The daily union., 1852-12-10
Navy DEPARTMENT. December, a, /


your notice The several subjects which have thought
worthy Of your coHsder alton and the attention of Con-
gress would beg leave also to say that the many vap-
able suggestions Tor tue Improvement OF the service made
by my predecessors 10 previous reports which yet remain
open 10 the debeaiion and disposal OF Congress, have
in my opinion, lost nothing of their interest," and that
refer TO them now as most appropriate subjects lor com
mendaon to the favor OF the national legislature. II
have presented other views on the same topics, or pro-
posed different meihoi for improving the organization
OF any branch OF the service, hope these will be re-
ceyed contributions 10 the common effort which this
d,parlnea has ever felt II duty make towards the
perfection q Our naval system and mat isey may oe
nrecmton OF what il eservedy due 10 the experience OF
those who have heretofore conducted the affairs of this
department
Daung the year now about TO close the vessels OF the
navy in commission have been assigned to the various
emloyment deemed necessary tor The protection OF our
commerce according TO the system Of distribution here
toore adopted, and found most convenient to the exgen
cies OF the service,
This distribution has been made in provision for six
souadroDs each of which is required to cruise
al three years, with the exception OF that allotted TO the
coast OF Africa, where, from consideration OF the
peculiar character OF the service, il is limited to two
years. -
siona proongaor, when the public interest may render
il necessary Suitable provision is made in the enlist
men,s for this incident whenever II may occur.
The six squadfons assigned TO The East Indies; the
Pacific ocean the coast OF Africa the coast OF Brazil
the Mediterranean; and the coast OF the United States.
lakes upon our Eohern border and few vessels are
kept for detached seiv,ce IA
The East India squadron has continued during the past
year under the command OF Commodore John H. Auck,
and has consisted OF the steam-frgate Susqnehanna,
being the flagship OF the squadron, the soops war
Portsmouth, Commander Kelly; Saratoga, Commander
Walker and Marion, Commander Glendy This yes.
sci ube Marion) has recently returned 10 the United
Slales and is assigned TO The African squadron,
and being ready for will very soon proceed 10 her
destination.
The squadron has been lately reorganzed and placed
under the command OF Commodore M. e. Perry; and
Commodore Auck only waits the arrival in the East In
dies OF officer command the Susqnehanna 10 return
10 the United States, which he will do IN advance of his
ship. Commodore perry's command will consist of the
line-oi battle ship Vermont, which is now in csursc oil
rapid preparation Tor service and it is expected will be
ready TO sail about the first OF March, The Commodore
himself has just sailed from The port OF Norfolk in his
flag ship. the steam rigale Mississippi He will be fol-
lowed in few days BY the steam .frigate Powhatan
Captain McCuDey, which vessel has been recently add
ed 10 the squadron in place of the steamer Prnceton
originally detailed for ii, but which, from mper
iecon discovered IN her machinery after she had un-
dergone thorough repair has been compelled 10 remain
in port Tins mperieciioa | have reason 10 hope will
prove 10 be less serious than first apprehended
and that she may soon be IN condition for service, when
she will be assigned 10 other employment
In addition 10 these two ships, the corvette Macedo
man. Captain Abbot, The soop-o f-war Vandalia, Com
mander Pope, and the steamer Aleghany, Commander
Sands constitute The remaining force assigned 10 Com
modore Perry. The two first OF these, the Macedonian
and the VaDdaa are now nearly ready Tor sea- and may
be expected TO lake ner departure during the month OF
December The Allegheny is waiting only for the COM
pelon of her engine, and will be despatched as soon as
The s,oreshp Supply, Lieutenant Sinclair, and South
ampton, Lieutenant Boyle. are also attached TO the
squadron, and are already on their way 10 Their appoint
ed stations.
The Pacific squadron, under the command OF Commo
dore Charles s. MeCauley, has been composed OF The
ngae Raran, commanded by Commander Mexican, as
flag ship OF the squadron the rgae 81, Lawrence, Cap
tam Dulany the soops oi-war 81. Mays Commander
Msgruder Portsmouth, Commander Dornia; Falmouth,
Commander PeiIigru; Vandaa, Commander Gardner {;
and Vncennss, Commander Hudson. The Falmouth
Vandaa, and Vincennes, and the two sioTeships Lex
ngon and Southampton, also attached 10 the squadron
have returned home within The last TWO or three months
The Rsritan, with Commodore McCauley on board, is
also on her homeward voyage, and may be looked
for in the course OF the month OF January
This squadron has been actively employed ~ cruising
the Sandwich Islands, from the Straits OF Fuca and
Pugers Sound, in Oregon, 10 Panama, on the North
American coast, and along the whole line OF South
America The Pacific. II has also visited the Galipa-
gos Islands and the adaeeBt whilst one of more oil
i's vessels have been kept 10 constant intercourse WAN
every port familiar 10 commerce. from California TO
Valparaiso.
In the new arrangement OF this squadron it will be
put under the command of Captain Dulany and the ra
zee Independence, the soopso swar Falmouth and 81
Mary's i'll be dispatched with more delay than may
be necessary for their equipment The soreship FREE
donia having performed her service in this squadron,
has lately been sent voyage TO California as trans
port of troops, and WILL when released from that duty,
be established al Valparaiso in charge OF the public
stores at that port
The African squadron is under the command OF Com
modore Lavalee, whose flag ship is the soop-of war
Germantown, Commander Nicholas. Besides this
eel, il is composed of the soops-oi-war John Adams
Commander Barron, and Dale, Commander Lardner, and
The briggs Baipbrdge, Lieutenant Manning, and Perry
Lieutenant Page
Commodore I.avaetie, having nearly completed the
period OF lis cruise, will return The United States in
the Germantown soon he can be relieved by Com
modore Mayo who " i'll sail in the month of December
in the frgaie Constitution, with Commander Rudd in
command. The Dale will be replaced by the Marion,
Commander Howard, which is now ready 10 sail.
The steamer Vixen will be added to this command for
such rapid communication with the coast and the trading
points the the duties assigned 10 the squadron
constantly require
The service on this station is arduous and attended
with many incidents 10 render IL far from being accept.
able 10 those employed upon IT, Constant vigilance and
frequent intercourse with barbarous people the coast
the least OF its dscomorts To these added ey
posute TO disease and the rkeome seclusion oil long
voyage. which finds but small relief from visits 10 shore
without and always dangerous TO the stranger
The health OF our ships on that sa,iun am happy 70
report has general been well guarded by The useful
sanitary discipline which the experience of the service
has OF late years been able 10 suggest and enforce, and
we have now no longer 10 complain o such favage by
the msades oil The clmale overlook those VINO were
10 times past consigned 10 this service.
The time has come perhaps, when il may be properly
commended to the notice of Congress TO inquire into the
necessity OF further continuing the regular employment OF
squadron on this coast Tbe slave trade may be said
10 be now driven into comparatively narrow space on
the southern portion OF The coast and confined 10 North
and South Guinea Whilst the measures recently adopt
cd ~ Brazil encourage the hope that this infamous traffic
wl soon be abandoned altogether, lew small vessels
added TO the Brazilian SQUADRON and directed 10 cruise 10
The Track Of The slave ships, may be iound ebectna 70