Copy M.S. Ship Vincennes Bahia, Sandwich Islands November 9th, 1820 Sir, The Specimens that have been collected by the Exploring expedition and shipped at different times to this port, have been preserved and packed with the utmost care under the immediate supervision of the Gentlemen to whose Department they respectively belong. Equal care has been taken to seal the Boxes, and mark legibly, on their contents. And Catalogues including the most minute Specimens have from time to time been placed in my possession. I would impress upon the Board, Sec'y of the Navy, that in order to keep them in a state of preservation, and thereby ensure success to this branch of the enterprise, it is of the highest importance, that they be moved as little as possible, and kept unopened, in a safe and dry depository, until the return of the Squadron, when with the assistance of the Catalogues, they can be arranged in order, without difficulty. I have the honor to be Sir, Most Respectfully, Yr. (Signed) Charles Milkes, Commander, U.S. N. Per. S. R. Paulding, Sec'y of the Navy Washington