The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-16
DOCUME
ACCOMPANYING THE PRESIDENTS
ANNUAL MESSAGE.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY
NAVY DEPARTMENT., Dec, 4. lS4l.

The Navy Of the United States Is composed Of
Eleven ships of the line; OF which is rated for
100 guns and ten for "a guns,
Fifteen frpates of the first class of which is
rated for 81 guns, and fourteen fol A guns.
Two frigatss OF the second class, of SO guns each.
Eighteen soops of war, of which eleven are rated
for 20 guns, two for IL guns and five for 10 guns.
Two briggs and -four schooners, rated for ten guns
each.
Four steamers besides
Three store-ships three vessels used receiving
vessels, and five small schooners
At the date of the last annual report from this De-
partment, the ships in commission were employed as
follows:
In the Mediterranean, the Ohio, of IA guns, Cap
tain Lavaletiei the Brandywne, Of "A guns, Cap
tain Bolton and the Cyane of % guns, Comman-
der Percival, who was relieved account of Ill
health, and succeeded by Commander Latimer; the
whole squadron under the command of Commodore
Hull The Cyane was relieved by the soop oil war
Prebe, Commander Voorhees,, and returned TO the
United States in May last, her cruise having been
performed The Ohio returned on the l7lh of July
last and the Brandywne the 9Th of May last.
The return of the BIandywine was owing to parcu-
lar causes not connected with the original purposes of
her cruise and, as her presence in the Medherra-
mean was important she ordered back, under the
command of Captain Geislnger. In July last, the
sloop of Fairfield, Commander Tattnall, sailed
fol the Mediterranean taking out Commodore Charles
w. Morgan, who now commands the squadron on
that station The squadron consists at present OF The
Brandywine, Fairfield, and PEBBLE. The honor of the
flag in its intercourse with those of other nations,
appears to have been properly sustained this squad
ION; due support and countenance have Teen at
forded to mercantile interest, and the amlcahle re-
aiions of country with foreign nations have been
respected and preserved
In the Pacific ocean, the frigate Constitution, Cap
tain Turner the sloop of war st. Louis, Commander
French Forrest; the sloop of war Yorktown, Com
mander Aulick the sloop of war Dale, Commander
Gauntt; and the schooner Shark, Lieutenant Bige-
low; the whole under the command OF Commodore
Alexander Claxton. Commodore Claxton died at
Talcuahana in March last to the great loss OF the
service and the just regret Of the country Upon
that event, the chief command of the squadron de-
voved on Capt Daniel Turner, who returned to the
United States with the Constitution on the 3lst of
October last the time of her cruise having expired,
Commodore Thomas Ap G. Jones, having been APP
pointed to the command of that station, will sail in
the frigae United States in the course of the next
fortnight. The soop of war Cyane Commander
StTibing, sailed fo the station early in Novefn-
Der. Upon the arrival Of Commodore Jones, the
squadron the Pacific will consis. of the frigae U
States, the sloops of war st. Louis Yorktown, Cyane
and Dale, and the schooner Shark
Orders were given to Commodore Caxton to en-
ploy ofhis vessels in cruising in the Gulf of Cali
fornia and along the northwest coast of America,
and If circumstances should permit To despatch ano
Their 10 visit the Sandwich and Friendly islands, in
order to afford protection and assistance to our ci-
engaged in the whale fisheries In obedience ioi
this order the sloop Of war ST. Louis, Commander
French Forrest was ordered to cruise in the Cult and
along the western coast of California. This duty
was performed in manner highly cTedtabe to Com
mander Forrest The atrocities committed on Ameri- /
and English residents at Monterey and its neigh
borhood, by the Mexican authorities, are we'll known.
Under the unfounded pretence of conspiracy among
the foreigners to wrest the country from Mexico, and
10 set up separate and independent Government OF
their own they we're attacked by armed soldiers in the
night wounded, beaten, Imprisoned sent in chains to
distant place, and their property destroyed without
the forms of trial. In the midst of these out
RACES, Commander Forrest arrived upon the coast,
and, by his prompt and spirited nterposition, vindca
ted and secured the rights only OF American citi
zens, but of British subjects resident in Upper Cali
forna. For these services Commander Forrest re-
ceived and appears to have well deserved, formal
expression of the thanks both of American and Eng |
sh residents.
In consequence of the civil disturbances in Upper
Peru, it was deemed roper 10 despatch the Shark under
the command Of Lieut. A. Bgeow, to cruise upon that
coast. The movement judicious aud we'll timed
and he delicate trust repoed in Lieutenant Bigelow
was discharged in manner highly satisfactory to this
Department The property OF American citizens,
exposed to the rapacity and lawless violence OF
conending factions in the midst of civil war, was ef
fecualy protected whilst all who witnessed the opera
tions of the Shark were inspired with increased re-
spect for the Ame lean flag. 1t is highly gratifying to
observe, that Lieut.. Bgelow, well ms Commander
Forrest extended the protection of our flag to the cit
zens and subjects OF other countries well as TO
those of
la further execution Of the orders of the Depart
ment the sloop Of war Yorktown, Commander Aul- /
Friendly Islands, with a view to render such assist
~ might be necessary to our whale fishers and
other citizens trading in that part OF the Pacific No
intelligence has been received from her since she lett
Valparaiso.
The conduct of this squadron, as well under the
command of Commodore Claxton as under that of
Captain Turner has been highly satisfactory to the
Department No disorder nor failure in duty has yet
been reported to me- calling for my censure or dsap-
probation. On the contrary, the snctest regard APP
pears have been paid to the honor of the flag and
to the duties which owed to the country and It's CHI,
Captain Turner very properly availed himself
of opportunity TO show respect TO friendly Power,
by receiving on board the Constitution, at Caao and
conveying Rio the Brazilian charge dahairs. For
this OF courtesy he received the thanks OF the In
perial Government. \
licuar manner to the situation of American interests
in the Pacific ocean. According to an estimate made
by an intelligent gentleman lalely returned from the
Pacific, there at this time not less than forty mil
lion, of dollars engaged in the whale fisheries alone
of which the greater part is American have great
confidence in the accuracy of this estimate but, even
it il be too large there will remain, after all reasonable
deductions an interest of vast magnitude and impol
lance American merchants have formed establish
lnents in different parts of the coast from Chill TO Co
lumbia river, of them very extensive and lmpor
,an, and all Of them worthy the attention of Govern
ment In Upper California there are already consld-
cradle settlements Of Americans, and others are daily
resorting to that fertile and delightful region. Such
however is the unsettled condition Of that whole coun
try that they be SAFE either in their persons or
property, except under the protection of our naval
power. This protection cannot be afforded in proper
degree aud with suitable promptness by so small
squadron as have usually kept in that sea. To
cruise along extensive coast, calling at all neces
sary points and the time visit those parts Of
tn, Pacific in which the presence ofour ships neces-
sary for the protection and assistance OF our whale
fisheries requires twice the number of vessels
pIoyed in that service lii highly desirable, too that
the Gulf of California should be fully explored; and
this duty alone will give employment for long time to
one or vessels Of the smallest class. For these