This proved to be the case when Rodgers's squadron laid the groundwork for the 1830 commercial treaty with Turkey, opening ports of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea to American traders.

After a period in ordinary at Norfolk, North Carolina decommissioned on 30 October 1836 to fit out for the Pacific Squadron, the one other area where ships of her vast size could be employed.

Again flagship of her station, flying the pennant of Commodore Henry E. Ballard, North Carolina reached Callao, Peru, on 26 May 1837.

With the War of the Confederation raging between Chile and Peru, and relations between the United States and Mexico strained, North Carolina protected the important American commerce of the eastern Pacific until March 1839.

During the American Civil War, African Nova Scotian sailor Benjamin Jackson was assigned to this ship before being transferred to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.