Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-12-09


Lieut. j. D. Johnston, at Valparaiso and Warren, Lieut.
D. McDougal, at the navy yard at Mare Island. Cali
fornia.
The st. Lawrence has been cruising most Of the year
between the ports of Paya and Caso in Peru and VAL
paraiso in Chill The Portsmouth returned from the
Sandwich Islands San Francisco on the 18th of Janu
sry The Government having received sufficient intei-
gence impress it with the apprehension that unaw
full expedition had left was about leaving San Francis
for the purpose Of taking possession of territory
belonging Mexico, instructions sent Commander
Dornn render prompt and efficient aid in assisting
arrest and suppress any such unlawful expedition as
might be set foot within the jurisdiction of the United
States and to exercise all lawful OF preventing the
violation Of law and nracton of treaty spulations. To
assis: him IN this he was with your appreciation author
ixed if necessary to charter for short time
on reasonable Commander Dornin considered it
necessary and for this purpose he chartered at San
Francisco the Columbus, belonging the Paci-
fc Mail Steamship Company With this steamer and the
Portsmouth he proceeded along the coast and having
eynced determination execute his orders and unite
with the civil authorities in promptly arrestng and sup
pressing all unlawful expeditions he unquestonably
trbued largely to their early termination, and thus to
the maintenance of friendly relations with neghborng
Power. Some Of the leaders arrested, and many
of the sick and wounded avaed themselves of the offer
of Commander Dornn to return them TO their homes
After lie had terminated successfully his efforts in
gard to the unlawful expedition against Mexico, he
ceived intelligence that about twenty American citizens
imprisoned in close confinement Mazatlan. Hav
ing Investigated the matter and concluding that their
confinement improper, lnter1ered and demanded
their release. They soon discharged by order of
the Government of Mexico, and, the instance of Com
mander Dornin, conveyed in the revenue cutter
" W. L. Marcy" to San Francisco at their request
The Portsmouth did good service Acapulco in reiev
ing American steamers from the embarrassment of a
blockade of that port When last heard from she
at the Sandwich Islands, and is probably her way
to the United States under the order Of the Department
The ST. Mary's, which left the United States the
18th Of October 1853 Joined the squadron Valparaiso
on the Goth of January Complaints having been made
of abusive conduct towards shipmasters whose bust
carried them to the Chncha Islands, the ST. Marys
sent there in April. Commander Bailey found in
port about hundred and sixteen sail of vessels two
thirds of which were American The presence of the St.
Marys had very beneficial effect, and the masters Of
the large feet of merchantmen both English and Ameri
cam expressed themselves highly grated at the prompt
and energetic action taken by Commander Bailey in
gard to their complaints and grievances Whilst there
he had opportunity to return the protection which
afforded last year by Admiral Moseby, of the English
navy to many Of our ccuntrymen by aordng assistance
and protection to Capt McClenan master Of the English
ship Kildare, which assistance and protection had been
refused BY the Peruvian Governor of the slends The
st. Marys after cruising the coast south OF Panama
and showing our flag at Iqque, Arica,) and various
other ports the 29h of August 1.-THE last advces
from her at the Sandwich Islands, whittier she had been
by Commodore Duany under instructions from the
Department.
The steamer Michigan, Commander ]. S. Nicholas, is
still in commission northern lakes and during the
last season engaged in her usual cruising
received board the machinery recently constructed
for her, put to the 9th of August for six months
cruise with view especially to testing the capacity of
the machinery in pursuance of the terms Of the contract
When last heard from she at Southampton and, hay
ing undergone very slight REPAIRS about proceeding
on her cruise.
In addition to the employment of the vessels oficers
and men ahoat thus reced many of the officers and
men OF the navy assigned to duty the coast survey
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
Although Congress, at its last session. promptly
sp0nded to the Recommendation for the construction Of
six steam-frigaes and for completing and launching
the frigates Sanee and Sabine, very far from
tertanng the opinion that the enlargement of the navy
should stop here. The protection of our widespread
commerce. the guarding OF extended coast the
seryaon of our rank nation, demaud that we should
not be entirely stationary and with inactive Indifference
behold the progress Of other Powers in naval strength
And it is hardly unwse to glance at the various national
Navy Registers and compare the size Of navy not
merely Cth that Of the mighty nations uih Whom claim
equal rank bat w that of other nations hom esteem 10
befr far 6hnd us IN the national greatness Eeea
Nth the addition of the unfinished sI steam fiyates,
Ua force w not exceed try uessels condition for service
Weakness invites aggression, and inspires respect
while acknowledged strength and visible preparation
mand consideration and the true safeguards of peace
And, although mission is peace and Warlike mes
sengers of propagandism he sent forth to force
publican liberty upon reluctant victims Of misgoyern
ment it may be well to remember that in addition to the
ordinary uncertainty which hangs around questions
Of peace and in the distant future, have to
counter disguised jealousy Of peculiar nsttutons
from those who cling with tenacty the old system Of
Government Hear the language Of one of your prede
cessors in message to Congress than quarter of
century ago
Unprovoked injuries arc often inflicted the Pc
culiar felicity situation ght with be for
excitement and aggression The history Of the late in
Europe furnishes complete demonstration that system Of
conduct however correct in principle protect neutral
Powers from injury from party that defenceess posi-
ton and distinguished love of peace the invita-
10
by being always prepared and willing for just
It. If there be people on earth whose more especial duty
1t to be at all times prepared to defend the rights with
ing the necessary burdens and in submitting sacrifices
make such preparations it is undoubtedly the people Of these
States"
The well-armed and well-manned ships of our navy
may be truly regarded many sentines sta
toned along the the main challenge at any who
might dare seek assault upon institutions sacred
u.s. but inconvenient to them. 1t is peace
with the world; and but few months ago were the
nations Of Europe and, under the benign influence Of
christianity and civilization, seemed hopeful of quiet
future with rivalry but in arts science, and national
development The scene is suddenly changed. War,
with all its bloody caames, is convusng those mighty
nations, and prophetic statesman forete its
tent its termination. But who interested in the
navy 1t is merely the citizen whose lot is cast along
the coast the wealthy merchant in cities the specu-
ator in floating merchandise but merchants mechanics
planters countrymen all along the coast up our
rivers beyond the mountains The agricultural interest
is much benefited and protected by the navy any
other Every planter in every section is not more truly
protected by the enclosure around his farm than by
wooden walls which float around coast The
States which border the Mississippi transport its
bosom their cotton and grain and sugar. and vast vare
ties Of products which borne into the Gulf Of Mexi-
With navy sufficient to protect IN that region,