The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-05
Abstract OF the Report of the Secretary of
the Navy.

the Navy.
The annual report of the Secretary of the
Navy commences with the observation that the
former organization of vessels in active service
into six squadrons still continues.
The Home squadron, under Commodore PAR
KER, consists of the m-frigate Saranac, the
soops of-war Albany, Decatur, and Cyane,
and the steamer Vixen, which have been en-
gagged in cruising among the West India Islands,
and along the coasts of the Caribbean sea and
of the Gulf Of Mexico. The commander of the
squadron being north on special service at the
time, was unable to prevent the illegal and dis
astrous expedition from New Orleans against
Cuba, but on his return was commercially &C
tive in preventing repetition of the offence.
Commander PLATT, commanding the Albany
at the time at Havana, deserved the common
dation of the Department for the propriety and
deicacy with which he aquitted himself of his
duties.
The Mediterranean squadron consisted of
the razee Independence, the steam-frigate Mis-
sssppi, and the frgate Cumberland. The
last named vessel has returned the lndepend-
ence has visited Trieste and other ports, and
the Mississippi has been actively cruising-her
last duty having been to receive KossUTH and
his associates on board at the Dardaneles, with
a view to convey them to the United States,
but she parted with the illustrious exile at Glib
raltar, in pursuance OF his wish to visit Eng
land.
The Independence was ordered home in DC
tober and the new steam frigate San Jacinto,
destined for the coast of Brazil, will shortly
repair to the Mediterranean to watch over our
interests in that quarter until the arrival of a
new squadron, early in the spring.
The squadron on the coast of Africa has
passed from the command of Commodore GRE-
CORY to that of Commodore LAyALETTE, the
former being relieved after an arduous service.
The squadron comprises the sloops otwar Ger
mantuwn, Dale, and John Adams, and the briggs
Perry and Porpose,
The vigilance and activity Of these vessels,
conjoined with those of Great Britain, have
suppressed the slave trade on the west coast of
Africa. The inhibition Of the slave trade by
Brazil renders doubtful the necessity of this
squadron, and it is accordingly proposed to give
the British government notice of the termina-
ton on our part Of the sth article of the treaty
of Washington Of 1912.
As Brasil and the Spanish West Indies are
the only countries to which slaves have been
imported for some years, we can most effectu-
ally prevent the traffic by Strengthening our
squadron on the coast of Brazil, and causing
our vessels occasionally to visit the coast Of
Africa.
The squadron on the coast Of Brazil.
commanded by Commodore McKEEvER, con-
siGts Of the frigate Congress, the sloop -of-war
jamestown, the brig cambridge, and the store
ship Relief. The general duties assigned to
this squadron have been zealously and faithfully
perfbrmed,
The Pacific squadron, Commodore Nc
CAULEY, consists of the frigates Raritan and
St. Lawrence, the sloops- of-war ST. Mary's,
Vandalia, Falmouth, Vincennes, Portsmouth,
and Warren, the steamer Massachusetts, and
the storeships Lexington and Southampton.
The Savannah recently returned from this sta