38 INTRODUCTORY. 



I 



exploration of the main stream and adjacent tributaries, until my arrival, 

 or you hear from me. 



You are already possessed of the views of the department regarding 

 the objects of this expedition. A copy of its instructions is herewith 

 furnished you. You will follow them as closely as possible. 



Should you go into " Bolivia, " I would call your attention to the 

 " cascarilla," or Peruvian bark, which is of a better quality in that 

 country than elsewhere. Make yourself acquainted with its history and 

 present condition. 



Wishing you success, I remain your obedient servant, 



WM. LEWIS HERNDON, 



Lieutenant U. S. Navy, 



Passed Midshipman Lardner Gibbon, 



U. ft Navy. 



Other reasons that induced me to take this step were, that I might 

 carry out the instructions of the department as fully as lay in my 

 power ; and while I gave my own personal attention to the countries 

 drained by the upper Maranon and its tributaries, Mr. Gibbon might 

 explore some, and gather all the information he could respecting others, 

 of the Bolivian tributaries of the Amazon. The objections were, that 

 the department had not sanctioned the step, and that by separating we 

 were deprived of the comfort and assistance to be derived from compan- 

 ionship — no small item in so long and lonely a journey. But I did 

 not conceive that these should weigh against the consideration that we 

 could cover more ground apart than together. 



I felt that, under my instructions requiring me to explore the Ama- 

 zon from its source to its mouth, I could not neglect the route I finally 

 determined to take. This route would enable me to form a judgment 

 respecting the practicability of a transi table connexion between Lima 

 and the navigable head waters of the tributaries of the Amazon — would 

 lead me through the richest and most productive mineral district of 

 Peru — would put under my observation nearly all the course of the 

 Amazon — and would enable me to gather information regarding the 

 Pampa del Sacramento, or great plain, shut in between four great 

 rivers, and concerning which the "Viagero Universal " says "that the 

 two continents of America do not contain another country so favorably 

 situated, or so fertile." 



The last and most commonly-used route to the Montana is through 



