424 APPENDIX. 



In the event of the Sea-Gull arriving after receipt of this letter, you 

 will furnish her at Valparaiso with all necessary articles, and render 

 her complete for the intended service. After having completed which, 

 you will lose no time in proceeding on the route designated above. 



Your attention is particularly called to investigating any shoal, reef 

 or island that you may fall in with, not duly represented on your chart, 

 taking azimuth bearings, when you have determined your situation. 



If you should not possess the necessary charts of the Pacific Ocean, 

 you will at once make a requisition on the navy agent for that purpose, 

 getting the latest and the best; I have written to him accordingly to 

 supply all your wants, believing that you will require nothing that is 

 not necessary. 



You will, of course, continue the usual observations of temperature, 

 &c, and acquire as much information on your route as you can. 



In the event of the Sea-Gull not being heard from within four months 

 after the 1st of June, you have permission to return to the United States, 

 or join the squadron on the Pacific Station, whichever may suit your 

 own views. The attempt to follow the squadron would be impossible, 

 with any chance of success; therefore I do not consider myself 

 authorized to incur the expense, and devote the time of any officer to 

 so vague a prospect of service. 



Wishing you a pleasant and prosperous passage, 



I am, &c, 



Charles Wilkes, 

 Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



Lieut. Com. T. T. Craven, 



Valparaiso. 



Similar instructions were given to Lieutenant-Commandant Craven 

 at Callao, omitting those parts relating to Valparaiso. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Harbour of Callao, July 11th, 1839. 

 Sir, — 



You will avoid by all means in your power a separation; in the 

 event of such an occasion, you will steer for the island of St. Paul's, 

 or its supposed locality ; thence to the island of Minerva or Clermont 

 de Tonnerre, in latitude 18° 32' S., longitude 136° W. ; then hauling 

 to the northward to make the Isle of Disappointment ; thence by King 

 George's Group, Waterlandt Land, and Dean's Island ; and from 

 thence to Matavai Bay in the island of Tahiti. 



You will at each of these places make some stay, and remain at 

 Matavai Bay until you hear from me. 





