THE MEMORIAL 
 
 OF 
 
 WASHINGTON ALLON BARTLETT, 
 
 LATE A LIEUTENANT IN THE NAVY, 
 
 SETTING FORTH THE SERVICES HE HAS PERFORMED IN THE NAVY AS AN EFFICIENT 
 OFFICER, AND ASKING TO Bl. RESTORED TO HIS ORIGINAL POSITION ON 
 
 THE NAVY J.TST. 
 
 AN APPENDIX 
 
 OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 G. S. GIDEON, PRINTER. 
 1856. 
 
THE MEMORIAL 
 
 OF 
 
 WASHINGTON ALLON BAETLETT, 
 
 LATE A LIEUTENANT IN THE NAVY, 
 
 SETTING FORTH THE SERVICES HE HAS PERFORMED IN THE NAVY AS AN EFFICIENT 
 OFFICER, AND ASKING TO BE RESTORED TO HIS ORIGINAL POSITION ON 
 
 THE NAVY LIST. 
 
 WITH 
 
 AN APPENDIX 
 
 OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 G. S. GIDEON, PRINTER. 
 1856. 
 
MEMORIAL. 
 
 To the Hon. THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 
 Of the United States in Congress assembled: 
 
 The petition of Washington Allon Bartlett, a citizen of the State of 
 Maine, and resident in (he State of New York, late a lieutenant in the 
 Navy of the United States, respectfully representing: 
 
 That, on the 22d of January, in the year 1833, your memorialist 
 was appointed a midshipman in the Navy, having had some previous 
 nautical training at sea; and was ordered, in April of that year, to 
 commence his service at sea, by joining the Vincennes sloop-of-war 
 for a cruise on the Pacific Ocean, which cruise was extended to a 
 period of four years and twelve days, your memorialist returning in the 
 frigate Brandy wine Commodore Wadsworth's flag-ship commanded 
 by Capt. D. Deacon, on the 12ih May, 1837. 
 
 That from that period till July, 1839, your memorialist was various- 
 ly employed "afloat and ashore;" and in preparing for examination to 
 the grade of passed-midshipman, which examination was successfully 
 passed by your memorialist, July the 8th, 1839, your memorialist ob- 
 taining a high rank in his class, being warranted No. 7 in a class of 
 thirty-two; and that then your memorialist was again ordered to sea 
 for the "survey of southern harbors," and at the instance of the 
 Navy Department your memorialist was continued upon surveying 
 duty, mostly at sea, either on surveys specially ordered by acts of Con- 
 gress, or in the department of the "Coast Survey," until November, 
 A. D. 1844, when your memorialist was commissioned a lieutenant in 
 the Navy, and ordered to the sloop-of-war "Portsmouth," Commander 
 John B. Montgomery, for another cruise on the Pacific Ocean, which 
 cruise your memorialist successfully performed, participating in ail the 
 incidents of the war in Mexico in which the Pacific squadron took 
 part, and which obtained for the United States the Territory of Call- 
 
fornia, and the subjugation of the western coast of Mexico; which 
 cruise of three years and six months was ended on the loth day of 
 May, A. I). 1848, or the close of the war. 
 
