Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Commander Clifford H. West
NAVY DEPARTMENT
Washington, June 25, 1898.
SIR:-
The Department has reason to believe that a considerable quantity of provisions, etc., are being taken from ports in Yucatan to the Isle of Pines and ports on south side of Cuba.
You will, therefore, proceed with the Princeton under your command and make a cruise along the North and East coast of Yucatan, touching at such ports as you consider desirable.
You will investigate this question of the shipment of provisions and supplies to Cuba and report to the Department, preferably by telegraph, when possible.
Your stay in each port should be no longer than necessary. Upon completing this investigation, you will proceed to Key West, and report to the Senior Officer for duty in the North Atlantic Squadron.
You are authorized to touch at Key West for coal on your passage down.
Respectfully,
(Signed) John D. Long.
Secretary.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 232. At top right corner: “John D. Long./Secretary./121682.” Addressed below close: “Commanding Officer/U.S.S. Princeton,/Navy Yard, League Island, Pa.” At bottom right corner: “JES.” At bottom left corner: “(COPY).”
