APPENDIX. 457 



XXV. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Sydney Cove, Dec. 23d, 1839. 

 Sir, — 



The following instructions will claim your particular attention 

 during our contemplated Antarctic cruise. 



1st. It cannot be too strongly impressed upon you the necessity to 

 use every means in your power to avoid a separation, as the lives of 

 those entrusted to your particular care, and those comprising the 

 squadron, may be jeoparded by it. 



2d. The most careful attention must be given by you to the health 

 and comfort of your crew, and the most economical care and expen- 

 diture of your stores and provisions. The greatest attention to the 

 cleanliness and airing of the vessels, and the drying of the clothes and 

 bedding to avoid all dampness and foul air, are likewise essential. 



In the event of your being frozen up or detained by the ice, your 

 responsibilities w T ill be great, and every precaution must be taken to 

 insure your safety. You may rest assured that every exertion will be 

 made to relieve you at the earliest possible day. 



I now give you a short sketch of what I deem to be the principal 

 object of our cruise towards the Antarctic Circle : first, to reach as 

 high a southern latitude as can be attained, without hazarding the 

 safety of your vessel and crew ; and last, to make all the observations 

 that my former instructions have pointed out, including the dip and 

 intensity. 



In the event of parting company, you will rendezvous, first, at 

 Macquarie Island, if it should occur before reaching its latitude, where 

 you will remain forty-eight hours, off and on ; thence proceed to the 

 Emerald Isle, waiting on and off thirty-six hours, and from thence to 

 the south as far as the ice will permit, and continue cruising along its 

 borders, between the longitude of 160° E. and 105° E., until the 1st 

 of March, at which period it is deemed the season will become too 

 far advanced to proceed south with any chance of success. 



On your return, you will proceed to the Bay of Islands, New 

 Zealand, where you will await my arrival, or find orders with the 

 American consul, resident there. 



If the Lord Auckland Group should lay in your path on your return, 

 you will find a secure harbour in that of Sarah's Bosom, in latitude 

 50° 38' S., longitude 166° 16' E. 



On your return, you will vary your route as much as possible, or as 

 the weather and state of your vessel will permit. 



