The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-04


hsss not only gaed my own Wishes but have complied
with Ehe OF the proprieiors Of the so present.
are John warner ssa United States agent
Havana, and Messrs Fleming and Whitehead, all Ameri-
can citzens."
II seems therefore, that he did take possession OF the
islands he had been ordered, and had changed the
name OF il to Thompsons Island. in honor OF the then
Secretary; and that this done IN the presence OF the
proprietor Lieutenant Perry, in his reply further says
In enanerang advantages possessed by this island
and its contiguous waters and la recommending as
situation well calculated for naval rendezvous. have
war with some great maritime State and when undis,
puted possession of he Florida keys will be matter OF
ion Of northwest side of the Florida (or Gulf
of Klodd) to our merchant vessels and will prove check
tile vast o the island of Cubavas indeed
possessed by the enterprlsing government OF Great Brit
This letter was addressed by the Secretary of the Navy
to the President OF the United States reference 10 the
letter OF Lieutenant Commandant Perry:
Tha the geographical situation OF the island referred
In the resolution has for some me past attracted attention.
and been considered peculiarly important, both mill.
led States. es."'
| "The commander of Of our public vessels cruising
in that accordingly objected, last winter 10
this island and to take possession Of Il part
the territory ccded by Spain the United States and
make such general examination might be useful in form
ing opinion OF the advantages OF the place, and the
prietv OF a further and more particular survey.
| "From the report Of Lieutenant Commandant Perry,
who charged with this duty, satisfactorily
and extensive habor ior vessels of and merchant
seIs Instructions, however, did require him make
the extent which this place might be safely and adyan
tageously occupied and improved as naval depot
"Captan Patterson has since been instructed TO make a
further examination and survey and is now engaged in
that business His report may be expected before The ad-
tournament OF Congress There be doubt. however,
Of the Importance of this island and its contiguous
in various points Of view The harbor affords safe and
the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, and The island
very suitable depot for provisions and supplies"
And he further says
1.-The island is considered advantageous and conve-
nen place Of rendezvous for public vessels the
West India station, that 1t intended TO make it depot
Tor provisions and supplies agsns, the pirates a,sy
under the protection of guard Of marines"
This letter written in December, 1922, and reteraes
to the President OF The Uned States the important ad-
vanages of this island and the n which the Sec
reiay Of the Navy had issued orders to take possession
of H. part OF the territory ceded under the treaty with
Spain. Commodore Porter went out there with large
heetno large vessels, but large in NUMBER and caicua
ted TO enter the small haIbors upon the Florida well
well npon the Cuba coast, IN order TO put stop to
piracy.
is from letter 10 the Secretary OF the Navy by Com,
modore Porter dated April l6 1929 and written board
the /" Sea Gull" al Key West. He says;
"sm. For the last two weeks our movements and
pations been varied that to into full de-
tail would swell too much This communication To be brief
therefore. viii merely state that within that time we have
stores collected together all the schooners OF hesquadon
and stationed them at different points on the coast
Cuba"
Commodore Porter, in a letter TO the Secretary OF h,
Navy, dated Baltimore. November 10 1929 says:
"The fixing and establishment Thompson's island fol
and supplies: , as my % ns
lis vicinity Havana, placed as II were in the thorough
points Of view an object great importance United
States and although for three msnihs IN the IL mus
from lis extraordnsry saIuby ior remainder OF
year. worthy closer examination to ascertain whether they
! may not be eradisated"
I ~ ll..Eo. al. z.l.w
which the Secretary OF the Navy had given to Leuien
ant Commandant Perry. given when Perry was relieved
from his duty and Porter was substituted, says
"Ysu VIII establish Thompsons island. usually called
Key West depot and land the ordnance and marines tc
protect the and provisions IL however you shall
had any important objection 70 this place aud more SUIT
able aud convenient can be found you are at liberty to
ssect II as depot"
The objection is that Commodore Porter ought 10 have
occupied only portion OF the island, and not just
fed in keeping the whole OF it, In order to Judge OF this
position OF the island its topography its size &c Ii ap
pears that the only part OF which was suitable to the
purpose was then occupied by called Aleytown
and he ordered 10 take possession oil the island and
not of any portion Of 1.-THE island the whole island
and hence did depart in this respect from his orders
Now sir, is there any proof that the island taken
from the proprieors then upon the SOIL and taken in
behalf OF The United States The testimony OF respect.
able eyewnesses, present upon that occasion. has been
invoked sustain the allegations OF the memoriast and
the responses severaly given by the Secretary OF the
Navy and the officers Of the navy refer to the depo.
sition OF Griffith w. Roberts, whose testimony is this:
"The whole population the island governed by
Commodore Porter by military regulations 50 far as he
collects and believes. lis allowed ozen TO settle on
the island without the permission OF tho commanding oi
Ger; allowed that privilege he was compelled to erect
building such spot as the commanding oicer might
designate Dsponent further says he had erected
1875 the island, under authority given hts partner by
Commodore Warrington, on lot situated by said War
and other lot could be obtained and appl-
cation made to the propretof by deponent others
which application the pursued by the officers led
them think unnecessary and useless Deponent knows
disputes between the officers and propre
tors consequence OF the aer deeming their rights
them and Commodore Porter the subject Dcponcnt
further understood Commodore Porter Comm Jdorc
Warrington the occasion, refused said proprieors to
extend their occupation OF ground few feet for the
required Deponeot understood odor was
issscd by Commodore Porter Lieutenant James McIn.
sst conmandsnt Of the island In which any right the
soil OF ssd island except that enjoyed by the United Safes
there being tolerated ony long they submitted such
regulations as he might pre,cnbe."
Now that is the deposition OF respectable merchant,
resident the time on the island, who familiar with
the transactions OF the officers the taking OF the island
He knew that no blame could attach to Commodore Por-
ter and that he simply discharged the duties conhded to
him He knew that the whole island necessary for
his accommodation. On one side he established naval
depot And he established hospital and numerous
stores and magazine upon the south side, mile from
the location OF his barracks and thus he occupied both
sides OF the island and IN pursuance OF bis orders oil
course. Ii utterly impossible for him to permit the
citizens TO remain the island under cvil Law, and TO
allow magistrates TO bold courts within his barracks
carrying out the laws OF Florida within those barracks
He found necessary, in the execution OF his orders. TO
prohibit this