# The War with Mexico/Volume 2/Notes On Chapter 30

XXX. THE NAVAL OPERATIONS
1. Sen. 187, 263; 29, 1. Ho. 60; 30, 1, pp. 774-5 (Bancroft). Sen. 1; 29, 2, pp. 377-8. (War bill) Vol. i, p. 181. Sen. 1; 30, 1, p. 973. (Expense) Ho. 188; 29, 1; Sen. 139; 29, 2. In Jan., 1846, there were also 3 receiving ships and 11 small unarmed vessels and storeships. In ordinary and building there were 2 (5) ships-of-the-line, 5 (3) frigates and razees, 6 (2) sloops-of-war, 2 (0) brigs and 3 (1) steamers, carrying 576 (614) guns. (The figures in parentheses represent vessels building.) The time of the crews of the Savannah and Warren expired before July 1 and Sloat was authorized to send them east. Three schooners — the Bonita, the Reefer and the Petrel — built at New York for Mexico but not paid for, were purchased (Niles, June 18, 1846, p. 226; see chap. xin, note 31). In Oct., 1847, there were also one ordnance transport and six storeships.
2. Sen. 1; 30, 1, p. 945. U.S. Naval Institute, Proceedings, xiv, 539 (S. C. Rowan, recolls.). Griffis, Perry, 200. Ho. 24; 30, 2 (Mason to Speaker). (Reputation) 73Bermúdez de Castro, no. 445, 1847. Sen. 69; 30, 1 (punishments). 374Shubrick to Conner, July 17, 1845: "The time has been when the conviction of an officer of having told a deliberate, premeditated, official lie would be fatal to him, so far at least as the opinion of a Court Martial would go, but that time has passed — alas! for the Navy." In the course of a short cruise, 1847-48, Farragut had to "rid the service" of five junior officers and bring to trial a first lieutenant for drunkenness (Mahan, Farragut, 97). Mar. 5, 1847, 120Capt. Mervine charged a lieutenant with being intoxicated repeatedly while commanding at S. José, Calif., amidst a hostile population. July 10, 1847, 120J. H. Brown, S. Francisco, Calif., wrote to Biddle that officers got drunk at his house and did havoc. 120Commander Hull informed Biddle, Mar. 4, 1847, that a midshipman came aboard intoxicated. Many seamen were of foreign birth, but only 26 out of 853 officers. ​3. 354Welles papers. Ho. 188, 191; 29, 1. Howe, Bancroft, 1, 292. -Polk, Diary, Sept. 9, 1846; Feb. 20, 1847. 108Buchanan to Bancroft, Sept. 29, 1847. 256Marcy to Wetmore, Nov. 28, 1845. Seward, Seward at Wash.,i, 51. "Bancroft" was of course George Bancroft, the historian.
4. 48Bancroft to Conner, Aug. 30, 1845, secret. London Times, June 11, 1846. 52Bancroft, no. 25, 1847. 52King, no. 28, 1846. 52Martin, no. 14, 1847. Picayune, May 7, 1846. 58Spofford, Tyleston & Co., Dec. 11, 1846. 13Bankhead, no. 79, 1845. 58Emory, Stetson & Co., June 5, 1847. 46Newell to J. Y. Mason, Nov. 25, 1846. Sen. 1; 30, 1, 915 (Mason, report). Richmond Enquirer, Aug. 15, 1845. Phila. No. Amer., June 20, 1845. Memoria de . . . Guerra, Dec. 9, 1846. México á través, iv, 569. 13Pakenham, no. 42, 1846. 52Saunders (Madrid), nos. 9, 12, 1847. 52Littlefield to Saunders, May 2, 1847. N. Y. Herald (weekly), May 16, 1846. Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 566 (Jesup). Boston Atlas, May 18, 1846. Buchanan, Works, vii, 325-6 (to W. R. J.), 355-6 (to T. N. C.). 49Bancroft to Conner, Aug. 29, 1846. What is said of Cuba applies to Porto Rico also.
5. (Action of Mexico) 13Bankhead, nos. 68, 100, 147, 150, 161, 1846; London Times, Jan. 8, 18, 15, 1847; Dublán, Legislación, v, 161; 52Shdell to Buchanan, Mar. 27, 1846; 52Martin, no. 11, 1847; 297Mackenzie (S. Anna) to Buchanan, July 7, 1846; Semmes, Service, 80-1; México á través, iv, 569; 52Consul Black, Sept. 28; Oct. 29, 1846; 73Bermúdez de Castro, nos. 294, res., 368, 1846; 52Bancroft, no. 16, 1847; 76Tornel, circular (regulations), July 26, 1846; Memoria de . . . Relaciones, Dec., 1846; 52Memoria de. . . Guerra, Dec., 1846; Diario, July 27; Oct. 3, 1846. Irving (Madrid), no. 8, 1847. London Times, Jan. 8, 13, 15, 1847. Semmes, Service, 80. Sen. 1; 29, 2, pp. 40-1. 52Saunders (Madrid), no. 9, 1847. 76Almonte, Dec. 10, 1846. Buchanan, Works, vil, 334 — 42 (to R. M. 8.).
