Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-07
From the Union of Tuesday
The Instructions to Com. McCauIey.
UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT.,

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, April 10, 1855.
SIR: The department has determined to assign
you to special duty, and place you temporarily in
command of the home squadron.
Reposing confidence in your prudence, expert
ence, and patriotism, have selected you for the
discharge of certain duties, always delicate and
| responsible, the proper execution of which may
| involve questions Of national honor and peace.
Recent events in Cuba, and on the high seas in
| the vicinity of that island, are of character
| calculated not merely to attract attention and
exotic the solicitude of this government, but to
call for constant vigilance your part, in order
that the rights of our countrymen and the inter-
ests OF our commerce may be neither wantonly
| assailed nor carelessly dsregarded 1t is hardly
| necessary that should undertake to recite with
particularly all the circumstances which are
worthy OF your consideration, but l deem it
proper to call your attention to the conduct of the
commander of the Spanish frigate Ferrolana in
| firing at the United States mail steamer GEL
/ Dorado, and subjecting that vessel to delay,
visitation, and search, about eight miles from
| Cape San Antonio-an occurrence which, if APP
proved by the Spanish authorities, is likely to
| disturb the friendly relations between the two
| governments, and course of proceeding which,
| If persisted N, cannot but provoke collision.
need not remind you, Commodore, that the
rightsof visitation search of vessels on the
high seas is one the existence Of which the United
States havesteadly refused to recognise, and the
exercise of which they will with equal firmness
| ever refuse 10 tolerate.
The President instructs me to say to you that
ifany officer in command of ship-ofwar be pre-
sent when an outrage of the character heretofore
mentioned is perpetrated on vessel rightfully
bearing our flag, he will promptly interpose, re-
lieve the arrested American ship, prevent the
exercise of the assumed right of visitation or
search, and repel the interference by force The
ie III
ed condition of Cuba. But, whatever weight may
be attached to these considerations, the excited
apprehensions of the authorities of that island
arising, ii is believed, out of the condition of its
| internal affairs, and not from any movement in
this country in violation of our neutrality laws,
can work no suspension of national law, nor re-
| concile submission to the violation of any right
resulting from the law of nations or treaty stipu-
lations. The United States seek no collision with
/ Spain. The officers of our navy are desired and
expected scrupulously to observe the law of ma
tons and uniformly to extend all courtesy and
respect to the flags of other powers. But these
rules do not require consent for moment to the
deliberate violation of principles held sacred by
the United States, and without the observance OF
which peace, however desirable, cannot be main
tanned.
The conduct Of the authorities of Cuba in over
hauling and searching our vessels cannot rest on
the ground of territorial jurisdictions and this gov
| TO warrant the exercise Of beigerent rights.
Your instructions are confined to cases arising on
the high seas, because, at present advised, the
| offensive acts which have been committed are OF
that character. Other offensive acts however,
undoubtedly might occur within the proper terri
torial jurisdiction Of Cuba, to which this govern
ment could not and would not submit for mo-
ment. Should such case arise, you will imme-
diately report the facts TO this department, and
await further Instructions, unless your prompt
| interPosition should become necessary for the
preservation of the lives and property Of the cti-
zens Of the United States.
Accompanying this despatch you will receive
a copy of the recent letter of Mr.. Marcy, Secre-
tary of State, to Mr.. Cueto, the Spanish minister
at Washington, TO which your attention is spe-
cially invited, as setting forth with distn.tness
and force the views entertained by the President
on this subject.
The vessels constituting the home squadron,
under your command, for the present, are the
| San Jacinto, Captain Stribling the jamestown,
Captain Crabbe; the Falmouth, Commander
Shaw; the Princeton, Commander Eagle, and
the Fulton, Lieutenant Commanding Mitchell to
which other vessels will be added at the earliest
| practicable moment.
The jamestown, Captain Crabbe, having been
originally assigned as the flagship Of the African
squadron, is designed, only Temporarily, to form
| part OF the home squadron, and is probably now
on her way TO hey West at which point, after
touching at Havana, she will await your instruc-
tons. enclose you a copy of my instructions
to Captain Crabbe.
The department desires you to proceed imme-
diately to Philadelphia, where the steam-frigate
San Jacinto is now lying, and designed as the
flag ship Of the home squadron, and, after hoist
ing ysur broad pendant board of that vessel,
you will direct your course first TO Havana, at
which place you will seek an interview with our
acting consul, procure from him all the informa-
ton bearing upon the duties ofthe home squadron,
and then regulate your cruising, and the move
ments Of the ships under your command, with
view to the protection Of the rights and interests
Of your country.
deem il unnecessary, Commodore, to multiply
suggestions to one Of your long experience and
excellent judgment, or to enlarge upon the i'm
portancc Of doing everything in your power to
preserve discipline and to promote cheerful and
contented spirit among the officers and men
under your command.
You will avail yourself Of every opportunity to
keep the department advised Of your movements
and the condition Of affairs within the limits Of
your station.
Wishing you an agreeable and successful cruise
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. G. DOBBIN,
Secretary Of the Navy.