Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-11

not only to our own merchants. but to the con-
sntnted authorities of the country. Nothing eise
of interest, connected with the Brazilian s'a'ioh,
has occurred since nv last annual report But
the unsettled condition IF South America, ano
the security OF our commerce IN India, nave leu
TO an increase of our force on that stafon oy the
addition of the Peacock, Boxer, and Enterprise,
The West India squadron has been empioyeu
in an active and useful manner; aud particularly
40 while ON the coast of Mexico. During the
commotions in tina, country the past season. this
squadron Welded very efficient protection to our
own citizens, and was. on some occasions, 'ortu-
natcIy enabled to prefer security to the residents
from other nations. The recent seizure OF the
Mnntezuma. vessel belonging to Santa Anna.
was made by the Grampus, without any speca'
instructions from this Department.: but on the
facts repotted to her commander, the SEIZURE was
deemed bv him both necessary anG proper. IN
the execution of his general orders to shield our
flag, our ci,Izens,, and their property, from un'
lawful agsressions.
A part Of tins squadron has recently been de.
tached to visit the Western islands, the Cape de
Verbs, and. il necessary, the coast OF Africa,
in pursuit Of pirat,cai vessel which. I'D sep
TENDER last, robbed the American merchant brig
Mexican OF large amount OF property near tne
Azores. This measure. aided by Instructions to
the commanders Of vessels on their return hom
the Mediterranean, aud tu those now m the west
Indies, % well TO our consn's at MADEIRA,
Lisbon, and Gibraltar. to use all practicable vi
GLANCE in the detection and punishment OF the
authors of thus wonon outrage, will, IT Is hoped,
terminate successfully; and, in any event, will
tend to prevent any other attempts Of like
character, from the increased impra, tlcablitv OF
escape with mpunty. The only changes in the
vessels Of this squadron have been the withdraw
al OF the Fairfield Vincepncs. and Erie, Tor re-
pairs, and the substitution of the 81. Louis and
Vandalia
For reasons suggested in the las, annual re.
port. il has been my endeavor to keep one of our
vessels in commission remaining constantly on
some portion Of our own coast The schooner
Experiment, after sundrv trlas Of her qualities.
which proved in great degree sa sfaoory, &after
visit, during tie past seas INTO m"st o. our home
stations, is still retained on our Atlantic sea-
beard, ready to be despatched to such quarter
of the woi Id as any new incident may show to
be most expst!ient
OF the three small vessels heretofore employ.
ed in the protection of our live oak, there seems
now to BE- little doubt but one unfortunately
foundered in a severe gale during the previous
year. The other two, under a brlief that their
further employment would not De SO beneficial as
to Justify the expenses they occasion, have been
res allied. One ceased to be in commission IN
Nav last, and was ordered TO be sold; and tn"
same disposition Will be made OF the other on
her arrival at Norfolk
A list of all our vessels now in commission.
with their stations and commanders. j. annexed.
The vessels not in commission have all beea re
Gently examined BY the Navy Board, aud moss
of those in ordinary. az well all on the stocks.
IN h. in , taf nj
va,ion For their condition in detail, reference
NAV be had to the documents annexed. The acls
Of Congress, relative to the rebuilding of the Ma
cetonlan, and the purchase of timber to rebuild
at some future per,ad, the Java and Cyane, have
both been executed ae far as practicable. The
rebuilding of the former has already been CON
mence.l, and contracts have been made for tim
Der for the others.
The collection o. live oak frames. and of 9TH
err timber suitable Tor Other parts Of vessels, un
der the act for the gradual Improvement ut the
Navy, is in progress as rapidly as the supply ct
live oak timber from private lands, and the
erection of sheds at the different yards to pre-
serve our materials Of that character, render in.
dicinus
On the subject Of vessels. the depar tment has
nothing more, Of much Importance, to remark,
except the repetition Of its earnest desire. ex.
pressed in the last annual report, for an appro
| priation to build few steam batteries. In al
dition 10 the considerations then urged in favor
Of early attention to this subject. may properly
be suggested the circumstances, that much time
!, will be required, not only toprocure their pecu
liar equipments, but to introduce the system Of
discipline, somewhat novel, which may be nsces.
sary for their crews; to enable our officers to ac-
qure the new and necessary science suitable for
the supervision and management Of steam bate
ries, and to train distinct class nf persons in the
service to become their engineers. 1t is more
over ascertained that these batteries can b. so con-
structed as to prove highly useful during peace
at the principal navy yards. in towing public YES
sells towards their destination. at the time Of their
departure and return. under all winds and tides.
and IN the frequent and Indispensable transporta-
ton of men, stores, and provisions.
The property on hand at the several yards.
consisting chiefly Of timber, iron. copper. and
arms. continues to increase in amount The
whole now exceeds in value the sum Of five mil
lions live hund'ed and seventy nine thousand
nine hundred and seventeen dollars. Independ-
Of hat ir .d,lC r.. g