Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-02-13
From Washin gton.


Secretary Dickinson has made report to Congress
in compliance with q resolution of the House. in rela-
ton the Exploring Expedition He says that he gave
sailing orders early the 10th Of November last
the &c had been reentered and received their
bounty. "whereon being permitted TO go on shore ey
deserted to the number of 1855 and Com Jones' har
assed with the trouble and labor of preparing his
sells for founa his health 80 entirely destroyed that
he could in Justice himself lsnger continue in
command" His sisna,ion of the command there
fore rendered and accepted Great difficulty II seems
has arisen ia getting successor willing and able to
take the command and cit has been offered TO three
distinguished officers who nave declined ii fourth
has been ordered who will not be permitted To decline
under whom the squadron will be reorganzed on re-
duced SCALE"
The following is his history ofhe transaction from its
commencement. In 1886 the President authorized
to send Exploring Expeditions to the Pacific
Ocean and South Seas and for that purpose 10 employ
sloop Of and such other smaller vessels as might
be necessary. An appropriation OF Sl50,000 made
and such other in the control of the Navy De-
partrnent, not exceeding $4,000 more. were autho
rized 70 be used The command was given to Com
Jones' who thought that ga,e Of the second class
one ship barques brigs and one schooner
were indispensable. Measures were therefore taken
for preparing these vessels and h:tag the expedi
tion The frigae Macedonian and ship Relief
were upon the stocks at the time and ordered be fin
ished without delay and three other vessels ordered TO
be built The whole placed under the immediate
supc inendence Of Com. Jones. As this enterprise, he
SAYS, would cost more Tor It's outfit than the whole sum
appropriated for the expedition could not leave
coasts TIL further appropriations were made In the
mean time Lieut.. Wilkes 10 Europe with am.
Die funds 10 procure the necessary books and instru
inents who embarked at New York the 9Th August
1896.
In consequence of the necessity existing TO fit out
squadon for the Pacific another for the coast OF Brazil
and add the squadron in the West Indies great
difficulty arose in recruiting for the exploring
expedition but Commodore Jones thought that IL could
be accomplished in time il the authority vested in
him and such officers as he might designate, 20 recruit
u. II hrff The af Feb
airy last, than 24S seamen, Sc. had been re-
cruited-more than enough it is true for the exPed
on intended by Congress. but not half enough tor the
squadron of Commodore Jones. which required
Of Cos men, exclusive Of the scientific corps The
sells of the squadron, soon they completed
were equipped, and sent round to Norfolk. But diff
Gully had occurred to the appointment Of two effcers
10 command the two smaller vessels The Secretary
proposed to order Lieut. Sdell distinguished for his
science and literature the command OF one Of these
vessels and charge hir with the duty writing his
tory Of the voyage. To this Commodore Jones object
ed. He also proposed To order Lieut Wilkes lone Of
his pets to the command of the schooner, and him
Commodore Jones likewise objected. Though the
rotary considered these objections not well founded he
did not order them till be had consulted with the Pres
dent who decided in favor Of ordering these officers
he had proposed He finally decided, however tina, for
the interests Of the expedition 1t would be better 10
der neither and therefore requested Commodore Jones
name the officers he wished.
q From various causes the squadron could sail upon
the scale adopted until further appropriations
should he made and these not made until the Bird
Of March last tappears that the appropriation Of $500
600 had been expended and that the annual for
the i've vessels o the squadron with pay and provisions
for the scientific corps would amount to s3i6, i3l,
which Tor three years-the proposed duration OF the
cruise-would amount to sl.0~o293. The larger part
Of the scientific corps appointed the 9Th Dec
s36 liberal salaries TO commence when their
vices should be required. In March last Lieut.. TAFT
nall retained from cruise the coast Of Mexico and
reported unfsvoraby Of the sailing of the Pioneer
which he commanded and which was to form on OF the
squadron II was therefore. deemed proper 10 exam.
inc into her condition. well into that 81 the Consort
and Pilot In April Com. Jones instructed 10 make
experimental cruise with the Relief and the above
named vessels WHO, after his return, made favorable
report Of the sailing of those vessels but recommended
that the bark and schooner should 20 into dry doc for
examination. This again added To the delay. Lieut.,
Tsuna. entertaining the opinion before asked
70 be relieved from the corimand Of the Pioneer
In June board Of Ave officers tCommcdotes Chsun.
cey. Morris, Warrington, Patterson, and Wsdsworth,l
ordered examine into the condition OF those
sells and inquire whether the squadron might be
advanageously reduced. In July the board reported
,hat with alteration, the barques and schooner
mich, in short time. be made the purpose,
s&eenty nell 10 justify thstr employment and that had
they been called upon before any prepar atoms had been
made 10 state the number and character Of the vessels
20 be employed they certainly would have recon-
mended those which had been prepared" They how,