Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-06
CHE Constitutional g1gtlio.
REPORT OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY.

the communication from the honorable the SEcnE1
or THE NAVY, dated the 10Th instant the evidence
which has been submitted, agree folowpr Reo,,
The Court in obedience 10 the prccept and instruc-
tons OF the honorable Secretary of the Navy having
inquired into the manner in which the squadron under
The command of Captain Porter has been employed du-
ring the period of his command; and whether the said
forces have been employed in the suppression of piracy
IN the most effective manner in which they could be
employed, IN conformity with the orders and instructions
from The Department of the Navy, whether they have
oeen engaged III objects of inferior moment, TO the
injury OF the public service; and having maurey con
sideied the testimony which has been laid before the
Court reports the following statement as the result Of
! this investigation:
1t appears TO the Court, that, in the year 1922 piracy
had been organized into in the est Ind IA seas
preying upon the commerce of every cornrv trado in
uat quarter w. IN consequence of these excuses an
act OF Congress passed early i'm the succeeding ses
son. authorizing an additional naval force for its sup
prcssion. THIS law appears TO have been acted upon
I'm both Houses with great pronptness 2l and TO have
been approved on the Goth December 1922 (3l r.,
this act, the OF 100000 was appropriated for the
purchase and construction of such vessels as might he
deemed suitable for that particular object and I'm m ,n
equip them for immediate service.
In the preparation of this force Commodore Porter
was Personaliyan actively employed and such despatch
was used, that on the 5th of February the squadron
consisting ot the Peacock soop of war the steam gal
hot Sea Gull the GREYHOUND of 65 tons the Shor or
about l75 tons the Ferret of 81 tons the Fox of 81
tons, the Jackall of IL tons the Will Cat of AZ ions
the Terrier of CT TONS the Weazcl of SO tons the Bea
gle o! 80 tons, and the ship Decov sailed from Hamilton
Roads.
Theinstructions from the Hon. Smith Thompson, the
Secretary of the Navy, TO Commodore Porter dated
February 1929, state the objects for which the soua
dron under his command had been couppcd and tbc
directions he was to pursue in the attainment of those
ends. These OBJECTS appear to be the suppression of
p'racy-the atording eiecual protection 10 the citizens
and commerce OF the United Stacs-thc suppression
the Slave Trade aud the transportation of spccie 10 the
United States. (l)
In these instructions i; specially onioined upon
Commodore Porter TO observe the utmost caution in
protecting our commerce against all unaw full interrun-
tiop and in guarding the rights both persons and pro-
perry OF the citizens of the United States not 10 en-
croach upon the rights of Others and to conduct himself
IN sntercourse with any foreign power viii! as much
moderation and orbcaranCe consistent with the no
nor OF the country and the just claims of lis citizens
lhe cultivation OF harmony and good understanding
win any foreign naval force engaged in the
of piracy strongly recommended. The establishment
of depot at rhoInpson's Isand or Key West is like
wise directed, IN the exercise OF proper discretion
II is particularly enoined by the Department upon
Commodore Porter 10 announce his arrival and object
to the authorities OF the Island OF CUBA and obtain
rs aF as practicable their co operaiion at least their
favorable and friendly support.
Another subject to which the attention of tI,n soma
dron IS particularly called the protection of the con
voy of specie from Vera Cruz and the BAY of Mexico
generally to the United States. One vessel al least is
directed TO be kept this service TO be Mt OF ncar
Vera Cruz, during the healthy season ofhe wear and 70
be relieved as occasion shall require both for the con
voy of trade and to bring specie 10 the United States
conilnng the transportation TO the United States ONLY
On the goth February, Commodore Porter issued his
general instructions 10 the different officers for their
direction and government. The instructions arc in
substance transcript OF those received by him from
the Department. more minute in their details but vary
ing from them in no essential particular.
The principal object Of the expedition being the sup
preston of piracy which had assumed in the seas de-
signed for the sphere of his operations appearance
OF system and organization, and extent which re-
CURED the utmost ygor and vigilance TO break down
Commodore Porter appears from the moment Of his a. p
pontInent TO the command of the squadron to have de-
his attention most Zealouslv TO the
of that object After arriving in the West Indies aud
dividing his force into separate dctacmcnts they were
despatched in various directions pursuit of pirates and
! Piratical establishments.
| The letter from Commodore Porter 10 Mr. Warner
the American Commercial Agent al Havana, dated oT
Natanzas, March GOTH 1929 affords brief sketch
! his proceedings 10 that date. lie SAYS, II am now
bound into haanzas 20 wait for the boats OF this ship
hc Peacock which, with the greater part of the crew
aud some small schooners, have been near week ab
sent among The Keys the sOn,h side of the Old
Srcgh's. We have examined all the Keys on the othe
side, and have thoroughly secured the north side of Porte
| Rico, st. Domingo, and Cuba, as far down rs Cave
Contcs. have sent small vessels down the norl
side of these islands, To examine every place where
pirate would be likely to be found and have despatched
the Shark TO scOur the coast from Caracas La Yer
Cruz have made the most Of the force under IN,
command"
The instructions to Lieut.. NJ. c. Perry, dated a
Aguada, March lth, 1925 sufficiently silo,y the ma
r despatched to the Gulf of Mexico.
The report made by Commodore Porter 10 the Score
tary Of the Navy, under date Of the 28t March, 1928
exhibits view Of the dinicultes which he had beer
subjected what lad been done up to that period anC
the employmcnts Of his squadron. About the begin
ming of April he arrived Thompgons Island or Eey
West.
In addition to tic active operations OF the squa
dron in the accomplishment Of the objects Of the expe
ditou, communications made TO the constitute,
authorities, in obedience TO the instructions from tint
Department; the objects and designs of the goyernmcn
were fully and distinctly announced, and the Co-opera
ton Of the local authorities requested. (5) good un
Outstanding appears TO have been assidoUsly cuvate
with the commanders and officers Of a British squadron
at that time in the West Indies, which successfully fur
thcred the objects in view, and productive Of mu
tua advantage. (G)
1t appears that when Comm. Porter sailed from tb
United States several vessels of were cruising i
the TO which he destined TO whom orders wer
despatched to report themselves 10 him, and to pTac
themselves under his command, to aid in the executo
of the duties enjoned to kim. This however, did nj
Dres,r ~