Office of the Historian

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

[Confidential.]
Navy Department, August 23, 1849.

Sir: Inclosed herewith you will receive duplicate of confidential instructions addressed to you on the 9th instant at Pensacola.

As it appears from your last dispatch that you sailed from Pensacola before those instructions reached you, viz, on the 15th instant, you will proceed forthwith, on receipt of this order, to carry into effect the instructions referred to.

The United States steamer Alleghany, Lieutenant-Commanding W. W. Hunter, has been added to your command, in connection with the service assigned to you under date of the 9th instant. You will be pleased to detain that vessel no longer than may be necessary to effect the object, and, when accomplished, you will direct her to return to the port of Washington, D. C.

Very respectfully, yours, &c.,

  • WM. BALLARD PRESTON.
  • Commodore F. A. Parker,
    Commanding United States Home Squadron,
    Newport, Rhode Island.