owing to causes similar to those that have occasioned more or less embarrasments and perplexity in all the operations of the Govern- ment. The report of Commodore Hawkins document P. will furnish the requisite information and several points connected with the Navy And the list marked Q. presents as full an exhibit as we can furnish of the officers belonging to that interesting and valuable portion of the national forces. The Schooner Independence is probably at this time arrived at Galveston or will soon be there af'!d waiting orders. The Schooner Brutus commanded by Capt Wm A. Hurd disappeared from our coast in a manner somewhat misterious, about the last of July For several weeks her absence excited painful apprehensions for her fate. But eventually Messrs T. Toby & Brother informed me that the Brutus had gone lo New York. What prompted Capt Hurd to the unwarranted abstraction of his vessels from the service I cannot surmise. Be his inducements what it may his conduct is highly reprehensible. How soon he may be expected to arrive is uncertain. As soon as I heard of his unauthorized destination, I despatched a peremptory order for his immediate return. Sometime in the month of August Capt Jeremiah Brown represented to me the Schooner Invincible required considerable repairs, and that her men were exceedingly dissatisfied and insubordinate: and he recommended that she should go to New York alledging that she could be better fitted out, at less cost, and without the consumption of much more time, in that city, than in New Orleans, at that sickly season of the year. The reasons of Capt Brown appeared to be forcible, and I assented to the measure. He accordingly sailed intended to anchor his vessel at the Balize, where she could water, and proceed himself, to effect some necessary arrangements ,vith the agent there. Shortly after the sailing of Capt Brown the lately contemplated expedition to the Westward was expected to go into effect and the cooperation of the Navy was desirable. An order was despatched to New Orleans requiring the return of the Invincible. That order reached Capt Brown al the Balize, but not untill he had discharged the major part of his crew by which his vessel was rendered totally unfit for active service, and Capt Brown actuated I am confident by the purest motives, concluded to prosecute the previous intention of proceeding to New York. Copies of the several papers relating to this transaction ,viii be found marked R. The return of the Invincible may be daily looked for should no cause of delay have .intervened in New York and no disaster befall her on her voyage. The President General Santa Anna and his suite consisting of Col Almonte Col Nunes and divers menials arc still at Orazimbo at the house of Dr Phelps.
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