APPENDIX. 369 



XIV. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



At Sea, September 14th, 1838. 



As it appears to me that the bounty recently directed by the Fourth 

 Auditor, to be checked against the marines now attached to the 

 Exploring Expedition, was given to them by the authority of the 

 Navy Department, through Commodore Jones, (as appears by his 

 General Order, No. 1,) not as recruits, but in consideration of their 

 obligating themselves to serve during the cruise of the Expedition, 

 without reference to their term of service ; I deem it, therefore, 

 proper and just to order the Pursers of the Exploring Expedition not 

 to check the bounty against the marines of the squadron under my 

 command. 



(Signed) Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition 

 To Messrs. R. R. Waldron and Wai, Spieden, 

 Pursers, U. S. N. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



At Sea, September 14th, 1838. 

 Sir, — 



It was with much surprise I learnt, a few days after sailing from 

 Hampton Roads, that the pursers of the Exploring Expedition had 

 received instructions from the Fourth Auditor to check the marines 

 now in the Exploring Expedition with the bounty paid them in 

 November, 1837, by order of Commodore Jones. 



I flattered myself that I had, on sailing, overcome all the obstacles 

 that had occurred, and I was not a little excited on finding that a new 

 apple of discord had been thrown into the squadron, and particularly 

 that part of it so valuable and necessary as the marines. 



I presume, however, this has been done without a knowledge of the 

 mischief it might produce in the efficiency and progress of the Expedi- 

 tion, if carried into effect. 



As it appears that some of the marines who received this bounty 

 had been in the service a long time, and none of them were recruits , 

 and with a view of preventing any mischievous effects upon those now 

 in the Expedition, I have issued an order to the pursers not to check the 

 bounty referred to ; a copy of which is herewith enclosed, marked No. 1 : 

 also a letter from Sergeant Stearns, in relation to the subject, marked 

 No. 2 ; I take leave also to enclose a copy of the General Order issued 

 by Commodore Jones to the Exploring Expedition in October, 1837, 

 vol. i. 47 



