Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part II, Volume I

Mr. Preston, Secretary of the Navy, to Commodore Downes, United States Navy.

Navy Department, August 21, 1849.

Sir: The inclosed packet, addressed to Commander Charles Lowndes, commanding the United States ship Germantown, you will be pleased to have delivered to him with all practicable dispatch. His services with the vessel under his command are required under confidential instructions; you will therefore be pleased to facilitate his movements by affording every aid in your power *to hasten his departure from Boston. [685]

I am, very respectfully, yours, &c.,

• WM. BALLARD PRESTON.
• Commodore John Downes,
  Commandant United States Navy-Yard, Boston.