e greatest assistance and
service by his fine bearing, his cheerfulness, and devotion to
duty. His boat was evidently commanded with the greatest
intelligence, fortitude, and gallantry and with the most
admirable devotion. May the Service always be able to find such
men in the time of need.

The men were fine specimens of seamen--cool and brave, with
great endurance and excellent physical strength. They were,
undoubtedly, those best qualified in the whole party on Ocean
Island to perform such a service. Both Lieutenant Talbot and his
men had very firm confidence in their boat and looked forward
with cheerfulness to the voyage. Such men should be the pride of
the Navy, and the news of their death cast a deep gloom over the
otherwise cheerful feelings with which the Kilauea was welcomed
at Ocean Island.

I do not know that I sufficiently express my deep sense of their
devotion and gallantry; words seem to fail me in that respect.

Previous to the sailing of the boat from Ocean Island I had
enlisted John Andrews and James Muir as seamen for one month.
Since I have ascertained their fate I have ordered them to be
rated as petty officers (in ratings allowed to most of the
"fourth rates"), as I have thought that all the crew of that
boat should have stood on equal footing as regards the amount
they might be entitled to in case of disaster, as they all
incurred the same risk.

Andrews and Muir belonged to the party of Mr. G.W. Townsend
(the contractor at Midway Islands), and it was made a condition,
by them, of their enlistment that it should not interfere with
their contract with Mr. Townsend. It was intended as the
security of their families against the risk incurred while
performing the great service for the shipwrecked party. I have
forwarded their enlistment papers to the Bureau of Equipment and
Recruiting.

I am very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
MONTGOMERY SICARD,
Lieut. Comdr. U.S.N. Comd'g.

HON. GEORGE M. ROBESON,
Secretary of the Navy.

_In God's Country again_

_San Francisco, February 8, 1871._ After a pleasant voyage in the
Moses Taylor we are again, all hands,--minus our gallant comrades,--on
American soil, and