 Your memorialist. further represents, that in November of the same 
 year he was selected to command the U. S. schooner "Ewing" for an 
 expedition into the Pacific; and again your memorialist passed Cape 
 Horn, and reported his command off San Francisco, ready to com- 
 mence the survey of the western coast of the United States, then com- 
 manding (August, 1849) the attention of the whole commercial world; 
 and that Lieutenant Commanding William P. McArtinir, assistant in 
 the Coast Survey, having charge of the hydrography of the western 
 coast, (arriving out in September,) being then ready to proceed with 
 the work, your memorialist seconded with all possible zeal the urdent 
 efforts of the commandant of the expedition, so that before the close of 
 1850 (being well sustained by the officers engaged on the work) your 
 memorialist was enabled to return and report to the distinguished chief 
 of the Coast Survey, that notwithstanding all the difficult ids, almost 
 insurmountable, under which the expedition had suffered from the ex- 
 cessive temptations to desert, a partial mutiny of the crew, (anil other 
 causes which paralyzed every branch of the public service in that 
 region,) and the exploration of a coast but little known, with the survey 
 of the Columbia river, (up 10 that period known only to mariners by 
 its difficulties and disasters, where two United States vessels of war had 
 been totally lost;) and (hat a good practicable, serviceable, and reliable 
 chart of the entire coast of Oregon and California, from the Columbia 
 river to Monterey, including the entrance to San Francisco, with a de- 
 tailed survey of the mouth of the Columbia from sea to a point fifteen 
 miles within the bar, had been made; which, on being presented to the 
 superintendent, A. 1). Bache, L. L. 1)., was approved, and published 
 to the world, previous to the end of the year, as the joint production of 
 the late lamented Lieut. Com'g Wm. P. McArthur and your memo- 
 rialist. 
 
 And your memorialist avers, that for the successful accomplishment 
 of that work, so laborious and dangerous in its execution which so 
 fully, completely, and safely opened the navigation of the Columbia 
 river, producing results so incalculable in -value to that heretofore 
 sealed territory, and our general commerce obtained for your memo- 
 rialist, as the associate of McArthur, (who died from exposure on the 
 work before he could see the published results of our labors,) high 
 
commendations from the superintendent of the Coast Survey, Profes- 
 sor A. D. Buclie, L. L. D., from the Navy Department, from the 
 committees of Congress, (which passed increased appropriations for the 
 continuance of the survey of the western coast,) from the citizens of 
 Oregon and California, and the commercial interests of the country. 
 
 Your memorialist avers, that he only retired from the command of 
 the work now tendered to'hirn consequent upon McArthur's decease, 
 because your memorialist had been serving on the Pacific for six con- 
 secutive years in all ten years and a half iri that sea and his family 
 now needed his personal attention. 
 
 in this important work, strictly professional and creditable to the 
 Navy, your memorialist had at all times used his utmost zeal and abili- 
 ties to sustain the declining health of the chief of the expedition, and 
 prosecute the work to a successful result; that result is before the world; 
 its value has been everywhere admitted. And your memorialist fur- 
 ther says, that being detached from the Coast Survey, July, 1852, your 
 memorialist, with the full concurrence of the honorable the Secretary 
 of the Navy, was employed by the Treasury Department to proceed to 
 Europe as ^-'special agent" under its orders, with large powers to con- 
 tract for and superintend the construction of the Fresncl Lens lights, 
 ordered by Congress to be illuminated on (he western coast of the 
 United Slates; and that having completed that duty, and closed his 
 disbursement accounts on the books of the Treasury, to the entire satis- 
 faction of the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, in February, 
 1855, your memorialist was again ordered to sea as a lieutenant, and 
 served cheerfully and faithfully as lieutenant, and as 1st lieutenant, and 
 executive officer of the flag-ship of the African squadron, up to the 28th 
 clay of October last, when your memorialist received (being then on 
 board of said flag-ship at (he Cape de Verde islands,) a copy of the 
 following communication, which the honorable the Secretary had ad- 
 dressed to the wife of your memorialist: 
 
 "NAVY DEPARTMENT, Sept. 20th, 1855. 
 
 "MADAM: Your letter of the 18th instant has been received. The 
 board of naval officers, recently convened in Washington in accordance 
 with the law, merely reported the names and ranks of officers who, in 
 their judgment, came within the provisions of the recent act of Con- 
 gress, but not the facts or the grounds upon which their action was 
 based. No charges were preferred against any officer. You will per- 
 
ceive, therefore, that I am unable to comply with your request to know 
 what the charges were against Lieut. Bartlett. 
 
 "I am, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 J. 0. DOBBIN. 
 
