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Chap. V.]
AMERICAN EXPEDITION.
115
1840
absence of only seven weeks. Although the western point of Côte Clairée had been seen by Balleny in the preceding summer, it was mistaken by him for an enormous iceberg, and the land he at first imagined he saw behind it he afterwards thought might only be clouds. These circumstances are mentioned in the log-book of the Eliza Scott, but are not inserted here with the least intention of disputing the unquestionable right of the French to the honour of this very important discovery.
The result of the American expedition was, in compliance with the instructions of the government, kept profoundly secret on their return to Sydney, and nothing appeared in the local papers respecting their extensive operations but uncertain conjectures and contradictory statements. I felt therefore the more indebted to the kind and generous consideration of Lieutenant Wilkes, the distinguished commander of the expedition, for a long letter on various subjects, which his experience had suggested as likely to prove serviceable to me, under the impression that I should still attempt to penetrate to the southward on some of the meridians he had visited; a tracing of his original chart accompanied his letter, showing the great extent of his discoveries, pointing out to me those parts of the coast which he thought we should find most easily accessible. These documents would, indeed, have proved of infinite value to me, had I felt myself compelled to follow the strict letter of my instructions; and I do not the less appreciate the