534 APPENDIX. 



XIV. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



Nisqually Roads, 

 July 17th, 1841. 

 Sir, — 



You are entrusted with the party, consisting of yourself, Passed 

 Midshipman Eld, Mr. Brackenridge, Sergeant Stearns, Privates 

 Rodgers and Dinsman, John Brooks (seaman), Thomas Ford and 

 Henry Waltham (ordinary seamen), and the boy Joe, as interpreter, 

 for the purpose of proceeding to Gray's Harbour, by the portage of 

 Shaptal, and through the lakes of the same name, thence down the 

 Chickeeles river, which empties itself into the ocean, forming Gray's 

 Harbour. 



You are provided with two canoes and four balsas, together with 

 provisions for twenty days, which is considered by me ample time to 

 effect the following objects, &c. 



Your departure will take place from Nisqually, on the 19th, pro- 

 ceeding up Puget Sound to the portage, where you will ascertain 

 your latitude and longitude by equal altitudes and the pole-star ; thence 

 passing over the portage, you will direct your attention particularly to 

 the facilities it offers for transportation, and sketch the topographical 

 plan of it. 



On reaching the Shaptal Lakes, you will embark (after having made 

 a rough survey to ascertain their extent, if they are too large to be 

 embraced by one view of the eye), on the Chickeeles, and proceed 

 down it towards Gray's Harbour, making observations in order to 

 ascertain its courses, length, and width, together with its capabilities 

 for navigation. 



On your arrival at Gray's Harbour, you will proceed to make an 

 accurate survey of it, by measuring a base-line on the Sandy Flats at 

 low water, and establishing well-marked signals round the harbour; 

 and those near the entrance sufficiently large to enable you to see to 

 angle on them at the bar, which must be sounded at low water, when 

 it is supposed to be more clearly defined. 



Some difficulties may occur in this part of the duty; and after the 

 signals are put up, it would be better to sacrifice a little time, if a 

 favourable and smooth time occurs, by beginning at that part of the 

 work. 



Your canoes are considered amply sufficient and safe to effect this 

 object, even in boisterous weather, being furnished with balsas. 



