The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-29
GEO. L. BADGER.
To the Presidents fas o. 5.
U. $. FRioATE BRANDYwISg,
nTI -, I.l..I NJ "a


their discipline and practice perfect, and therefore
trust that necessity may exist Tor separating one
from the other
On any point on which you may need information
further than what the accompanying documents afford
refer YOU 10 Mr. Stewart who has been in close
any present circumstances which may at deter
mine the Department in the future employment Of
this ship, would venture without delay TO express
through him, my own views and wishes ia the case.
have instructed this gentleman to await the pleas
OF the Department as soon as that Is understood
he is to return TO Ii your duties admit of II,
would be gratified TO receive visit from you,
My intention is to keep every body by the ship un-
til hear from you.
In coming home 1 forego the attractions of the Me
diterranean and place at your disposal an effective
ship so for as she be rendered such by my aid
which may be needed by you.
have the honor TO be, sir,
Very respectfully, your ob't serst.
w e. BOLTON, Captain.
To the Hon. Secretary 9TH Nary
Washington.
Minutes Of proceedings Of a Council composed Of ht
Com anders Of resseis Of the Mediterranean squad
ron under the command Of Com Isaac Hull
On the 9th day Of March, A. D. 1871, Commo-
dore Hull issued his orders calling meeting on
board the United States ship Ohio in the harbor Of
Mahon Island of Mnorca, at ii o'clock, A. NJ. Of the
same day, of the following officers, viz Captain VIM
"
dy wine Captain Ellie A. F. Layellette, commanding
the U. s. ship Ohio, and Commander Ralph Voor-
hess, commanding the u S sloop of War Preble
The officers named assembled in the poop-deck ca
bin Of the United States ship Ohio in the presence OF
Commodore Isaac Hull on the day and at the time re-
qured,
Commodore Hull briefly stated the objects of the
meeting; and fully eiuc late it, directed his
Secretary to read the following viz
GENTLEMEN Commodore Hull desires to say, he
has called you together for the purpose of placing be-
fore you letter he has received from the Minister OF
the United States the Court of Great Britain en-
closing publications taken from the newspapers IN
ation TO the existing difficulties which exist between
the United States and Great Britain that he is with
out instructions from the Government IN relation to
those difficulties and, under the circumstances othe
case, he deems it necessary that some preparatory
movement should take place in the squadron under
his command.
Commodore Hull, therefore, desires to hear your
views in relation to that measure and states his
the following, viz: There three positions " hch
the squadron select from; LIST, to proceed TO Tou-
lon where the earliest information could be received
and where perhaps instructions from the Government
of the United States would probably reach him earlier
than any other point ID TO proceed out CT the Me
dterranean to point where he could hear the
suit OF the existing difficulties and 81, to put the
squadron in motion TO return TO the United States.
The last however, without more definite information
or instructions from the Navy Department, Commo-
dore Hull is not much in favor Of Commodore Hull
desires 10 hear your sentiments these propositions
and will also be glad To hear any others that may strike
you better adapted to the present doubtful and I'M
certain position in which he is left.
After this the said secretary to Commodore Hull
directed to read the letter hereunto appended
from his exceency, A. Stevenson, United States En-
voy, dated i" London, March Sth, 1871, and from
John Hare Powell, Esquire, dated London, March
1lth lS4l when the following views and sentiments
were expressed by Captain VIM. Compton Bolton
That he had reflected upon this subject, and was at
first impressed with the beetha the squadron should
at once proceed to Toulon, but that on further con-
sheraton he convinced that the proper and only
available to pursue was TO leave the MedteTra
nean and to proceed outside where information of
events and the actual OF affairs could be learn
ed, by from vessels traversng between the United
States and Great Britain and If hostiles to be
resoted to- the squadron would then be situated
to be enabled to render efficient aid sea, might
proceed To the United States where its services would
be available the coast in oui harbors the ships
might be converted into moving harbor batteries to be
manned by militia or soldiers and our seamen dis
posed of the lakes, to advantage otherwise. An
other very great consideration is, that by taking this
course the policy plan of our Government in
Quoting The threatening war and of which now
entirely ignorant would be asccitained. And in
of favorable termination of the existing difficulties,
the squadron could return to the Mediterranean and
resume its station there.
The views of Captain Bolton were fully assented
dore Ralph Voorhees,
And to which Commodore Hull replied, am pre-
pared to pursue that course.
1t was then suggested by Captain VIM. Compton
Bolton, that definite action the movements OF the
squadron, had better be suspended until il should be
ascertained if a French steamer from Touon, then
about entering the harbor of Mahon brought later
news than already at hand which suggestion was
adopted, and the counsel broke up.
1t having been ascertained that the French steamer
brought no information to change the views already
formed expressed and assented to- the officers before
named again met on the same day in Mahon, at halt
past one o'clock, p NJ. when verbal order was given
by Commodore Hull 10 the following effect viz: that
every preparation should he made proceed sea to-
morrow, the 18th day of March A. d. 1871
The foregoing minutes contain the views ex pressed
in corroboration of which, we hereunto affix our
names.
Done in Mahon island of Mnorca The oath day OF
March, ISL
w C. BOLTON, Captain.
+ A. T. LAVALLE'rTE,
RALPH VOORHEES,, Com'r.
ISAAC HULL,
Commdnder-ip- Chief II the L. s.
Nurdi Force in the Mediterranean
Attest JoHN ErHERIDGE,
Commodores Secretary.
The foregoing is a true copy.
JOHN ETHERlDGE, Com. Sec.
LONDON March 3, ls4l
DEAR STA Although am ignorant of your plans.
and take tor granted you hear regularly from our
Government, yet deem II proper rite and appri,e
You OF the excitement which prevails here and the
tears which many entertain, that we NAV he forced