The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-10

the rgate until the question of peace should
be definitely settled between the United States and
Mexico, and ordered the soop Prebe to convey Com
modore Geissenger to his station.
The delay consequent en- this arrangement render
ed just and proper that the Congress should return
home the direct route the term of her crews
enlistment had generally expired or would Dire be
fore her arrival in the United States and justice aud
policy forbid that they should be held to service be-
yond their contract without urgent necessity.
In the present political condition of the north OF
Europe and in view of the existence of betwee
Prussia and Denmark, it was deemed important that
ship of should be sent to the North Sea nd the
Baltic to give protection to American commercial ia
terests in that quarter. The frigste st. Lawrence
Captain Paudng sailed from Norfolk in the month OF
September last, with instruction to touch at Bremen
haven and to enter the Bsltic If the advanced state
should be the he instructed to cruise during
the winter between Cape Fnsterrs and Cadz, touch
ing at Lisbon and In the spring to return to the north
and execute his orders Captain Paulding, his
rival at Bremerhaven found that the suspend
ed by armistice, and that the winter was near
at hand to make it imprudent for him to take his
arrival of the ship has been hailed with universal salts
faction. The highest honors and most gratifying de-
monstrations Of respect have been shown to flag
and the officers received with the most altering dis
tincton and fraternal affection. The evidence thus
afforded of the friendly feeling and admiration with
which Germany regards the United St,tes leaves no
to doubt that this noble ship could not have
been sent on more important 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 Political condition of Sicily Sardinia and other
States bordering the Mediterranean Sea- has given
peculiar interest to the operations of the squadron
that station Commodore Read has performed his re-
sponsible and often delicate duties with zeal judy
ment and activity; and on occasion have
trymen received more timely and effective protection
Of their persons and property than in the violent
evolutionary conflicts which during the past year. have
frequently occurred within the limits of his command
The reports story from the coast Of Africa
Brazil, and the East Indies
At the date Of my last annual report, the United
States were engaged in war with Mexico.
In the Gulf of Mexico the squadron under command
Of Com Perry, continued, until the return of peace
to hold military possession Of the several ports then
Its occupation, commanding the trade collecting a
civil government authorized by the laws of the nation
Yucatan, one Of the States of Mexico had been per-
mitted by the government Of the United States to
occupy neutral position, and was thereby exempted
from the evils of the war. While thus situated hos
tilities commenced between the Indians and the white
inhabitants of that State. 1t of races, at
tended by the most shocking atrocities. Under your
orders the squadron, with q humanity and success
which did honor to national character extended
protection food and shelter to the fleeing white in
habitants in their restitution and despair and those
thus aided were portion of the people of a country
thorzed to state that the squadron in the Pacific had
captured Mazatlan, San Bias and Acapulco, and
holding them open to the trade of our countrymen
and Of neutrals, under the same conditions were
other Mexican ports in the military occupation Of the
United States. The correspondence which is annexed
will chow that, with the exception of Acapulco the
facts justified the belief expressed All the important
points both shores Of the Gulf of California
calamity captured by the squadron in cooperation
with detachments of the army under Lieut.. Colonel
Burton. and occupied until the return of peace Com
mander Shubrick found his force too small to attempt
the reduction of Acapulco, without SO Weakening the
garrfons Of the important places held In the Gulf
to endanger their recapture, and wisely determined
not to make any movement against It, In the month
Of March, the commanders of the naval forces In the
Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific were confidently in.
formed Of the disposition made by the Senate Of the
ts Of M In
soon they should be informed by the Untsd States
Commissioners of its ratification by Mexico in the
irritating delay. The exchange of ratiacatioas we
made known TO them and without waiting for further
Jones in the Pacific and by Commodore Perry in the
Gulf OF Mexico, for the evacuation of the Mexican
territory and the restoration according to the terms
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
sures promptly executed and r is Of the
highest satisfaction to have it in power tn state
that no complaint oil the manner in 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 opera
tons are not higher praise than is the scru
pulous regard to Justice and humanity which charac
terzed their conduct while occupying portions of the
enemy's country, controlling their revenues, and CO.
verning their Inhabitants Tha delicate duties result.
ing from these positions have been performed without
stain our national character, and without act
of extortion, cruelty or oppression.
have the honor TO transmit copies of the official
ports OF naval officers the subject of the opera
tona of their respective msnds, and especially of
military operations, during the They present
more in detail than could with propriety use, in my
official reports incidents which belong to the history
of the country.
In this nal report of naval operations In the war
with Mexico, now happily ended, deem 1t tc ve my
the navy in scenes and achievements which have
reflected honor and glory on the American name, and
commanded the respect of the world for our flag.
The enemy had no navy, md IN Uncomfortable COM
mercial marine; our ships Of war had, therefore, no.
thing to contend with their appropriate element =
the Pacific our squadron with means not fitted for
inland operations acting Independently aud, in co.
operation with small portion Of gallant army ef
fected the conquest Of California In supplying the
cutting an inland campaign with the of his ships
Commodore Stockton displayed the highest military
resource and the greatest energy Since his msmora,
BILE march from st. Yago Ciudad de los Angeles, and
the battles of the 9Th and 9th of January 184 that
country has been tranquil possession undisputed
and its have hailed the eesson of Califor
mia to the United States with grateful satisfaction
Important points in the Gulf of California taken
by the forces under Commodore Shubrick, and their
occupation maintained by him and his successor in
command, independently and in operation with the
troops under Lieutenant Colonel Burton with the dis
men, while their conduct so just and humane that
large portion Of the inhabitants especially Of Lower
CALIFORNIA; deeply regret that they too not to have
the our and institutions the BRO
lection Of glorious flag All will concur in admit
ting that the troops sent to California, with their
knowledged courage and military skill, were not In
occupation Of the country without the efficient services
of the officers and men of the squadron both ashore
and afoat a
In the Gulf Of Mexico from the beginning of the
by operation at the Brazos while the battle of
Palo Alto was raging, by the capture of Tampico by
protecting the transport above and the of the
troops at Vera Cruz by its gallant operation In the
siege, bombArdment and capture of that city and its
offences by its successful operations against Tobasco,
Tuspan Laguna, and other points in the interior and
the coast, bat especially by holding constant
nd Of the and by its vigilance and activity
Guiding ontraband trade and munitions of war from
the enemy the squadrons rendered the most
services to their common country. These services
were rendered in most inhoeptable climate, and in
the midst Of suffering and death, not caused by the
enemy In the horrible conflict Of arms, but by the
suent ravages OF disease. All this was accomplished
without Withdrawing the squadrons from other
stations.
So effective has been the the duty Of
the navy in every quarter Of the globe, that in
creasng commerce in the most distant seas has felt
check. and met no interruption, notwithstanding We
for more than two years, engaged in active hos
ttes with enemy possessing extensive sea coast
on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans Not a single
ricau was lost IN har