 "Mrs. WASHINGTON BARTLETT, New York." 
 
 Thus ended the service of your memorialist. The whole period of 
 Bervice of your memorialist in the Navy was twenty-two years and nine 
 months, of which thirteen years and nine months have been passed in 
 actual sea service, seven years on "other duty," arid only two years 
 "unemployed;" but this time rated as "unemployed" was not passed 
 in idleness, but in the prosecution of the study of the Spanish and 
 French languages, the political history, laws, and decisions of the United 
 States, and commercial, admiralty, and international law, the better to 
 prepare your memorialist for (he intelligent performance of those duties 
 which subsequent years and higher rank should impose upon him. 
 
 And your memorialist further says, that while the conquest and 
 pacification of California was in progress, your memorialist being then 
 a lieutenant of the "Portsmouth," and having assisted in the taking 
 possession of the northern department of California, was called by 
 Commander Montgomery, commandant of the northern department, 
 by the election of the people, (at the first election held under our flag 
 in the Territory,) and by the approval and full concurrence of Commo- 
 dore the Hon. Robert F. Stockton, governor and commander-in-chief 
 of the Territory, to the performance of functions of civil office and ad- 
 ministration, of high 'trust and responsibility, to wit: To the office of 
 the chief magistracy of the town and district of San Francisco, (Sep- 
 tember, 1846,) and judge of first instance; and by appointment to the 
 office of " collector" and superintendent of the port, and judge in ad- 
 miralty in all maritime cases occurring in the northern department. 
 And your memorialist confidently avers, that lie acquitted himself in 
 these various offices to the entire satisfaction of our Government and 
 the community, whether native or foreign, who Hocked to that port, 
 and ever received, and continues to receive, high praise for this service 
 from the various chiefs who commanded the department, and the gov- 
 ernor general, who were best informed of the severity and value of the 
 labors of your memorialist; and your memorialist only surrendered the 
 charge of these varied duties when the administration of the govern- 
 
ment of the Territory fell into the hands of the late General Kearny, 
 and the naval forces proceeded to the occupation of Lower California, 
 Sonora, and the coast of Mexico proper. 
 
 And your memorialist also avers, that it was in grateful remembrance 
 of these well-performed services, in the early history of our occupation 
 of that city and Territory, since so famous as the great commercial won- 
 der of our country, and the salutary and intelligent basis upon which 
 the various archives were established, that in 1850 your memorialist 
 was invited by the "bar" of San Francisco, to present himself for ex- 
 amination as a counsellor of the supreme court of the State, and was 
 duly qualified and commissioned as such; and your memorialist avers 
 that this mark of consideration, esteem, and reward for civil service 
 yet strictly a necessity of naval conquest was a compliment paid to 
 his naval commission. 
 
 And your memorialist declares, that during his whole period of service 
 he has done his whole duty, and ever been "efficient" both ' -ashore 
 and afloat;" and that, at no period of that service has any charge or 
 complaint ever been brought against him by any commander, captain, 
 or commander-in-chicf, or the Navy Department; that your memorialist 
 has never been made the subject of a naval court-martial or court of in- 
 quiry; ever arrested, suspended, or reprimanded by any superior officer, 
 since he has had the honor to hold an appointment or commission in 
 the Navy. 
 
 And your memorialist knows, that he has ever had, and still has, the 
 respect, confidence and esteem, as an officer and gentleman, of every 
 commander, captain, or Commander-in-chief under whom he has had 
 the honor to serve in any capacity; the Secretaries of the Navy; the 
 superintendent of the Coast Survey; ex-Governor General Joseph Lane, 
 who was governor of Oregon while your memorialist served on the 
 coast of that Territory, and the Hon. ex-Senator Stockton, late com- 
 modore and governor of California, than whom the army or navy never 
 had more gallant and accomplished chieftains. 
 
