APPENDIX. 433 



the natives, which might have occasioned also a delay to the whole 

 squadron, as they are evidently hostile. 



I trust a similar occurrence will not come under my notice again 

 during the present cruise. 



The orders to the officers of the boats must be well understood 

 before they leave the ship, and strictly obeyed ; otherwise the inter- 

 course with the islands must be restricted. 



I am, &c, 



Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 

 Capt. Wm. L. Hudson, 



U. S. Ship Peacock. 



XLIII. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



August 31st, 1839. 



Hereafter no specimens of coral, live shells, or any thing else that 

 may produce a bad smell, will be taken below the spar-deck, or into 

 any of the rooms ; and it will be the duty of those bringing such on 

 board, to report them to the officer of the deck, who will see that they 

 are placed under the charge of a man appointed to look out for them ; 

 and that this order is strictly obeyed. 



Charles Wilkes, 

 Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



XLIV. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



At Sea, September 1st, 1839. 

 Sir,— 



You will proceed around the island of Raraka, and obtain its 

 dimensions, as indicated in your orders of yesterday, turning its west 

 point, and continuing down its south side, until you reach the position 

 you left yesterday. Your courses and distances must be kept very 

 accurately, and your approach to the shore and reef, as near as prac- 

 ticable with safety. 



You will always regain the same position in the morning, that you 

 left the day before. 



After you shall have executed this duty, you will then proceed to the 

 northeast, and make the island we discovered, called Taiara, or King's 

 Island, and steer from there by daylight a northwest course. 



vol. i. 54 



