LOSS OF THE SEA-GULL. CI 



nourished during the revolutionary war, still continue to annoy 

 its peace ; and there is, perhaps, no country in the world 

 where murder and robbery are so prevalent. Until a better 

 state of things be brought about, its improvement is hopeless. 



On the 11th of June, the " Porpoise" arrived from Val- 

 paraiso. She reported that the " Vincennes," " Peacock," 

 and " Flying Fish," were to have followed her in a few days. 

 As for the " Sea-Gull," she had not been seen or heard from 

 since the time she was separated from the " Flying Fish'? in a 

 storm off Cape Horn. 



On the 19th, the " Peacock" arrived, and the United States 

 ship " Lexington" sailed for the coast of California. The 

 following report was now very current, namely, that as soon 

 as the " Vincennes" arrived, this ship would be detached from 

 the squadron, and ordered to return home. 



June 20th, the " Vincennes" made her appearance, and 

 anchored near us. We understood she left Lieut. Thomas 

 Craven at Valparaiso, with orders that if the "Sea-Gull"* 

 did not arrive there by a certain time, to charter a vessel and 

 go in search of her-. It was the opinion of many of the officers 

 that she was lost. 



On the 21st, I received orders to report for duty on board 

 the "Peacock," it having been decided that the "Relief" 

 should return to the United States, after taking a cargo of 

 stores for the expedition, to Sydney, New South Wales. 



* She did not arrive at Valparaiso at the appointed time, and Lieutenant Craven 

 acted agreeably to his orders ; but he could neither find or hear anything of her. 