 And your memorialist refers to the annexed documents, (A,) Appen- 
 dix, to show in what manner your memorialist was held and esteemed 
 as an efficient officer, by all his superior and junior officers, and the petty 
 officers and crew of the present flag-ship of the African squadron, where 
 your memorialist held the responsible and delicate post of 1st lieutenant 
 and executive officer of a cruising frigate, down to the 28th October 
 
8 
 
 last, and where your memorialist would still be on "sea service," but 
 for the action of the late "board." 
 
 But your memorialist has to state, that all this has availed him noth- 
 ing to sustain him in his commission as an "efficient" officer of the 
 Navy; for by the act of Congress of the 28th February, A. D. 1S55, 
 entitled An act to promote the efficiency of the Navy, a board of officers 
 was created, which "board," acted upon by some influence or allega- 
 tions unknown to your memorialist and to the Navy Department (see 
 the letter of the 20lh September, before quoted) has recommended 
 to the President of the United States that the name of your memorial- 
 ist should be "stricken from the rolls," and in accordance with such 
 recommendation or opinion, unaccompanied by charges, facts, or proofs 
 of any kind to direct the judgment of the Executive, the name of your 
 memorialist has been stricken from the rolls; and the information, so 
 astonishing to your memorialist, reached him when in the full perform- 
 ance of his duties on the coast of Africa. Your memorialist, with the 
 "regrets," and bearing with him the highest commendations of his 
 commanders, brother officers, and crew, was permitted to return to the 
 United States. 
 
 Your memorialist will not detain the Congress of the United States 
 with any argument or proof of the baneful effects of this law upon the 
 iustice and sympathies of the country for its Navy, and its still more 
 baneful results upon the chivalry and esprit du corps of a service which 
 has never had its escutcheon tarnished before the enemies of the coun- 
 try, but has now received a staggering blow from the mistaken zeal of 
 its friends, urged on by a few within its own bosom, till an inquisitorial 
 court has been created, and acted in a manner which shocks every 
 sentiment of justice inherent in a free people. 
 
 It is sufficient for your memorialist to say, that he believes, (and in 
 this opinion is sustained by the best legal talent of the country,) that 
 the law itself is clearly within the description of "acts" so ably de- 
 scribed by our great commentators, Marshall, Story, and Kent, in the 
 great text-books of the law as ex post facto, and therefore unconsti- 
 tutional; but if not unconstitutional, and therefore justly upon the 
 statute as a measure of naval reform and progress, the more than 
 extraordinary manner in which it has been executed, the Department 
 instructing the board that its action was only "advisory," and the 
 President, that the finding of the board was "mandatory," or to that 
 effect; hastily, inconsiderately, without notice to parties, without any 
 
pretence of having been guided by rules of evidence known to every 
 schoolboy in the land, and in a manner so utterly repugnant to the 
 great principles of civil liberty, or the laws of courts-martial which guar- 
 antee that the accused shall have the RIGHT to confront his accusers and 
 witnesses, and meet them face to face; that the law and its action is 
 obnoxious to the great majority of those who have been temporarily 
 benefited by it; that without any of these rights being considered as 
 attaching to the holder of an honorable commission, your memorialist 
 has been assaulted in the dark, stricken down in secret, and has appealed 
 in vain to know why and wherefore. See the annexed correspondence 
 with the president of the board. 
 
 In that great charter of our liberties, to which the name of JOHN 
 HANCOCK and JOSIAH BARTLETT are attached, who, with CHARLES 
 CARROLL of CARROLTON, and their immortal associates, "pledged 
 their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors to maintain," leaving 
 it as an imperishable legacy of honor and renown to their descendants, 
 it is charged that one of the high crimes which England had committed 
 against her loyal colonies was the transportation of colonial citizens 
 beyond sea. and putting them under trial, where they had no counsel, no 
 documents, no witnesses, to sustain them in defence. This law and its 
 execution has been less merciful, is less defensible, than those tyrannical 
 acts for the country furnished citizens with honorable commissions, 
 and sent them abroad in its service to uphold the honor of the country, 
 and cause her flag to be respected on dangerous seas and sickly coasts; 
 and, as a reward for such service, well performed, and proudly stated 
 to the world as the gallant conduct of American officers, "ROLANDO" 
 and "MAFFIT" are "furloughed;" Maury is "retired;" "Stevens," 
 "Walbach," "Sterrett," "Shaw," and scores of other meritorious and 
 "efficient" officers, who are proving their efficiency at this moment, are 
 retired, furloughed, or "dropped." 
 
