Proceedings of the Senate and Documents Relative to Texas, from which the Injunction of Secrecy Has Been Removed Page: 78 of 119

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[Confidential.]
NAVY D'PARTMENT, May 14, 1844.
SIR: Your confidential note of this date is received. I send you, agiee.
ably to your request, copies of all orders given by me to the commander of
the home squadron, and of the sailing orders of the officers in command of
the Vandalia and steamer Union. The cruising ground of the home squad.
ron is very extensive, and the number of vessels employed not larger, it is
believed, than usual. Reports have been made to the department, of do.
mestic disturbances in the islands of Hayti and of Cuba, which will render
the presence of a ship of war-necessary to the protection of American in.
terests. This will explain the order to Commander Chauncey. Similar
orders will be given to the brig Lawrence or brig Truxtun, both requiring
slight repairs, as soon as either may be ready for sea, to touch at Cuba.
I send a list of the vessels under orders for the Gulf of Mexico.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
J. Y. MASON.
To the PRESIDENT.
List oJ United States vessels of war now cruising in, or under orders
for, the Gulf of Mexico.
Frigate Potomac, Captain F. M. Newell.
Sloop Vincennes, Commander F. Buchanan.
Brig Somers, Commander J. T. Gerry, (temporarily commanded by Lieu.
tenant T. W. Brent.)
Under orders at Norfolk, and ready for sea.
Sloop Vandalia, Commander J. S. Chauncey.
Sloop Falmouth, Commander J. R. Sands.
Steamer Union, Lieutenant Commandant H. H. Bell.
Brig Bainbridge, Commander Newman, at New York for repairs.
All the above are attached to the home squadron, Commodore David
Conner.
The sloop Preble, Commander T. W. Freelon, (not attached to the home
squadron,) is on a temporary cruise among the West India islands and to
the ports in Central America,