OR,

A CRUISE IN THE UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP

OF

THE GULF SQUADRON,

DURING THE MEXICAN DIFFICULTIES;

TOGETHER WITH

SKETCHES OF THE MEXICAN WAR,

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES TO THE CAPTURE OF THE
CITY OF MEXICO.

BY

REV. FITCH W. TAYLOR, A. M., U. S. N.

=

AUTHOR OF "THE FLAG SHIP;" "A VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD;" ELLA
V—, OR THE JULY TOUR," ETC.

"A noble Frigate in the stream was lying,

And at her gaff her Nation's Flag was flying;

THE BROAD BLUE PENNANT floated at her main,

In heaven's own coloring and starry train;

Her low, dark hull in symmetry and grace,
Loomed on the view as she rode in her place;
And her tall, slight spars tapered in their height,
Herself a thing of beauty to the sight."

NEW-YORK:

LEAVITT, TROW & CO., 191 BROADWAY.

E

410

·T24

ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by
LEAVITT, TROW, & CO.

In the Clerk's office of the District Court for the Southern District of
New-York.

SIR:

HON. JOHN Y. MASON,

SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES has always been regarded by the American people with a feeling of kindness and a desire to give to it a liberal support. It is this generous confidence of the nation which secures an elevated tone to the character of the naval officer, and gives to him a spirit of daring when called on for action, which renders him equal to any emergency connected with his profession. Success, as a consequence in the course of his duty, becomes almost a matter of course. The approbation of his Government and his own individual fame constitute the controlling motives of his action; and in meeting the responsibilities of his profession, his triumph or defeat becomes the standard by which his honor or disgrace is to be measured. It has been within my own opportunity, for a few years past, to note the spirit which prevails among our naval officers. And I am sure, that whatever may be their ties of earth in their social relations (and their attachments are as ardent as are those of any other class of men), they yet would regard at any moment, an opportunity to peril their lives in the accomplishment of an achievement which should accord glory to their country and individual fame to themselves, as an acceptable occurrence, and one they would gladly welcome and anxiously court. Let, then, the Government continue to this