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SECNAV writes RADM Louis Goldsborough, European Squadron "Having been appointed to the command of the squadron to be in European waters, you will, as soon as ready, proceed with the Colorado and Frolic, which are to constitute a part of that squadron, to your destination. On your passage out you can touch at the Western Islands, and proceed thence to any port within the limits of your cruising ground hereinafter defined, viz, the Atlantic coast of Europe south of Scotland and west [of] Denmark, the Azores, Madeira, and the Canaries. Until otherwise ordered by the Department you will not cruise beyond these unless an emergency should arise, of which you are to be the judge, requiring it.
    Do not enter any port, unless absolutely necessary, where belligerent privileges may be extended to the United States rebels, or where naval honors are by governmental authority withheld from the flag of the United States. If an emergency should take you into such a port, you will refrain from all the courtesies required by the Navy Regulations in friend]y foreign ports, unless to return salutes, and you will notify the representative of the United States in such port of the tenor of this order.
    You are also forbidden to exchange any of the customary courtesies with foreign officials whom you may meet whose Government extends belligerent privileges to the United States rebels, or denies customary naval courtesies to the United States, and you may advise such officials of this order.
    With all other Governments and official personages it is expected that you will cultivate friendly relations. Your ships and the officers and men of the squadron will be welcomed to European shores with a lively interest, and the Department desires that you will impress upon all under your command the responsibility which attaches to each one in a foreign port as a representative of the United States.
    You will visit as many ports as practicable during the cruising months, and visit and communicate freely with our diplomatic representatives, with whom it is expected there will be cooperation and harmony.
    Everywhere within the limits of your command, and at all times, guard with jealous care the interests and honor of your country, protect and facilitate its commerce, and defend its citizens.
    It is expected that you will furnish the Department with any general information you can obtain which you may deem of value, but particularly with regard to naval matters. You will therefore visit and permit the officers of your command to visit foreign dockyards, vessels, and ordnance manufactories, and gather minute information concerning naval affairs from each country, and communicate the same to the Department.
    Your squadron will consist for the present of the Colorado, Commander R.H. Wyman; Niagara, Commodore T. T. Craven; Sacramento, Captain Henry Walke; Kearsarge, Commander A. D. Harrell; Frolic, Lieutenant-Commander J. H. Upshur, and the Shawmut, Lieutenant-Commander John G. Walker, and you are at liberty to hoist your flag on board either of them, or any one that may join you hereafter, whenever you think proper, although the Colorado is now intended as your flagship.
    You will send the Niagara to Boston, to be there by the 1st of September next. When the cruising season is up, or by the 1st of September at furthest, send the Shawmut to the coast of Brazil, with orders to report to Acting Rear-Admiral S. W. Godon for duty.
    The Guard, now at Boston, loaded with stores for the squadron, will be sent to Cadiz.
    Funds for the squadron will be supplied through Messrs. Baring Brothers & Co., the agents of the Department at London, on whom the paymasters of the several vessels have letters of credit.
    The Department has sent instructions to the commanders of the vessels already in European waters which are to form part of your squadron to take the earliest opportunity after your arrival out to report to you in person or by letter."