Apr 21 1836 to June 3 1836 - PTR, Vol. 6

information of the Invincible being released & that we may expect her & the Brutus also the Ocean with volunteers &c &c as also Seamen in about a week. On the arrival of these vessels I shall take them with me & scour the coast to Vera Cruz, & then report the success of my cruise at Velasco. A letter was handed me yesterday by Col Morgan addressed by the President to Col Potter who had never officially or otherwise notified me of any appointments Naval or Marine that he has made up to the day of his sailing, one or two of his appointments I must say, without any feeling of disrespect towards that gentleman, I consider highly prejudicial to the Naval Service, with respect to the distribution of the funds placed at my disposal for the use of the Navy that I have exercised prudence & I may say judgement. My vessel having been kept here contrary lo the wishes of her crew generally, whilst other vessels composing our Navy have been laid up in N. Orleans enjoying the comforts of life, is now ready for a cruise & the Officers & crew satisfied having received from me a months pay each. I have likewise officered and manned the Liberty paying to each individual the same advance as to my own crew. I have also forwarded funds to the U States for the immediate purchase of all Books governing the Navy of the U.S. such as Navy Agents duty, Naval Store Keeper's, Court's-Martial, division of Prise Money, Rations, Pursers Books, Blanks for Quarterly returns, &c &c-The Moneys advanced by me have been receipted for by each individual on a/c of their respective pay the same as if the money had been provided by the Govt. rather than as a donation from our Gallant Army whose liberality has knitted our brave seamen more firmly to our country-On the arrival of the Brutus & the Invincible I will immediately hand a list to the Govt. of the number of Officers & men composing their crews as well as my own & the amt of pay due them. I have the honour to announce to you the mrival of the Company of Cincinnati volunteers fifty four rank & file, under the command of Capt Stansberry, who appears a gentlemanly & efficient officer, but remarks go to prove the inefficiency & unpopularity of the acting Agency of our Govt. at N. Orleans, also the imprudence of Genl Green in his selections & appointments for Officers of the Army.

337

Powered by