[Journal of the U.S.S. Portsmouth of the African Squadron, U.S. Navy]

Journal of the U.S.S. Portsmouth of the African Squadron, U.S. Navy, organized to protect legitimate American trading activity in western Africa, as well as to suppress "the Slave trade, so far as the Citizens of Flag of the U.S. may be found engaged therein." Includes a letter to the commander of the U.S.S. Dale, sending a copy of the treaty with Britain that authorized the anti-slave trade patrols, and the following order: "Should you meet any of the British Cruisers engaged in the suppression of the Slave trade, you are to communicate freely with them on this service, and whenever it can be done, within the scope of your instructions--cooperate with them for that special Object, always preserving an equal, and independent position." Also includes retained copies of letters and orders issued by Commodore Gregory, among them attempts to assist the victims of the shipwreck of a commercial ship and to ransom Americans held by Arabs; the salvaging operations on the Yorktown; and a brief report on the ill effects of the climate on sailors.