The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-08

squadron at Spezza There are some objections to his
place as depot on account of its position and in the
present very disturbed condition of Europe it is uncer
tam whether the arrangement will be permanently con-
On the coast of Brazil, under command Of Commodore
Storer, the tngale Brandywine Captain Boarman; the
brig Perry, Lieut. Commanding Tilton; and the
Allegheny Lieut. Commanding w. w. Hunter, have
been employed. The soop St Louis Commander Cooke
sailed from Norfolk in August last join the squadron
and carried orders for the Allegheny proceed the
Mediterranean.
In obedience to your directions, and with an anxious
desire TO give protection TO in the East In
dies, despatched for that station the month OF March
last the sloop Plymouth, Commander Gedney She
ried ont as passenger the Hon Mr. Davis, commission
er to China and landed him at Macao the 10th day of
August The brig Dolphin, Lieut.. Commanding Ogden,
left New York in the month OF May for the same sta
ton. As the rigate Congress had nearly completed her
cruise in the Pacific, it was deemed advantageous that
she should return home by way Of China and Bombay,
as in doing she would visit several important points,
where the occasional presence of ship of would
exert favorable influence commercial interests.
Commodore Gesnger left the United States in November,
lS47, to go the sthmus with orders the Pacific,
and hosting his pennan board the Congress- proceed to
China GA his arrival there, he directed to transfer
his pennant to the Plymouth and assume command OF the
East India squadron, and the ga,e expected to pur
sue her voyage home For reasons satisfactory to the
department. Commodore Jones, joining the Pacific
squadron, determined to retain the frsate until the pend
Ing question OF peace should be defnvey settled be-
tween the United States and Mexico and ordered the
sloop Preble 10 convey Commodore Geisnger his
ton. The delay consequent on this arrangement rem
dered just and proper that the Congress should return
home by The direct route the terms of her crews
enlistment had generally expired, would expire before
her arrival in the United States and justice and policy
forbade that they should be held TO service beyond their
contract without urgent necessity.
In the present political condition of the north OF Eu
rope, and in view of the existence of between
Prussia and Denmark, 1t was deemed important that
ship OF should be sent to the North and the Bal
tic, to give protection TO American commercial interests
in that quarter The irgae st. Lawrence, Capt PauId
ing sailed from Norfolk in the month OF September last
wit % "A Bremen
ter the Baltic ii the advanced state OF the did
forbid his doing If such should be the case, he
instructed tocrnlse during the winter between Cape Fn-
sterre and CliZ touching Lisbon, and the spring
to return to the north and execute his orders Captain
Pauldng, his arrival at Bremen Haven found that
the war was suspended by an armlstce, and that winter
at hand TO make II imprulent for HIM To
take his ship into the Baltic am happy to learn that
the arrival the ship has been hailed with universal sat
sfaction The highest honos and most CRAFTY ing demon
STATIONS OF respect have been shown to flag and the
officers received with the most haiterng distinction and
fracrnal affection. The evidence thus afforded of the
friendly feeling and admiration with which Germany
CARDS the United States leaves to doubt that
this noble snip could not have been import
ant service
The condition in which ships have returned from
long cruises, and their services abroad have afforded
gratifying evidence OF the high state OF discipline in the
navy
! The political con iton of Sicily Sardinia, and other
States bordering the Mediterranean sea- has given
peculiar interest to the operations OF the squadron
that station Commoi lore Read has performed his re-
sponslbe an often delicate duties with ZEAL judgment,
and activity; and on occasion have our countrymen
received timely and elective protection OF their per-
and property than in the violent revolutionary
iicts which, during the past year, have frequently
currel within the limits of his command
The reports satisfactory from the squadrons the
coast OF Africa, Brazil, and the East Indies.
AT the date OF my last annual report, the United States
were engaged in with MetIco.
In the Gulf of Mexico, the squadron under command
of Commodore Perry continued until the return Of peace
to hold military possession OF the several ports then in
its occupations commanding the trade, collecting mod
ia anIa inln
eminent authorized by the law OF nations.
Yucaan, OF the States of Mexico, had been per-
mted by the government OF the United States to occupy
neutral position, and thereby exempted from the
evils OF the While thus situated, hosllltles com
menced between the Indians and the white inhabitants OF
that Stale. 1t war OF races, attended by the most
shocking atrocities Under your orders the squadron,
with humanity and success which did honor to
onal character extended protection food, and shelter to
the fleeing white inhabitants their desttuon and de-
SPAR and those thus aided were portion OF the people
of a country with which were at
In that report felt authorized to state that the squad
the Pacific had captured Mazatan, San Bias, and
Acapulco and holding them open to tue trade OF our
countymen and OF neutras under the same conditions
as other Mexican ports IN the military occupation
of the United States The correspondence which is an
nexed will show that with the exception OF Acapulco,
the facts justified the belief expressed All the import
points both shores of the Gulf of California
calamity captured by the sIuairon in co operation with
detachment of the army under Lieutenant Colonel Bur
ton, and occupied until the return OF peace Commodore
Shubrlck found his force small to attempt the reduc-
of Acapulco without weakening the OF
the important places held in the Gulf 10 endanger their
recapture and wisely determined not to make any move
rnent against 1t.
In the month of March, the commanders of the naval
forces in the Gulf OF Mexico and the Pacific
lentiay informed OF the disposition made by the Senate
Of the United States OF the treaty of peace, and in
struced to act conformity with Its stpulaons soon
they should be informed by the United States csmnis
sioners of its ratification by Mexico the amended
forn-thus avoiding unnecessary and irritating delay
The exchange OF publications. was made known TO
them and, without waiting for further instructions,
alanh an thp
and by Commodore Perry in the Cali OF Mexico for the
evacuation OF the Mexican territory and the restoration
according the OF the treaty, OF all places within
the limits OF the Mexican republic which had been taken
and occupied by the naval forces OF the United States
These measures were promptly executed; AMI II is
of the highest satisfaction TO have II power
to state that no complaint of the which the
duty was performed has reached the department
The skill and courage with which the officers and men
of the squadron conducted their military operations, are
not entitled to higher praise than is the scrupuous regard
TO justice and humanity which characterized their conduct
while occupying portions OF the enemy's country, control
lung their revenues and governing their inhabitants The
delicate duties resulting from this position have been
performed without stain national character, and
without an act OF eytorton, cruelty, oppression.
have the honor to transmit copies of the official
ports of naval officers the subject OF the opera
tons OF their respective commands, and especially of
military operations during the war. They present more
in detail than could with proprieiy in my official
reports, incidents which belong to the history of the
country.
In this final report of naval operations in the war with
Mexico-now happily ended i deem it to be my duty
make brief auson TO the participation OF the navy
and achievements which have reflected honor
and glory on the American name, and commanded the
respect of the world for flag.