Perry trusts Saratoga to operate independently

The exact start of Farragut's involvement with Saratoga is uncertain, but Matthew Perry specifically requested the ship under his command during the Mexican-American War. After only three days with Perry's squadron, Saratoga departed for Tuxpan and operated away from the main force for roughly eleven weeks. Such a detachment required confidence that Farragut understood his commander's intent without frequent meetings or rapid communications. Launched in 1842, Saratoga was a valuable recent sloop carrying four 8-inch shell guns as well as 32-pounders. Her later duties included carrying dispatches between Veracruz and Tabasco. During another spell at Tuxpan, Farragut kept her functioning on station for two months despite a yellow-fever outbreak before withdrawing to land the sick and replenish stores.