APPENDIX. 541 



U. S. Ship Peacock, 



Off Upolu, February 27th, 1841. 



Sir, 



You will take charge of two boats from this ship, accompanied by 

 Lieutenant De Haven, for the purpose of securing and bringing off 

 the chief Malietoa, and if practicable the chief George from Cocoa- 

 nut Point. Malietoa, however, being the most important personage 

 to us at the present time, must be first arrested. You will be careful 

 not to capture the chiefs until such a time as the tide may serve for 

 getting your boats over the reef. 



In making prisoners of these chiefs, you will avoid any hostile act 

 upon the natives, beyond what the most urgent necessity of the duty 

 assigned you calls for, and endeavour to get them off without injury 

 to them or any of your own party. 



Your manner of proceeding on shore should be such as to avoid 

 the least suspicion of your object, and the capture so well-timed as to 

 avoid either hazard or defeat. No special or positive directions can 

 be furnished by me for your guidance ; you will act as circumstances 

 may suggest; consequently your manner of proceeding on shore is 

 confided to your own judgment and discretion. 



Should your enterprise prove successful, you will treat the chiefs 

 with all the kindness consistent with their safe-keeping, and return 

 to this ship with the least possible delay. 



The Peacock will be kept in the offing, and lights shown during 

 the night. 



Wishing you all success, 

 I am, &c, 



William L. Hudson, 



Commanding U. S. Ship Peacock. 



Lieutenant Wm. M. Walker, 



U. S. Ship Peacock. 



U. S. Ship Peacock, 



March 1st, 1841. 



Sir, 



In pursuance of your instructions, I landed at the town of Malietoa, 

 on the evening of the 28th inst., supposing that a movement appa- 

 rently so undisguised, would lull every suspicion of our intentions. 



At 10 p. m. we made every preparation to complete the execution 

 of your orders, and a dark and rainy night flattered us with a pros- 



vol. v. 136 



