The New York herald., 1851-12-03
Report of the Secretary Of tho Navy.
Navy DEPARTMENT, Nov. q. 1851


The former organization of the vessels employed
in active service on the ocean, ints elk separate
squsdrons, has still been continued.
Ths Home squadron, yet under the command Of
Commodore Parker, consists of the steam frigsts
Sarsnac, Commander Pendergrast, bearing the
broad pendant Of the Commodore; the sloop Of war
Albany, Commander Plat; the sloop Deostur
Paine; and the steamer me ' vixen, Lieutenant Com
mAnding Smith. The vessels Of this squadron
have been engaged in cruising among the Vest
India islands, and along the coasts OF the Carib'
mander Of this squadron having been ordered to
the North special service, net in position to
prevent the late illegal and disastrous expedition
from the port of Nes Orleans against the Island
OF Cuba; but fastening thither, under the orders
of the Department he was commendably active In
preventing any repetition of the offence, whilst, at
the same time, afording protection to American
interests in that quarter and giving assurance that
the United States would, in good faith, observe
their treaty obligations and the law of nations
Commander Platt, commanding the Albany, which
happened to be in the port OF Havana when the ex-
Of the Department, for the propriety and delicscy
with which he acquitted himself in the trying
duties of his commantfor his vigilance and indus.
try in procuring and nsmtting early and correct
information of the progress of events In the island
and his humanity in visiting and interceding for
the deuded persons who in violation of the laws Of
their country, had been induced to embark in ad-
venture OF such serious consequence. These occur
squadron from cruise to its northern limits, which
was commenced and proceeded in as far as Havana,
when the invasion Of Cuba took place.
The Mediterranean squadron, Commodore Nor
gan, commanding, consisted of the dag ship, the
razes Independence Captsin Jameson; the steam
frigate Mississippi Captain Long; and tho triga'e
Cumberland, Captain Lstimer.
In June, the latter vessel was ordered 10 return
to the United States and upon her arrival, the ol-
GERS were detached nd the crew discharged. since
that time, the Independence, with the Commander
in chief on board, has visited Trieste and other
ports within bis nsnd; and the Mississippi has
been generally emp owed in active cruising. In
compliance with resolution of Congress to that
effect, orders we're in due season, sent to the COM
msnder ofthe squadron. directing this vessel to be
held IN readiness t. proceed to the coasts OF Turkey
and receive on board the distinguished Hungarian
Governor Kossuth, and his associates in exile. and
convey them to the United States, so soon as infor
nation should be received from the American Minis
ter at Constantnople that they had obtained the
Sutan's permission to embark. She accordingly
took on board, at the Dardanelles, in September,
the illustrious exile. and his family and party, in
number sixty persons, and brought them on the
homeward voyage to Gibraltar. Here Governor
Kossuth, having determined to visit England, took
passage in mail steamer for that country, nterd-
ing to come thence, by like conveyance, to the
United States; and The Mississippi sailed, with the
remainder of her passengers direct to New York,
where she arrived early in November.
The Independence being the only vessel remain
ing in the Mediterranean, and from her largo draft
sidsraton, together with the fact that the enlist
ment of her crew and the term of the commander
of the squadron will expire in the ensuing spring,
induced the Department to recall her also; and
orders to that effect were despatched in October.
The new steam frigate San Jacinto, destined for
the squadron the coast Of Brazil, is preparing
with al practicable expedition for sea- and will sail
in a few days for the Mediterranean, to watch over
our interests in that quarter, until the arrival Of
new squadron early in the spring.
The squadron on the coast Of Africa continued
under the command of Commodore Gregory until
the month of May, when. after an energetic and eff
cens service on that station, he relieved and it
was transferred to Commodore Lavaletse.
This squadron comprises the sloop-of.war Ger
mantown, the flag ship Of the squadron, Comman-
der Nicholas; the sloop Dae, Commander Pearson;
brig Perry, Lieutenant Commanding Foote; the
brig Porpoise, Lieutenant Commanding Lardner
These vessels have been assduously employed in
the duties Of their cruise, and the observation of
another year lusthes the conclusion expressed In
my last annual report, that the vigilance and scti-
witty OF this squadron. together with that of Great
Britain, have suppressed the slave trade on the
west coast OF Africa, aud that IL is now carried on
only on the south co ,st more than thousand miles
distant from the station at the Cape de Verd Islands
established and maintained since the conclusion Of
the treaty Of Washington in the year 1912.
This resul has led 10 he consideration of the ex
ediency Of moving the depot Of supplies for the
quadron down The coast to st Paul de Loando or
thor point on the southern coast; but since the in
hibiiion BY Brazil Of the African slave trade among
her sub jects, IL is doubtful whether il is necessary
10 continue this squadron rs permanent force any
wnefe along the African shore. And il is accord
ingiy proposed that notice be given to the British
government Of the termination on our part Of the
5th article Of the treaty above meutioaed as there
IN provided. IL is believed that Brazil and the
spanish West India lslands are the only countries
TO which slaves have been imported in any conside-
raele number for many past; and by strength
ening the squadron on the coast of BRAZIL and re-
curing OF its vessels periodical visits to the coast
OF Africa, the traffic can probably be more efectu-
ally checked than by keeping up the squadron on
the African coast; while in regard to the Spanish
west Indies, the vessels Of the home squadron
VIII sphlce to prevent the use Of our dag for its
protection among them. The climate Of the Afri.
can shores is notonously ibsalubrious, and the
neaiIn and comfort Of the officers and crews would
De greatly promoted by the change proposed.
=. Ihe squadron on the coast Of Brazil, Commodore
heheever still being in command, consists Of the
triga.e Congress, the lag ship Of the squadron,
captain Downing the brig cambridge, Lieutenant
Jommanding Manning ard the store ship Relief
Lieutenant Commanding Thatcher. Orders how.
ever, have been despatched, directing the Balm
sous dron, which. owing to the approaching tsrmi-
nation Of the enlistment Of sor crew. has been or
dered TO return TO the Y United States The general
duties assigned to this squadron, in giving prctee
tion TO our commerce and interests between the
mouth OF the Amszen river and Cape Horn. in pre-
venting the use Of the American dag to cover the
Africaa slave trade, and in enforcing our neutral
rights and relations In the state Of hostities which
has long prevailed between the Argentine republic
and the Banda Oriental, ard, more recently, be-
tween the former and Brazil, appear to have been
real ousy and faithfully performed, and the reports
of il commander are quite satisfactory.
The Pacific squadron, Commodore McCaney
oemmandirg &, consists Of his dag ship, the frigate
Ra<itsn, Commander Mexican; the frigate st.
Lavrsnce, Captain Dulany; the sloops Of war st.
Mars, Commander Msgruder; Vandalia, Com
nendor Gardner; Falmouth, Commander Pearson;
Vincenues, Comm ,nder Hudson: Portsmouth, Com
mandeT Dornin; Warren unseaworthy, and used as
store ship the steamer Massachusetts Lieutenant
Commanding Knox the store ship Lexington,
Lsutenant Commanding Radford the store ship
Southampton, Lieutenant Com anding Turner.
The frigste Savannah, Captain Page, recently
returned from this station, In consequence Of the
expiration Of the time Of her crew and the Fall
mouth ia supposed 70 be likewise on her homevsrd
voyage. Tbcse will be replaced, respectively, by
the frizsts Sc. Lawrence and sloop OF war Ports.
mouth, about TO proceed 70 the Pacific.