APPENDIX. 



have been such as to meet your approbation, as well as that of the 

 Honourable Secretary of the Navy. 



I am, sir, yours, respectfully, 



(Signed) William L. Hudson, 



Commander. 

 Charles Wilkes, Esq., 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



XXX. 



[Copy.] 



U. S. Brig Porpoise, 



Bay of Islands, New Zealand. 

 March 31st, 1840. 

 Sir,— 



I have great gratification in reporting my arrival at this place on 

 the night of the 26th instant, all in good health ; and respectfully 

 report the following results, as occurring since the period of separating 

 from you. 



The 12th of January was consumed in diligent search and endea- 

 vours to regain : failing to do so, I proceeded westerly. At 10 p. m., 

 the day following, I entered an inlet formed by the barrier, for the 

 purpose of making a close examination and experimenting on dip. 



On a near approach to the margin, numbers of Phocse proboscidae 

 were seen reposing : I succeeded in taking a pair, the skins of which 

 were subsequently placed on board the Peacock. 



Very lofty ridges of ice, and the loom usual over high land, were 

 visible along the southern horizon, over the barrier. The compass at 

 the time being very sluggish, showing the brig's head to the north, 

 when her head was correctly south. 



From appearances to the southward, with the numerous Phoca? 

 proboscidae, I was strongly impressed with the belief of the close 

 approach to land. 



On the 15th the water was much discoloured, casting in one hundred 

 and fifty fathoms without success. Dense fogs and snow prevented 

 further examination. I fell in and communicated with the Peacock on 

 the evening of the 15th, having her in sight on the 21st and 22d. 



On the evening of the 16th, strong appearances of land again arose, 

 in corroboration of which I insert an extract from my journal, as w r ell 

 as the remarks from the log-book. 

 vol. ii. 59 



