The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-09
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.


arrestng unlawful expeditions against Nicaragua resist
ing the exercise of the right Of search by British cruisers
in the neghborhood of Cuba, and enforcing demand of
redress for IN insult to flag and for injuries our
citizens, by the government Of Paraguay
In the first Instance, that of arresting and preventing
unlawful expeditions set foot in the United States
against Nicaragua contrary to the act Congress of
April 3o lsS orders for this purpose issued to the
steam frigatcs Wabash and Susquehanna the soops-Qf
war Jane town and Saratog , and the steamer Fulton
Those orders, and the successful action of Flag Officer
Paulding, and those under his md In breaking up
the expedition against Nicaragua foot by General
Walker fully communicated Congress at its last
session by the special message of the President of Janua
| ry IL, 1853
the exercise of the right of search by British
sisted OF the steam figates Wabash and Colorado the
soops-of-war Macedonian Constellation Jamestown Sar
atoga and Plymouth the steamers Water Witch Arctic
Fultc1, and Dispatch, and the brig Dolphin comprising
the Mediterranean squadron under Flag Officer Lavaette
| the home squadron under Flag Officer Mcintosh and
such other vessels were sent out specially for the pur
pose They all deemed effective for the object for
which they sent because in the execution of their
mission no of them would have hestated resist
ship Of the largest class They instructed to protect
all vessels of the United States against the exercise of the
right OF search ON the high seas in time of peace
by the armed vessels of any other power These in
structions have been often repeated and are now
regarded standing instructions to the navy of the
United States, wherever employed They put the deck
of American vessel ON the same footing with Amer
SOIL the invasion OF which, under foreign authority
is to be strennously resisted in the in the
other They regard such invasion in the highest de-
gree offensive to the United States incompatible with
their sovereignty and with the freedom the seas and
to be met and resisted by the whole power Of the
try 1t was your policy promptly and decisively to
brace the opportunity to brng this question of right
upon which we had gone through one war and half q
century Of negotiation to final ISSUE by placing all other
nations in posture where they must either fight il
abandon it. The result has proved the wisdom Of the
measure.
ha,,;n al l.,,l4
to obtain redress from the government Of Paraguay it
deemed expedcnt to send powerful fleet into that
neghborhood to be employed necessary for that pur
pose Accordingly, the squadron the east of
South America has been increased that it will consist
of two rgates two sloops ofwar, three briggs twelve
armed steamers, and two armed storeshps They have
been ordered to rendezvous Buenos Ayres and
be in readiness for any action may be required OF
this force soop three briggs and twelve steamers
lay the whole river coast of Paraguay under effective
blockade ascend the river to the capital Of Paraguay
and overcome any resistance that may be offered II has
been the object of this department leave no doubt ns
to the of expedition set foot protect the
persons and property of American citizens in remote
country, to vndicate the honor Of the American flag in
particular instance of wanon outrage offered to it, and
indicate determined purpose the part of this govern
men to it to be respected wherever its protection
may be rightfully invoked.
In fitting out this expedition It became necessary in
consequence of deficiency in the navy of vessels of light
draght, to charter number of steamers, which could
be used transports and for towagc and could be
ed ALSO for effective servc, vessels These YES
sels six propeers and three side wheel steamers have
been chartered for six months more with right of
election the part of the government to become the
purchaser at stated prices and to apply oil payments
made under the charter part payment of the purchase
money As these vessels would be useful part of the
of the United States and be purchased on
reasonable terms, would recommend appropriation to
be used if deemed expedcnt for the purpose The sum
required to purchase the six steam propecrs would be
s24 of which s94 800 must be paid for the
n1rfc the
for longer time, If purchase be made The sum
required for the three sde-whee steamers would be
$3.50 000 of which, if they be not purcased the sum
of 500 900 must be paid for the of them the same
period of six months and larger for longer period
The election must be made before the 10th Of
March next.
During the past year the department has sent out
surveying party under the command of Lieutenant j. NJ
Brooke, TO survey and lay down with accuracy the
structons to navigation in the usual between San
Francisco and China. The Fenmore Cooper being al
ready fitted for such expedition and the principal in
strumens necessary for ii being already on hand t will
be attended with little extraordinary expense Looking
to the early growth of extensive and profitable com
between Pacific shores and Eastern Asia which
has recently by treaty, been thrown open to u.s. aug
mentcd az it will be, in no inconseablc degree by the
diversion of trade from ancient channels it was deemed
matter of importance to all mpcdimens out of
its way, and to give it the security of perfect
knowledge of the highway over which it must pass
The steam frigate Niagara, under the command cf
Captain Hudson again in March last by your drec
on placed ut the service of tie Atlantic Telegraph
Company to cooperate with those furnished by the Brit
ish government in another effort to lay the Atlantic cable
Leaving New York the 9th of March, she arrived in
England on the 23d. From this tne forward until the
final accomplishment Of the great enterprise her officers
and men devoted themselves 10 it with a zeal and en-
ergy hich contributed largely 70 its and entitled
them TO the highest commentator Having reached
Trinity Bay tho morning of August 5t and fully per-
formed that part OF the work entrusted her. she re-
turned to New York. where she arrived the 18TH and
~,,t. &c ,;.,sn, 49,, 4. A
TO be fatal defect in the cable yet the enterprise has
been successful for it has been demonstrated world
that the object is not only practicable but that it can
easily be accomplished.
1t was deemed q fitting sequel to her participation in
that enterprise of science that the Niagara should next
be engaged In enterprise of distinguished pbanttro
ply. The brig echo, African slaver having been
captured by the Dolphin, under Lieutenant Mat on the
coast of Cuba and brought into Charleston with her
cargo Of 306 slaves you determined promptly in obcd
to act of Congress- to restore them their
tive Africa, and to provide for them for the of one
year at the expense of tho United States Orders were
accordingly given TO the Niagara to proceed upon this
mission Within week from the date of her orders
with most cok,mendnbe despatch she was sea Leav.
ing New York the 18th of September under the com
mand of Capt Chauncey she arrived of Charleston on
the 18TH the next day received the captive Africans
board then ~ in number and the day following set
sail for Liberia where under contract with this govern
ment, they to be received aud humanely provided
for by the African Colonization Society the expense of
the United States. They accompanied by Dr. Thos
Raney, who appointed agent, under the of Con-
gres to receive them the of Africa and TO see
that the humane purposes of this government
ricd into effect.