Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-07

the medical officers, that he should return TO the
United States, Commodore Perry having placed
IN charge Of the expedition an experienced officer
Lleulenant John Rodgers, the next in rank, and
the plan OF operations marked out by him being
considered judicious, the Department has directed
him TO proceed with all despatch to its execu-
ton.
The Pacific Squadron, Commodore B. Dulauy.
consists OF the flagship ST. Lawrence Comman-
der w. w. Hunter, The sloop-of-war Portsmouth,
Commander L. A. Dornin, and ST Mary's Com
mander I. Bailey. The frigaie independence,
Captain J. Tartnall, bearing the broad pendant OF
Commodore w. Mervine, sailed from New York
on the 9th of October, for the Pacific. Upon her
arrival out, Commodore Mervine will take COM
mand, and Commodore Dulany will return 10 the
United States in the ST. Lawrence. The sloop-of-
war Decatur, Commander /. s. Stereti, and the
steamer Massachusetts, Lieutenant Commanding
X. w. Meade, sailed from Norfolk respectively.
the 10Th of June and 9th OF July, 10 join this
squadron. BY last advices, they had reached and
LETT Rio, on their way out but the Massach
after days sail, encountered and suffered Sc
riously from violent storm, and returned 10 Rio
for repairs
In addition TO the above enumerated vessels.
there the Pacific coast the stationary store
ships Fredonia, Lieutenant ]. d. Johnson, at Val
paraiso and Warren, Lieutenant ID. McDougall
at the navy yard al Mare Island California.
The st. Lawrence has been cruising most OF
the year between the ports Of Payta and Callao,
in Peru, and Valparaiso, in Chilli The Portsmouth
returned from the Sandwich Islands to San Fran
cisco on the 18th of January. The government
having received sufficient intelligence to impress
Il with the apprehension that an unlawful expedi-
ton had left or was about to leave San Francisco,
for the purpose Of taking possession ofterritory
belonging TO Mexico, instructions were sent Com
mander Dornin 10 render prompt and efficient aid
IN assisting 10 arrest and suppress any such UNI
lawful expedition might be set on foot within
the jurisdiction ofthe United States, and to exer-
else all lawful means of preventing the violation
OF law and the infraclion of treaty stpuatons.
To assist him in this, he was with your approba-
ton, authorized, if necessary,to charter steamer
Tor short time, on reasonable terms. Comman-
der Dornin considered il necessary, and for this
purpose he chartered at San Francisco the steamer
Columbus, belonging 10 the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company. With this steamer and the Ports
mouth he proceeded along the coast; and having
evinced determination to execute his orders,
and unite with the civil authorities in promptly
arresting and suppressihg all unlawful expeditions,
he unquestionably contributed largely 10 their
early termination, and thus TO the maintenance OF
friendly relations with neighboring power Some
Of the leaders were arrested, and many Of the sick
and wounded awaited themselves of the offer of
Commander Dornin 10 return TO their homes.
After he had terminated successfully bis efforts
in regard 10 the unlawful expedition against Mex
leo, he received intelligence that about twenty
American citizens were imprisoned in close con-
fnement al Mazatlan. Having investigated the
matter, and concluding that their confinement was
improper, he nterfered, and demanded their re-
lease. They were soon discharged, by order of the
government Of Mexico, and, at the instance OF
Commander Dornin, were conveyed in the re-
venue cutter CIV l.. Marcy" to San Francisco,
al their own request. The Portsmouth did good
service al Acapulco, in relieving American steam
ers from the embarrassment Of blockade Of that
port. When last heard from, she was at the Sand
n. IL. Il <l~l -
the United States, under the order Of the Depart
ment.
The ST. Marys, which lefi the United States on
the 18th of October, 1853, joined the squadron at
Valparaiso on the 10th of January. Complaints
having been made of abusive conduct towards our
shipmasters whose business carried them TO the
Chincha islands, the ST. Mary's was sent there in
April. Commander Bailey found in port about one
hundred and sixteen sail Of vessels, two-thrds OF
which were American. The presence OF the ST.
Marys had very beneficial effect, and the mas
tiers oil the large feet OF merchanimen, both English
and American, expressed themselves highly graft
fed At the prompt and energetic action taken by
Commander Bailey in regard 10 their complaints
and grievances. Whilst there he had an opportu-
nifty to return the protection which was afforded
last year by Admiral Moseby, Of the English Navy,
TO many OF our countrymen by afIording assistance
and protection TO Captain McClenan, master OF
the English ship Kildare, which assistance and
protection had been refused by the Peruvian gov
ernor OF the islands. The ST. Mays after cruising
on the coast south OF Panama, and showing our
flag at Iqique, africa, and various other ports, was
on the 29th Of August, he last advices from her. J
at the Sandwich Islands, whittier she had been
sent by Commodore Dulany, under instructions
from the department.
The steamer Michigan, Commander ]. s. Mich
olas is still in commission on our northern lakes,
and, during the last season, engaged III her usual
cruising.
The steam-frigate San Jacinlo, Captain Strib-
ling, having received on boardihe new machinery
recently constructed for her, put 10 sea on the 9th
of August for six months cruise, with view
especially TO testing the capacity Of the machine.
ry, in pursuance Of the terms of the contract.
When last heard from she was at Southampton,
and, having undergone very slight repairs, was
about proceeding on her cruise.
In addition 10 the employment OF tho vessels,
officers, and men ahoat, as thus recited, many OF
the officers and men Of the Navy are assigned TO
duty on the Coast Survey.
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
Although Congress-, al its last session, promptly
responded toihe Recommendation for the construc-
ton Of six new steam-frgsies, and for completing
and launching the frigates Santee and Sabine, /
am very far from entertaining the opinion that the
enlargement OF the Nary should stop here. The
protection OF widespread commerce, the
guarding Of our rank as a nation, demand thai we
should not be entirely stationary, and with mac
tive Indifference behold the progress OF other
powers in naval strength. And Il is hardly un-
wise 10 glance al the various national Navy Reg
listers and compare the size Of oue Navy, not
merely with that Of The mighty nptiops vifh ,ghons
zoe claim equal rank 5nf scih that of other Nations
tch0m sseem 10 Be far, far behind Ms IN the race
of NATIONAL greatness. Even scth Tie addition Of
the unfinished sir steam Jrgafss, oar narsl force
tviK mot ezceed my pesseL in condition for servie.
Weakness invites aggression, and never inspires
respect while acknowledged strength and visible
preparation command consideration, and are the
true safeguards Of peace. And, although our mis-
sion is peace, and no warlike messengers OF pro-
pagandism are TO be sent forth 10 force republican
liberty upon reluctant victims Of misgovernment
il may be well TO remember that, in addition TO
the ordinary uncertainty which ever hangs around
questions Of peace and war in the distant future,
we have TO encounter iIly-disguised Jealousy OF
our peculiar INSTITUTIONS from those who cling
with tenacity 10 the old system OF government
Hear the language Of one Of your predecessors in
message TO Congress more than q quarter Of
century ago: "Unprovokcd injuries are offen in
hctcd, and even the peculiar felicity Of our situs-
ton might with some be canse for excitement
and aggression. The history Of The late wars in
Europe furnishes a c0mplefe demonstration that
no system OF conduct, however correct in princi-
pie, can protect neutral powers from injury from
any party; that defenceess position and a dis
tnguished love of peace are the surest invitations