APPENDIX. 353 



U. S. Navy-Yard, 



New York, June 16th, 1838. 

 Sir, — 



The peculiarly delicate situation in which I felt myself placed in 

 relation to Lieutenant Wilkes, must be my excuse for the delay 

 which has occurred in replying to your communication of the 5th 

 instant, proffering to me the situation of second in command of the 

 Exploring Expedition. 



The coincidence of opinion between the President and yourself in 

 relation to its character in a military point of view, the claims of the 

 nation upon the services of its officers, with the very flattering sugges- 

 tion contained in your letter, have outweighed my scruples. I, there- 

 fore, from a sense of duty, accept the command, and tender my best 

 services to promote the objects of the Expedition, and advance the 

 honour of our common country. 



Very respectfully, yours, 



(Signed) Wm. L. Hudson. 



To the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, 



Secretary of War. 



The following order was issued : 



IV. 



NAVY GENERAL ORDER. 



The armament of the Exploring Expedition, being adapted merely 

 for its necessary defence while engaged in the examination and 

 survey of the Southern Ocean, against any attempts to disturb its 

 operations by the savage and warlike inhabitants of those islands; 

 and the objects which it is destined to promote being altogether scien- 

 tific and useful, intended for the benefit equally of the United States.. 

 and of all commercial nations of the world; it is considered to be 

 entirely divested of all military character ', that even in the event of the 

 country being involved in a war, before the return of the squadron, 

 its path upon the ocean will be peaceful, and its pursuits respected 

 by all belligerents. The President has, therefore, thought proper, in 

 assigning officers to the command of this squadron, to depart from 

 the usual custom of selecting them from the senior ranks of the navy 

 and according to their respective grades in the service; and has 

 appointed Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, first officer, to command the 

 Exploring Expedition, and Lieutenant William L. Hudson to command 



VOL. I. 2E2 45 



