The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-10
: PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
Navy Department. Dec. 6, l

t Navy DEPARTMENT, Dec 6, ls47.
Sin: BY the oct of Congress Of June III ls44, peace
establishment was adopted authorizing ahe empoHms
sssmen. landsmen and boys. By the act OF August
TO- fS48 Il was increased to ten thousand, with direc
Mss;c% the number should be reduced to seven thou
sand FIVE hundred During the past year Is not believed
that more than eight thousand men have been at any
one time in service The honor OF the flag, the SAFETY
and efficiency of ships OF war; require that they shall not
go to without the crews allowed by wel-digesed
regulations fixing their respective compliments
The difficulty of enlistmens for the naval service
caused mainly by the extraordinary activity in the mer-
camille marine, the high rate OF freghts and the conse
quent increase of seames wages has delayed the con-
summation of contemplated arrangements Tor the en-
uoyment of cruisers on several stations, and the increase
Of our naval forces in the Gulf and on the Pacific.
In the month OF April last orders were sent to Commo
dore Read TO detach sloop from the African squadron
and send her the Mediterranean In obedience to this
ORDER the Marion, Commander Simonds, reached Gbra
tar in July; the steamer Princeton Commander EAge,
sailed from Philadelphia in June for that sea; in Au
gust the revenuecutter fancy, Lieutenant commanding
c. g. Hunter, temporarily transferred by the Treasury
Department, sailed from New York with the same desii-
nation and there is doubt that Commodore Read, in
the rgate United States, has in obedience to his orders,
assumed the command of the naval force in the Meder
ranean
sea Of this force, for the protection of commerce.
were hastened by intelligence received early in june
that American vessel, called the Camea, had been
seized the high seas and carried into Barcelona by
vessel called the Unice, claiming to cruise under Mexican
authority The alleged prize promptly released by
the Spanish authorities, and the captors imprisoned Tor
trial.
The attempt of the Mexican government by issue Of
leters of marque 10 persons not bona dc czens with
authority to cruise in vessels the property OF foreigners
not found favor commanded success in any quarter
am happy 10 state that with the single exception OF the
Carmela, have received the most satisfactory reports
from our naval commanders in every quarter of the
globe that commerce has not been molested and
there is to apprehend any interruption OF its
inconsistent with the spirit Of the age re-
sorted to means OF revenue, with certain result OF
untold atrocities if favored and which deserve, as they
have received, the Reproduction OF the civilized world
The activity Of the vessels sent to the Mediterranean has
removed all apprehension, even in that sea; and the
most complete success has attended the measures OF pre-
caution which were adopted 1t gives great sasfac-
ton to state that the honorable fidelity with which Spain
has executed her treaty spuations with us, has gnay
disappointed the lawess persons within her dOmlnOns,
who may have been disposed to accept the tempting offers
OF Mexico.
During the past year. the squadron on the Of Af
lively and successfully employed in the humane duty OF
uppressing the save-rade 1t is not known that yes
sci with American papers has escaped seizure where there
was lust reason suspect that she was engaged in
tended for employment in the violation OF our laws or the
dishonor Of our flag.
IN he month Of September Commodore . Bolton sailed
dore Read in the command Of the squadron on that sta
ton The necessity Of sending the Marion and the Uni
brig Dolphin, Commander Pope, to the United States has
reduced the squadron below the force which the United
States engaged BY the treaty Of Washington to maintain
on that station But preparations are in progress, and
near completion, to supply the deficiency.
1t is contemplated by the department as permanent
arrangement maintain squadron in the Mediterranean
sea, principally with the ships which shall have served
portion OF the usual period OF cruise on the African
station BY this transfer, it hoped that our officers and
man Will not be required to remain IN the nhospabe
the Mediterranean since we Were required to with
draw our stores from Mahon For the present the squad
will be supplied by means OF storeshps sent from
the United States
In The month Of june the ship Ohio Capt Stringhan,
sailed from New York for Rio de Janeir2 She carried
secretary Of legation, with their families and arrived
there in August. .
The Ohio, on her way to form part OF the Pacific
squadron had orders to remain at Rio until the 18th OF
November when she directed to proceed to her sta
ton On her arrival at Rio, Com Rousseau transferred,
ham, and returned to the United States in the gae Co
lumbia, with Mr. Wise, his family, and secretary OF le
CATION passengers. CON- Storer sailed in the frgate
Brandywine in the month of September for Rio, to re-
lieve Capt Strngham, and assume the duties OF the COM
mand which Com. Rousseau had honorably discharged,
and Of which be was relieved at his own request
The brig Bainbridge Lieut.. Comdg Williamson, has
returned home and is undergoing repairs for immediate
service. The squadron the coast Of Brazil consists OF
asfsa s yS%is aV @ A psy hs esss%
that station SO soon she be fitted for sea. The
presence OF steamer on that station is peculiarly impor
tant under existing circumstances American whale
on their homeward voyage have long been in the habit
of entering certain ports of Brazil and exchanging por
tions of their cargoes for necessary supplies BY the
laws OF Brazil these ports not open for the entry OF
our vessels, apd notice has recently been given that
these laws will be rigidly enforced Such course will
be seriously injurious to commerce, unless timely
warning can be given TO those who may not otherwise
be informed of the existence of the law until they have
incurred its penalties The Allegheny will be sent out to
perform this service.
At the date Of my last annual report the squadron on
the coast of China consisted of the Columbus Captain
Wyman, and the Vincennes, Captain Pauding, under the
command of Commodore Bdde. In the month OF July,
1916, he visited Jeddo bay with both Ships and invited
favorable consideration the part of the Japanese gov
eminent of desire for friendly commercial intercourse
Notwithstanding the prudence and discretion with which
he made the overture he could not prevail the gov
the trade of the Christian world with the exception Of
the limited privilege acceded to the Dutch, to send
or two small vessels annually from Batavia to Nagasaik
Our squadron was treated with kindness and its wants
supplied, but permitted to land; and to the
offer of friendly intercourse, the Interchangeable answer
was-"Go away, and do not come back any more" AL
though Japan has not yet opened her ports to our enter
pnsng countrymen, the rapid extension OF trade with
China, with its manifest advantages can hardly fa to
exert favorable influence with the Japanese, and yet
add hers to the ports of distant nations in which Amer
lean shipping may safely enter and American enterprise
find liberal and profitable traffic.
The orders from this department. of the 9th OF January,
1S46. did not reach Commodore Bdde until he arrived al
Lima on the 3lst of December. He had met the indie
pendence bearing the pennant OF Commodore Shubrick
Valparaiso, who proceeded to Monterey, arriving on
the AID Of January, 1s47.
Commodore Biddle arrived in the Columbus the I'd
day of March, ls47, and assumed the chief command
The squadron there consisted of the Columbus IA; indie