6. 52Martin, no. 11,1847. 52Bancroft, no. 16,1847. 52Irving, July 18, 1846. Richardson, Messages, iv, 495-6. Sen. 1; 30, 1, 945-6 (report). Wash. Union, July 22, 1847. The 29th Cong., second session, provided for the punishment of the citizens (apprehended on privateers) of those states having treaties with the U. S. which made their acts piracy (Wash. Union, Mar. 9, 1847; 13Pakenham, no. 26, 1847). 108Bancroft to Buchanan, Feb. 3, 1847. 13For. Off. to Bankhead, no. 34, 1845. Cong. Globe, 29, 1, p. 811 (Berrien). Buchanan, Works, vil, 23, 52. The suggestion of commissioning American privateers excited opposition in Europe. It was feared that they would molest neutrals. Even in the U. S. it was opposed (Dayton in Senate, Jan. 27, 1847). Nothing came of it.
7. (England) 13Bankhead, nos. 79, 1845; 150, 1846; 13To Bankhead, nos. 34, 1845; 1, 1847; London Times, Jan. 22, 1847; Britannia, Jan. 23, 1847; 52Bancroft, no. 16, 1847; Monitor Repub., Nov. 21, 1846; 52Bancroft, no. 18, 1847; 108Id. to Buchanan, Feb. 3, 1847; 73Bermúdez de Castro, no. 294, res., 368, 1846. (France) 52Martin, nos. 11, 15, 1847; 52Guizot to Martin, Feb. 26, 1847. (Spain) 73Bermidez de C., nos. 294, res., 368, 1846; 52To Consul Campbell, May 14, 1846; 77Mex. Consul, Havana, Dec. 10, 1846, res.; 76Almonte, Dec. 10, 1846; 72Instructs. to capt. gen., June 18, 1846; 52Irving, July 18, 1846; nos. 5, 8, 1847; 71docs. relating to Cuban ports; Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 40; Boston Courier, Jan. 20, 1847; Buchanan, Works, vii, 334 (to R. M. S.). Sen. 1; 30, 1, 945-6 (report). Picayune, Aug. 26, 1846. Conner, Home Squadron, 12. ​8. Richardson, Messages, iv, 548-9, 561. Ho. 60; 30, 1, pp. 774-5 (Bancroft). Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 377. Sen. 1; 30, 1, p. 951. 59Circular to II. S. ministers, May 14, 1846. 47Conner to Bancroft, May 14, 1846. 52Consul Chase, Jan. 20, 1846. 76Parrodi, July 2, 1846. 52McLane (London), no. 54, 1846. 13Giffard (V. Cruz), June 30, 1846. 162Morris to Conner, Oct. 24, 1846. 313Conner, instructions, May 14. American vessels were excluded on the score of impartiality and also because the admission of them would have defeated the main purposes of the blockade (Richardson, Messages, iv, 571). A particular advantage of the blockade is that it enables a belligerent to close ports that it is not desirable or not possible to capture and hold. Under the U. S. regulations vessels lying in Mexican ports on the announcement of the blockade could remain twenty days and then leave with or without cargo. Approaching vessels could riot DC captured or detained unless previously warned in writing by a cruiser (313Conner, instructions). Vera Cruz and Tampico remained open for British mail packets (ibid.). Fishing boats were not molested. Bona fide British property, including cochineal, could be embarked on British war vessels at Vera Cruz (13Bankhead, no. 23, 1847). From the end of June, 1846, Conner permitted British mail packets to land quicksilver and take bullion. Engagements made before the war could be fulfilled (313Saunders to Callaghan, June 23, 1846). A difficult question came up concerning the floating property of neutrals residing in Mexico (Sen. 1; 30, 1, p. 1305). Mexico decreed that since her ports of entry were blockaded, all her other ports might give free entrance to vessels forcing the blockade (70"Guerra," no. 1079), and that no tonnage dues should be charged during the continuance of the blockade (76Guerra, circular, Oct. 10, 1846). England had to admit that she was the last nation to protest against a strict blockade, but warned us that difficulties might arise in the enforcement of it (52McLane, no. 50, 1846); and she would not have our announcement published in the London Gazette since, said Aberdeen, it might check trade and after all not be made good (52McLane, no. 55). Spain insisted upon neutral rights with peculiar jealousy. The Spanish commander even claimed free access to blockaded ports under arts. 14 and 15 of the treaty of 1795, but found that art. 16 warranted the blockade. Spain's vessels were treated with special indulgence, but she made many complaints. For Spain: 72Instrs. to capt. gen. of Cuba, June 18, 1846; 52lrving, no. 2, 1846; 52Istúriz to Irving, Aug. 5, 1846; 71papers relating to complaints; Buchanan, Works, vii, 240-1, 290-2; 47Span. commander to Conner, June 24, 1846; reply, June 26.
