546 APPENDIX. 



I trust much to your discretion and prompt action on the present 

 occasion, and that the officers and men placed under your command 

 may not be subjected to any unnecessary hazard or exposure. 



With a sincere desire that Anderson, if living, may be obtained, 

 and for the safety and success of your party, 



I am, &c, 



Wm. L. Hudson, 



Commanding U. S. Ship Peacock. 



To Lieutenant Wm. M. Walker, 



U. S. Ship Peacock. 



U. S. Ship Peacock, 



Oft' Drummond's Island, 



April 9th, 1841. 



Sir, 



In obedience to your order, I proceeded this morning with the boats 

 under my command to the town of Utiroa, where the natives armed 

 and equipped to the number of about six hundred, in three divisions, 

 their flanks extending to the right and left about two hundred yards ; 

 large parties were at the same time approaching along the shores. 

 After forming the boats in the order of landing, at the distance of 

 about eighty yards from the beach, I advanced, and was met by a 

 similar movement on the part of the natives. By means of Mr. Hale 

 I inquired for Anderson, and offered a reward for his delivery ; but 

 the natives returned evasive replies, and continued to approach from 

 different parts of the shore with the evident design of seizing my 

 boat. I therefore returned to my station in the line, when I directed 

 the gunner to let off a rocket, which fell in the midst of a group and 

 created some astonishment. I next fired a single shot, in hopes, by 

 exhibiting the effect, much loss of life might be prevented; but the 

 natives retired so slowly, that it became necessary to fire a volley, by 

 which several were killed, and many wounded. 



The natives then retired to the cover of the town ; when we imme- 

 diately landed and formed, leaving the third division to protect the 

 boats. I proceeded with the first and second divisions to fire the 

 town in all directions ; occasionally discharging a single shot at the 

 natives, who slowly retired before us. 



Just before our return to the boats, the chief of Eta, the town to 

 the northward of Utiroa, came to us with expressions of much satis- 



