434 APPENDIX. 



Sydney, December 2d, 1839. 

 Sir, — 



The undersigned, naval officers and naturalists, attached to the 

 Expedition under your command, are prompted by sincere zeal in the 

 public service, and a most disinterested desire to promote the important 

 objects of the cruise, to submit to your indulgent consideration the fol- 

 lowing proposition : 



We are induced to think that an English brig lately arrived in this 

 harbour, and, in our judgment, very well adapted for such a service, 

 may be purchased at a reasonable rate ; and that, while the rest of the 

 squadron proceeds on the southern tour, we may be advantageously 

 employed in the survey and examination of many interesting and im- 

 portant islands. We, therefore, respectfully suggest the employment 

 of this or a similar vessel, and volunteer our best endeavours to per- 

 form to the spirit such duties as you may conclude to assign to us 

 during your absence in the south ; and we beg you to accept our 

 assurance, that, in case of your consent, no exertion shall be spared to 

 justify this proposal, and recommend our temporary service to your 

 highest consideration. Very respectfully. 



Wm. M. Walker,* T. R. Peale, 



James Alden, Wm. Rich, 



Lieutenants. James D. Dana, 



J. C. Palmer, H. Hale, 



Acting-Surgeon. Alfred T. Agate, 



Wm. Reynolds, Scientific Corp? 



Simon F. Blunt, 



Passed Midshipmen. 



Note. — No notice was taken of this letter: it being one of the 

 official communications of the cruise, has caused me to insert it. 



Charles Wilkes. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



December 2d, 1839. 



In declining to sign the accompanying paper I do not wish to have 

 it understood that I disapprove of the proposition in the main. If the 

 commander of the Expedition should find that it better suited his con 

 venience to charter a vessel to convey us to a rendezvous, and foi 

 other purposes, I should not conceive that I had a voice in the matter , 

 but a direct proposition having already been made (with which I have 



* Mr. Walker begs leave to disavow any thought of promotion on the projected service, 

 and, in anticipation, begs respectfully, but most earnestly, to decline any acting appointment. 



