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

the suppression of the slave trade aud the trausporta
ton OF specie from the Gulf of Mexico To the United
states were pointed out in the original Instructions
from the Department. subjects requiring special at
ehlion Independently also of these but of an entire
y subordinate character, and temporary their con-
muance the surveys of the coasts of FLORIDA, and OF
their adjacent Islands and keys-te negotiation under
resolution OF Congress, regard TO the establishment
oil buoys, lights, &c in the vicinity of the Bahama
oanks--the protection TO be afforded 10 the timber on
he public lands in Florida likewise committed TO
Tue same force. These last mentioned objects are
merely referred to- i'll general terms, To shew the null
arous duties which this small force instructed TO
perform The others, they continued throughout
the entire period of the command OF Commodore Por
ter, appear TO require minute and detailed report
In regard TO the general protection of our
IT appears TO the Court that ii was eminentiy entitled To
the attention which ii received; not merely from its
general aud obvious importance, but Of the
means oil suppresslng piracy by aordug convoy and
adequate protection To private commerce, OF the
principal inducements 10 pratical adventure
'lo'e anu Tie probability OF success pursuing and
destroying these reebooters eased should they have
inc ternenty to venture from their haunts. In
particular docs appear to the Court that the benefits
produced by 1.-THE squadron in the West India seas,
WAS more widely ditfused or greater in amount This
service, however, is that scarcely admit of
being illustrated by reference to individual facts. II
may, however, be particularly mentioned that il in
eFiuence before the Court, that vessel in the
squadi on, IN addition her ordinary and specific du.
ues' was engaged in aording convoy all occasions,
anu IN every quarters that Lieut.. Skinner alone the
p'Ttou Which lnterYened between the 3Oh March
ana the Sd July, gave convoy TO about i.rudi
ana eighty vessels 1t also appears, by the report o(
the Secretary of the Navy, the Chairman OF the Ma
val Commute OF the House Of Representative, Of
Deceinter 81 1921, that convoy often declined,
rather than submit to slight delays changes the
course OF the vessel that assurances upon VOYAGES
the est Indies continued unusually low, that the
ounces add little II any thing, account of the risk OF
piracy. On the whole. il appears 10 the Court, that
so far as the and character of the force permit
ten convoy was afforded to private trade in the West
India seas and Gulfof Mexico to the fullest possible
extent, and to the greatest practicable advantage.
The suppression of the slave trade, also required and
received particular attention. "Bv direction ri the
| department, Commodore Porter, from time TO time
despatched one OF the vessels of his squadron the
coast of Africa 10 touch Cape Measurable minister to
the wants of the Agency there and by the usual
track OF the slave slips.n Such practical benefit re-
suiied from this application of the force his disposal
That none of these other of our public ships
nave found vessels engaged in the slave trade, under
the flag of the United States and in such circunstan-
ces as to Justify their being seized and sent in for adu
dication5
The next subject TO which the attention of the Court
has been directed is the transportation of specie, part-
cuar from the Gul pin of Mexico the Uuted States
From causes which have already been referred TO- il
has not been practicable pursue this inquiry TO the
extent desired. In addition TO the general instructions
already particularly referred TO- orders issued by
thc Department., OF December ED, 1928 by which
Commodore Porter authorized ''to receive on board
specie and the articles permitted by the for the bet
Ter government of the Navy, belonging exclusively TO
our cItzens and 10 carry them rom port to ano.
Their, when il does not i'll any degree interfere with
your other duties, violate the laws of the country
where you are. You may also bring to the United
states specie belonging to citizens. but You
are IN no case, to permit any thing in the shape or cha
racter oil public advertisements to be used for The rIr-
pose OF giving information that on will carry them
And that the Government may know the extent to
winch the CONNIE cia interests or citizens are be.
neutted; BY the assistance afforded by our public YES
sells on it'> point ana be prcpare. answer any com
plants on the subject, which may be made BY iudiyi
duais or governments, you will from time time make
reports TO tins department of ali the specie and other
articles you may carry, The places to and from which
You carry them and the circumstances terms and
conditions on which you do IT'D
On the 20th July, 1921, the Secretary of the NAVY
expresses to Commodore Porter that at is the wish of
The Department that you portion of the force
under your command TO touch occasionally at the port
OF Ianpco in Mexico and afford protection TO tic CT
tzens OF the United States engaged in commerce with
that porto
In obedience to the general Instructions the Shark
under the command of Lieutenant Nj. G.. Perry, was
despatched in March, 1928, to the Gulf of Mexico
On the 18th May the Peacock sailed from Tlompson's
Island TO relieve hunt and thus, at intervals of from
SIX weeks TO three months, vessel sent in tlIat
quarter preparatory 70 her return TO the United States
Alter the receipt of the instructions OF December 22d
lO2S, circular letter dressed the 30th of the
same month, TO the different commanders under his or
dcrs, orbidding them TO take freight any treasure
without special instructions to that purpose On the
10Th October, 1895, Commodore Porter reported to the
time been transported by the different vessels under lis
command, since the preceding December From Ibis
statement II appears, that specie 10 the of
$4,000 had been carried within that PERIOD AT the
carriage freight Of IL per cent. One other vessel
under his command which appears to have carried spe
Gle, the Shark, commanded by Lieut. Gallagher is not
included IN this report mol having its date arrived at
thc port OF dcstlnaon.t So far the Court has been
able TO ascertain the facts il is inclined TO be eYc al
the amount of specie carried freight in the proceed
ing year, did not equal III amount that which is stated
IN the report OF Commodore Porter, carried in 1894
The orders under which Lieutenant Stevens acted |
appear to have been given by the Department. on the
application of e Bank OF the United States, and con.
sequenty, this appears to the Court have been pe
ciaI employment for that officer, and tie vessel un
der his command. by the Government, for public pur-
poses.
The general character of the instructions given By
Commodore Porter in the year 1921, TO the command
ers Of vessels bound to the Gulf Of Mexico may be as
ccrtaned from those annexed 20 the reC5td given 20
capt Dallas, Lieut.. Stevens, and Licnt. Skinner.
Alter deliberate and full consideration of all the
facts That have been ELECTED upon this subject, in the
progress OF this I'm