282 S AN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 



the village scandal. Few who live in such small places are aware 

 how unfavourable an impression they make upon visiters, and the 

 bad light in which they appear, by this habit of talking of each 

 other ; whatever may be the terms on which they associate together, 

 or however discordant the materials of which the society is composed, 

 they would do well to avoid showing their uncharitable feelings, or 

 making use of detraction to create a bias against others. 



On the afternoon of the 27th November, the squadron being pre- 

 pared, we took leave of our kind friends, and particularly of those 

 belonging to the mission, to whom I feel under many obligations for 

 their uniform kindness to us. We then joined our vessels, and at 

 8 p. m. took our final leave of the Hawaiian Islands. 



At midnight, signal was made to heave-to, in order that I might 

 finish the instructions for the different vessels. Although it was out 

 of my power to visit Japan, I had determined if possible to ascertain 

 the character of the currents off that island. I therefore directed the 

 Porpoise and Oregon to follow out, and explore the shoals and reefs 

 extending in a west-northwest direction from the Hawaiian Islands,* 

 and proceed until they fell in with the current or stream that is 

 supposed by some to set along the coasts of Japan, and resemble the 

 Gulf Stream off our own coast. This done, they were ordered to 

 proceed through the China Seas, to Singapore, in the Straits of 

 Malacca. 



With the Vincennes and tender it was my intention to proceed to 

 Strong's and Ascension Islands, which the Peacock had been unable 

 to reach in her cruise, examining every shoal that might lie in 

 my way, and thence to Manilla. I proposed on leaving that port, 

 to explore and survey the Sooloo Archipelago, then proceeding 

 to Singapore to meet the brigs, fill up with provisions, and 

 thence sail for the United States, where it was incumbent on me 

 to arrive by the 31st of May- following. This, agreeably to my 

 promise to my crew a year previous, left me just six months to per- 

 form the duty, of which at least one hundred and forty days were 

 required for the actual passage. 



We parted company with the brigs the next day at noon, and 

 bore away under all sail to the southward and westward. At 4. p. m., 

 the Flying-Fish made the signal " in want of assistance;" and on 

 coming within hail, reported that her mainmast was sprung. Car- 



* For the instructions of Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, see Appendix X. 



