V 0 Y A G E 
OF THE 
UNITED STATES FRIGATE POTOMAC. 
CHAPTER I. 
Object of the Cruise — Selection of the Frigate — Her departure from Washington 
Reflections on passing Mount Vernon — Descending the River — Hampton-Roads 
New- York — Additional Orders — Final Departure — Sandy Hook — Dismissing the 
Pilot — Tributes of Affection. 
The United States frigate Guerriere, under the command of 
Commodore Thompson, having nearly fulfilled her term of ser- 
vice on the west coast of South America, in the Pacific, it 
became necessary to despatch another ship-of-vi^ar to relieve her 
on that important station. For this purpose, early in the year 
1831, the Navy Department selected and for the first time put in 
commission the frigate Potomac, then lying at the navy yard in 
Washington city. She had been built at the same place ten 
years previously, and is of the first class of frigates, a fine model, 
and commanding, warlike appearance. 
The ofiicers intended for the cruise had received their orders 
in the early part of the year ; and in the • month of March a 
number of them had repaired on board, and reported themselves 
to the first Heutenant as ready for duty. On the 10th of May 
Commodore Downes was notified of his appointment to the 
command of the Potomac, then fitting for sea at the navy yard 
at Washington, for the purpose of joining the squadron in the 
Pacific. Being at that period employed on other public duties, 
he was only able to visit the frigate once previous , to her re- 
moval from the seat of government. He then left her in the 
