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

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tanned and refused TO surrender the stolen proper
~ OF some of our counlrymen; that they con
lenptuously turned deaf ear 10 his appeals for
adjustment, aAd that his alternative was TO in1ict
punishment or return TO his country with well
armed national vessel and report that he had de-
nanded satisfaction, and, upon being treated with
contempt, had felt il his duty 10 come home.
Rash impetuosity on the part Of those who hold
in their hands, 10 some extent the elements of
war, cannot be too strongly dscountenanced. No
officer should dare triae with them. But think
that an acquaintance with all the facts and calm
reflection will relieve our own people (who are
Justly sensitive of national honor) from any fear
thata wrong has been perpetrated, and refer
ence to history may well silence the criticism of
others.
The Cyane requiring extensive repairs, and
owing 10 The condition of the crew from the un-
healthiness OF that climate and their previous ex-
posture in the bay of Caledonia, her return to the
United States became necessary. After receiv-
ing on board the archives OF the Commercial
Agency and Mr. Fabens and his effects, Com
msnder Hollins proceeded 10 Boston, and the ves-
sci on the LIST of September was put out of COM
mission for the purpose Of repairs, which are now
completed.
The Falmouth, Commander Shaw, has been
very recently put in commission, and will proceed
10 sea in few days.
The Brazil Squadron, Commodore w. ID. Salier,
has attached to il the flagship Savannah, Com
mander Samuel Mercer; the sloop-of-war Ger
mantown, Commander w. +. Lynch the brig
cambridge, Lieutenant Commanding c. G. Hun
ter; and the store-ship Relief, Lieutenant Com
manding s. G. Rowan The store-shp Relief re-
turned TO New York on the 29ih Of July for fresh
supplies, and having taken in her cargo, sailed for
Rio on the Oath of September.
The sloop-ofwar jamestown, which at my last
report formed one OF this squadron, having COM
pleted her cruise returned 10 the United States
and arrived al Philadelphia on the I'd of May.
The steamer Water Witch, Lieut.. Command
ing I. j. Page, is still actively engaged in the
veys ofthe rivers Uruguay and Parana.
This squadron is efficiently engaged in taking
care of the interests of our country in that region:
with whom our commercial transactions are ra-
pidiy growing.
The African Squadron, Commodore Isaac Mayo,
consists of his flagship, the frigate Constitution,
Commonder J. Rndd; the sloops-ofwar Marion,
Commander H. Y. Pnrviance and Dale, Com
mander VIM. c. White. The brig Perry, Lieu
tenant X. l.. Page, after having been on the sta
ton TWO years, arrived at Norfolk on the 18th of
July. The Constitution and the Marion will be
relieved early in the ensuing year, at which time
they will have been two years on that station.
The vessels of this squadron have been actively,
and in many instances successfully, engaged in
checking the slave trade, and some of them have
been regularly cruising on the coasts most fire.
qucnted by slavers- The officers in command
have also had il in their power 10 render assist
ance TO merchant vessels in distress, and 10 our
growing commerce, exposed 10 many dangers on
the African coast.
The Mediterranean squadron, Commodore s.
H. Stringham, consists of his flagship, the frigaie
Cumberland, Commander A. A. HARDWOOD; the
steam-frigate Saranac, Captain j. G. Long; the
sloops- of-war ST. Louis, Commander ID. N Ingra-
ham, and Levant, Commander @. G. Turner. The
Cumberland will be relieved early in the spring
and authority has been given for the return OF the
Levant and ST. Louis early in the ensuing year.
This squadron, during the past year, has visited
nf fha If IfaIv oil A oh,
and Greece, and also the coasts of Spain and Bar
barry; and has kept watchful eye over American
interests in the Mediterranean.
The Saranac, under instructions from the De-
parment, conveyed Mr.. Chandler, the United
States consulgeneral, 10 Tunis, from Marseiles
10 Tunis, where he was landed ON the 18th. OF
July with the usual honors.
The East India Squadron consists OF the sloop-
of-war Macedonian, Captain Joel Abbott the Sc
Nor officer on the station; the frigate Pow
hatan, Captain w. ]. McCluney; and the sloop-
of war Vandalia, Commander John Hope. The
steam-frigates Mississippi and Susquehanna, the
sloop-of-war Plymouth, and the store-ships South
ampton, Supply, and Lexington, are now on their
way home|the steamers returning by the way OF
San Francisco. Commodore M. G. Perry, re-
Gently commanding this squadron, is, by permis-
sion Of the Department, returning 10 the United
State by the way OF England.
The vessels OF the squadron, owing 10 the civil
war existing in China, have had frequent calls
made upon them for the protection Of American
citizens and properly, and have been Of great SER
vice 10 our countrymen in that remote region
Commodore Perry, with the steam-frigate Pow
hatan as his flagship, Captain w. ]. Mckinney :;
the sloop-of-war Macedonian, Captain ]. Abbot ;
the steam-frigaies Susquehanna, Commander F.
Lee; the sloop-of.war Vandalia, Commander
John Pope; and the store-ships Southampton
Lieutenant Commanding J. J. Boyle and Lexing-
ton, Lieutenant Commanding J. J. Glasson, ar
rived al Yedo bay Japan, on the 18th of February,
Tor the purpose Of fulfilling the plans of which he
had notified them the year before, and OF en-
deayoring TO establish commercial relations be-
tween Japan and the United States By indom-
table perseverance and remarkable management
he succeeded hnally in overcoming the obstinacy
and preJudices Of the Japanese government, and
induced II 10 enter into treaty Of amiiy and
peace, by which two Of IFS ports, Hakodade and
Simoda, were opened TO vessels, and shipwrecked
mariners Of American vessels are guaranteed 10
have ample protection and kind treatment on
whatever part OF the coasts they may be cast
The aforementioned ports were fully SURVEYED
by our vessels, and are represented 10 be very
convenient and commodious. Presents were also
exchanged between the Japanese government
and the Uniied StateR
The treaty having been concluded, il was en-
trusted 10 Commander II. A. Adams, who was
directed 10 proceed in the Saratoga, Commsnder
VS.. Walker, TO San Francisco, and thence TO
Washington. On the arrival OF the Saratoga al
the Sandwich Islands, more speedy conveyance
offering; Commander Adams lefi her and reached
Washington with the treaty on the 10th OF July
Commodore Perry and those who accompanied
him in his novel and perilous undertaking deserve
well Of their country. A new era seems through
their instrumeniality, 10 be dawning upon the
commerce Of the world. II is difficult 10 calcu
late The wonderful results which present and fu-
ture generations may experience from this pro-
missed gradual dropping of Of the cruel feiiers
with which ignorance has so long embarrassed
commerce, and this hopeful p,ospeci Of the spread
Of civilization and liberty and good government
so cheering 20 the Christian statesman.
The Saratoga proceeded on her way TO the
United States, and arrived at Boston September
LIST, having been absent from the country for four
year,. have expressed 10 Commander Walker
and his officers, as also 10 The crew. my just APP
preciation OF their good conduoi, Notwithstanding
the expiration Of their terms Of enlistment,
regret 10 stale that, whilst the Plymouth was
engaged in surveying the BONN islands, Lieuten-
ant John Mathews, with thirteen OF the crew,
when in boat, encountered a severe typhoon,
and were all lost LiepteEapt Mathews had
high reputation in the navy as an oJscer, and the
men are represented 10 have been among fhe best
Of the crew.
The vessels Of the expedition for the survey,
and reconnaissance OF Bhering Straits, the North