The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-08

SIa: In the annual report from the Navy Department
which now have the honor to present have taken the
liberty in addition the usual statement of the operations
of the squadron and the general condition of the service
and the public property TO recommend still further grad
of the great importance of its reorganization and the
Of regulations for the discipline and improve
ment of seamen. If they urged with seeming peril
nacity my only apology is deep interest in the magni-
ude of the subject and conviction Of the necessity OF
legislative inerposon.
The vessels composing the home squadron are the gate
Columbia, the flagship, Commander S. B. Wilson; the
soopsofwar Albany, Commander j. I. Gerry Falmouth,
Commander 7. ID. Shaw; and the steamers Princeton,
Commander Henry Eagle and Fulton, Lieutenant Com
manding j. X Mitchell Commodore J. T. Newton still
commands this squadron The cruising Of the vessels Of
the squadron has been principally among the West India
islands and along the coasts bordering the Caribbean
and the Gulf of Mexico.
The Columbia returned to Norfolk in obedience to
ders from the department and the 2sth June sailed
der instructions TO Commodore Newton, special duty TO
St Domingo. Having thoroughly surveyed the bay of
Samana and ascerained its depth and character and
amned the localities in its vicinity with reference fit
for convenient depot for naval purposes the Colum-
ba returned to Pensacola and is under orders TO pro-
ceed 10 San Juan de Nicaragua conveying TO that point
Mr. Wheeler United States minister resident to Nicaragua
and Mr. Marlin, United States minister resident TO Guate-
maa The Princeton Commander Eagle sailed from Nor
folk the 3st of October for Pensacola and will proceed
her cruise part Of the home squadron The Alba
NY Commander Gerry in pursuance of the orders of the
commodore has been actively cruising during the entire
Ssal, St Thomas Laguyra, CuraGoa Carhagena, Aspn-
wall San JUAN Port Royal, and st. Jago de Cuba She
has done good service and Commander Gerry and his Off
merit the appreciation Of the department, have
know that the appearance Of flag at those
ports and the bearing Of the officers contributed much
the encouragement and protection of citizens engaged
| in commercial transactions in those regions.
The last official intelligence received from the Albany
the 2sh of September from Aspnwall informing
the department that the ensuing day she would sail for
New York There is doubt of her having put AT
the time mentioned Much time having elapsed and Ii
dngs of her having been received it is but natural that
painful anxiety should be felt touching her fate The prev
aen opinion is that she has sustained serious injuries
from encounerng storms recently prevalent in her course
homeward and that she has put into port for repairs
With view Of obtaining information and atordng relief
the steamer Princeton left Pensacola some days ago
search Of the Albany The department still enterains the
opinion that she is safe
The Fulton which until the cath of April under the
command of Lieutenant James NJ Watson, in useful
service and having visited many of the ports OF the West
Indies returned to the United States On the 18th May
she left Norfolk under the command Of Lieutenant Mitchell
conveying the port of Vera Cruz the Hon Mr Gadsden
minister to Mexico and bearer of the treaty recently
concluded between the United States and Mexico where
she remained until the treaty was ratified and with II
turned to the port Of Washington where she has since been
necessarily detained and is ready for service.
The practcabiiity Of nter-oceanic communication by
the construction OF shcanal the ishmus 0t Da-
ren between Caledonia bay and the Caribbean and the
Gulf Of San Miguel the Pacific has long been subject
and learning The magnitude OF the work and won
derful influence which its successful accomplishment might
upon the Of the world and especially
upon the intercourse between Atlantic and Pacific pos
sessions induced the department. with your appreciation
to accept the services OF accomplished and eneprsing
officer of the navy Lieutenant l. g. Strain, Who yolun-
teered to undertake the exploration. The Caribbean
being embraced within the limits assigned cruising
ground for the home squadron the department concluded
that the Cyane, Commander Rollins, might with great
proprety, cruise in that region take proper soundngs
Caledonia bay and at the time with but little add
onal expense convey party that might volunteer to
engage in the aduous and interesting exploration Passed
Mdshipman H. ~ Garland, and few civilians and sea
men from the of the Cyane, also volunteered
bark in the adventure The permission of the New Grena
dian government having been cbeerfuy given the Cyant
sailed from Philadelphia in December last and arrived al
Porto Escoces Caledonia bay the nth Of January
The party landed and proceeded TO execute the e
eal duty assigned They succeeded in crossing the 18th
and returning after encounering sufengs and hard
ships and exhibiting powers of endurance spirit Of en-
erprise, and generous devotion To duty, emneny cred
table to them officers, aud honorable to them as men
few of the and civilians were unable to bear NJ
under their trying exposure and expired The Cyane re
turned with the party to New York refer you, however
for more particular recital of the details of the expedi
ton the interesting report of Lieutenant Strain which
accompanies this communication from which you will per
ceive that he very decidedly Of opinion that the work
totally impracticabe and this, apprehepd, settles th
| question forever
1t proper that shonld remark that the officers of he
Britannia Maiestys ship Virago the Pacific promp
and generous in extending timely relief to the suffering
party and that proper appreciation Of it has been Off
ciay communicated to her Britannia Maestys govern
| ment
Intelligence having been received that the property
American citizens had been improperly detained by tn
people of San Juan de Nicaragua that ou. minister Z
Central America, Hon Mr. Borand had been treated Wit
rudeness and dsrespec and that the interests of coun
trymen required the immediate presence of man-owar
that neiRhborhood the Cyane, being the most ayaiabl
vessel for that purpose in obedience TO instructions from
the department. put again the 10th of June.
I On her arrival at San Juan Commander Holns, learn
ing from Mr. Fabens the United States commercial agen
that place, that the demand made by him. by order
the State Department for proper reparaon of wrong
committed by them had been treated with derson ant
contempt after due deliberation, thought il expeden
through Mr. Fabens to make final demand upon the in
habtants for satisfactory adjustment As the result
entirely unsatisfactory Commander Hons gave notice
the 18th of July, by proclamation posted in the
public places that If the proposed terms of settlement
not complied with, he should at of the 18th pro
ceed lombard the town OF San Juan TO the end iha
the rights Of our country and citizens may be vndcaec
. and guarantee for future protection He had hope
that the show of determination his part would at hi
stage Of the proceedings have brought about sarisctor
I, adjustment: such, however, was not the case
His appeals for adjustment dsregarded His proc
amaton only read ~ be treated with contempt Iii
return to his country after all this without inctng som
punishment upon these lawless and reckless people b
thought would be but signal for renewal Of insults
outrage Having rendered boats for the removal proI
erty and persons all who would avail themselves
them he bombarded the place and destroyed Of the
property without loss Of life could not reproye th
commander for his conduct Humanity often lends he
sympathes TO the sufferer, however just the punishment
bat patriotism rarely condemns the brave officer who admir-
sters that punishment from of justice bis
rymen whose property is destroyed and whose nation;
flag is nsulted We may well regret the stern necessit
which constrained him. bat il should be remembered tbs
Commander Holins had been compelled but year befor
interfere and stop these people in their progress
destruction OF American property that he had beside
the report of minister speaking Of them ben
| prspps