APPENDIX. 
509 
Lieutenant De Haven, for the purpose of securing and bringing off the 
chief Malietoa, and if practicable the chief George from Cocoa-nut 
Point. Malietoa, however, being the most important personage to us 
at the present time, must be first arrested. You will be careful not to 
capture the chiefs until such a time as the tide may serve for getting 
your boats over the reef. 
In making prisoners of these chiefs, you will avoid any hostile act 
upon the natives, beyond what the most urgent necessity of the duty 
assigned you calls for, and endeavour to get them off without injury to 
them or any of your own party. 
Your manner of proceeding on shore should be such as to avoid the 
least suspicion of your object, and the capture so well-timed as to 
avoid either hazard or defeat. No special or positive directions can 
be furnished by me for your guidance; you will act as circumstances 
may suggest; consequently your manner of proceeding on shore is 
confided to your own judgment and discretion. 
Should your enterprise prove successful, you will treat the chiefs 
with all the kindness consistent with their safe-keeping, and return to 
this ship with the least possible delay. 
The Peacock will be kept in the offing, and lights shown during the 
night. 
Wishing you all success, 
I am, &c., 
William L. Hudson, 
Commanding U. S. Ship Peacock. 
Lieutenant Wm. M. Walker, 
U. S. Ship Peacock. 
U. S. Ship Peacock. 
March 1st, 1841. 
Sir, — 
In pursuance of your instructions, I landed at the town of Malietoa, 
on the evening of the 28th inst., supposing that a movement apparently 
so undisguised, would lull every suspicion of our intentions. 
At 10 p. m. we made every preparation to complete the execution 
of your orders, and a dark and rainy night flattered us with a pros¬ 
pect of success; but on landing to reconnoitre, I was met at the 
water’s edge by a large party of armed men. I passed them without 
any notice, and under the pretence of seeking a bed in the house * 
adjoining that of Malietoa’s, where I had slept on a former visit, dis¬ 
covered that it was filled with men on guard, their arms within grasp 
standing around. These circumstances sufficiently declared the appre- 
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