iv 



CORRE SPONDE NCE . 



I would respectfully beg leave to suggest that, in submitting this 

 report to the House of Representatives, it be accompanied with a 

 request to that body, if it should think proper to direct the printing 

 of this valuable document, that the order for that purpose may in- 

 clude all the remaining portions of the report which may hereafter 

 be furnished; and that the order for printing shall include a suit- 

 able direction for the engraving and publication of the maps, charts, 

 •and sketches, which will be furnished as necessary illustrations of the 

 subjects treated of in the report. 



I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, your obedient 

 servant, 



JOHN P. KENNEDY. 



Washington City, January 26, 1853. 

 To the Hon. John P. Kennedy, 



Secretary of the Navy. 



Sir: I have the honor to submit part first of the Report of an 

 Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon, made by me, with the 

 assistance of Lieut. Lardner Gibbon, under instructions of the Navy 

 Department, bearing date February 15, 1851. 



The desire expressed by the department for an early report of my 

 exploration of the Amazon, and the general interest manifested in 

 the public mind with regard to the same, have induced me to lay 

 before you at once as full an account of our proceedings as can be 

 made before the return of my companion. 



The general map which accompanies the report is based upon maps 

 published by the Society for the diffusion of Useful Knowledge, but cor- 

 rected and improved according to my own personal observations, and 

 on information obtained by me whilst in that country. 



The final report of the expedition will be submitted as soon after 

 Lieut. Gibbon's return as practicable. I am in daily expectation of 

 intelligence from him. At the latest accounts (26th of July, 1852) he 

 was at Trinidad de Moxos, on the Mamore, in the republic of Bolivia, 

 making his preparations for the descent of the Madeira. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



WM. LEWIS HERNDON, 



Lieut. U. S. Navy. 



