Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

present
your notice the several subjects which have thought
worthy Of your consideration and the attention of Con-
gress would beg leave also say that the many valu
able suggestions for the Improvement Of the service made
by my predecessors previous reports which yet
open to the delberaon and disposal Of Congress- have
my opinion lost nothing of their interest and that
refer to them appropriate subjects for
mendaton the favor Of the National Legislature If
have presented other views the TOPICS pro-
posed different method for improving the organization
Of any branch Of the service hope these win be received
as contributions to the effort which this Depart
ment has ever felt it duty to make towards the perfec
ton of our naval SYSTEM and that they may be weighed
in the deliberations Of Congress with full appreciation
Of what is deseryedy due to the experience of those who
have heretofore conducted the affairs Of this Department
Distribution Of iSguaarons.
During the year about close the vessels of the
navy in commission have been assigned the various
employment deemed necessary for the protection of
commerce. according the system of distribution here
toore adopted and found most convenient to the ext
gencies Of the service
This distribution has been made in provision for six
squadrons, each of which required to cruise
OF three years. with the exception Of that allotted to the
coast Of Africa where from consideration of the pecu-
Liar character Of the service it is limited to two years
The duration of the cruise is subject only to
siona prolongaon when the public interest may render
Unnecessary Suitable provision made the enistments
for this incident whenever it may occur.
The six squadrons assigned the East Indies the
Pacific ocean, the coast Of Africa the coast of Brazil
the Mediterranean and the coast Of the United States
In addition to these steamship is appropriated to the
lakes upon our northern border and few vessels are
kept for detached service.
The East India squadron has continued during the past
year under the command of Commodore John H. Aulick
and has consisted of the steam gate Susquehanna
ing the flag ship of the squadron, the sloops Of war
Portsmouth, Commander Kelly; Saratoga, Commander
Walker; and Marion, Commander Glendy. This vessel
the Marion has recently returned to the United States
and is now assigned to the African squadron, and being
ready for sea- will very proceed to her destination
The squadron has been lately reorganzed and placed
under the command of Commodore NJ. G. Perry; and
Commodore Aulick only waits the arrival in the East
Indies OF officer to command the Susquehanna
turn to the United States which he will do in advance Of
his ship. Commodore Perys command will consist Of
the line of battle ship Vermont which is now in course
of rapid preparation for service, and it is expected will
be ready to sail about the first of March, The Commo
dore himself has just sailed from the port of Norfolk in
his flag ship the steam rigate Mississippi He will be
followed in few days by the steam frigate Powhatan
Capt Mckinney which vessel has been recently added
to the squadron in place Of the Princeton orig
nally detailed for it. but which, from some imperfecon
discovered in her machinery, after she had undergone
thorough repair has been compelled to remain in port
This imperfecton have reason to hope will prove to be
less serious than at first apprehended and that she
may soon be in condition for service, when she will be
assigned to other employment.
In addition to these two Ships the corvette Macedo-
MAN, Captain Abbot; the sloop-ofwar Vandalia Com
mander Pope, and the steamer Allegheny, Commander
Sands constitute the remaining force assigned to Com
modore Perry The two first of these the Macedonian
and the Vandaa are nearly ready for sea- and may
be expected to take their departure during the month of
December The Allegheny is waiting only for the CON-
peton Of her engine and will be dispatched as soon as
it is finished
The storeshps Supply, Lieut. Sinclair, and Southamp-
ton Lieut. Boyle also attached the squadron and
already on their way to their appointed stations
The Pacific squadron, under the command of Commo-
dore Charles s. McCauley has been composed of the
gate Rartan, commanded by Commander Mexican as flag
ship of the squadron, the fgate St. Lawrence Captain
Dulany, the sloops-of-war st Marys, Commander Ma
gruder, Portsmouth, Commander Dornin Falmouth Com
mander Petgru yandalia Commander Gardner and Vim
cennes, Commander Hudson. The Falmouth Vandalia
and Vincennes, and the storeshps Lexington and
turned home within the last three months The
Rartan, with Commodore McCauley on board is now
also on her homeward voyage and may be looked for in
the course OF the month of January.
This squadron has been actively employed in cruising
the Sandwich Islands, from the Straits of Fuca and
Pugets Sound, in Oregon to Panama. the North Ame-
rcan coast and along the whole line Of South America on
the Pacific 1t has also visited the Galapagos ISLANDS and
the acent SEAS whilst or more of its vessels have
been kept in constant intercourse with every port familiar
to our commerce, from California to Valparaiso
In the new arrangement of this squadron it will be put
under the command Of Capt Duany; and the razee In
dependence the sloops-of-war Falmouth and St. Marys
will be dispatched with more delay than may be ne
cessary for their equipment The storeshp Frejonia
having performed her service in this squadron has lately
been sent on voyage to California o transport Of
troops and will when released from that duty be estab-
shed at Valparaiso in charge of the public that
port.
The African squadron is under the command of Commo
dore Lavalette, whose flag ship is the Ger
mantown Commander Nicholas. Besides this vessel il
is composed of the sloops- John Adams Command
Barron and Dale, Commander Lardner and the briggs
cambridge, Lieut. Manning, and Perry, Lieut. Page.
Commodore Layalete having nearly completed the be
Rod Of his cruise will return to the United States in the
Mayo who win sail in the month of December in the fri
gate Constitution, with Commander Rudd in command
The Dale will be replaced by the Marion, Commander
Howard, which is ready to sail.
The Vixen will be added to this command for
such rapid communication with the coast and the trading
points the rivers the duties assigned to the squad
ron constantly require
with many incidents to render it far from being accept
able TO those employed upon it. Constant Wig lance and
frequent intercourse with barbarous people on the coast
are the least Of its discomfors To these are added ex
posure to disease and the rksome secuson Of long voy
age which finds but small relief in visits to shore with
out attraction and always dangerous the stranger The
health of ships that station am happy to report
has IN general been well guarded by the useful sanitary
discipline which the experience of the service has Of late
been able to suggest and enforce and we have now
longer to complain Of such ravage by the maades Of
the climate overlook those who were times past con-
signed to this service
The time has come, perhaps, when it may be properly
commended to the notice Of Congress to inquire into
the necessity Of further continuing the regular employ
ment OF squadron this coast The slave trade may
be said to be driven into a comparatively narrow
the southern portion of the coast and