The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-13
EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
Navy DEPARTMENT, Feb. 5, Il

have delayed the outfit and preparation of the
South sea surveying and exploring expedition,
required by the act Of Congress of May 1886,
making appropriations for the naval service
and copies Of all letters, documents, and
communications, which have passed between
the Secretary ofthe Navy, the Commission
ers Of the Navy Board. the officer appointed
| TO the chief command, and of all other officers
or persons, relative to all matters connected
| with the preparation, outfit, and sailing of the
said expedition, and the causes which now
delay its sailing beg leave to state that, in
my report of the I'd of December last, gave
a brief detail of the circumstances, which had
caused the delay of the sailing OF this expe-
dition up to that time when believed that il
| was about to leave our coast. The vessels of
the squadron were at the harbor of New York,
nearly ready for sea the scientific corps had
been directed to report to the commander, and
had done So and were ready to embark. My
sailing instructions were given as early as the
| 10th of November; the seamen, ordinary
seamen, marines, and boys, had re-entered,
and received their bounty, in whole or in
part, to the amount of three months pay
when, on being permitted TO go ON shore, they
deserted, to the number Of one hundred and
fifty-fve and Commodore Jones, harassed
with the trouble and labor of preparing his
vessels for sea, found his health so entirely de-
stroyed that he could not, either in Justice to
himself, or to the country, longer continue in
command of the squadron. He transmitted
the copy of a letter from Dr. II. Ticknor,
fleet surgeon Of the expedition, dated at New
York, November 80, 1887, stating that the
commodore's health had been in bad state
for some time that, from the violent cough
under which he was suffering, from the
bloody expectoration and soreness in the
chest, it was evident that the lungs were dis
eased to such degree as to demand serious
attention; and that, considering his predspo-
sition to pulmonary disease, and the uniavora-
BILE influence of the climate of that place upon
such predisposition, it was his opinion that a
change of climate was the only measure from
which the desired benefit could be obtained.
He therefore strongly advised the commodore
to leave that climate, and go to his residence
in Virginia as soon as the state of his health
and the weather would permit.
Under these circumstances, the commo-
dore's request TO be relieved from the COM
mand of the squadron was Immediately grant
cd although this measure could not fail TO be
attended with the most embarrassing circum-
stances, as it respected the sailing of the
squadron. Great difficulty was apprehended
in finding a successor to Commodore Jones,
able and willing to take command of the
squadron, as it had been organized, or to re-
model the same. All these difficulties have
been fully realized. The command has been
offered TO three distinguished officers, who
have declined it fourth has been ordered,
who will not be permitted TO decline; under
whom the squadron will be reorganized on a
reduced scale, and through whose agency
there is iair prospect of realizing the i'm
portant objects of the expedition.
| have endeavored to lay before Congress
the important facts connected with the fitting
out Of this expedition in my annual report of
the Sd of December, 1885, in my letter of
9th of February last, in answer to call OF
the House Of Representatives for information
as TO the progress made with regard to the
exploring expedition doc. No. 1873 J in my
letter of the 18th of October last, in answer
to call of the House Of Representatives in
relation to the detention of the sailing of the
exploring squadron, (Doc. No 500 and in
my last annual report of the I'd of December
last. To these documents | beg leave TO
refer as explanatory Of the present report.
will now attempt to state the leading facts
contained in those documents, with such re-
marks and additional information as the pre-
sent resolution seems to require.
In the act Of the 18th Of May, 1886, max
ing appropriations for the naval service, it was
provided that the President Of the U. States
be authorized to send out surveying and ex-
ploring expedition to the Pacific ocean and
South seas; and for that purpose to employ a
sloop of war, and to purchase or provide such
other smaller vessels as might be proper and
necessary to render such expedition efficient
and useful for which the sum Of one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars was appropriated
and, in addition thereto, if necessary, the Pre-
sident was authorized to use other means in
the control of the Navy Department, not ex-
ceeding one hundred and fifty thousanddollars,
for the objects required.
| 1t is evident that sloop of war, brig, and
a schooner, was as large force as it was the
intention Of Congress to employ on this expe-
dition Had this plan been adopted, the ex
petition, with small scientific corps, aud
such instruments and books as were 10 be pro-
cured in the country, might have sailed before
the meeting of Congress of that year although
this would have interfered with other branch
eS Oh Inc llaVal ScTFlce, tHeH requiring Tue III
mediate attention Of the Navy Department.
Captain Thomas APP Catesby Jones was Sc
lected as the commander of the expedition.
The confidence placed in this officer, which
led to his appointment to this important trust,
induced the President TO rely upon his opinion
as to the proper force TO be employed.
He was of the opinion that one frigate ofthe
second class, one storeship, two barques or
briggs, and one schooner, were indispensably