The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-15


voying on this Department, submit the following
Report
The squadron employed in the Mediterranean dur
ing the past year. under Commodore jesse d. Eloit,
consisted Of two frgates, sloop OF war, and
schooner These vessels, with The exception o. lhe
soop Of war, having returned home eisher ior re-
pairs or in consequence OF the terms oi service %
| heir crews having expired, will be replaced Dy
ship OF the line frigale Of equal force, and de-
spatch brig or schooner
The whole win be under the orders Of CON-
modore Isaac Hull ,
| Although some Of the causes which originally
dictated The policy Of employing portion Of our
navy in the Mediterranean, have in great lnea-
sure ceased sill II is believed that as schooi OF as
cipline under experienced officers, as a means OF
| exhibiting a portion of our naval force In CONTACT
and compar son with that OF the principal maritime
States OF Europe; and for the purpose oil affordng
countenance and protection TO our commerce: per-
severance In this policy will equally contribute 70
the good Of the service and the honor OF the United
| States.
The squadron now in the Pacific, under Commodore
Henry f. Ballard comprises one ship Of the line, two
sloops Of war, and two schooners
| These last requiring extensive repairs, have been
ordered homo the ensuing spring, soon after as
the public interests will admit and the ship oil the ine
may also be expected to return about the same time as
the Of service of most OF her crew VIII then DC
about expiring.
The unsettled and precarious relations subsisling
between the South American States bordering on the
Pacific in my opinion render II essential TO the protec-
ton OF our commerce, that at least an equal force
should be maintained in that quarter Accordingly
will be taken to replace the vessels ordered
home by others not less efficient for that service.
Tho force operating on the coast OF Brazil, under
Commodore John b. Nicholson consists Of one razee,
one sloop Of war, and one brig. No change Is at
present contemplated. The present force is deemed
adequate to the protection OF commerce in that
quarter and il is believed that reduction would be
consistent with the attainment Of that object.
At the date Of the last report OF the Secretary OF the
Navy, the squadron employed on the West India sta
ton and in the Gulf Of Mexico under Commodore J.
Dallas, consisted Of frgate FIVE sloops OF war, and
one small vessel. The frgate and one Of the sloops
having recently returned to Boston for repairs, IT Is
contemplated TO send another ngate and to increase
the number Of soops Of on that station to seven
The force will then he composed OF one irlgate Sc
ven sloops Of war. and one small vessel
As the blockade Of the Mexican ports by the French
squadron continues TO be strictly enforced and IN
dications Of revolutionary spirit have lately been
exhibited at Tampco, it is believed that, under ex-
listing circumstances, as well in view Of future
contingencies reduction Of the proposed force can
DO prudently made,
frigate and sloop OF war, which. as stated IN the
last annual report Of the Secretary Of the Navy, were
then preparing for cruze in the Indian seas, under
| Commodore George G, Read, sailed from Norfolk on
the 9Th of May last. BY the latest advccs from Com
modore Read dated tho 2sth Of july he had reached
Rio do Janeiro from whence he to depart the next
day. Having reason to believe il would conduce TO the
protection and safety OF citizens and commerce IN
these regions, have directed these vessels to
visit the Sandwich and Society Islands on their way
| home.
! That the officers employed on these various SER
vices have performed their duties with equal ac-
tivity vigilance and prudence, is sufficiently ev.
denced by the fact that notwithstanding the wars and
revolutions which still agite great portion OF the
South American States bordering on the Pacific and
the long protracted blockade of The ports Of Mexico
and of Buenos Ayres the personal property OF citi-
/ zanS pf he nit cd Sfafa tavp in NO Hh
has come 10 the knowledge of this Department. sus-
tanned outrage or wrong; while on the other hand,
| nothing has occurred throughout the whole of our
intercourse or iLterpoSition 10 disturb the relations
of peace between and the parties in collision with
| each other.
The exploring expedition, on the resignation of
Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones in conse-
quence OF ill-health was placed under the command
of Lieutenant Charles Wilkes with some modifca-
ton of force, and finally sailed from Norfolk on the
4 18th of August. II now consists of the soops of
war Vincennes and Peacock the store ship Relief,
the brig Porpoise, and the pilot boat schooners Sea-
gnu and Flying Fish. Letters from Lieutenant
Wilkes announce the safe arrival of these vessels at
vessel was ordered by him 10 proceed direct for Rio
de Janeiro. II will appear from the estimates for
| 1889, that the annual expense of the expedition
under its present organization will be very conside
raby less than that required for il originally
templaed.
A number of scientific gentlemen who had ac-
copied appointments in the expedition under an i'm
/
their emouments continued during the period anti
cipated for the completion Of its Objects were not
included in this new arrangement. They have asked
TO be remunerated for their sacrifices and diSap-
| pointments and now submit the propriety well
as justice of their claims
. The act OF Congress approved 22d December
1887 authorized the President OF the United States
to employ the public vessels in cruising along the
Atlantic coast during the winter season. for the pur-
pose OF aording relief TO merchantmen in distress.
Under this law the sloop of Erie the briggs Pho
neer and Consort, the schooner Active, and the
steamship Fulton, were occasionally employed with
beneficialreSuts Owing 10 the want of proper YES
sells at the disposal of this Department aler supply
ing the necessities Of foreign stations, the steamship
Fulton is the only now available for this SER
| vice.
To aid in making the general survey of the coast
| of the United States, Lieutenants Gedney and Blake
with other naval officers, were the application
of the Treasury, placed under his directions and
snch other assistance afforded circumstances per-
| med.
The survey of the Southern coast, from Tybee
bar TO Hunting Island May river, as directed by the
act of Congress of March 3, 1887 has been COM
pleted by Lieutenant Wilkes, a copy of whose report
will be communicated to Congress early in the ap-
preaching session. The surveys of the harbors of
Beaufort and Wilmington, North Carolina, provided
Tor by the same act, will be commenced forthwith by
Lieutenant Glynn of the Navy; and it is expected
| will be completed in time TO be communicated to
| Congress previous to its adjournment
The delay in carrying this act into execution has
arisen from want of proper vessels for that service
which viii now be performed in steam vessel
loaned by the War Department The attention of
/ Lieutenant Glynn will also be directed to an exami-
nation OF The coast between the mouths of the Mis-
sissppi and Sabine rivers directed BY the act of
| 18th July, 1888.
| Under the provisions Of this act Of Congress Of
the 2sth June last and the supplementary act of the
J'h July following, authorizing the appointment of
| three competent persons TO test the various inven-