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, 



Lieutenant Wm. M. Walker, 



U. S. Ship Peacock. 



William L. Hudson, 

 Commanding 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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