The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-16

che success Of the expedition This inquiry wished
M Ne from The consideration thai the diiheuy OF
procuring the necessary funds tor fitting out TINS
squadron was greatly increased by the suspension u
specie payments by the blnks, which had then taken
place which difficulty had not been toreseen BY Con-
gress when the large appropriations for the expedi-
zion were granted and which made II the duy OF inc
different departments OF Government 10 hmit me
usual and authorized expenditures, as lar as the
same could BE- done without INJURY % inc Ppolie
service; and ON the consideration thai, should
par, Of the vessels of squadron be found nnl iur
the service required, il would be better thai me
squadron should sail with reduced force Than wail
until other vessels could be substituted.
On he 18Th of july, the board reported thai me
occupation OF the dock at Gospori, and the employ,
mea Of some OF the members of the board, prevented
a meeting until the 3o.h of June. That The oarks
and schooner were put into dock and examineui
certain alterations recommended, which could soon
be completed, by which the vessels might be made
answer the purpose proposed sufficiently Well 10
justify their employment
The board stase, that had they "bsen called upon
before any preparations had been made, TO slate the
number and character OF tine vessels which, IN their
opinion would b., best calculated 10 secure the at
taiament of these proposed objects, they certainly
would not have recommended those which nave
been prepared" They Of opinion that a small
er number would have answered the purpose; yet,
from consideration of the expense incurred, The
time spent in preparing the force, and other circnm-
stances which they enumerate, and as The oulcer
selected 10 command the expedition was saiished
with the vessels they came TO The conclusion nai no
reduction could be made in their amount al This iale
period, without prejudice 10 the success OF the expe
dition. They however, recommend reduction OF
the number OF officers and men 10 about hve nun
dred exclusive of the scientific corps To this re-
duction although in my opinion very proper one,
Commodore Jones made such decided objections,
that Thought proper 10 yield 10 MS Wishes ana SO
informed him; and dis force was continued at six
hundred and three officers and men, exclusive OF the
scientific corps.
Before the proposed alterations could be completed
Commodore Jones discovered that the cooking gal
leys or ginally ordered al his request, made upon
plan for burning anthracite coal would not an
swer the purpose proposed and on the lstof August
he requested they might be replaced by others. The
galleys wanted have been made with all possible
despatch at the navy yard at this place. and The last
OF them was sent TO Norfolk on the 9th Of October.
On the 29sh Ut September, issued orders to Com
modore Jones to proceed with the vessels of his
squadron from Norfolk TO New York, as soon as
they could be prepared for removal. lie was not
able sail from Norfolk before the 18th Of October
and arrived at the haibor Of New York on the 10Th
OF that month.
As believed the schooner Pilot notwithstanding the
alterations made in her not well fitted for service 10
the expedition gave 10 Commodore Jones the priv
lego Of purchasing such fast sailing schooner as ne
might select be substituted for the Pilot In conse-
que,ce Of which, on the 9Th Of September, he purchased
the schooner CLARA, called the Active for eight
thousand dollars; upon which he authorized to put
such repairs and improvements as he might think ne
cessary, At the navy yard, New York
Although the vessels had not heretofore been IN
situation 10 receive the scientific corps, and could
nor with proprey, order them to report to the Commo
dore for duty yet thought it proper to put them upon
pay; which done the 4th day Of June last And
requested Commodore Jones, if his convenience would
permit TO meet large portion OF them at Philadelphia,
for the purpose Of having perfect understanding with
III pdatio with IN
struments &c. on board the vessels of his squadron
This meeting took place in July aud such arrangements
understand were made, perfectly satisfactory
the Commodore and to the gentlemen Of the scen-
tihc corps.
As was necessary to procure great variety Of
tces for the gentlemen Of the scientific corps for which
acquisitions could not eniently be made without
consumption Of much time, found necessary to place
funds in the hands Of gentlemen Of the corps in
Philadelphia and one in New York also placed five
thousand dollars in the hands Of Commodore Jones on
the 29h Of August last for the purpose Of purchasing
such articles for the expedition as It was lnconvenent
to make reauisitions for and the 18th Of October
placed twelve thousand dollars subject to his drafts, for
like purposes, the hands Of his purser This unusual
course was adopted that there might be delay in the
sailing Of the Expedition.
The objects Of removing the squadron from Norfolk
to New York, stated by Commodore Jones, were to
complete the stores aud to Introduce some proper aPpa-
for heating the vessels in cold attitudes These
took it for granted would not require than two
three weeks for their completion: and from the general
order OF Commodore Jones at Norfolk, felt conf
dence the Expedition would leave the United States in
the month Of November Therefore, soon as knew
of the ARR, al Of the squadron in New York. directed the
gentlemen Of the scientific corps to report to Conmo-
dore Jones for duty.
On the Sd OF November wrote to Commodore Jones
that the chronome,es for his squadron ready at the
depot this place, and requested him to send two COM
peten officers to take charge Of them. On the 10Th of
the month sent him sailing instructions TO be carried
into effect his vessels were, III all respects
ready for sea, and the 10th Of the month twenty-five
chronomeers good order, delivered to the off,
sent for them.
Had known the extent Of work required for the ves-
sells Of the squadron after their arrival at New York.
should not so soon have directed the scientific corps to
report, or have issued my sailing instructions
BY letter from Commodore Rdgey Of the 2lst Of
November find that the work upon the vessels Of this
squadron after their arrival at New York up to the 18th
Of the month"; amounted 10 four thousand six hundred
and thirty dollars and that there remained to he
done after that day, TO the amount Of two thousand
three hundred and thirty dollars all of which
quires much time than had anticipated.
All this work believe, however, is necessary, and
would not have been ordered BY Commodore Jones, if
the health and comfort of his crews and the safety Of
the Expedition, had not depended upon il; and mpa-
teut the public is ,hat the Expedition should sail
Immediately. better that there should be some days
weeks delay, than that it should sail before the
sells are fully pre- pared.
The Commissioners Of the Navy hold no correspon-
donce with the commanders OF vessels ~ commission,
except relation supplies Of provision and stores
The steps therefore, taken by Commodore Jones' under
his Discretionary powers to have tho vessels OF his
squadron hfted out he should deem most cxpedien
Under the control Of the Commissioners, nor
subjected to the strict regulations generally observed IN
fitting out vessels for foreign stations.
Il was believed however that but little work remain
cd be done the vessels after their sailing from Nor
folk and that but small advance would be required
for completing the Yet it appears from the let
ter Of Commodore Rideely before cited, that the
penditures required at New York for these vessels
amount to the sum OF So 932 80 and for the schooner