APPENDIX. 
625 
an occurrence will require, on the part of the vessels under your command, 
the utmost vigilance. 
Among the accompanying papers, you will find a copy of the General 
Instructions issued in relation to piracy and the slave-trade ; they may 
be applicable to cases which may arise within the range of your command, 
although specially designed for another station. . 
Misrepresentations, arising, no doubt, inmost instances, from misappre- 
hension and partial information, have often found their way to the pubhc 
papers, to the injury of the service and the prejudice of our government. 
This renders it proper that you should endeavour to prevent communica- 
tions from those under your command, respecting the. movements of the 
squadron and your official transactions, which may possibly reach the 
public in such a manner. 
The propriety of such publications must be left to the government, 
which will take care to afford full information, from the authentic means 
in its possession, of whatever the interests of the nation will permit to be 
made known. 
You may receive on board the vessels of your squadron specie and 
other articles, permitted by the act of Congi-ess for the better government 
of the navy, belonging exclusively to our own citizens, and carry them from 
one port or place to another, when it does not interfere in any degree with 
your other more ilnportant duties, or infringe the laws of the country 
where such articles are to be received or carriiid ; and, also, on your return 
to the United States, you may bring with you gold, silver, and jewels, the 
property of our own citizens. But our national vessels ought not, and 
must. not, be used for purposes of commercial adventure; and you are,, 
in no case, to allow any thing in the shape of a public advertisement, 
giving information that you will carry such articles. So many complaints 
have been made on this subject, that I must impress upon you the necessity 
of avoiding every thing which may give rise to unfriendly comments. In 
order that the government may be informed of the extent to which the 
commercial interests of our citizens have been benefited on this point, 
and be prepared to answer any inquiries on this subject, you will, from 
time to time, make reports of all the specie, &c. carried, the places to and 
from which it may be taken, and the circumstances and conditions under 
which you do it. 
The health of your officers and crews will demand unceasing attention ; 
the moral conduct and professional acquirements of the junior officers, 
the exercise of constant watchfulness. 
Rigid discipline, exactly enforced, is essential to maintain the reputa- 
tion of the navy, and it must not for one moment be neglected. You a,re 
perfectly aware, that a firm and energetic course on the part of the supe- 
rior, accompanied by mild, humane, and gentlemanly deportment, is the 
best mode of accomplishing, in a satisfactory manner, the various objects 
intrusted to your command. • 
It is also especially necessary that commanding officers should guard 
against the influence of feelings of partiality or prejudice in the treatment 
of inferiors. Every officer is entitled to, and must enjoy, all the privi- 
leges of rank and station. Whenever these are permitted to one and 
