Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-06

armed praticai barge and captured boats barge
escaping up lagoon in which, il was impracticablc
TO continue the pursuit. The particulars of the expe
clifton appear in bis report of June e5th.
In July, the Grainpus, under the command of Lieut.
Gregory arrived at Fho,nson's island aud Joined the
force under Com Porter the details of his previous op
CREATIONS appear in his report OF the 81 July.
Licutenat Richie then despatched the coast of
fucatan under orders of July 9Th 10 the stu
alton and character of supposed piratca establish
ment In that quarter; aud the goth August reported
the circumstances of his expedition.
Shortly after the transactions that have been detailed
;he yellow fever made its appearance Thompson's
Island, and in the squadron. The fatal consequences
are stated III the report made by the Secretary the
Navy TO the President of the United States under date
OF the 2lst September, 1928, and in the reports of
Com Rodgers, and the Physician who accompanied him
TO make an examination of tie Island annexed to the
record Com. Porter himself, by authority of the De-
partment and suffering from the effects of an attack of
the fever left the West India seas with considerable
PORTION of his force, and returned to the United States,
rs necessary or the restoration Uf the health
of the squadron. To such extent had this disease,
carried its ravages, that considered prudent to-
direct the John Adams and Peacock keep in coInpa-
during their hOmeward route, for the purpose of af-
loroing mutual protection.
The general result othe operations this season may
be found III the report made TO the department. BY Com
Porter the 10Th Nov enber In this paper il stated
that, 'on the arrival of the squadron Cuba piracy
was found in full force; but by the extraordinary activity
and diligence oft officers and men underhis command
1t was, IN less than months eectuay suppressed
it will be for several years" tits further stated CAT
present, have knowledge of the existence Of any
praca establishment, seis or boats, of pirate
aicat in the West Indies and Gulph of Mexico. They
have all been burned, taken, destroyed and driven to
tie Shore.n
In reviewing the operations Of the squadron during this
period of time, iapears to the Court that Com Porter
and the forces under his command fully entitled
10 tic high Communications bestowed then, by the
Department. in the letter of the 28th October, 1928.
During the absence of Com. Porter in the United
States the evidence before the Court throws but com
parali"ely little light upon the neutrality-suspicious. Of the
squadron. BY the instructions from the department, of
Oct cath. Com Porter directed if the of his
hcalt! would permit TO take upon hlself the general
experimenting direction OF the equipment the vessels
OF his squadron, then at Washington and Norfolk 1t
appears that the Peacock, John Adams, Sea Gull Dea-
gle, Grampus, Wild Cat, Weasel aud Porpoise were
in the United States during different portions Of that
tne undergoing repairs, and recruiting their crews,
and, soon as they could be equipped, most of these
small vessels resumed their stations, and returned the
accomplishment of the general duties enoincd them.*
Com. Porter sailed III the month of February, in the
John Adams. From the testimony of Capt Dallas and
the report of ON Porter of prl 9Th it appears hat
she touched at St Barthoomews st. Christopher's
and ST Thomas's examined the south Of Porto
Rico looking in at the Dead Mans Chest and Ponce
touching at Mona, st. Domingo, Beata and Kingston,
making digen inquiries and examinations for pra-
ucai vessels and Offering convoy and protection
sells OF all nations, from praical aggressi,iis.''
By the letters Of tho Secretary of the Navy of Nav
iIh l32 and May 81 1921, it appears tlat consider
able difficulties and delays in preparing additional
force had been experienced This arose from the late
period of the session of Congress at which the appropr
alton bill was passed. Il became impossible before an
advanced period OF the season commence preparing
those vessels which it had been designed to unite to The
squadron. 1t this circumstance that the unexpec-
ed abscncc of the Hornet and Porpose from the West
India seas is attributed
During the month OF April expedition was de-
tached under Capt. Wilkinson, quest pirates and
tlic report Of that officer, dated the lth Of thai month";
details his operations.
Lieut.. john II. Lee with the JackaIl and Wild Cat
sailed on the goth oil April aud, the eth of May re-
ports the circumstances attending his cruise The john
Adams was despatched 10 the Gulf of Mexico, and her
operations IN that quarter stated in the testimony of
Captain Dallas. The Sea Gull, Terrier, Spark Gram
ps and Ferret, appear to have been in the nciglbor-
hood of Cuba and Thompson's Island furnishing con.
voy and engaged in the pursuit pirates On the 28t
of May Commodore Porter informs the Department
that the fever had made its appearance at Ihompsons
: Island, and that he purposed removing the principal
part OF bis force 10 the North, about the middle of the
succeeding month. This letter appears be the ONLY
notification sent TO The Department of such Intention
and 1t was not received ut Washington until June 2lti
the day which Commodore Porter reached The sarsc
place his return from the West Indies as appears
by his letter of the 25th of that month On the OH
July, lie is directed TO despatch tue Shark, Grampus
and Spark TO their station, speedily possible, and
they well other vessels, received orders to that CT
g feet.
On the lh October, the Sccrc; ~ of the Navy 10
forms Commodore Porter that cit is deemed Gxpcdient
by the Executive that you speedily possible
TO your station the JoD Adams" On the - ST Oco,
bei hc again ordered To repair TO his station and
the 24th of the month he proceeded 10 10 the
Adams immediately after his arrival in the West
indies, the took place Foxardo Which
has already been FULLY detailed in the report made bv
tins Court m the first branch of the inquiry directed r.
be made, and which considered as wholly unconnccf
ed with this investigation. minute examination was
again made of the South coast of Cuba-which being
effected the John Adams repaired 10 Thompsun's l..
lana. An expedition was immediately organized, and
proceeded under the command of tic Commodore ift
person, in quest of pirates. Before his return from this
expedition orders received, dated the 9Th Dec.
directing his return to the United States with which as
soon as the officers and of the JOHN Adams cuga
ged in the last mentioned expedition returned 10 Leir
vessel, he complied.
AT the time that Commodore Porter left the West H.
da in June 1924 the sChCOncrs Ferret aud Terri
or, with barge, were left TO cruise between Tbomp.
sons Island, Havana, and Msanzas, and they appear 70
have been actively occupied during bis absence ia Civ
ing convoy from Havana and Matanzas and in expior-
f ing the neghboring COASTS for pirates Other vessel!
occasionally arrived in that vicinity during the same in
terva aud were, for periods of different cn o,,nloy
f ed for the objects The Beagle was cncaged Il