Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-17

| Plymouth, Commander Kelly, Saratoga, Commander
/ Walker, and Vandaia, Commander Pope; the store
/ ships Supply Lieutenant Boyle; and Lexington,
Lieutenant Glasson. Commodore AuLek, whom
Commodore Perry succeeded in command OF this
squadron returned to the United States carly IN the
/ year.
The extraordinary revolutionary movements ag1-
| tating the millions of China, and threatening the
overthrow of the present dynasty, and the nope m
duiged of the dawning of new era IN the history Oh
trade and commerce with that singular people, III
part unusual Importance and interest to the move
ments of this squadron. In addition to the ORDINARY
duties of the squadron, Commodore Perry was IN
trusted with the delicate task of endeaVo1ng to open
commercial intercourse with the japanese govern
rnent After visiting several smaller islands, and
having favorable interviews with their lnhaOitants,
he proceeded with the steamers Mississippi ana SuS
quehanna and the sloops-of-war Saratoga ana Fly
mouth, to Yedo bay, in Japan where he arrived on
the Sth of July last After much effort he succeeded
in having interview with one Of the ministers OF
State delivered in person communication from the
President of the United States, proposing to form
commercial relations with Japan, gave notice OF his
intention to in the ensuing spring for reply
to his proposition and after making considerable
surveys of the coast and harbor, he returned with
his squadron to China, to give all needful protection
to the interests of Americans.
The Pacific squadron, Commodore Duany, con-
sists of his flagship, the figate St Lawrence, Com
mander VIM. w. Hunter, and the sloop-ot-war Ports
mouth, Commander Dornin.
The sloop-ofwar ST. Mary's, Commander Bailey,
left Philadelphia the 10th of October to join this
squadron.
In addition to these vessels, the receiving ship
Warren, Lieutenant Stanly, at San Francisco, and
the stationary store-ship Fredonia, Lieutenant a. u
Johnston 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 sent down to Valparaiso, and
Lieutenant Chatard relieved by Lieutenant john
ston, who had been ordered for this purpose, and
returned to the United States.
he -LVar MarU'S Commander MaOrlI-
der which belonged to this squadron at thesdae 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 actively
and usefuly engaged in visiting the islands of the
Pacific, and looking after the interests of our coun
trymen. 1t is desirable to enlarge it when the de-
partment 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 pur-
poses, 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 con-
SStS of the Sioop- ofwar NinCeHneS, Lieutenant Ro-
lando: the brig Porpoisc, Lieutenant \. B. Davis;
the steamer John Hancock Lieutenant John Rodg- |
ers the storc-ship, John P. Kennedy, Lieutenant |
Collins; and the tender Fenniinore Cooper, Master
H. K Stevens The expedition left the United States
in June, and when last heard from had reached 81
mons bay Cape of Good Hope, and was doing well.
The brig Dolphin, Lieutenant .. H. Bergman, has
recently returned to the United States having been
protably engaged in special service, under the act
Of March Sd, 1919, "in testing new routes and per-
fectng the discoveries made by Lieutenant Maury in
the of his investigations of the winds and
currents of the ocean," Much credit is due TO the
officers employed in executing this law The hydro
yrapher has, by their efforts felt justified in materi
lily altering his charts, and much time and distance
nave been saved to the navigator. The world has
oeen much enlightened as to the depths of the sea,
he currents and temperature of the ocean am
advised that the deepSea SoundingS taken from on
BOARD the Dolphin the most valuable contribu-
ions that have been made to science touching this
interesting question"
The steamer Michigan, Commander A. Bigelow,
till continues employed on the lakes upon north
I'm border.
With view to secure the observance of treaty
POPULATIONS, and afford protection to our counrymen
ngagcd in the fisheries the coasts of New Bruins
wick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland early in July
special squadron, by your direction, was sent thith
T, under the command of Commodore Shubrick, |
onsisting of the steamer Princeton, Commander
iagle the Commodore flagship; the sloops-of-war
;yanc Commander Hollins, and Decatur, Comman-
er Whittle; and the steamer Fulton, Lieutenant
Watson. The three last-named vessels with
rawn temporarily from the home squadron for this
urpose. The squadron returned to Portsmouth,
lew Hampshire, about the middle of September,
ONE of the vessels having visited every part of
he regions frequented by fishermen. No COM
ialntS were made TO Commodore ShuDrlcE by any
f illegal harsh proceedings on the part of the
,nglish squadron stationed in those waters, and but
nc case OF seizure reported to him. This vessel
oweveF, released upon the payment of the ex-
enses incurred in the admiralty court by the pro-
ceilings in the case, notwithstanding the admission
Y the master of intraction of the treaty. 1t is
ceVed that every effort made to our
ountrymen of protection in the enjoyment of their
ghts and that the duties confidcd to the squadron |
ere executed with fidelity and zeal
ftnr fI,a rntI, noftH tho |
commander Gerry, belonging to the home squadron, |
as sent on a cruise to the fishing grounds and re-
Irncd to New York on the 7th of November, hav- |
lg shown the American flag from the mouth of the
t. Lawrence along the eastern coast of New Bruins
lex and Prince Edwards island, and having passed
yer all the fishing grounds most frequented by
Shermen.
In the fall of 1852, at the earnest request Of Lady
rankin, DIR. Kane, an accomplished passed assistant
lrgeon IN the navy, was permitted to engage in
occlal service, to extent connected with the
arch of Sir John Franklin and his companions. |
e sailed from the United States during the past !
lmmer. While the officers heretofore engaged in
lis interesting search acquired much reputation for
lemselVes and their country, l cannot but express
y regret that in certain charts uttered from the
nglish Admiralty photographic Office on the 14th t
October, 1853, an error has been committed, and
edit is given for certain discoveries of lands
officers of the British navy; whereas in truth they
I'd been made and the lands given name, by the
merlcan expedition under the command of Eicuten-
1T De Hayen which passed the English vessels and
d the way up Wellington channel in the fall of
$50.
The Naval Observatory, under the superintendent