilot for the Asaua Islands. You will, 

 therefore, endeavour to engage his services as soon after your arrival 

 as possible. If his services can be engaged immediately, and he 

 deems it safe for the Peacock to anchor at those islands, you will 

 proceed with your ship, launch, and first cutter to such place as he 

 may recommend, where you will commence an examination of them. 



Nine days are supposed to be amply sufficient for this purpose, if 

 the weather should be fine ; after which time you will proceed to 

 vol. in. 109 



