of the sailors, but the marines of the
navy still saw glorious service, as a detachment of them was with
General Scott, participating in the attack on Chapultepec. They were
also among the first to enter the City of Mexico when that capital
surrendered.

The navy in the War with Mexico did itself credit as it always had
before, and reflected honor upon the country, whose flag was upheld
with brilliant courage and untiring zeal.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE NAVY IN PEACE. -- SURVEYING THE DEAD SEA. -- SUPPRESSING THE
SLAVE TRADE. -- THE FRANKLIN RELIEF EXPEDITION. -- COMMODORE
PERRY IN JAPAN. -- SIGNING OF THE TREATY. -- TROUBLE IN CHINESE
WATERS. -- THE KOSZTA CASE. -- THE SECOND FRANKLIN RELIEF
EXPEDITION. -- FOOTE AT CANTON. -- "BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER."

After the Mexican War the navy engaged for twelve years in works of
peace varied by a little exciting police duty on the high seas. Much
was done for commerce and for civilization in the years immediately
succeeding 1848, but the story, though important, is not exciting, and
is therefore little known. The records of these years afford a fair
suggestion of what a navy may do when actual fighting is not
necessary, and when its vessels, with the trained sailors and
scientists who man them, may be utilized in utilitarian work.

Shortly after the close of the Mexican War, the armed ship "Supply,"
under command of Lieutenant Lynch, sailed on an expedition to the Dead
Sea. The start was made from New York, and the vessel arrived in the
Mediterranean only a few weeks after peace had been declared with
Mexico. At Smyrna, Lieutenant Lynch left the "Supply," and went to
Constantinople to obtain permission to enter the Turkish domains. This
having been granted, the party sailed for Haifa. Arriving at this port
on the 21st of March, they left their ship, and set out for the Sea of
Galilee by an overland route, carrying on trucks the boats which had
been specially built for navigation in the river Jordan. Upon
reaching Tiberias, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, the
party divided, one detachment embarking in the boats to navigate the
Sea of Galilee, and the other mounting camels and horses to make the
trip by land, with the intention of keeping those who had sailed in
view as much as possible, and protecting them from attacks by
wandering Arabs or aiding them if necessary in the passage of the
tortuous and turbulent Jordan. Eight days we