ROBESON, Secretary of the Navy to Hamilton Fish, December 8, 1871

Mr. Robeson to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to return herewith dispatch No. 119, from Mr. W. T. Rice, United States consul at Spezia, which you were kind enough to communicate to me on the 6th instant, in relation to the completion of the repairs on the United States steamer Guerriere at that port, and to the generous disposition of the Italian naval authorities in extending every facility in their power for the prompt repair of our ships of war.

On the 8th of September last, in communicating to you a copy of a letter which had been addressed by Captain Stevens, commanding the Guerriere, to Mr. Marsh, United States minister to Italy, I took occasion to suggest that the thanks of our Government be conveyed to the Italian government for all the facilities and assistance extended to the Guerriere when that vessel grounded and was in such imminent danger. Since then the Guerriere has undergone extensive repairs in the government dock at Spezia, from which she was floated on the 14th of October last, ready for her voyage home.

Rear-Admiral Charles S. Boggs, in a dispatch to the Department under date of the 4th ultimo, informed it of the completion of the repairs to the Guerriere, and in a previous one, dated the 26th of August, a copy of which I had the honor to communicate to you, he alluded to the handsome manner in which Admiral Gerruti had responded to the necessities of that vessel when aground.

The Department has been and is deeply sensible of the kind acts of the Italian navy officers, and in a letter to Rear-Admiral Boggs, dated the 22d ultimo, requested Mm to thank them. It now remains for me to ask that the thanks of the Government may be expressed to the following-named officers, who have been specially mentioned as having been very attentive and zealous in aiding and repairing the Guerriere:

Vice-Admiral Cerruti, Rear-Admiral Isola, Captains Anthony Milore and Louis Merlin, Commandant Micheli, Lieutenants John Amoretti and De Leva, and Sub Lieutenant Rocca.

Very respectfully, &c.,