The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-09
OUR NAVAL AFFAIRS.

UUh NAVAL AFFA1hS.
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Annual Report OF the Secretary OF the Navy
The naval force which has been employed during
the past year sufficient give adequate security
to commerce. and to the persons and property of
American citizens in all parts of the world.
The Home Squadron, under the command OF It's flag
officer, Hiram Padding has consisted OF the steam fri
gates Wabash and Roanoke the soops Of war Saratoga
and Cyane and the war steamers Susquehanna and Full
ton. The unsatisfactory state Of affairs in New Granada
portions OF Central America required the
this squadron and the almost constant presence of
siderable force the neghborhood both the Atlantic
and Pacific. In June the Wabash returned from Aspn
wall 10 New York with l3S men Of the destitute and suf
ferng American citizens who had been involved in the
troubles in Central America
On the 3oth OF May the Roanoke sailed for Aspinwall
and returned on the 4h Of August with zoo Of Walkers
men,
All these men were brought home without previous
orders but such their deporabe condition that IL
act of humanity which could not and ought
be dispensed with; and the department approved it, The
expense OF providing for them necessary food clothing
and medicine while shpboard amounted 81 1916 L.
for which an appropriation is recommended
II any unlawful expedition from the United States against
Eicarauga Costa Rca Mexico shall succeed in eecng
landing will be because IL has been able 10 elude the
vigilance of the Home squadron
The force in the Pacific under the command or the flag
officer William Mervne, has consisted Of the riga,e indie
pendence, the sioops 81 Marys, John Adams and
Decatur, and the war steamer Massachusetts,. A large
part Of this squadron has been much and usefuy
ployed Mt Panama and the coast Of Central America
where It's presence deemed indispensable.
The Independence sailed August g. from Panama San
Francisco, be tationed nj the yard a reccivn
ship and for INC general purposes Of the yard unde
stay AZ Panama, her officers at intervals OF leisure,
engaged in surveys and expeditions OF much interest
party despatched In chage Of Lieutenant James r.
McCauley, TO explore the timber about the
Gulf OF San Miguel the mouth OF the Daricn, hun
dred miles from Panama The expedition was eminenty
successful
1t WIS deemed necessary, a Of humanity and
policy, To direct Commodore Mervine 70 give Gen@a
Walker and such Of hs men. citizens Of the United States
willing 10 embrace IT, opportunity 10 retreat
from Nicaragua Before these instructions
Commodore Meryine had sent Commander Davis with the
tect the and property OF American citizens With
this authority only, Commander Davis negotiated with
General Walker terms Of captuatIon under which he
rendered with his men, and conveyed u Panama,
whence he proceeded 10 the United States Commander
Davis also received from General Walker the surrender OF
small schooner which he had detained called tho 'Gra
nnda and dclycrnd her Ia tho Ncaraguan authorities.
The action Of Commanr DAVIS far ~ no aided GeDe
raj Walker and his men by the OF the 81 Mays, 10
retreat from Nicaragua and return 10 the United Sates
approved by the Department but his interference
with the Granada and her transfer TO the Near igan
tborites, by his Intervention not approved. The
whole number OF men surrendered and carried 10 Panama
was about 364 Commodore Mervne finding his squadron
suddenly encountered with these in the most wretch
ed condition suffering for the want Of everything, and
cndangerng the health Of those under his command had
mode Of relief except by turning them adrft which
impossible, sending them by the railway to Aspn-
wall. Adopting the latter alternative he was under the
necessity o. drawing on the department, in favor Of the
would be due for Transporting them the isthmus
the usual Of charge This bill has neither been paid
accepted protested. The company voluntarily re.
lnqushed the personal responsibility of Commodore Mcr
vine and put the bill At the disposal Of the government
submit IT, with expression Of my conviction that Con.
grees should make reasonable provision for and also
for the expenses Of providing these while ship
board with necessary food, clothing and medicine, %
which an estimate y III hereafter be furnished.
Tie Brazil and Mediterranean squadrons have been able
quietly and effectively TO perform the duties required q
ak vessels have been useiuily employed the %
Africa
Bell, and the soors ofwar Portsmouth Commander
Foote, and Tcvant, Commander William smith, have con-
stuicd e Fast India squadron Ter flag Ocer
Armstrong The duties Of this squadron have been
ed themselves on a memorable cocasion.
ON the 18th q November, 1855, Of the boats be
longing 10 the squadron passing up the river ~ Can
with the American Gag fully displayed several
times fred upon by the Barrier forts, endangering the
lives OF oil on board This outrage promptly resisted
and reessed by the capture and Of the
and razng their walls 10 the ground The forts, four In
numoer commanding ,nd The approach 70 Canton were
guns The prompt and decisive pursued by Com
modore Armstrong his officers and men, has caused The
Gag Of the United states 10 be respected by the Chinese
contributed largely 10 the security n our citizens IN
China, and during the troubles which followed has pro
badly been the means Of saving many lives and much
The fortsmouth, IN January, sailed for shanghae-
visited all the ports north OF Canton open vessels by
she despatched 10 Singapore look into the affair u
the Dutch bark Henrietta Maria; and having accomplished
the object of her visit, she proceeded Siam with Mr.
Charles William Bradley, United Consul Ningpo
hearing uenty OF amty and commerce between the
Uned states and Siam, Tor ratification by that govern
ment While there she visited BY Of the kings NJ
Sama courtesy never before extended TO a of.wav
Of any nation
The late President Of the United States your immediate
predecessor having accepted the Offer which you
tesy extended 10 him, of the Of public vessel 10
convey him and his family to Madeira the Powhstan will
receive them on board at Norfolk and them 10
that island.
The Naval Appropriation act Of August IS, 1866 sppro-
prated ninety elk thousand dollars os the erection and
completion OF marine barracks at Brooklyn, " " and
sixty Thousand dollars for the purpose at Pensa
cola, Fla.
The site FOR those Of Brooklyn requiring pling and
Ming IN, no yet comr@ecd proposals have not been In.
ved Tor the erection OF barracks there. Proposals for
uosc At Pensacola invited by my predecessor, but
az the lowest bid beyond the limit Of the eppropra
ton plans and specifications directed 70 be made for
smaller buildings, and the 2st of September proposals
again invited Seventeen were received aud those
Mabon Gbbon for nty three thousand eight hundred
and forty seven dollars, being The lowest the contract
was awarded 10 them.
Tho marine barracks Boston Philadelphia and Nor
folk represented 90 be contracted and entirely unit
fer use and the cummanant az the corps recommends
that provision be made ~ purchase ground and erect
suitable buildings nd those places.
Up the 1gth OF February, 1856 Board was appointed