9. 48Bancroft to Conner, Aug. 30, 1845, secret. Picayune, Mar. 11, 1847. Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 377 (Mason, report). Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1163 (Conner). 76Parrodi, May 20, 1846. 76Capt. of port, Tampico, May 20. Semmes, Service, 106. Conner, Home Squadron, 9. Negrete, Invasión, iii, 173. 313Conner, proclam., May 14. 313Id., instructions, May 14. 313Saunders to C., June 20; Oct. 24; to Amer. consul, May 20. 313C. to Saunders, July 22; Sept. 30. 164Conner, reports, spring of 1846. Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 525 (spec, orders 128). Niles, Oct. 10, 1846, p. 85. 47Conner, Oct. 8. (Goatzacoalcos) About 140 miles S E. from V. Cruz.
It does not seem worth while to follow the movements of particular vessels. Sept. 30, 1846, the blockade was extended southeast to the River S. Pedro y S. Pablo. (Difficulties) 47Conner, Sept. 22, 1846; Picayune, Mar. 11, 1847; Griffis, Perry, 210; 313Saunders to Wash. ​Union, Oct. 10, 1846; 313Id. to Conner, Oct. 24; Semmes, Service, 106; 162Conner, Jan. 28, 1847. (Somers) Sen. 43; 29, 2; Sen. 1; 30, 1, pp. 945, 950; 374Semmes to Conner, Dec. 10, 1846; 13Pakenham, no. 151, 1846.
Just after the blockade began at Vera Cruz Gen. Bravo, commanding there, permitted several American vessels to leave the port, and in acknowledgment of his liberality two Mexican merchant vessels were sent in to him with their cargoes, crews and passengers. Courteous notes were exchanged (76Gacyores to Bravo, May 27; reply, May 28; Bravo, May 26). At Tampico Capt. Saunders and the city authorities were mutually considerate (313S. to Bancroft, June 6, 1846).
10. (Designed) London Times, Dec. 10, 1846. Comte. gen. V. Cruz, July 9, 1846. Sen. 1; 30, 1, 945, 950-1. 13Pakenham, no. 98, 1846. 162Conner, Dec. 18, 1846. Foltz, Report. Niles, Oct. 10, 1846, pp. 84-5. 47Conner, July 22, 1846. Semmes, Service, 100. Parker, Recolls., 58, 62, etc. McClay, Navy, ii, 177-8. Bennett, Steam Navy, 98. Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1233 (Perry).
11. 73Bermúdez de Castro, no. 441, 1847. Lerdo de Tejada, Apuntes, ii, 540. Henshaw narrative, Mar. 17, 1847. Smith, To Mexico, 117-8. Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1283 (Perry). 13Giffard, Jan. 31, 1847. Picayune, Mar. 11, 1847. Contributory tariff: pp. 261-3.
12. Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 775 (Bancroft). (Mex. navy) Balbontín, Estado, 19; Diario, Apr. 4, 5, 1846; 70"Guerra," no. 1120; 13Giffard, Dec. 20, 1846. 76Acta of naval offs., Mar. 12, 1846. Memoria de . . . Guerra, Dec., 1846. 76Mora y Villamil, Mar. 12, 1846. 76Orders to Marín, Mar. 9, 1846. 76Marín, Apr. 26, 1847. N.Y. Sun, June 8, 1846. Niles, May 1, 1847, p. 131 (Hunter).
13. 375Perry to Mason, Nov. 16, 1846. Conner, Home Squadron, 9, 11,14. Parker, Recolls., 67, 71. 162Morris to Conner, June 24; Oct. 24, 1846. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1172 (Conner), 1191-2 (Perry). 46Perry, Nov. 16, 1846. Ho. 60; 30, 1, pp. 252-3. Taylor, Broad Pennant, 287, 293. 166Perry to Conner, Dec. 27, 1846. 166Reports on condition of engines, boilers, etc. Bennett, Steam Navy, 93. 47Conner, Sept. 22, 1846. Soley, Porter, 64. 165Conner, Nov. 24, 1846.
14. 162Conner's letters to his wife. Curtis, Buchanan, 1, 603 (Slidell). Soley, Porter, 53-4. Semmes, Service, 114, 128. Conner, Home Squadron, 6, 23. 162Bancroft to Conner, Dee. 10, 1845. 162Matson to Id., Feb. 27, 1847.
