The daily union., 1852-12-10

terprise may create. The commanding officer is far
nished with ample OF defence and protection on
land as well with the means, also, oil procuring
despatch vessels, when necessary transports Tor proVis
and fuel, and for such other employment as may DC
required Special depots OF coal have been established
a, various points. and abundant supplies provided he
has, in addition 10 The instructions usually gwen 10 ihe
squadron this station been directed 10 ava himself
OF such opportunities may fall in bis way to make as
accurate surveys as his means may allow Of the coasts
and he may VISIT and 10 preserve The results or iu
ture publication for the benefit OF commerce.
Somewhat allied in character and Importance 10 these
projected operations OF the Japan squadron Is the exped
ton now prepared for the exploration and survey oil the
China the Northern Pacific, and Behring'S straits
The naval appropriation bill OF the last session 81 Con,
gress put at the disposal OF this department one hundred
and twenty-five thousand dollars "for the building or
purchase OF suitable vessels. and for prosecuting sur
vey and reconnaissance for naval and commercial pur
poses of such parts of Behring's straits, OF the North
Pacific ocean, and the China seas as are frequened by
American whaleships aud by trading vessels in their
routes between the United States and China"
Very earnestly eoncurring with Congress IN me I'M
portance OF this exploration and survey, have lost no
time IN the arrangement and preparation OF what hos
will prove itself TO be most effective and nseu expedi
ton AS the act OF Congress has conded to the discre
on OF this department the selection OF the vessels which
may be found necessary for the prosecution OF this enter
prise, the equipment and distribution of the force may
require, and the organization OF every matter OF detail
connected with it. limited only by the amount oil The ap
plopration have thought should best accomplish the
object proposed and crafty the expectation OF the coun
try by giving to the expedition the benefit OF such naval
confne it TO such limited supply would have resulted
from either building purchasing vessels and providing
for the other details Of this service out OF the fund in
trusted 10 the department With this fund SO applied,
the department woald have been constrained to organize
the expedition upon scale which conceive to be alto
geher inadequate TO the nature OF the labor required and
which indeed would have been almost certain 10 end IN
the failure accomplish such results Congress had
contemplated Looking to the amount which il would
have been necessary to reserve IN order TO provide or
the special contingencies OF such expedition il would
hav hacn hIa IN nv hp
the remaining portion OF the appropriation more than
steamer of inferior class, and perhaps two small
briggs TO constitute the force to be used in the underla-
king II is doubtful ii this equipment could have
been obtained by such appropriation OF the fund.- The
absolute necessity of altering strengthening aad arrang
ing any vessel which might be purchased, so as TO
adapt to the character of the service required and give
reasonable of safety and would have
drawn largely upon The appropriation as 10 reduce the
outhl 10 limit quite incompatible with the object ex-
This cruise OF exploration and survey, destined TO
equal employment in the tropics and the arctic regions
and required to traverse the broad OF the Pachc
amongst dangerous and unknown shoals and in search
OF islands and rocks misplaced upon our charts. and
therefore the perous the navigator, will hRd
enough, and than enough, OF labor to occupy du-
ring the next three years It's iosome duties, exacting
ceaseless vigilance aud all the skill OF seamanshp, will
be inevitably enhanced by the disease incident 10 varying
climates and exposure to the peculiar casualties OF boat
and contests with the savage islanders OF the
it is destined TO explore. have therefore deemed
II indispensable that at least large vessel should be
always at hand TO afford change OF quarters 10 those
who may be disabled and TO supply reeis OF fresh
take the place Of those who may be broken down by
sickness accident II is impossible TO maintain the
health of the OF the small vessels in so long ser
vice without the comforts which such change may af-
ford. These surveys also require extra supply OF
men beyond the usual complement destined to our cruis
ing SHIPS there being constant occasion for deachmenis
in boats TO conduct the operation OF measuring and deter
mining the position and bearings of the shoals and islands
which it is the purpose of the enterprise ascertain.
In consideration OF all these conditions. and many
others OF kindred nature, have determined 10 give
this little squadron every facility which the
at my command have enabled me 10 supply. have &C.
cordngly put the Vincennes, of sauncbes and
best soopsof war, in the lead OF the expedition. have
added to this the propeller John Hancock, which, being
found to have engine OF The strongest construction,
needed only alterations in her size and frame and
the addition oil boilers TO make her in every respect
most efficient contribution to the force required. She
has, with this view, been placed in the hands OF the
val constructor, who s now assduously al work, and
am happy TO report with all desirable success in fitting
her with every accommodation which her future opera
tons may demand Besides these two vessels, the brig
Popose has been detailed for the expedition, and put in
condition for all the eyigences OF her employment
small potboat, adapted TO speedy navigation and shall
low waters, will be added 10 the squadron. These
ses, fully manned and equipped, and furnished with all
the necessares appropriate to the hazardous nature OF
their cruise constitute the material elements oil the
petition.
To promote the scientific objects contemplated BY The
reconnaissance, have supplied the squadron With
irononer aud hydrographef oil known ahlhiy and ac-
complishmen and also with a naturalist and boanist,
who are charged with the duty OF collecting and pfespry
ing specimens OF such natural productions may be in
teresting to science and commerce
The squadron is placed under the command oil an OFF,
already distinguished by bis participation IN former
exploring expedition. and well known Tor the valuable
contributions he has made 10 the Autographed sarvey
OF our western coast--Commander Ringgod, whose
professional accomplishments and devotion 10 the service
eminenty qualify him for the duty committed TO him.
he will be able, hope, 10 take his departure IN lew
weeks and will sail directly 10 the Pacific, doubling Cape
Horn and proceeding by the Sandwich Islands TO Beh
rings Straits where he may be expected 10 arrive al the
opening OF the for operations in that quarter. IL
designed TO employ the expedition during each year in
the reconnaissance OF these high laudes from June
til October. this being the only in which the
veys may be prosecuted in those regions The remain
ing portions oil each year will be devoted to the prosecu-
along the Of Japan the China Seas and the routes
of navigation between ports on the Pacific and the
East Indies Particular attention will be given 10 the
survey OF the and coasts through and along which
our whaling ships pursue their perous trade, ookng
carefully 10 the coast OF Japan, the kurile lslanss,
the sea OF 0khotk and the unexpored shores Of North
ern Asia
Tho commander OF the expedition is made fully aware
OF the necessity and value OF accurate slryey OF the
various lines OF navigation between California and Chi
ma and will bestow upon this undertaking an attention
commenAurste with It's Importance He Is directed TO
make frequent reports Of his work. in order that no time
may be lost in communicating 10 the country the results
benefit Of commerce and navigation These will be duly
published often they are received by the depart
ment.
Being persuaded that this department cannot better
contribute to the fulhment of the high expectations
which the country has entertained to the value Of
The navy, perform more acceptable duty 10 the
navy itself Than BY impartng 10 this arm Of The national
Il -. al aIm