448 APPENDIX. 



been successful, and it is your intention to approach to our side. If 

 you find it impossible, you will then make signal No. 5. On your 

 coming in sight, our attack will begin, which you will have notice of 

 from the schooner's guns. 



The disposition of your force (sixty men) is left to your own judg- 

 ment ; but great care is to be taken that your men are well arranged 

 in divisions, to support each other, and that they are not suffered to 

 stray from their divisions. Strict orders must be given that their am- 

 munition is not wasted, and that their fire is reserved for the natives. 

 No woman or child is, on any account, to be hurt, unless it should be 

 for the preservation of life of your party ; but every man or native 

 capable of using a club, or stone, is to be destroyed. This you will 

 make all understand before they leave the brig. 



Your whole force must be ready by eight o'clock to-morrow 

 morning. 



The strictest injunctions will be given that all orders are executed 

 strictly and with promptness, and in silence, and no confusion suf- 

 fered to take place. 



You will destroy every kind of plantation. 



Respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



Lieut. Com. C. Ringgold, 



U. S. Brig Porpoise. 



U. S. Brig Porpoise, 



Isle of Malolo, July 26th, 1840. 



Sir, 



In compliance with your instructions of this day, I landed on the 

 isle with a force of sixty men, arranged in three equal divisions, 

 taking the centre myself, with Lieutenants Johnson and Maury on 

 my right and left, and proceeded without delay to the accomplish- 

 ment of your orders. 



My first object was to endeavour to dislodge the natives who had 

 assembled in considerable numbers on the hill-tops, armed, and evinc- 

 ing signs of hostility. I employed Lieutenant Maury in the destruc- 

 tion of extensive plantations on the left, while Lieutenant Johnson 

 proceeded on the right towards the hills. Our movements could not 

 be concealed from the natives, owing to the surface of the isle being 

 free from undergrowth and trees, and our approach of course disco- 

 vered in time for them to flee to more remote and distant peaks. 



