The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-13

eIlaer w eAteslL, size, " composition ul lhe
force oi the vesssls proposed to DC Employed
but that. taking into consideration the Gelay
tiilt wonld attead change IN these particulars
at tnat perlod, and that the commanding OH
Ger was salisheI with the number, size, and
Qualities OF the vessels, they recommended
40 change Of the vessels, but certain altera-
tioas in part OF them. which could soon DO
made: that the withdrawal ol one commander'
and the appointment Of another, 10 this exPe-
dinon, must necessarily be attended win
some delay; and presented the case referred
to tho board in June last, under circumstances
differing from those on which their report was
grounded: that the President had, IN conse-
ouence, determined TO avail himself OF the aid
of the professional advice Of the board now
appointed, as to the number, size, and equip
meats OF the vessels best calculated to sue
coed in surveying and exploring operations
among the islands OF the south Pacific ocean,
and il high latitudes Of the South seas and
as to the best means Of fitting out the same
for the consideration of which subjects, they
were required to meet at Washington, which
they did on the 9th of December. On the
25th Of that month they reported that, to carry
into effect the expedition authorized by the
act Of Congress of the l4th of May, 1886,
there will be required in their opinion, four
vessels. First sloop of war of the Sc
cond class. TO fit sloop of war for this
service, il is recommended that her rigging,
spars, and sails be reduced that, in the place
OF her regular armament there be substituted
an armament Of lighter calibre, and fewer in
number and that the established complement
Of officers and men be diminished, SO that the
whole number on board shall be about ono
hundred and thirty As it may be presumed
that the commander Of the expedition, in the
event OF a war during its absence, will be IN
strucied to abstain from all acts OF hostility,
the military equipments in the opinion oil the
board, need not exceed the wants oil
vessel employed among the islands OF the Pa
cihc. Second: Two ships or barqnes, 0
800 or $50 tons each, OF substantial construc-
ton, to mount six light guns, to have sixty or
seventy men each, including officers; the
spars and sails of both vessels to be OF equal
dimensions, so as to serve alike for either o,
them. Third: store ship of about 40 tons,
mounting four light guns, and having so or 60
men, officers included. For surveying pur-
poses among the islands, it is recommended
that the frames and other materials for one
or two decked boats of fifteen or twenty IONS,
to be put together when wanted, be furnished
to the expedition"
The reduction and alteration Of the squad
ron recommended by this board being APP
proved, the command of the expedition was
offered to Captain Kearney, who examined
the condition of the squadron a, New York.
He was not satisfied with the arrangements
proposed, and declined the command.
Ii was then offered to Captain Perry, who,
from the situation of his private concerns, felt
compelled TO decline the command, which,
under other circumstances, he would gladly
have accepted
Captain Gregory has now been ordered to
the command. and it is confidently hoped that
the squadron may sail in short time, upon
the reduced scale recommended by the late
board. Some weeks, however, will be re-
quired TO enable the new commander to re-
organize the squadron. and to fit it for service.
10 send him off without aflording him the op-
portunity Of doing this, would be as unjust to
him, as hazardous to the success Of the expe-
dition.
As the vessels, with their crews, had re-
manned long time unemployed in the harbor
of New York, it was deemed proper to send
out part Of them Qhe two briggs and schoon-
cry upon short experimental cruise, charged
with the duty of affording relief under late
act Of Congress, to vessels in distress APP
preaching our coast, and which will not retard
the sailing Of the squadron.
1t is believed there can be no improperly
in ordering the seamen engaged for the South
sea exploring expedition upon this expert
mental cruise, and of requiring of them. while
upon the same. the duties proposed; although
condition Of their re entering for this expe-
dition was, that they should not be "subject
to be transferred to the general or any other
branch of the naval service Of the United
Stales;" condition that in its consequences,
may be found to be very announcement.
The changing of the plan Of small ex-
pediiion, intended by Congress, to that of the
very large one adopted, will account for all the
delay that took place until the next meeting
of Congress. The difficulty Of recruiting
seamen, and the want of increased appropria-
tons for the extended plan Of the expedition
till the Sd Of March last, will account for the
delay until that time. The unfortunate con-
dition of the vessels built expressly for the ex-
petition; the time necessarily spent in ex-
aiming and altering them; the introduction
OF new kiad Of cooking galleys for burning
anthracite coal, which were found not to
answer the purpose proposed, even if anthra-
cite coal had been fuel easily procured in
the Southern regions, to be visited by the ex-
ploring squadron; the time necessary for con-
structlng new galleys, after they were requir-
ed in August last the removal of the squad
ron to New York the desertion of the por-
ton Of the crews; the ill-health, and conse-
quent relief, of Commodore Jones from the
command of the squadron and the fact that
the vessels, after their arrival at New York,
rennirel nreDarations that cond not be com