270 SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 



board, but with those of the observatory, and was, besides, my assistant 

 in the care of the chronometers. My regret at parting with him gave 

 way, however, to the pleasure of assigning him a station to which his 

 conduct had so justly entitled him, and which he was so well qualified 

 to fill. 



To complete our supplies for the return voyage, it was expedient 

 that we should again visit the Hawaiian Group : this was rendered 

 absolutely necessary, in order to procure clothing for those who had 

 lost every thing by the wreck of the Peacock; for deficiency in that 

 important article might, had we pursued the direct route to the China 

 Seas, have subjected the men, who had already undergone so much 

 exposure, to the attacks of disease. 



This necessity, added to the other delays the unfortunate loss of 

 the Peacock had caused, was a source of profound regret, as it 

 prevented me from availing myself of the permission granted in my 

 instructions, to enter the Sea of Japan, through the Straits of Sangar. 

 I gave up this plan, to which I had looked forward as one of the most 

 interesting parts of our cruise, with great reluctance ; but the season 

 was rapidly passing, and to undertake this remote expedition would 

 render it impossible to accomplish the other objects marked out for 

 me previous to my return to the United States. We might not, 

 perhaps, have succeeded in entering into communication with the 

 inhabitants of that interesting and little-known country ; but we 

 might certainly, by landing on some of the islands adjacent to its 

 coast, have obtained much interesting information, and added greatly 

 to the collections of our scientific departments. 



On the 1st of November, we had a wind that enabled us to make 

 sail, although it was late in the day before it was sufficiently strong, 

 and by that time the ebb tide was far spent. To avoid any farther 

 loss of time, I determined to make the attempt. Signal was accord- 

 ingly made ; and the vessels were in a few minutes under way, and 

 standing out of the harbour. It may, indeed, be said, that it is prac- 

 ticable to enter and depart from this port whenever the tide is favour- 

 able. We continued beating out to gain an offing until towards sun- 

 set, when it fell calm, and the tide failed us. The Vincennes was, 

 therefore, compelled to anchor in six and three-fourths fathoms water, 

 three miles from the land; and signal was made to the two brigs, 

 which were about three miles outside of our position, to do the same. 



On our coming to anchor, there was scarcely any swell, and the 



