CURRENTS AND WHALING. 485 



recommend it to the especial protection and fostering care of the 

 government. 



As it was among the first objects of the Exploring Expedition to 

 render the dangerous path of these enterprising mariners more safe, 1 

 trust it will have been perceived, that throughout the operations of the 

 squadron, this interest has never been lost sight of. In fact, it has 

 always been my constant stud)' to endeavour to accomplish whatever 

 could tend to its benefit. In the course of the various and devious 

 voyages we have made, the greatest attention has been paid to the 

 winds and currents ; and from my investigations, I hope to be able to 

 point out the most feasible routes by which to gain the proper cruising- 

 grounds, and to define their localities more clearly than has hitherto 

 been done. 



Among other duties, we were called upon to administer chastisement 

 for the murder of portions of the crews of whale-ships, as well as of 

 persons belonging to the squadron, which was done not as a vindictive 

 retaliation, but to convince the natives that their attacks on vessels 

 bearing our flag cannot pass with impunity. 



In all places we have endeavoured to foster a good feeling, to esta- 

 blish a system of fair dealing, to win confidence, and to act justly. 

 The knowledge of the native character which I have obtained, and 

 have recorded in the preceding pages, will, I hope, be of use in pre- 

 serving a good understanding between them and those who follow us ; 

 rules and regulations were agreed upon in many places with the 

 chiefs, for the purpose of rendering the property and lives of our 

 citizens more secure in their visits to the ports of the islands ; and 

 it is to be hoped that they will be strictly observed on the part of 

 American vessels. 



The Expedition has done much by its surveys and explorations to 

 make the islands, their anchorages and harbours, better known ; and 

 very many doubtful shoals, reefs, and islands have been carefully 

 searched for. Particular information respecting these dangers will be 

 embraced in the Hydrographical Memoir. 



Our whaling fleet now counts six hundred and seventy-five vessels, 

 the greater part of which are ships of four hundred tons burden, 

 amounting in all to two hundred thousand tons. The majority of 

 these vessels cruise in the Pacific Ocean. Between fifteen and sixteen 

 thousand of our countrymen are required to man these vessels, half of 

 whom go to sea for the first time as " green hands," and return after a 

 voyage of fatigue and hazard, transformed into sailors. 



The value of the whale fleet is estimated at not less than twenty- 

 five millions of dollars, yielding an annual return of five millions, ex- 



2Q2 



