Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Captain Farragut, U. S. Navy, to assume command of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.
Navy Department, January 9, 1862.
Sir: You are hereby appointed to command the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, and you will proceed to Philadelphia and report to Commodore Pendergrast, and when the U. S. steam sloop of war Hartford shall be prepared in all respects for sea you are authorized to hoist your flag on board of that vessel.
The Western Gulf Blockading Squadron commences at, but does not include, St. Andrew's Bay, in West Florida, and extends to the Rio Grande. The coasts of Mexico and Yucatan will also be considered within the limits of your command. Further instructions will be issued before your departure.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Gideon Welles.
Captain David G. Farragut,
Appointed to command the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, Hastings on the Hudson,, N. Y.
Letter from G. Vanderbilt, esq., to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting that California steamers be provided with Government arms.
Office of the Atlantic and Pacific Steamship Co..
177 West street, New York, April 16, 1861.
SlR : For the better protection of our California steamers, which are known to transport large amounts of specie on every voyage from Aspinwall to New York, it has been deemed advisable to place on each one good and serviceable pivot or swivel gun. There are undoubtedly some guns of this description at the Brooklyn navy yard which can be spared from the Government service, and I write this to inquire whether you will permit this company to use those guns for the purpose named.
I am informed by Mr. W. H. Aspinwall that during the Mexican war the steamers on the Pacific Ocean owned by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, of which he was one of the managing owners, were furnished with guns by the Government.
It is likewise deemed advisable to place on board each of our three steamers regularly employed in this trade 100 muskets or rifles of the most approved description, and it is believed that these arms, in the hands of passengers such as ordinarily travel over this route, will be a sufficient protection against any pirate or privateer.
The shippers of specie by our line are alarmed at the present state of affairs, and are apprehensive that our steamers may be seized or robbed on their voyage from Aspinwall to New York, unless some special provision be made for their safety.
An early reply will greatly oblige your very obedient servant,
C. Vanderbilt.
Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
U. S. Flagship Richmond,
Naples, May 5, 1861.
SIR : You will proceed immediately to Tunis and give the enclosed letter to Commander Palmer of the Iroquois. If the Iroquois has not been to Tunis, you will leave the letter for Commander Palmer at that place. If Commander Palmer has left Tunis, you follow him to Cagliari, island of Sardinia. If he has ]eft there you will go to [Port] Mahon, island of Minorca, and if the Iroquois is not there and has not been there, you will leave the letter in the hands of the U. S. consul. When the letter is disposed of you will proceed as soon as possible to New York, stopping at Gibraltar or Cadiz to fill up your coal, and on your arrival at New York report to the honorable Secretary of the Navy.
I am, respectfully, yours,
Chas. H. Bell,
Flag- Officer.
Captain George N. Hollins,
Commanding U. S. S. Susquehanna, Naples.
