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

not answer the purpose proposed and on the
LIST OF August he requested that new 0aIleys
should be furnished, TO be substituted for
those found 10 be useless. This was new
cause Of delay. Orders were Immediately
given for constructing the new galleys want
ed. They were made without delay, at the
navy yard at Washington, under the direction
Oh Commodore Patterson, and the last ofihem
semitic Norfolk on the 9th Of October.
As believed the schooner Pilot notwith-
standing the alterations made III her, could
not De safely employed in the expedition,
gave commodore Jones the privilege Of pur-
chasint another schooner, 10 be substituted
LOT ms. IN consequence Of which, on the
ON OF september, he purchased rlIe schooner
Clara, now called the Active, for eight thou
sand dollars; upon which he was authorized
TO put such repairs and Improvements as he
might thInk necessary, as the navy yard ar
New York and which he has done at much
greater expense than the original cost Of the
vessel
On the Goth Of September, had issued or
ders to Commodore Jones to proceed with his
squadron from Norfolk 10 New York, so soon
as the vessels could be prepared for removal.
He sailed from Norfolk on the 18th Of Ocio-
Der, and arrived four days afterwards az New
York
Before leaving Norfolk, Commodore Jones
issued general order, which gives a most
hatiering account of the condition of the saua-
dron, leaving no doubt that the expedition
would be under SAIL in few days, for the
southern hemisphere.
The reasons alleged by Commodore Jones
for wishing 10 remove the squadron to New
York, were, that the stores might be complet-
ed, and such apparatus procured for heating
the vessels as might be necessary for the
health and comfort Of crews in high ATTITUDES
all which, it was believed, could be complet-
ed in few days
Wishing to hasten the departure of the,
squadron, instructed the gentlemen of the
scientific corps to report to Commodore Jones
without delay although he had not informed
me that the vessels were ready for their re-
ception but inferred this from the general
order, and it was important that their books,
instruments, and furniture should be arranged
while the preparations for the vessels were
advancing Although the gentlemen of the
scientific corps could not, with propriety, be
instructed to report TO the commander Of the
expedition before the vessels were in stu
alton to receive them yet they were put upon
duty in preparing books, instruments, and
materials, necessary for their labors on the
expedition Fearing that there might be some
difficulty as TO the accommodations for this
corps, and the various articles they might,
think il necessary to carry with them, re-
quested Commodore Jones, if his convenience
would permit, TO meet large portion OF them
assembled in Philadelphia, for the purpose of
H., al fraa md
feet understanding as TO these points This
meeting took place in July, and such arrange
men,s were made as understood TO be per-
fectly satisfactory to Commodore Jones and TO
the gentlemen Of the scientific corps.
This arrangement, however seems to have
had no beneficial effect for the instruments,
required by these gentlemen for the expedi-
lion, are greater in bulk than can be provided
for in all the ships OF the squadron.
TO prevent loss Of time, authorized sew
eral gentlemen of this corps to purchase such
books, instruments, and materials as were ne
cessary, and for which previous acquisitions
could not conveniently be made; and for
like reason | placed five thousand dollars in
the hands of Commodore Jones, to be dispos-
ed Of for such articles as he might think ne
lodged with his purser subject to his drafts
for like purpose. These were variations
from the regulations governing expenditures
of the navy, but appeared TO me to be justified
by the circumstances Of the case. On the Sd
of November Commodore Jones was inform
ed that the chronomeers for the squadron
were ready for delivery at the depot at WASH
ington, and he was requested to send two
Of, la ~baru nF
and on the 10th of the month, twenty-five
chronometers, in good order, were delivered
to the officers sent for them.
On the 10Th Of November my sailing in
structons had been sent to Commodore Jones,
to be carried into effect as soon as his YES
sells should, in all respects, be ready for sea.
AT this time | was not aware OF the extent
of work to be done upon the vessels after their
arrival at New York which required more
than two months to complete
This was an unexpected cause OF delay.
had given instructions for re. entering the sea-
men, landsmen, and boys for this expedition,
and to give them bounty equal to three
months pay which was paid to them, In
whole or in part, about the first OF Novem-
Der soon after which, one hundred and hi
tv-live of them, who had liberty to 60 on
shore, deserted.
This was an unexpected and extremely en-
barrassng cause Of delay but the most Sc
rious cause of delay is, the withdrawal OF
Commodore Jones from the command of the
squadron when il was so nearly prepared for
sea.
II was apprehended that there would be
great difficulty in finding an officer able and
willing to take command of this squadron, In