The republic., 1850-12-04
To the PRESIDENT or THE UNITED STATES

Navy DEPARTMENT, Nov. 30. 1850.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 80, 1850.
SIR: In anticipation of the session of Congress,
respectfully submit the annual report of this de-
partment of the public service.
The vessels in commission during the past year ,
exclusive Of the steamer Michigan, under the com.
mand of Commodore Bullus, which has been cruis-
ing on the lakes above Niagara, giving protection
TO our commerce, and rendering assistance TO our
distressed merchantmen those inland seas have
been omplycd in six different squadrons.
The home squadron, Commodore Parker com
manding, whose field Of operations extends from
the Banks of Newfoundland TO the mouth of the
Amazon river, has comprised the frigatc Rarian,
Captain Page, the sloop of war Albany, Comman-
der Randolph, the sloop- Of war G. ermantown Com
mander Lowndes, the steamer Vixen. Lieutenant
Commanding Smith, the steamer Waterwitch,
Lieutenant Commanding Totten and the schooner
flirt, Lieutenant Commanding Turner, and has
been chiefly occupied in the West Indies and the
Gulf of Mexico. The valuable services of the ves-
sells of this squadron, together with the fgate Con-
grcss and the steamer Saranac, in preventing
violation OF our national obligations in an attempt
ed invasion OF the Island OF Cuba from the United
States, and the mission of Commodore Morris, TO
intercede with the Spanish authorities of that island
for the lives and Liberation of our misguided fellow
citizens who had joined in that expedition and had
baen captured, were made known to Congress in q
communication from the late President, in the
month Of June last. The frigate Rartan, beiI
required for more distant service, was Withdrawn
from this squadron in the month Of May, and, after
being rehtted, was despatched, under the command
of Captain Gauntt, TO the South Pacific Ocean, The
steamers Waterwitch and Vixen standing in need
Of repairs, brought for that purpose to the
Navy Yard at Washington, and are expected soon
10 be again ready for sea. The soop Germantown
having been infected with yellow fever during her
cruise in the West Indies, taken early in the
present autumn 10 the port of New York, and be-
ing now thoroughly cleansed and reftted, is pre-
pairing 10 join the squadron the coast of Africa.
The steamer Saransc, Captain Tatnall, has been
added 10 this squadron, and bears the broad pen
nant Of Commodore Parker
The Pacific squadron continued under the com
mand Of Commodore T. Ap &. Jones until the month
Of June last, when he was relieved and succeeded
by Commodore McCauley. II consists Of the fri
gate Savannah, Captain Page, bearing the broad
pennant of the commander of the squadron; the
frigate Rartan, Captain Gauutt, the sloops Wanda
LA, Commander Gardner, Vinconnes, Commander
Hudson, Falmouth, Commander Pearson, ST. Ma
rye, Commander Msgruder, Warren, (unsea-
worthy and used storeship,) Lieutenant Pick
erng, the steamer Massachusetts, Lieutenant Knox
and the storcship supply. Lieutenant Kennedy.
The sloop Preble, Commander Glynn, and the
storeship FredOnia, Lieutenant Neville, are now on
their homeward voyage from this station, and the
ship Of the-lne Ohio, Commander Stribling, re-
turned thorefrom in April, and was placed in ordi-
nary a, the navy yard in Charlestown. IL is in
tended that the frigate Raritan and sloop St.
Mary's, which have been recently despatched to
this squadron, together with third vessel, ~ be
designated by the commodore, shall cruise between
Cape Horn aud Panama, and westward to the lS0th
degree OF longitude, visiting the Marqucsas and
Friendly Islands, and making their depot of sup
puts Wnlle tbe fcslouc oil ine squad
ron will be generally employed in that ocean north
OF the equator. The advantage, indeed the neces.
sity of efficient fleet in the Pacific for the pro-
tection of an extended territory and sudden and
wonderful commerce in that hitherto unoccupicd
region of the world, cannot be too hi ghy estimated
and will be again adyortcd TO in the sequel of this
communication.
The squadron on the coast Of Brazil, Commodore
Mckeever commanding, is composed of the frigate
Congress, Captain Mcintosh bearing the broad
penpant OF the commodore; the soop st. Louis,
Commander Cooke, the brig Bainbridge, Lieut..
Manning, and the storesbip Relief, Lieut. Totem.
The frgato Brandywine, Captain Boarman, the
flag chip Of Commodore Storer, who was recently
relieved from the command Of this station, is
pectcd soon to arrive at the port of New York.
The cruise Of this squadron, extending from the
mouth of the river Amazon to Cape Horn, and
casionaiy eastward to the coast of Africa, its at
tention has been especially directed TO the suppress
SION, by legitimate intorpositon, Of tho African
slave trade, still carried on to a considerable extent
between Brazil and the coast of Africa; to the pro-
lection OF our neutral rights in the state of hostility
! lately existing between the Argentine Republic
and the Banda Oriental of Uruguay, and the cul-
tivation Of relations Of commerce and amity with
the governments and people Of the several nations
along the coast Of its cruising ground.
The Mediterranean squadron, under the com
mand of Commodore Morgan, consists of his fa G.
ship the Race Independence, Capt Jameson, the
| frigate Cumberland, Captain Latincr the steamer
Mississippi, Captain Long, and the storeship Lex
ington Lieutenant Mitchell The course of politi-
cal evonts in Europe not appearing TO require the
continuance of the large force which had been az
scmblcd in that sea, in consequence Of the unsct
tied aspect OF affairs at the date of the last annual
report from this Department, the frigpte St. Law.
renee, Captain Psulding attached to this squadron,