 Therefore your memorialist appeals to the Congress of the nation to 
 be heard in his defence, and his commission and original position in 
 the navy for which he has battled the enemies of his country, the 
 storms of the ocean, and the pestilence of sickly coasts, (yet, through 
 the mercy of God, possessed of a constitution and health which fits him 
 for every duty, ashore or afloat) shall be restored to him. 
 
 And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 
 
 WASH'N ALLON BARTLETT. 
 2 
 
10 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Letter from Commander F. B. Ellison, U. S. Navy. 
 
 HEMPSTEAD, LONG ISLAND, Jarfy Mth, 1856. 
 DEAR SIR: In reply to your request that 1 would state my opin- 
 ion of your efficiency as an officer, and your deportment as a gentle- 
 man, during our recent association on board the "Jamestown," where 
 you served under my command, I with great pleasure say, that in 
 every particular, as a zealous and capable officer, and a well-informed, 
 intelligent gentleman, I regarded you as most exemplary. Commo- 
 dore Grabbe frequently expressed himself to me in very warm terms of 
 you as a highly accomplished officer, and like expressions were made 
 from all your messmates in the ward-room, showing a uniformity of 
 opinion throughout the ship. 
 
 Sincerely trusting that the error which seems to have been made in 
 your case may speedily be rectified, and that you may be honorably 
 restored to your former position in the Navy, 
 I am, very truly, 
 
 Your obed't servant and friend, 
 
 FRAS. B. ELLISON, 
 
 Commander U. S. Navy. 
 W. A. BARTLETT, Esq., 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Testimonial of Commodore Crabbe, U. S. Navy. 
 
 U. S. SHIP JAMESTOWN, 
 
 PORTO GRANDE, Oct. 23d, 1855. 
 
 SIR: I have received your letter of this day's date, containing a copy 
 of a letter from the honorable Secretary of the Navy to Mrs. Bartlett, 
 [the same published in the body of the memorial,] in relation to your 
 retirement from the Navy of the United States. 
 
 Although I have not received anything official from the Department 
 upon the subject, yet the Hon. Secretary's letter to Mrs. Bartlett, and 
 the reasons set forth by yourself, will no doubt justify rne in relieving 
 you from further duty on board this ship. In doing so, howeVer, I 
 cannot avoid saying that I deeply regret the loss of your services. Your 
 
11 
 
 gentlemanly and officer-like bearing, whilst under my command; has 
 uniformly met my -warmest approbation. 
 
 I am, with great respect, your obd't serv't, 
 
 THOMAS CRABBE, 
 Commander-in-chief of U. S. 
 
 Naval Forces, Coast of Africa. 
 To Lieut. W. A. BARTLETT, 
 
 U. S. Ship "Jamestown." 
 
 Testimonial of Lieut. Comd'g Jas. F. Armstrong. 
 
 U. S. FLAG-SHIP "JAMESTOWN," 
 PORTO GRANDE, ST. VINCENT, Oct. 23d, 1855. 
 DEAR SIR: In forwarding you the enclosed letter from Commodore 
 Crabbe, relieving you from further duty in this ship, I beg leave to 
 assure you of my deepest regret for the cause that has produced it, and 
 for the interruption of an intercourse arid association always confiden- 
 tial, harmonious, and friendly. 
 
