Delaware Democrat. (Wilmington, Del.) 1857-1858, 1857-10-10
LIEUTENANT HEnNDos, U. s. N.

thus mourned, who had done so much
good work for bis country, should not pass
away without some record. 1t is fit that
the leading incidents of his eventful career
should be related, not only to bis honor, but
to the advantage of other men, and, more
particularly, those who are now entering
life unmindful of the duties which, whether
in public or private sphere they have to
perform.
WILLIAM LEWIS HERNDoN, was Vir.
ginian, (born at Fredericksburg, in 1918,
and, at his death, was within few weeks
of the age of forty four. At the age OF
fifteen, he entered the United States Navy
as midshipmau, and was three years Oh
bis first cruise, in the frigate Guerrero, to
the Pacific. Three more years he was in
the Constellation, on the Mediterranean
Afterwards he went on a cruise to the
coast of Brazil, in the Independence.
The Florida war had commenced by
the time of his return, and among the naval
officers who volunteered for active service
was Mr.. HERNDoN, who was placed in
charge Of small brig at Indian Key
He remained in this service for two years,
and was attached to the National Observ-
atory, ut Washington, soon after his return.
Lieutenant MAURY, now so justly world
famous for his practical application Of
science to the purposes of navigation, was
then in charge of the Observatory, and Ger
tainly did not permit Mr.. HERNDoN (who
was bis brother-in-law) to make sinecuic
of the situation. lie was constantly oc-
cupied, and his labors often extended far
into the hight, from the necessity of having
astronomical observations accurately made.
He was compelled, by the ovcrwork it task
ed him with, to resign the office after
having held it for three years.
The Mexican war sprung up, and Lieu
tenant HERNDoN applied for employment.
He was commissioned to the frigate Cum.
berld'd. Ere he could act in this capaci-
ty, he was detached, on the application Of
Commodore PERRY, and appointed to com-
mand the small steamer Iris, his duty be-
ing to keep up communication between the
United .s's Sts,cs ;,;s squadron and the United
ssse "
with the Spanish language, which he had
acquired in South America, made him
very efficient in this position, in which he
continued until The end of the war. lie
then returned, for another year, to the Oh.
servatory at Washington, aud went on
foreign service after that
While Lieutenant HERSDoN was attach.
ed to the United States ship Vandalia, of
the Pacific Squadron, he received com
munication from the Superintendent of the
National Observatory, informing him tina,
orders to explore the Valley Of the ANA
zon would be sent to him by the next mail
steamer, AT the time he received this no.
tice, August 1850, the Va,citiia was at
anchor in the burbor of Valparaiso, but
was about sailing for the Sandwich Is
lands. lie was allowed to leave the ship
and await instructions at Valparaiso. The
death of President TAYLOR, and the Cab
met changes which followed, delayed the
transmission of the promised instruction,
to Lieut.. HERNDoN, whofilled up the time
advantageously enough by improving his
knowledge of the Spanish language, by
studying such accessible works as treated
on the country he was to explore, and by
conversing with well-iniormed and intelli-
gent people on the subject of bis future
journey.
In January, 1851, Lieutenant HrRS-
DON received instructions dated October,
1851, from Mr.. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy, directing him to
proceed to Lima, "for the purpose of col
lecting from the monasteries and other au-
thentic sources that may be accessible to
youi information concerning the head
waters of the Amazon, and the regions Of
country drained by its Peruvian tributa-
ries." He was directed also to visit the
monasteries of Bolivia for like purpose,
touching the Bolivian tributaries of that
river, il he thought fit. He was informed
that the object Of the Department in as
signing him this service was with view
of directing him to explore the Valley OF
the Amazon, should the consent of Brazil
therefor be obtained" He left Lima, on
this mission, on the Goth January. He
was employed on the Exploration of the
Valley of the Amazon and its tributaries,
in conjunction with Lieut. LARDNER GLIB.
BON. The instructions were dated Febru-
lry l5, 1851. Lieut.. HERNDoN's Report
hereof was printed, with illustrations and
a fine map, by order of Congress, in 1853.
and is as lively and entertaining as it is
accurate and instructive. He threw much
light on hitherto almost unexplorcd re.
sion, and closely observed not only the
geographical features of the districts he
raversed, but the natural history, products,
ind the moral as well US physical condi.
ion of the Inhabitants. He noticed, also,
he commercial capabilities of the Amazon;
he condition, working, aud yield of the
ilver mines; and made numerous and val
liable scientific observations. The Report
s as interesting as a romance, and fully |
justified and fulfilled the very high expec-
alton formed of Lieut.. HERNDoN. 1t was
prepared for the press by himself at Wash,
ngton.
This labor ended, he was ordered to
'roceed to the Baltic, (while the allied
leets were cruising there, but the San
Iacinto, to which he was appointed, meet
ng some accident, put into southampton
England), and finally conveyed Mr..
'ouLE to Spain. Returning home, in the
ian Jacinto, Lieut.. HERNDoS was made
commander (after brief stay on the Po-
omac) of the mail-stOamor George Law,
Ghick changed her name to the Central I