X 
INTRODUCTION. 
such assistance as may be required, either by Captain Parry or Captain 
Franklin, should one or both of those officers make their appearance in 
that neighbourhood. You are hereby required and directed to put to 
sea in the said sloop, so soon as in every respect ready, and observe 
the following instructions for your guidance : — 
“ You are to proceed with all convenient expedition to Kio Ja- 
neiro, where you are to complete your provisions and water; after 
which you are to make the best of your way round Cape Horn, and 
endeavour to make Easter Island ; from whence you are to take your 
departure, steering for the Society Islands, and passing near the spot 
where Gomez Island appears in the charts, in order to ascertain whether 
such island has any existence ; and, in like manner, whether Ducie’s 
and Elizabeth Islands be not one and the same. You will then proceed 
to Pitcairn’s Island at the south-eastern extremity of the group of the 
Society Islands, or, as they are sometimes called, the Georgian Islands, 
where you will commence a survey of this group, proceeding north- 
westerly to Otaheite. In the execution of this survey it may be found 
most advisable to anchor, if practicable, every evening, under one of the 
islands, in order that the situation of the ship may, by these means, 
be more secure, and that you may be certain that none of them are 
passed by you unobserved. If, however, you should experience any 
difficulty in pursuing the route herein pointed out, from the prevailing 
winds, you will make the best of your way to Otaheite, and proceed 
from thence in your survey to Pitcairn’s Island. 
“ During your stay among these or any other of the islands of the 
Pacific which you may visit, you are to use every possible endeavour to 
preserve an amicable intercourse with the natives, and to caution your 
officers and ship's company to avoid giving offence or engaging in dis- 
putes with them ; and you are to show them on all occasions every act 
of kindness that may be in your power, taking care that when any 
purchases, by barter or otherwise, are made, an officer of the ship may 
always be present to prevent disputes: and you are particularly to 
impress on the minds of your officers and men the necessity of being 
extremely guarded in their intercourse with the females of those places, 
so as to avoid exciting the jealousy of the men. 
