274 s A N FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 



during our passage was found to prevail to the southward, until we 

 reached the trades, when it inclined somewhat to the southward and 

 westward. 



The 17th, at daylight, we made the island of Oahu, and at 10 

 a. M. anchored off the town of Honolulu. The Porpoise came in 

 at 2 p. m., and the Flying-Fish at five o'clock of the same day. The 

 following day the trade-wind was too strong to admit of the Vin- 

 cennes entering the inner harbour ; but the Porpoise and tender were 

 enabled to do so. The Oregon joined us in the afternoon, and on the 

 next day at an early hour the squadron was again moored in the 

 harbour of Honolulu. 



Our reception was even kinder than before ; and every facility that 

 we could desire was offered for advancing our duties and procuring 

 the necessary stores and clothing that our shipwrecked officers and 

 men required. 



It was my first intention here to part with the Flying-Fish, 

 for the reports of her commander led me to believe that she was 

 becoming unseaworthy. She was, therefore, thoroughly examined ; 

 but the report made upon her was sufficiently satisfactory to deter- 

 mine me to retain her until we had passed through our explorations 

 in the Sooloo Seas. She was refitted and put in as good condition as 

 possible for service. Captain Hudson superintended these duties, 

 while I had my time fully occupied in making the magnetic expe- 

 riments for the third time, and attending to the rates of the chrono- 

 meters. 



Honolulu showed signs of improvement, but I regretted to perceive 

 that during the year the morals of the place seemed to have declined. 

 The number of grog-shops had apparently increased, and the sailors' 

 dancing-halls, with their music, were allowed more license than at 

 our first visit. Yet, as far as the prompt execution of the law went, 

 I did not find the authorities deficient. Indeed, at times, Governor 

 Kekuanaoa is rather too precipitate in his decisions, of which we 

 soon had an instance. 



During our stay of ten days, the crews were allowed in turn, 

 recreation on shore. Among the number was Lewis Herron, the 

 cooper. In the course of his liberty, he was desirous of entering 

 one of the sailors' boarding-houses, at the door of which his progress 

 was arrested by a coloured man, who was on guard with an old 

 cutlass, and who threatened Herron with violence if he attempted to 