 I shall ever esteem you in your character as an officer and gentleman, 
 and in parting from you tender you my si nee rest wishes for your restora- 
 tion to the service, and for your future welfare. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 
 JAS. FRANCIS ARMSTRONG, 
 
 Lieut. Commanding. 
 Lieut. WASH'N A. BARTLETT, U. S. S. Jamestown. 
 
 Testimonial of all the Commissioned Officers of the United States 
 Flag-ship Jamestown. 
 
 PORTO GRANDE, ST. VINCENT, 
 
 October 2kth, 1855. 
 
 DEAR SIR: We entertain too high an appreciation of your character 
 as a gentleman and an officer, and too warm a regard for you as a 
 messmate and friend, to allow you to leave us without saying to you, 
 in the sincerity of our hearts, that we deeply regret that you are about 
 to part from us, and, above all, the cause that takes you away. 
 
 In the difficult and responsible relation that you have sustained to 
 us, as executive officer of the ship, you have ever, whilst discharging 
 your duties with fidelity, borne yourself towards us with the utmost 
 frankness, conciliation, and courtesy. And, in the more intimate and 
 kindly relation, as a member of the little society that we form amongst 
 ourselves, and which can subsist in harmony only by mutual cultiva- 
 tion of friendly feelings and the practice of friendly offices, you have 
 endeared yourself to us by your uniform amiability of disposition, and 
 by the desire that you have ever evinced to cherish the most cordial 
 intercourse with us all. 
 
12 
 
 We therefore beg to assure you, that in parting from us you are 
 taking leave of those who will ever remember you with pleasure, and 
 who, whatever fortunes may betide you, will always continue your 
 well-wishers and friends. 
 
 Ever, very truly, yours, 
 
 GEO. CLYMER, 
 
 Fleet Surgeon, ranking with Commander. 
 
 T. H. PATTERSON, Lieutenant. 
 
 EDWARD N. BARNETT, Lieutenant. 
 
 T. M. TAYLOR, Purser, (rank of Commander.) 
 
 JULIAN MYERS, Lieutenant. 
 
 SAM'L RICH'D SWANN, Ass*t Surgeon. 
 
 JOHN L. HEYLEN, Commodore's Secretary. 
 
 JNO. E. HART, Acting Master and Lieut. 
 
 JAS. M. BRADFORD, Act'g Lieut. 
 
 CHAS. W. THOMAS, Chaplain. 
 
 LT. WASHINGTON A. BARTLETT. 
 
 Letter from the Junior Officers of the Jamestown. 
 UNITED STATES SHIP JAMESTOWN, 
 
 PORTO GRANDE, ST. VINCENT, Oct'r 21th, 1855. 
 SIR: You are about to return to your home; in so doing the members 
 of the steerage feel it their duty to express to you their deep regret, 
 and their sincere gratitude for the extreme kindness with which you 
 have universally treated them, during the time they have had the plea- 
 sure of being under your command. You may be assured that, after 
 your leaving us, you will ever be cherished in our memory with feel- 
 ings of the highest regard and esteem, in your character as an officer 
 and gentleman. 
 
 Sir, we bid you, with sorrow, a hearty farewell; with many wishes 
 for your future welfare and happiness, 
 
 Believe us, very respectfully, your obed't servants, 
 
 N/B. CONCKLIN, M. Mate. 
 C. W. LAWRENCE, M. Male. 
 VAL HALL VOORHEES, M. Mate. 
 O. N. HENCKEL, M. Mate. 
 H. B.JOHNSON, C. Clerk. 
 LIEUT. W. A. BARTLETT, U. 8. Navy. 
 
 Letter from the Warrant Officers of the U. S. Ship Jamestown. 
 
 PORTO GRANDE, ST. VINCENT, 
 
 October 26//*, 1855. 
 
