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CDR George Henry Preble, USS State of Georgia, writes SECNAV from Aspinwall, New Grenada "I have the honor to report that on receiving the enclosed letter from the U. S. consul at Cartagena I thought it advisable, though the occasion he mentions had passed, to show our flag at that port. Accordingly, I left Aspinwall on the evening of the 26th ultimo, after the departure of the mail steamer for New York, and proceeded to Cartagena, where we anchored on the evening of the 28th.
    On arrival I saluted the town and received the usual return salute. I also saluted our consul on his visiting the ship.
    The next day the U. S. S. Connecticut, Captain Boggs, arrived from Curacao and saluted the town, and learning from me the news of Lee's surrender, honored that great event with a national salute and display of flags, in which I joined. The next day we received a visit from the president of the state and the English and Italian consuls, who were suitably honored.
    Our consul at Cartagena informs me that the state authorities there have been recently levying forced and illegal contributions upon foreigners, which he has paid for himself and countrymen under protest. He also informed me that he had communicated with our minister at Bogota on the subject. The presence and salutes of our vessels he thought would have a very beneficial effect.
    Leaving Cartagena again on the afternoon of the 30th, we arrived here on the morning of the 2d, to learn the sad news of the dastardly assassination of President Lincoln. The Connecticut coming in soon after I communicated the news to her, and both vessels, in concert with all the shipping and flags on shore, wore ensigns at half-mast through the day. On the receipt of the Department order on the subject, I communicated a copy to Captain Boggs, and the next day we carried out its instructions."

CAPT Cicero Price, USS Jamestown, writes SECNAV from Macao, China "I arrived here on this ship on the 22d of April, and found orders to [go to] Mare Island, San Francisco.
    I found at Hongkong new sails for the ship, more, in fact, than are required, for, under the uncertainty of receiving them, I had to have one or two new ones made and others extensively repaired.
    I delivered to Dr. Vedder his resignation,, accepted by the Department, to take effect on the 30th of April, and also to Paymaster Wade the communication addressed to him by the Department of the ---.
    Nothing more has been heard here of the Shenandoah since she left Melbourne, although rumor has had her all over the China Sea, to the delight of English interests. I think, however, that the Government functionaries of that nation do not desire to see her in their ports, for they realize more and more the responsibility of giving hospitality to such pirates as she and the Alabama."

CDR Foxhall A Parker, Potomac Flotilla, writes SECNAV "In obedience -to your order of the 3d instant, I shall send immediately to the U. S. navy yard, Washington, the following vessels, viz: Anacostia, Ceur de Lion, Casco, and Chimo, ironclads; Crusader, Cactus, Commodore Barney, Dragon, Freeborn, General Putnam, Jacob Bell, I. N. Seymour, Mystic, Morse, Mercury, Teaser, Resolute, Western World, Yankee, Zeta, Juniper, Adolph Hugel, and William Bacon schooners.
    And will retain the following, viz: Adela, Banshee, Currituck, Commodore Read, Don, Delaware, Ella, Fuchsia, Heliotrope, Little Ada, Moccasin, Nansemond, Primrose, Periwinkle, picket launch No. 1, picket launch No. 6, Rescue, Stepping Stones, Verbena, Wyandank, storeship." It is endorsed by ASSIST SECNAV "Commander Parker has been notified verbally not to send them up until after we hear of the Stonewall.
    As fast as they come up, dismantle and sell."

RADM William Radford, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "The Sassacus left last evening for Philadelphia, in obedience to orders received by telegraph from the Department."

RADM J K Thatcher, West Gulf Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "In forwarding the enclosed report of survey on the machinery of the U. S. S. Richmond, I have to regret that she is the last of the formidable vessels of this squadron that I believed to be efficient for cruising or as port guard vessels. The Ossipee and the Lackawanna (the reports of survey of which were recently forwarded to the Department) having become unfit for further service at sea without repairs, I would respectfully request the Department to cause these vessels to be relieved by others of at least equal force, particularly as operations on the coast of Texas are now in progress, and all the vessels now there, or which I have at my disposal for sea service, are of comparatively light armament and unfit for bombardment.
    Some of the light-draft vessels on that coast are nearly run down by long and constant steaming. The wooden gunboats now employed in this bay and waters adjacent are only fit for such service, and are too weak in their hull for other than smooth waters.
    I have determined to retain the Richmond, Lackawanna, and Ossipee as port guard vessels until the pleasure of the Department shall be known in their respective cases."

LCOL W E Pinkney, Clinton, LA, writes LCDR Cornwell, 2nd District, Mississippi Squadron "I have the honor, as per within instructions, to notify you of the extension of the late truce between the Confederate and United States forces."