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SECNAV writes CMDR George F Pearson, USN "You have been selected by the Department to relieve Acting Rear-Admiral Charles H. Bell of the command of the Pacific Squadron, and will, as soon as your necessary preparations are completed, proceed by the California steamer to Panama. Should you not find Acting Rear-Admiral Bell at Panama, you can pursue the most advisable steps for falling in with him, governing yourself by the information you may obtain of his movements. As he has been advised that he is to be relieved, it is not at all unlikely he will be at Panama at an early day. On taking command you will hoist the flag of an acting rear-admiral and will be regarded as such.
    The vessels at present comprising the squadron are the steamers Lancaster, Commander H. K. Davenport; Saranac, Commodore C. H. Poor; Waterce, Commander F. K. Murray; Narragansett, Commander S. E. Woodworth, and Saginaw, Commander William E. Hopkins; the sloops of war St. Marys, Captain Edward Middleton, and Cyane, Lieutenant-Commander H. L. Law. The storeships Parrallones, at Acapulco, and Fredonia, at Callao, are also a part of the command.
    Orders have recently been sent out for the Narragansett to proceed to New York, where new boilers for her are ready, and if she shall not have sailed on your taking command of the squadron you will direct her to do so without delay.
    The Department will endeavor to increase the squadron as soon as the present emergency will allow, and expects to dispatch to the Pacific at an early day one of the new double-end iron steamers.
    It is scarcely necessary for the Department to give you specific or detailed instructions for your guidance. It relies upon your experience in the service and your judgment to conduct properly the duties of your command. Your aim and object will be,in a few words, to protect as far as the means in your command will permit our countrymen residing abroad, to preserve our commerce in the Pacific from the depredations of piratical cruisers, to maintain the honor and discipline of the Navy, and to advance by all proper means the interests of your Government.
    The large number of our citizens and the vast amount of treasure crossing the Isthmus of Darien render it necessary that one of the vessels of the squadron should be always kept in the Bay of Panama to give aid and protection if at any time required.
    Attempts have at times been made by the Government of New Granada to collect a tax, known as the tonnage tax, from our citizens engaged in commercial pursuits on the Isthmus. We have never admitted the right of that Government to levy such a tax, and have always resisted its collection. Our citizens engaged in commercial pursuits on the Isthmus have been guaranteed certain rights by the Government of New Granada, and you will always be prompt to use all justifiable measures in preventing an abridgment of them. That you may be better informed on this important subject, I transmit herewith an extract from the instructions given by the Department to Commodore William Mer- vine, January 2, 1857, and a copy of a dispatch addressed by the Secretary of State to the U. S. minister to Granada, February 27, 1802, and communicated to this Department.
    I send you by mail copies of the printed general orders and circulars of the Department, laws of the last session of Congress, act for the better government of the Navy, uniform regulations and plates, and Harwoods Summary Courts-Martial for your guidance.
    Communicate frequently with the Department, and keep it advised of your proceedings and contemplated movements."

RADM Samuel P Lee, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "About sunset last evening two officers arrived here in boats, one by sea and the other by the sound, informing me that the transport Aphrodite, with 400 navy recruits under Commander Clary, was ashore north of Cape Lookout, and I immediately dispatched the Keystone State, Commander Crosby, and the Shokokon, Acting Master Sheldon, properly provided, to her relief.
    It appears that the Aphrodite ran ashore 12 or 15 miles north of Cape Lookout light (which was in full sight and the sky clear) at 4 a. m. yesterday. The weather last night was very mild and the sea smooth, and although one of the officers from the vessel reported that she was bilged, I hope this is not so, and that if the weather and sea do not prevent it to-day, she may be got off. As soon as the pending case before the court-martial now in session here is concluded, I will proceed to the scene of disaster. I propose sending the draft of men to Hampton Roads, whence I presume it will be convenient to the Department to dispatch them to their destination."