 SIR: It is with feelings of the most heartfelt sorrow that we address 
 these few lines to you. 
 You are about to return to your home, and we, as officers, who 
 
13 
 
 have taken pleasure in being under your command, cannot think of 
 your leaving us without expressing our thanks for the gentlemanly 
 manner in which we have been treated by you. 
 Your name will ever live fresh in our memories. 
 Hoping that you may succeed in all your undertakings, we remain, 
 Yours, truly, 
 
 WILLIAM COPE, Gunner. 
 JOHN McKiNLEY, Boatswain. 
 JOSEPH R. SMITH, Carpenter. 
 LIEUT. VV. A. BARTLETT, U. S. Navy. 
 
 Testimonial from the Petty Officers and Crew of the "Jamestown." 
 
 U. S. SHIP JAMESTOWN, 
 OFF PORTO GRANDE, 29th Oct., 1855. 
 
 SIR: In the discharge of my duties as saiimaker of this ship, I have 
 learned much of the disposition of the crew, and the feeling they have 
 toward you, particularly during the time you have served as executive 
 officer; and beg leave to state, that they, being aware of your intended 
 departure for the States, have expressed a wish to me, and through me, 
 to testify their regret that you have occasion to leave them prior to the 
 end of the cruise. 
 
 Since I have been attached to the Navy I have seen other officers 
 who have gained the esteem of their ship's company, but never to such 
 a degree as you have from the hardy sons of Neptune comprising this 
 ship's crew. Your capabilities as a lieutenant, and your bearing as an 
 officer and gentleman, have won their admiration, and they say they 
 cannot let you depart without this token of their gratitude and their 
 esteem. 
 
 Very respectfully, yours, &c., 
 
 WJVL N. MAUL, Saiimaker. 
 Approved 
 
 WM. PLUMMER, Captain Forecastle. 
 
 JAMES YOUNG, Captain Fore-top. 
 
 HENRY P. GRACE, Captain Main-top. 
 
 CHARLES STEWART, Captain Mizen-top. 
 
 THOMAS VV". MCCREADY, Captain After-guard. 
 
 THOMAS KITCHEN, Captain Hold. 
 
 DAVID ESBECK, Signal Quartermaster. 
 
 GEORGE POTTER, Boatswain' 's Mate. 
 
 WILLIAM THOMAS, Saiimaker 's Mate. 
 
 JOHN H. LOVELESS, Carpenter's Mate. 
 
 DANIEL HUSSEY, Gunnels Mate. 
 
 JOHN D. GORMAN, Master-at-arms. 
 
 CHARLES SWANSON, Yeoman. 
 
 JAMES MCFARLAND, Cooper. 
 
14 
 
 P. S. They all wish to sign and approve, but as it would occupy 
 too much time, and too large a space, I could only permit one from 
 each part of the ship, who bears testimony as to the sentiments of the 
 gangs to which they are attached. 
 
 W. N. MAUL. 
 
 U. S. SURVEYING SCHOONER "EwiNG," 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 12tk, 1850. 
 
 SIR: You will proceed to Washington by the first opportunity, car- 
 rying with you the results of our labors for the past season. 
 
 Immediately on your arrival at. Washington you will report to the 
 Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey, and lay before him our 
 work and reports. 
 
 You will also inform the Superintendent, in detail, the peculiar 
 situation of the country, and the wants of the survey, on this coast. 
 
 It only remains for me to thank you for the zealous assistance you 
 have afforded me since your attachment to this vessel, and to wish a 
 happy reunion with your family and friends. 
 
 1 am, respectfully and truly, yours, 
 
 WM. P. McARTHUR, 
 Lieut. Comd J g and Assistant U. S. Coast Survey. 
 
 W. A. BARTLETT, Lieutenant. 
 
 Reported Willis Station, Nov. 26th, 1850. 
 
 A. D. BACHE. 
 
 Letter from the Hon. John Y. Mason, ex- Secretary of the Navy, to 
 Hon. James Guthrie, Secretary of the Treasury. 
 
 PARIS, September 2, 1854. 
 
