Washington sentinel., 1853-12-09

she was ordered home, and arrived at Philadel-
phia on the 9th of July. Her engines have
been condemned, and new machinery is being
constructed for her, with which it is confidently
expected she will prove an efficient cruising
steamer.
The steamer Saranac Captain j. c. Long,
left Norfolk on the 18th of November, convey
ing the Hon. Carroll Spence, our newly appoint
ed minister resident at Constantinople, to his
station. After having completed this duty, she
will join the Mediterranean squadron.
The vessels of this squadron have been ac-
lively cooperating with our representatives in
that region-more especially with the Hon.
Mr.. Marsh, in his efforts to exact Justice from
the government Of GREECE to the American
missionary, Mr.. King. IN calling to your at.
not omit an especial reference to the conduct
of Commander Ingraham, while in command Of
the St. Louis, at Smyrna An ocean of thou
sands of miles separated him from his country,
and his small ship was alone in bearing his
country's flag. Violence was committed on
the personal liberty of man entitled to the
protection Of that flag. The perpetrators of
the offence outnumbered him in vessels, guns,
aud men. 1t was moment of peril, involving
honor and life. With prudence and discretion,
yet with promptness and spirit and marked
determination, Commander Ingraham gave the
protection, and the man is free. Such conduct,
under such circumstances, surely entities an
officer to the most significant evidence of his
governments approval.
The East India squadron, Commodore Perry,
consists OF the steamer Mississippi, Commander
H. A. Adams, his flagship; the steamers Pow
hatan, Captain McCluney, and Susquehanna,
Commander Buchanan; the sloops-ofwar Ma
cedonian, Captain Abbot, Plymouth, Comman-
der Kelly, Saratoga, Commander Walker and
yandalia, Commander Pope; the storeships
Supply, Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair, Southamp-
ton, Lieutenant Boyle; and Lexington, Lieu
tenant Glasson Commodore Aulick, whom
Commodore Perry succeeded in command Of
this squadron, returned to the United States
early in the year.
The extraordinary revolutionary movements
agitating the millions Of China, and threatening
the overthrow of the present dynasty, and the
hope indulged of the dawning Of new era in
the history Of trade and commerce with that
singular people, impart unusual importance and
interest to the movements of this squadron. In
addition to the ordinary duties Of the squad
ron, Commodore Perry was intrusted with the
delicate task of endeavoring to open consfner-
cial intercourse with the japanese government.
After visiting several smaller islands, and hav-
ing favorable interviews with their inhabitants,
he proceeded with the steamers Mississippi and
Susquehanna, and the sloops-ofwar Saratoga
and Plymouth, to Yedo bay, in Japan, where
he arrived on the 9th of July last After much
effort he succeeded in having an interview
with one of the ministers of State, delivered in
person communication from the President of
cial relations with Japan, gave notice of his in
aptso 10 IN ho fnr
reply to his proposition; and after making con-
siderable surveys of the coast and harbor, he
returned with his squadron to China, to give all
needful protection to the interests ofAmericans.
The Pacific squadron, Commodore Dulany,
consists of his flagship, the frigate st. Law
renee, Commander William w. Hunter, and
the sloop-ofwar Portsmouth, Commander Dor
min.
The sloop-ofwar st. Marys, Commander Bal
ley left Philadelphia on the 10Th of October to
join this squadron.
In addition to these vessels, the receiving
ship Warren, Lieutenant Stanly, at San Fran
cisco, and the stationary store-ship Fredonia,
Lieutenant ]. ID. johnson, at Valparaiso, are
under the command of Commodore Dulany.
The Fredonia was despatched to California
under the command of Lieutenant Chatard
with troops; after which she was sent down to
Valparaiso, and Lieutenant Chatard was re-
lieved by Lieutenant johnson, who had been
ordered for this purpose, and returned to the
United States.
The sloop-ofwar ST. Mary's, Commander
Magruder, which belonged to this squadron at
the date of the last report, returned to the
United States, as has also the frigate Raritan,
Commander Mexican, in which Commander
McCauley, late commander Of the squadron
came
The vessels of this squadron have been ac-
lively and usefully engaged in visiting the
islands of the Pacific, and looking after the
interests of our countrymen. 1t is desirable to
enlarge it when the department has the means.
Besides the employment of the vessels of the
navy in these squadrons, the expedition for
the survey and reconnaissance, for naval and
commercial purposes, of parts of Behring's
straits, of the North Pacific ocean, and of the
China seas, authorized by the act of Congress
of August 3, 1852, which was placed by my
predecessor under the command Of Commander
Ringgold, should be mentioned 1t consists Of
the sloop-ofwar Vincennes, Lieutenant Rolan-
do the brig Porpoise, Lieutenant A. B. Davis
the steamer John Hancock, Lieutenant John
Rodgers; the store-ship John p. Kennedy,
Lieutenant Collins and the tender Fennimore
Cooper, Master H. X. Stevens. This expedi-
lOu ltlI TIC OHllSu oodtCo III uHcy dHu WucH
last heard from had reached Simon's bay, Cape
Of Good Hope, and was doing well.
The brig Dolphin, Lieut. 0. ii. Bergman,
has recently returned to the United States,
having been pro6tably engaged in special SER
vice, under the act of March Sd, l849, Sin test
ing new routes and perfecting the discoveries
made by Lieutenant Maury in the course of his
Investigations of the winds and currents of the
ocean" Much credit is due to the officers en-
ployed in executing this law. The hydro
grapher has, by their efforts, felt justified in
materially altering his charts, and much time
and distance have been saved to the navigator.
The world has been much enlightened as to
the depths of the sea, the currents and tempe
nature of the ocean. / am advised that the
deep-sea soundings taken from on board the
Dolphin are the most valuable contributions
that have been made to science touching this
interesting question"
The steamer Michigan, Commander A. Bige-
low, still continues employed on the lakes upon