APPENDIX. 551 



head waters of various streams that empty into the ocean, viz., the 

 Umpqua, Klamet, and their branches. 



Your party is now composed of twenty officers and men : the addi- 

 tion of five or six more good and trusty men, will, I think, be amply 

 sufficient to insure your safety, and enable you to proceed with all 

 despatch : any more than is necessary to insure safety, I view as likely 

 to retard your progress. 



After you start, which must not be later than the 5th or 6th, I 

 give you twenty-five days to reach the forks on the Sacramento, 

 where the boats of the Vincennes or squadron will be on the 30th of 

 September. 



If you should fall upon the Sacramento, taking a more easterly 

 route, you will, if you find it difficult to proceed with your horses, 

 abandon them, and proceed in canoes down the river. 



It is possible you may have to construct them; and rough ones will 

 answer your purpose for navigating the river to its mouth, where you 

 will find the Vincennes at anchor. 



In conversation, I have impressed upon you the necessity of not 

 losing time, and bear in mind that in order to gain this desirable end, 

 it will be necessary for you to press your party all you can. The 

 saving of a few horses must not impede your advance, particularly 

 after you have passed the hostile Indians. 



I desire that you will endeavour to reach your destination in the 

 time specified, as it may save the party sent to meet you, and the 

 service, much delay. 



The route you will probably follow, is that usually taken by the 

 Company's party ; but in your advance, when it is safe, it may be 

 desirable for a part to deviate, for the purpose of gaining information. 



Although your orders are marked " confidential," you will show 

 them to Passed Midshipmen Eld and Colvocoressis, that they may 

 be aware of the duties to be performed in case of accident to you. 

 And no important hostile step will be taken unless through a council, 

 in which- all the gentlemen accompanying you will join ; and you 

 will be particularly careful that no act of aggrievance by your party 

 should bring about such an event. 



I again refer you to my General Order of the 1st of May last, in 

 relation to intercourse with Indians. 



And am, very respectfully, 



Your obedient, servant, 

 (Signed) Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



