Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-13

States. c0NId th., BE done, without subjecuns the
commcrcl.! enterprise vt the country 10 the ga
sua;ies attending Il state of warfare, should such
be The unhappy result Of the present hos'''e ihu'-
cations in that quarter.
The squadron appointed to cruise on the coast
Of BraZi and Buenos Ayres, ana the rac''e
Ocean. has been steadily engaged IN guarding me
United States mercantile interests on these coasts
This service has been performed with hdei'ty anu
success; and the iag of the Union no" gives iuii
security to the merchandise 1t IS authorized 10
introdnce and exchange with the respective co"h-
tries to which it is carried.
The cessation of hos,ilities between the States
of Chill and Peru and the mother country, ana
between Brazil and Buenos Ayres, has greatly
favored the advances of trade, and diminished
the hazards of mercantile adventure with every
mart of the South American continent. But the
unstable and inefficient governments oi part OF
these States forbid the idea that this can be long
enioyed. without embarrassments AMI SeXatIouS
interruptions. unless it shall he snstalned by the
presence Of an active protecting force. 1t can
not, cons eQuentiy, be believed to be consistent
with GOOD policy to lessen the efficiency OF this
force.
Several of the vessels composing these two
souadrons ill be reeyedin the course i the next
year. preparations for that purpose being IN ac-
tive progress. 1t is also contemplated to make
some changes in the description ni force to be en-
ploye,l on the Atlantic coasts OF South America
a,apting il better for the harbors it is forced to
look to for security against The tempes'uoas wea-
Their so often experienced OH these coasts
In former communication made TO sou, 1t
was noticed that The sloop of war Finccnnes,
commanded BY Capt. Finch, which had comP"s,,
n Il
ed one of the squadron in the Pacific ocean, had
been directed latter the expiration oi me term
limited for the cruize on thGcoas,s OF ChIli and
PERU 10 touch at the MarQucSas, Society, and
Sandwich islands: and, after spending the ne.
cessary time in locking TO the United States
commercial concerns in that quarter, TO take Gan
ton &c. in the way, and thence by the cape OF
Good Hope. pursue the usual route to the Uni
ted States
This order has been faithfully executed. the
ship has returned in good condition, with ITS
crew well discplined, and in excellent health.
The particulars Of this voyage are given IN
the Report of Capt Finch. These have claim
to the attention OF the public. from the iRtorma-
ton afforded Oh many points relaiions TO the
character and habits Of people just emerging
from state of simplicity aud ignorance, and,
from their peculiar locality. unnecessarily controlling
the comforts of the large Number OF the United
States citizens who annually visit them.
The great amount of tonnage and capital EN-
yIoyed in the whale fisheries, in the adjoining
seas makes is convenient prosecution matter
Of no INC considerable concern to the nation.
The necessity, also, for repose after the long
voyaoes REQUIRED bv this trade. and the want OF
supplies for health and convenience and repairs
of The vessels. render these islands places of rem
dcZ,ous: and il is consequently OF great lmpor-
lance that the most friendly intercourse be main
tanned with the Inhabitants. Capt. Finch, 6v
his iu,licious and conciIiatory department. has
probably secured lnn-'continuance oi kindly
treatment to his countrymen from these people,
and has added greatly to the prospects OF sue
cessful termination of their enterprises.
Some extracts from this report are herewith
transmitted. marked A.
The squadron which has been maintained in
the Yves, Indies and Gulf of Mexico consists, at
present. of four soOps of war and three schooners,
under the command of Commodore Elliott
Several changes have been made IN the vessels
EMPLOYED on this station III consequence OF the
exnlraiion of the terms of service OF the crews.
or the want of repairs IF the vessels. No caus-
es are supposed to exist making 1t necessary to
add TO this force; nor can /; be safely diminish
ed, though the energy aud activity with which II
has guarded the United States trade. may BE-
said for the present. etiec,ually to have suppress
sed piratical aggression.
The great facilities afforded by the inlets and
harbors of the islands in the Mexican gull iol the
resort and conce ament of the vessels engaged in
the commission Of piracies. the class of popula
uon with which these islands abound. conpos-
ed of refugees and outlaws. escaped from the
enlistment due for crimes committed ~ other
countries give advantages rpra'lcal enterprises
scarcely known in any other quarter OF the SiVhe.
Nothing shurt of the exerion Of positive andcon-
tinued force can be expected to keep these marau-
ders in check. and give the desired security TO
trade.
The invasion which took place during the last
wear. of the territories of the Mexican States. b,
an armament from the island of Cuba. having
given ground for apprehension that the United
States trade to these states might suffer from
the preexts afforded by this state of conflict be-
tween the two countries, an act was passed at
the last session af Congress authorizing tn" en-
ployment OF some additional force upon that sta
ton. In conformity to the provisions of that act.
the frigate Brandywine under the command of