Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-10-04
FROM THE AFRICAN SQUADRON.

The Prebie brings dispatches to the Secretary
Of the Navy from our squadron, under the command
of Com. CHARLES VIM. SKINNER on the coast of
Africa. They are long, and extend from 7th June
last to 29th August, principally written from Porto
Grande, island Of ST. vincents, but do not contain
much important intelligence.
In letter written Sat sea- the 10th June the Commo-
dore calls the attention Of the Department the Importance
selecting class Of vessels the best adapted purpose
which they designed the suppression of the slave
trade under the American sg and the protection Of our com
and citizens engaged in lawful pursuits. As the
number Of guns prescribed by the treaty eighty, he advises
in order to attain the greatest efficiency, that this number
should be divided board many vessels may be Of
able rate to COPE in Of need with any they might
fall in with the and thinks that teng briggs are
asucent and, for the protection Of commerce, quite
efficient the sxteengun soop By this change the squad
ron would consist Of bgs, ten guns eschsxty and the
flag ship, twenty which would make up the complement
This would always keep least four the coast and
times fve with the Canaries recruiting and another
going to the coast to take the place Of the coming of
from the eeward whose cruise bad terminated "lt inn
poant that flag should be frequently shown along the
and, with the number Of vessels above specified il
would be at all the important points every few days
On the 9th of August Captain Skinner writes the Secretary
that the 10th of June he Gin United States ship James
town. "saied for the sands-he Prebe for Porto Paya
Arrived al Madeira the 2sh, exchanged salues and
cvies with the authorities and repenished our WATER &c.
On the 3D. July, notified the Governor of my intention
lutte the next day, ng the anniversary Of American indie
pendence he requested permission join At meridian
salded with wentysx gunsthe principal battery the
shore doing the We called the Governor and ex-
changed the courtesies usual on such occasions"
On the 18th Of August the Commodore remarks upon the
dangers which the health Of the officers and crews might sus
tain from expeditions into the interior He states that
in protecting commerce. the commanders strictly
charged to prevent far possible the prostitution Of
flag to facilitate the saveade and that this may be done
without other risks than those incidental to cruising on the
open coast He states that far he learn no YES
se has yet been discovered under the American flag with
slaves board though it appears it is sometimes used
give facilities the traders which could not be ectuay de-
rived from any other source"
Among the papers sent TO the Department is the copy Of
circular which the Commodore issued soon as he joined
squadron II is for the purpose of dscounenancng and put
ting stop to the practice ofduelng It concludes thus
trust therefore, that the officers Of the squadron have
tne nonor 70 command will do all in their power to preserve
perec harmony, and cherish those kindly feelings which
shoua among those Of honorable profession en-
gaged 10 'ne service OF their country No efforts
shall be wanting ON my ps attain an end no esrale and
indulgence withheld from the rneror;o.s co;.., ;
the discipline and best interests the navy tru there
fore, that may soon have the pleasure m tno al 49,
known, that unanmy and happiness prevail tb,oh, ~
entire squadron. You will this order ~ ~ - - 49,
quarterback Of the ship under your command n , ],
the officers and ships company Union :