 DEAR SIR: Lieutenant Bartiett, of the United States Navy, is about 
 leaving Paris, on his return to the United States. It gives me great 
 pleasure to bear my testimony to the care and vigilance with which 
 this gentleman has performed his responsible duties since I have been 
 here, and to express my admiration of the splendid lights which have 
 been manufactured under his supervision for the coasts of the United 
 States. 
 
 1 do not believe that there are in the world superior mechanical 
 structures for the safety of commerce than those which have been pre- 
 pared here under the superintendence of Mr. Bartiett. The chief 
 credit is unquestionably due to the faithful and skilful manufacturers, 
 but no small share is, in my judgment, due to Mr. Bartiett, who has 
 displayed zeal, industry and intelligence in the performance of his 
 duties. I hope that you will not consider me obtrusive in thus ex- 
 
pressing my admiration of the Lens lights prepared here for the exposed 
 and dangerous coasts of my country. 
 
 I have the honor to be, most respectfully, 
 
 J. Y. MASON. 
 Hon. JAMES GUTHRIE, 
 
 Secretary of the Treasury, Washington. 
 
 H STREET, WASHINGTON, D. O., 
 
 January 16, 1856. 
 
 SIR: I acknowledge the receipt of your letter. 
 
 The board of which I was the senior officer, and of the action of 
 which you complain, having some time since completed the duty 
 assigned it, has been, as I suppose you know, dissolved by the author- 
 ity by which it was appointed; and I am of the opinion that no indi- 
 vidual of its late members is competent to speak for it in relation to 
 the matters which came before it, or of the grounds on which any of 
 its decisions were made. 
 
 No inference, either favorable or unfavorable, should be drawn from 
 my conduct towards any person whose name may have been embraced 
 in the report of the board, as to my individual opinion in relation to 
 him, or as to my vote in his case; it has always been my endeavor to 
 keep my social relations free from influence by anything of an un- 
 pleasant nature that may occur in the discharge of my official duties. 
 With due respect, I am, &c., &c., 
 
 W. B. SHUBRICK. 
 WASHINGTON A. BARTLETT, Esq. 
 
 Testimonial of Commodore E. A. F. Lavallette on the services of 
 Lt. Bartlett in the Pacific Squadron. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, January 23d, 1856. 
 
 DEAR SIR: I have received your letter of the 22d instant, in which 
 you state, that "while absent from the country, serving as 1st lieutenant 
 of the flag-ship of the African squadron, it has pleased the late 'Navy 
 Board' to present my name to the President to be stricken from the rolls 
 as lieutenant in the Navy. 
 
 "I have had the honor to serve under your command as a midship- 
 man, and again as a lieutenant, commanding the armed prize brig 
 Argo in the Gulf of California, and in the attack on Guaymas, and iis 
 occupation. On that occasion you did me the honor to assign me to 
 the most advanced post, on the night previous to the attack, out of 
 supporting distance of the guns of the squadron, and out of sight, being 
 covered by the island which separated me from the squadron. 
 
 "How did i bear myself on that occasion? Did I meet your expecta- 
 tions or not? 
 
16 
 
 "From 3 r our knowledge of me, my abilities and acquirements, was or 
 was I not an efficient officer of the Pacific squadron during the Mexican 
 war?" 
 
 In answer, I have to slate, that your foregoing statements of our 
 operations in the Gulf of Mexico are correct in every particular. Your 
 conduct on that occasion not only met my approbation, but the activity, 
 energy, and skill which you displayed in getting your gun landed, 
 merited and the effect which it produced, by your management, upon 
 the works of the enemy entitled you to the highest praise. 
 
 Your abilities and acquirements I considered quite equal to any of 
 your grade, and very superior to very many of them. I certainly viewed 
 you as an efficient officer of the Pacific squadron. 
 I am, respectfully, 
 
 Your obe'dt serv't, 
 
 E. A. F. LAYALLETTE. 
 WASH'N A. BARTLETT, Esq., 
 
 Late Lieut. U. S. Navy, Washington City, D. C.