Page:Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies - Series 1 - Volume 1.djvu/424

392 Letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Flag-Officer Bell, U. S. Navy, commanding Pacific Squadron, expressing approval of the course pursued for protection of American interests in Mexican waters.

May 31, 1862.


 * The Depaitment has received your No. 30 and enclosures, relating to the condition of affairs in Sonora. You have anticipated the wishes of the Department in dispatching a vessel immediately to Guaymas for the protection of American interests there. Your communication has been received of the appearance of a rebel armed steamer mounting eight rifled guns in the Chinese waters.

You were yesterday telegraphed to push forward the repairs on the Wyoming without regard to "thirty months' service," and send her to Manila direct, at which point some information of the movements of the rebel steamer may probably be obtained.

The Department also acknowledges tbe receipt of your Nos. 24, 25, and 27.

I am, respectfully, etc.,

Flag-Officer Commanding Pacific Squadron.

Report of Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tuscarora, in reference to property taken from Mr. Tunstall, and making charges against Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy, U. S. Navy.

Algeciras, June 1, 1862.


 * I have the honor to report that your letter of May 6, addressed to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy, came to me, as senior officer, by this day's mail. In connection with the subject matter of that letter, 1 have to report that I did not learn that private property had been taken from Mr. Tunstall until after the prisoners had been shipped for the United States and the Ino had returned to this anchorage. It was then communicated to me by one of the officers of this ship, who had seen the gold watch in the possession of the acting paymaster of the Ino. The Kearsarge being present, I at once informed my senior officer of the matter.

I have now to report to you that the Ino sailed from here on 27th April without any authority from me and in contemptuous disregard of my presence; she went to Cadiz, and from there was ordered immediately back to this place by Commander Pickering, who gave Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy important consular dispatches for me. The ship left Cadiz about 1st May, but has not returned here, and I have reason to believe that Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy has abandoned his station here and gone on some independent cruise. I have had no intelligence of his whereabouts, and must confess I should not be surprised to hear of some extraordinary conduct on his part.

On the 28th and 29th April I sent to you a formal report and charges against Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Creesy.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Commander.

Secretary of the Navy.