The Japan Expedition (June, 1853)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, June 11, 1853. Page 18

The rumor that this Expedition has been countermanded is denied by the official organ at Washington. All the vessels of the Expedition had sailed, except the large 74 ship Vermont and steamer Allegany, which could not beset out. The fleet which includes three steamers and four frigates, would rendezvous at Hong Kong in June or July.

From the Washington Union, April 8th.

A rumor has been recently circulated by a portion of the public press to the effect that this interesting expedition either has been, or is about to be, countermanded by the present Secretary of the Navy. We learn, from the best authority, that all such rumors are entirely unfounded in fact. On the contrary, the administration is making every effort to give a proper aid in carrying out the important objects of the expedition and in fulfilling the public expectation in regard to it.

It appears to have been the intention of the late administration to place under the command of Commodore M.C. Perry, as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States naval force in the East India and China seas, and with a view of his contemplated visit to Japan, the following vessels, viz.: one-ship-of-the-line the Vermont; three steamer frigates, the Susquehana, the Mississippi and the Powhatan; one first class steamer, the Alleghany; and four sloops-of-war, the Macedonan, the Saratoga, the Plymouth and the Vandalia; to be accompanied by two store-ships, the Supply and the Southampton.

This force, with the exception of the Vermont, the Macedonian and the Alleghany, is now assembling at Macao. The last named vessel is now in the hands of mechanics, and it is uncertain when her preparation will be completed. The Vermont is ready to receive her crew; but such is the condition of the recruiting service that it is wholly impossible to say when, if at all, a crew of 800 men for her can be collected. Besides this, the number of men of all classes, employed in our naval service having been limited by law to 7,500, and Congress having failed at its last session to grant to the Navy Department the authority which it asked to enlarge that number, and no means having been appropriated for that purpose, the withdrawal of the Vermont from Commodore Perry's squadron has become unavoidable, because, in addition to the force already in commission, she cannot now be manned without exceeding the number of seamen prescribed by law. It is probable, also, that the necessary delay in preparing the Alleghany for sea may render her services unavailable for the expedition. This, however, will not interfere with the contemplated visit of Commodore Perry to Japan, with a force amply sufficient and well provided for the successful accomplishment of the object of his mission.