assemblage, and send you back to your homes; and when I have said a few words to you in proof of your assemblage being unlawful, and of the utter impossibility of your evading the vigilance of our squadron and getting out of our waters to proceed upon your contemplated wild expedition to make war against nations at peace with our own, I feel sure you will at once disperse, and seek honest and peaceful occupations. [689] *First. The very mystery which marks the movements and actions of your officers, and the blind ignorance of the men as to the destination of the enterprise, clearly show that the objects and purposes of those at the head of your affairs are known to be unlawful, and that plunder is the inducement held out to all who embark in this reckless expedition. Second. We have proof that some of you have acknowledged that your destination was Cuba, and that others of your number have said that the expedition was fitting out for the invasion of the Sierre Madre States of Mexico, showing conclusively that your enterprise is one of a military character. And lastly. You are vagrants in the eyes of the law and in fact, and therefore cannot be allowed to occupy your present position, and must immediately disperse. I will now prove to you that we have the means of not only preventing your embarkation to foreign parts, but that we can force you to abandon your present headquarters. I shall employ all the vessels now in this vicinity, or which may hereafter arrive, in such manner as will most effectually bring about the ends desired: First. I shall certainly prevent the steamers Fanny, Maria [690] Burt, or any other steamer or steamers, *vessel or vessels, of whatever description, from furnishing the adventurers on Round Island with arms or other munitions of war. Second. If said steamers or vessels have arms or other munitions of war on board, I shall take possession of said arms, &c., and detain said steamers or vessels until the men congregated on Round Island are dispersed. Third. I shall prevent the band of men on Round Island from embarking on board of said steamers or vessels, or from having any communication with them at all. Fourth. I will make said steamers or vessels anchor within range of our guns. Fifth. After to-day, (28th August,) in accordance with a notice before given them, I shall cut off all supplies of provisions which may be intended for the persons on Round Island, and shall rigidly enforce this blockade or embargo until they abandon the spot and go home. Sixth. I shall gladly give the persons on Round Island every facility to get away, taking particular care, however, that they do not embark in sea-going vessels. V. M. RANDOLPH, Commanding United States Ship Albany, and senior officer afloat in the Gulf of Mexico. UNITED STATES SHIP ALBANY, Of Pascagoula, August 28, 1849. [691] *Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Mr. Preston, Secretary of the Navy. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE, Navy Yard, Pensacola, August 31, 1849. SIR: Having sent all the available force at my command to carry out the instructions received from the Navy Department under date of the 9th instant, addressed to Commodore Parker of the home squadron, but in his absence opened by me, agreeably to his request, I have the honor to forward to the Department herewith, for its information, copies of all the orders issued by me to the commanding officers of the several vessels which I have dispatched from this station, on the service to which the instructions to Commodore Parker related. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WM. BALLARD PRESTON, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. COPIES OF ALL ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO THE COMMANDING OFFICERS OF THE SEVERAL VESSELS DISPATCHED TO THE VICINITY OF ROUND ISLAND, &c. [692] *Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Commander Ran dolph, United States Navy. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE, Navy-Yard, Pensacola, August 17, 1849. SIR: You will prepare the United States sloop-of-war Albany, under your command, for sea with all possible dispatch. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Commodore V. M. RANDOLPH, Commanding United States Ship Albany, Off Navy Yard, Pensacola. Commandant. Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Commander Randolph, United States Navy. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE, Navy Yard, Pensacola, August 18, 1849. SIR: You will proceed with the United States sloop-of-war Albany, under your command, and carry out, as far as practicable, the instractions of the honorable Secretary of the Navy, addressed to Commodore Foxhall A. Parker, commanding the home squadron, a copy of which instructions is contained in the accompanying parcel, and which you are hereby expressly enjoined not to open until after you have discharged the pilot. [693] The schooner Flirt is daily expected here, and I will send her to join you to assist in carrying out the views and wishes of the Department. You will not fail to communicate to the Department, direct, any information you may obtain relative to the important object for which you are sent, and at the same time forward to me duplicates of your report, &c. I must refer you to the honorable Secretary of the Navy's instruction for your further government. When in want of stores and provisions, you will return again to this port. Wishing you a pleasant cruise, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Commandant. JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Commander V. M. RANDOLPH, Commanding United States Sloop Albany, Off Navy Yard, Pensacola. Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Totten, United States Navy. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE, Navy Yard, Pensacola, August 19, 1849. SIR: It is of the utmost government importance that the steamer under your command should be prepared for active service with as little delay as possible. You will be pleased, therefore, to have ready, and, if possible, to go to sea some time during the day to-morrow. [694] *I am, very respectfully, &c., JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Lieutenant-Commandant GEORGE M. TOTTEN, Commandant. Commanding Steamer Water Witch, Off Navy Yard, Pensacola. Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Totten, United States Navy. [Sealed orders.] AUGUST 20, 1849. SIR: You will proceed direct with the United States steamer Water Witch, under your command, to Cat Island, and there join the United States ship Albany, Commodore V. M. Randolph, and assist him in carrying out the instructions of the honorable Secretary of the Navy, a copy of which accompanies this. Should you not fall in with the Albany at Cat Island, or its vicinity, you will proceed to Balize, in further pursuance of the orders. Wishing you a pleasant cruise, I am, very respectfully, &c., Lieutenant-Commander GEO. M. TOTTEN, Commandant. United States Steamer Water Witch. [695] *Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Lieutenant-Commandant Totten, United States Navy. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE, Navy Yard, Pensacola, August 20, 1849. SIR: You will proceed to sea at once with the steamer Water Witch, under your command; and you are hereby strictly enjoined not to open the accompanying sealed parcel until after your vessel crosses the bar and the pilot leaves you. I am, very respectfully, &c., JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Lieutenant-Commandant GEO. M. TOTTEN, Commanding United States Steamer Water Witch. Commandant. Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Lieutenant Commander Farrand, United States Navy. AUGUST 23, 1849. SIR: You will be pleased to prepare the United States schooner Flirt, under your command, for sea with all possible dispatch. It is highly important that all possible dispatch and diligence be used in getting her ready. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Lieutenant-Commandant EBEN FARRAND, Commandant. Commanding United States Schooner Flirt, off Navy-Yard. [696] *Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Farrand, United States Navy. [Sealed orders.] AUGUST 27, 1849. SIR: You will please proceed with the United States schooner Flirt, under your command, with the least possible delay, and report to Commander V. M. Randolph, of the Albany, whom you will find at Cat Island, or in its vicinity. Should the Albany, however, have left there, and after having fulfilled the instructions as regards that particular spot, you will proceed to the mouths of the Mississippi, and be further gov erned by the confidential orders (a copy of which is herewith inclosed) from the honorable Secretary of the Navy, addressed to Commodore Parker. It is very desirable that you fall in, if possible, with the Albany and Water Witch, that the force may be more formidable, and to act in concert. After having performed the service assigned you, or when short of provisions, you will return again to this port. Wishing you a pleasant cruise, &c., I am, very respectfully, &c., JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Lieutenant-Commander EBEN FARRAND, Commandant. Commanding United States Schooner Flirt. [697] * Commandant_Newton, United States Navy, to Lieutenant-Commandant Farrand, United States Navy. [Handed with sealed orders.] AUGUST 28, 1849. SIR: Proceed to sea at once with the United States schooner Flirt, under your command, and be governed by the accompanying sealed orders, which you are expressly enjoined not to open until after you have crossed the bar and discharged the pilot. I am, very respectfully, &c., JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Commandant. Lieutenant-Commandant EBEN FARRand. Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Commodore Parker, United States Navy. AUGUST 27, 1849. SIR: I herewith inclose for your information a copy of a letter of the 23d instant, from Commander V. M. Randolph, of sloop Albany, and a copy of my reply to same, dated 26th instant. I also inclose a copy of Commander Randolph's report to the honorable the Secretary of the Navy, dated off Ship Island, the 25th instant. The Flirt is on the point of sailing, and I have furnished LieutenantCommandant Farrand with sealed orders, as in the case of the Albany and Water Witch, and in pursuance thereof he will join those vessels, and co-operate with their commanders. I am, very respectfully, &c., JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Commodore FOXHALL A. PARKER, Commandant. Commanding Home Squadron, Newport, Rhode Island. [698] *Commandant Newton, United States Navy, to Commander Randolph, United States Navy. AUGUST 28, 1849. SIR: I send the United States steamer General Taylor, under the command of Mr. John Pearson, master, who will report to you. He is well acquainted with all the islands and shoals in the vicinity of your operations, and will be very serviceable to you in piloting through the intricate passages, as well as in other respects. The General Taylor had a six-pounder field-piece mounted, with the proper ammunition, &c., and small-arms for the crew. Do not neglect to send her back at the expiration of one week. JOHN THOMAS NEWTON, Commandant. Commanding United States Sloop Albany. Commander V. M. RANDOLPH, |