424 APPENDIX. 



you find it impossible, you will then make signal No. 5. On your 

 coming in sight, our attack will begin, which you will have notice of 

 from the schooner's guns. 



The disposition of your force (sixty men) is left to your own judg- 

 ment ; but great care is to be taken that your men are well arranged 

 in divisions, to support each other, and that they are not suffered to 

 stray from their divisions. Strict orders must be given that their am- 

 munition is not wasted, and that their fire is reserved for the natives. 

 No woman or child is, on any account, to be hurt, unless it should be 

 for the preservation of life of your party ; but every man or native 

 capable of using a club, or stone, is to be destroyed. This you will 

 make all understand before they leave the brig. 



Your whole force must be ready by eight o'clock to-morrow 

 morning. 



The strictest injunctions will be given that all orders are executed 

 strictly and with promptness, and in silence, and no confusion suffered 

 to take place. 



You will destroy every kind of plantation. 



Respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring- Expedition. 

 Lieut. Com. C. Ringgold, 



U. S. Brig Porpoise. 



U. S. Brig Porpoise, 



Isle of Malolo, July 26th, 1840. 

 Sir, — 



In compliance with your instructions of this day, I landed on the 

 isle with a force of sixty men, arranged in three equal divisions, taking 

 the centre myself, with Lieutenants Johnson and Maury on my right 

 and left, and proceeded without delay to the accomplishment of your 

 orders. 



My first object was to endeavour to dislodge the natives who had 

 assembled in considerable numbers on the hill-tops, armed, and evinc- 

 ing signs of hostility. I employed Lieutenant Maury in the destruction 

 of extensive plantations on the left, while Lieutenant Johnson proceeded 

 on the right towards the hills. Our movements could not be concealed 

 from the natives, owing to the surface of the isle being free from under- 

 growth and trees, and our approach of course discovered in time for 

 them to flee to more remote and distant peaks. 



I at once resolved to proceed forthwith to the attack of the village, 

 calling the two divisions to my assistance, and set forth in the direc- 

 tion of it, about a mile distant. I soon discovered the natives were 



