The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-22

that IN April or May last, 1t was announced with
:" flourish of trumpets," that strong squadron
consisting Of the Race independence Of 81
guns, the frigate Constellation, the sloop of war
Boston, and several other vessels, TO be com
manded by Commodore Lewis Warrington,
was then fitting out with all practicable despatch,
and would soon sail for the East Indies, TO look
after our rich mercantile interest in that quarter
then as now, Jeoparded by the belligerant opera
lions OF our great commercial rival (Great Bri-
tam engaged in quasi war with the Emperor
of China.
Well, the Constellation has sailed! after a
travail of about eight months, Doctor Paulding,
with the assistance of the Commissioners, has
sent forth mighty squadron, without head,
consisting of what we understand is regarded as
the most contemplate little frigate in the navy,
the Constellation of SO guns, and the sloop of
war Boston, with crews who have served out
nearly one-third of their enlistment in ports Of
the United States 'ioaiting orders p Mean
while our commerce in the Indian and China
seas has been subjected to all sorts Of Interrupt
llon and hazard, and according TO late advices,
our Indian ships have actually been stopped and
detained by English cruisers, for alleged viola
tlon OF blockade promulgated after these ships
entered the port Yes, for alleged violation of
blockade declared without the indispensable pre-
requisite OF formal declaration of par. Is
this the honorable and wide spread protection
gwen to our commerce in every quarter Of the
globe OF which the Presidents late message to
Congress, with Mr.. Paulding's accompanying
report, boasts In. his message, dated Decem-
Der 9th, the President says" A small squadron,
consisting Of the frigate Constellation and the
sloop Of war Boston, under Commodore Kear-
ney, isnoi0 on its aray to the China and Indian
seas" The Boston Journal says" We are hap
py TO announce TO our readers that the United
States frigate Constellation, Captain .Storer,
sailed from this port on Wednesday forenoon
10Th of December) for the East Indies, via Rio
Janeiro.n Now, who is right the President OF
the United States or the Boston Journal2 The
latter beyond question for, on the 9Th of De-
cember, and for four days thereafter the Con-
stellatlon was at anchor in Boston harbor some
what IN the condition Of poor debtor whose
locomotive powers are circumscribed by credi-
pays the debt or gives security Again, the
President says, this small squadron consisting
of the Constellation and Boston, is on its way
under Commodore Kearney, &c. Capt Law
renee kearney, the officer to whom the President
undoubtedly alludes, sailed from Norfolk in May
or June of the present year, in command of the
Potomac frigate for the Brazil station where she
was to receive on board Commodore Ridgely
AT the latest date from the squadron, Capt Kear-
ney was still commanding the Potomac, on board
Of which Commodore Ridgeley's flag was fly
ing, MT so much as dreaming that he is no1p,
December 5th) as the President says, on his
way to the East Indies in command of the
squadron for there was not sufficient lapse of
time between the release of Commodore Downes
from the command of the East India squadron.
to the date Of the Presidents message, to notify
Capt. X. of the intention of the government TO
further violate the law of usage-the sacred prin-
ciple of rank and command in the navy-and
utterly odsregard the public veal, and the rights
Of meritorious and distinguished Seniors by
sending squadron thousands of miles out of
its course to hunt him up as its commander.
Fhe economy and propriety of this act may
be appreciated, when the reader learns, as he
will from communication in another column,
that the Constellation leaves tnenty-sir cap
tdins in the United States mating orders, and
starts for China, via South America, to find
commander This is all of piece with the adj
ministraton of the navy for years past.