254 SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 



chronometers. My regret at parting with him gave way, however, to 

 the pleasure of assigning him a station to which his conduct had so 

 justly entitled him, and which he was so well qualified to fill. 



To complete our supplies for the return voyage, it was expedient 

 that we should again visit the Hawaiian Group : this was rendered 

 absolutely necessary, in order to procure clothing for those who had 

 lost every thing by the wreck of the Peacock ; for deficiency in that 

 important article might, had we pursued the direct route to the China 

 Seas, have subjected the men, who had already undergone so much 

 exposure, to the attacks of disease. 



This necessity, added to the other delays the unfortunate loss of the 

 Peacock had caused, was a source of profound regret, as it prevented 

 me from availing myself of the permission granted in my instructions, 

 to enter the Sea of Japan, through the Straits of Sangar. I gave up 

 this plan, to which I had looked forward as one of the most interest- 

 ing parts of our cruise, with great reluctance; but the season was 

 rapidly passing, and to undertake this remote expedition would render 

 it impossible to accomplish the other objects marked out for me pre- 

 vious to my return to the United Stales. We might not, perhaps, 

 have succeeded in entering into communication with the inhabitants 

 of that interesting and little-known country; but we might certainly, 

 by landing on some of the islands adjacent to its coast, have obtained 

 much interesting information, and added greatly to the collections of 

 our scientific departments. 



On the 1st of November, we had a wind that enabled us to make 

 sail, although it was late in the day before it was sufficiently strong, 

 and by that time the ebb tide was far spent. To avoid any farther 

 loss of time, I determined to make the attempt. Signal was accord- 

 ingly made ; and the vessels were in a few minutes under way, and 

 standing out of the harbour. It may, indeed, be said, that it is prac- 

 ticable to enter and depart from this port whenever the tide is favour- 

 able. We continued beating out to gain an offing until towards sun- 

 set, when it fell calm, and the tide failed us. The Vincennes was, 

 therefore, compelled to anchor in six and three-fourths fathoms water, 

 three miles from the land; and signal was made to the two brigs, 

 which were about three miles outside of our position, to do the same. 



On our coming to anchor, there was scarcely any swell, and the 

 ship lay almost as still as if she had been within the harbour. The 

 sun set clear, and every thing betokened a calm and quiet night. 



At about 10 p. m. the swell began to increase, without any apparent 

 cause, and so rapidly as to awaken my anxiety ; but being in such 

 deep water, I thought that the vessel was sufficiently distant from the 



