APPENDIX. 
627 
with the authorities of Chili and Peru, and with other powers and persons, 
and carefully numbering your despatches, of which it would be prudent 
to send duplicates by different conveyances. 
You will also be the medium of communication to the department from 
the officers and men under your command. 
Previously to sailing from the United States, you will cause complete 
muster-rolls of all persons on board of the Potomac to be made out and 
forwarded to the department. 
I am respectfully, sir, 
Your obedient servant, 
Commodore John Downes, LEVI WOODBURY. 
Commanding U. S. Frigate Potomac, 
. Norfolk, Virginia. 
Navy Department, July 25th, 1831. 
Messrs. Nathaniel Silsbee, Dudley L. Pickman, and Robert Stone. 
Gentlemen— Your communication to the President of the 20th instant 
has this day been received and referred to this department. ' 
I feel happy in assuring you that, since the 19th instant, every neces- 
sary preparation has been making to demand immediate redress for the 
outrage committed. 
On the 22d instant, not hearing from Salem but through the news- 
papers, I addressed a letter to one of your number, as a personal friend, 
asking further information on this subject ; and which letter, ere the arrival 
of this, will doubtless have been received by him. Though it was then 
confidential, he is hereby authorized to communicate it to the parties 
interested. 
The department would now invite attention to procuring and forwarding 
here a few particulars not contained in the communication received to-day. 
1st. It is desirable to have the originals or authenticated copies of all 
protests made in relation to the loss, and of affidavits by any persons who 
witnessed the outrage, detailing its origin and progress. 
2d. Any special information, as to the character of the rulers and the 
population, and* the part of the country where the injury occurred, which 
the owners may have, and which is not to be found in the books treating 
of those regions, would be acceptable. 
3d. Intelligence is asked as to the political relations, if any, existing 
between those rulers, &c., and the English or the Dutch ; whether useful 
hints can be given as to the draught of wafer, dangerous reefs, or circum- 
stances connected with the navigation in that region, and thence to Macao, 
by a frigate of the largest class. 
Your early attention to these subjects will greatly obhge the 
department. 
With sentiments of respect, 
I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) LEVI WOODBURY. 
