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APPENDIX. 
person authorized by me or the government of the United States, to 
receive her. 
In making this request, I am well aware of the desire the Honourable 
Hudson Bay Company and its officers have always shown to do every 
thing in their power to afford relief to those in distress, and the deep 
feeling all attached to this squadron have evinced for the relief 
extended to ourselves individually, during the late disaster; and it will 
only be placing a suitable boat in the hands of the Company, in which 
to afford relief more promptly. I therefore have little doubt but that 
you will not object to assume the charge, and I assure you it will 
afford me great satisfaction hereafter, to hear that she has been of any 
use in saving lives or property. 
The launch will be left with Mr. Burnie, with all her fixtures 
complete. 
I am, with much respect, 
Yours, &c., 
Charles Wilkes, 
Commanding Exploring Expedition. 
To John M’Laughlin, Esq., 
Chief Factor, H. B. C. Fort Vancouver. 
VI. 
U. S. Brig Porpoise, 
Columbia River, 
August 7 th, 1841. 
Sir,— 
You are transferred to the Vincennes, now laying off and on the 
river, in order to carry her to the bay of San Francisco; and you will, 
without delay, proceed to that port, and report your arrival duly to 
the Commandant of the Presidio as coming for the purpose of refresh¬ 
ing the crew, and to await my arrival with the rest of the squadron. 
After this ceremony is performed, you will proceed with the ship 
to anchor near the island of Molate, in the northern branch of the 
bay; when you will safely moor the Vincennes, leaving her in charge 
of Lieutenant Carr, with one other lieutenant, Passed Midshipman 
Davis, and three midshipmen, and proceed with six boats, including 
your own, to examine the river Sacramento and its branches. This 
you will do by running to its head waters, or as far as it is practicable 
to pursue the river with a boat, and then bring the survey down from 
the extreme point arrived at, where your latitude and longitude must 
be carefully determined. This it is believed will be on the head 
