26 



INTRODUCTORY 



What inducements are offered by the laws of Peru and Bolivia for 

 emigrants to settle in the eastern provinces of those two republics, and 

 what is the amount and character of the population already there? 

 "What the productions? the value of the trade with them — of what 

 articles does it consist, where manufactured, how introduced, and at 

 what charges upon prime cost ? 



What are the staple productions for which the climate and soil of 

 the valley of the Amazon, in different parts, are adapted ? What the 

 state of tillage; of what class are the laborers; the value of a day's 

 work; the yield per acre and per hand of the various staples, such as 

 matte, coca and cocoa, sugar, rice, chinchona, hemp, cotton, India- 

 rubber, coffee, balsams, drugs, spices, dyes, and ornamental woods ; the 

 season for planting and gathering ; the price at the place of produc- 

 tion, and at the principal commercial mart; the mode and means of 

 transportation ? with every other item of information that is calcu- 

 ated to interest a nautical and commercial people. 



You will make such geographical and scientific observations by the 

 way as may be consistent with the main object of the expedition, 

 always bearing in mind that these are merely incidental, and that no 

 part of the main objects of the expedition is to be interfered with by 

 them. 



It is desirable that you should bring home with you specimens or 

 samples of the various articles of produce from the Amazon river, 

 together with such seeds or plants as might probably be introduced 

 into this country with advantage. 



Arriving at Para, you will embark by the first opportunity for the 

 United States, and report in person to this department. 



Wishing you a pleasant journey and a safe return to your country 

 and friends, 



I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 



WILL. A. GRAHAM. 

 Lieut. William L. Herndon, U. S. Navy, Peru, or Bolivia. 



As the choice of route was thus left to my discretion, this, in con- 

 nexion with the best and most efficient mode of carrying out my 

 instructions, became an object of much consideration with me. 



As I had some time previously received intimation of the intention of 

 the department to issue such orders, whilst in Valparaiso and San- 

 tiago I had sought what information was to be had there, and con- 

 versed with many persons regarding the routes through Bolivia and 

 the navigability of the Bolivian tributaries of the Amazon. Two inte- 



