The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-07-07
YACHTING AND PLEASURE JOLIET.
CATIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF UN-
Gle SAM


ment laid before the State Department some
facts in connection with our squadron on the
coast OF Africa. 1T was stated that the vessels
Of Uncle Sam were more often engaged in
cruising around the beautiful Island of Ma
deira, than in looking after steamers on the
African coast. This is in part, confirmed by
the following letter, written by an officer on
board of the frigate Cumberland, to the Boston
Courier;
gu. S. ERIGATE CUMBERLAND,
Fanchal Roads, MADEIRA, June J. 1859.
"The Commodore (Conover) gave ball on
board the ship a few days ago. 1t was mag
nifcent affair. The table alone cost five hun
dred dollars. The quarterback, which is very
large, was cleared of all rigging &C., and
enclosed by aags-of which we have those of
every nation Oil board-7and festooned with nat
ural flowers, which are here SO plentiful that
large boatloads of the most beautiful roses, ca
millas, Elies honeysuckies, ivy, &C., including
many rare plants, were sent of to the ship as
presents. A II the ,nasts, the papstan, the wheel,
the stair-railings, the large pivot-gun, and the
gangways, were covered with wreaths and fes
toons of roses, and other flowers; and in each
of the holes for the Delaying pins (some one
hundred in number) was a magnificent bou-
quet. Two large chandeliers, which were made
for the occasion, were so covered with them,
that the candles had scarcely room to burn !;
while the gundeck, where the table, over fifty
feet long, was set, was perfect mass of gaily
colored and sweet smelling verdure
The quarter deck made a magnificent
dancing room, over one hundred feet long, and
fifty feet wide, with room fer at least sixty
eouples, besides q large npmDer of seats for the
non! dancing part Of the company. The guns
from the starboard side of the gun-deck were
removed, and the table set there, while the
Captains cabin was used as ladies' retiring
room, and the ward room for the gentlemen.
Our band of music is good, and everything
went off very we'll, indeed. Tha DECKS which
are always kept as clean as the driven snow,
made an excellent dancing-hoor, and were
lighted by the chandeliers, and some thirty
candles besides, placed in muskets around the
stairways-the bayonets of the muskets forming
brilliant rehectors. The ball commenced at
two O'Clock, and continued till ten. Ii was be-
gun so early to accommodate many guests who
were invalids.
We have had frequent opportunities of en-
joying excursions into the interior-pie-n
pistofhring, &C."
This certainly does not look as if the officers
of the Cumberland devoted much time to cruis-
ing for slaveFs on the coast of Africa! Enjoy
ing excursions into The iDteriorpi cnics, pistol
firing expeditions, dc, 6c., according to the
Conrier's correspondent, Ia United States off
cer,) seems to have been the order of the
day."-States.
The London Times says that the formation
OF the Pamerston Ministry, with Lord John
Russell at the head Of the Foreign Office, places
beyond any doubt---if doubt there could be-
the policy of England on the Italian question.
Lord John Russell has ever been known as
ardent friend of the Italian race, Italian free
dom, and Italian unity. As these feelings have
been generally shown out OF office, or when
they had not TO stand any practical test, they
have been as much an enthusiasm as was com
patlble with Lord Johns singularly calm and
rational nature. With Lord Palmerston, s avowed
belief, that had England stood by France in
her negotiations with Austria, she could have
prevented the war, and that even now we must
look to the Anglo, Gallo alliance for the final
and satisfactory settlement Of !taly, LORD John
Russell will have as MUCK scope and authority
in his Office as if he stood alone u