Official Dispatches And Letters Of Rear Admiral Du Pont, U.s. Navy, 1846-48 And 1861-63

OFFICIAL DISPATCHES - AND - LETTERS REAR ADMIRALVu PONT, U. S. NAVY - 1883 - SAMUEL FRANCIS DU PONT, Rear Admiral- United States Navy, was born at Bergen Point, New Jersey, September 27th, 1803, of French parentage and descent. He was the son of Victor-Marie Du Pont and Gabrielle - Josephine de la Fite de Pelleport, daughter of the Marquis de Pelleport. Du Pont de Nemours, Admiral Du Ponts grandfather, well known for his long connection with public affairs in France, came to America with his sons during the dosing months of the last century. After a temporary sojourn in New York and New Jersey, the sons established themselves in Delaware, of which State they became citizens. Admiral Du Pont was appointed a midshipman in the navy by President Monroe, on the 19th of. December, 1815, and for almost fifty years faithfully served his country. Believing that the official dispatches, relating to the wars in which he took part, would be of interest to his .family and friends, his widow has had them printed., LOUVIERS, June, 1883. OFFICIAL DISPATCHES ADMIRAL MEXICAN WAR. PONT. United States Ship Cyane, Port of San Diego, Wednesday, July zgth, 1846. Commodore R. F. STOCKTON, Commander-in-Chief, etc., United States Frigate Congress, San Pedro SIR -I have to report that, after a rapid passage, I anchored here at meridian to-day, and at 4 oclock p. m. the American flag was hoisted by Lieutenant Rowan, and the place immediately garrisoned by the marine guard. So soon as time had been allowed for this, Brevet-Major Fremont landed with a portion of his troops the boats having pulled- some distance up the river, it was not possible nor necessary to make a second trip, but all will follow at daylight.Owing to the scarcity of water, the camp will have to be located near the Presidio. Immediately after our arrival twoor three mounted men appeared at the port, and on the heights, reconnoitring, and soon after a band of horses, some owned by Americans, were driven off, from near the hide-houses, with great speed. This operation, witnessed from the ship, was performed by Andreas Pico, a brother to Pio Pico. OFFICIAL DISPA TCIlES OF I have directed Lieutenant Rowan to secure him, as the possession of his person, besides commanding any number of horses, will be of service otherwise it is thought he will give himself .up on parole. Upon an emphatic demand being made of the Prefect, the horses driven off were brought back in the evening. I have further to inform you that I arrived just in time to prevent the sailing of the Juanita, hermaphro- dite brig, that was unmooring when we came in. She came in here with a Mexican flag, having been to Mazatlan with a Mexican pass so reports her supercargo. Immediately on hoisting our colors she showed the Hawaiian flag her crew were shipped to-day the second Alcaldi of San Diego was on board of her, and Andreas Pico had been down just before we an- chored. She gave out that she was bound to San Pedro but if the report that Castro is nine miles from here be true, my impression is that he was to have embarked in her this afternoon if not, to go on board of her at some near point on the coast. She has recently changed owners her captain is at the Pueblo, according to the supercargo, detained there on business, but, by the mates account, by sickness. Alto- gether being very suspicious, I took upon nlyseif to detain her for the present, and thus cut offCastros retreat by sea. The little chart of the coast I had was of ser- vice, though not correct by any means. I intend to have a line of soundings run. I found this ship very deficient in her supply of charts, Arrowsmiths be- ing very incorrect fortunately I had the coarse litho- graphed one of this part of the coast, procured at the Sandwich Islands, which is more accurate. This was fortunate, for I had no observations from the day I ADMIRAL S. F. DUPONT...