15. 48Bancroft to Conner, Aug. 30, 1845, secret. Polk, Diary, Jan. 17, 1846. Ho. 60; 30, 1, pp. 774-5 (Bancroft). 69Conner to Taylor, Feb. 4. 47Id. to Bancroft, May 14. 162Id., May 20. 61Bancroft to Conner, Jan. 17. London Times, June 29; Dee. 10. Semmes, Service, 100. 76Bravo, May 4. Tampico Eco, June 9, 16. 76Parrodi, June 8, 17. 76Vilar to Parrodi, June 8. 162Saunders to Conner, June 20. 313Id. to Id., June 17. 313Id. to Wash. Union, Oct. 10. Niles, May 23, 1846, p. 178. Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 377 (Mason, report). Conner, Home Squadron, 9. Bennett, Steam Navy, 34-5, 43, 62-8, 67-8, 71. Ho. 1); 30, 2, p. 1163 (Conner). Picayune, Aug. 26. For Conner's coöperation with Taylor see vol. i, pp. 466, 469.
The Princeton was the earliest naval steam propeller. She was rigged as a ship. Saunders opened fire, Jure 8, because he feared new fortifications (near the mouth of the Pánuco) would make it hard to capture Tampico. He did little damage. The enemy replied feebly. ​Suspecting that the Mexican gunboats intended to sail out and raid American commerce, he determined to capture them by surprise in the night of June 14-15. He had no good pilot. The boats had much difficulty in finding the channel, which had recently shifted, and were even compelled to row more than half a mile against a swift current within pistol shot of the shore. One of them grounded twice. The moon came out. The Americans were discovered and fired upon. They replied; and then, as a surprise was no longer possible, they retired according to orders. May 28 Conner, on the Cumberland, was at Pensacola; the St. Mary's off Tampico; the Mississippi and Falmouth off V. Cruz; the Raritan there or on her way to that port; the Lawrence (which seems to have been a brig but was not mentioned in the department's list of vessels under Conner on May 13) assisting the army; and the Somers on the Yucatan service (Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1163). Aug. 10 the Cumberland (still the flag-ship), Potomac, Falmouth, Mississippi, Princeton, Flirt and the three gunboats (Bonita, Reefer, Petrel) lay at Antón Lizardo; the St. Mary's and Porpoise were off V. Cruz; the John Adams off Tampico; the brig Truxtun had gone to Chagres, and the brig Perry had gone to look for privateers near Cape S. Antonio (Picayune, Aug. 26). These data give one an idea of the usual distribution of the vessels.
16. The affair of Aug. 7. 165Conner to Bancroft, May 31. 47Id. to Id., Aug. 10. Ho. 4; 29, 2, p. 630 (Conner). Picayune, Aug. 22, 26. N. Y. Sun, Dec.7. Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 381. Semmes, Service,88. Parker, Recolls., 66-7. Taylor, Broad Pennant, 287. 76Landero, Aug. 10. 76Comte gen. V. Cruz, July 15. Esperanza, Aug. 27. Locomotor, Aug. 10. For Alvarado, vol. ii, p. 844. For Antón Lizardo, vol. ii, p. 17. The Americans felt the more chagrined because British naval men witnessed their failure.
17. The Affair of Oct. 15. 162Morris to Conner, Sept. 21. 47Conner, Oct. 17. 162Id., Oct. 16. United Service, July, 1895, p. 33. Ho. 4; 29, 2, pp. 630-1. Taylor, Broad Pennant, 290, 293, 298-306. Picayune, Nov. 8. Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 381. Griffis, Perry, 199. Semmes, Service, 88. Conner, Home Squadron, 17. 76Marín to comte. gen., Oct. 17. 76Landero, Sept. 5, 14; Oct. 12. 76Soto, Oct. 18. 76Marín to Soto, Oct. 15. Diario, Oct. 29, 30. 76Guerra, circular, Oct. 21. Wash. Union, Nov. 30. London Times, Dec. 10.
According to Conner's son (Home Squadron, 17), the secretary of the navy on Sept. 22 instructed Conner to attack Alvarado, supposing he had been reinforced, and it has been said that the attack should not have been made without more strength; but the difficulty was that the American forces could not be made available. It is not easy to see how Conner was at fault unless, as perhaps on Aug. 7, he might have landed in boats under such protection as his cannon could give, stormed the fort that stood near the beach, and then landed more men. Conner does not seem to have thought that sailors could do much ashore. He had a landing-force (Conner, Home Squadron, 15), but whether at this time and place is not clear. Probably a bold, though unsuccessful, attack would have been better than to back out. He is said to have argued, after the failure of Aug. 7, that even success would not have been worth what it would have cost (Picayune, Aug. 26); but this left moral effects out of the account. It was said by a naval man that he should have added the McLane's tow to his own and gone ahead; but it seems extremely doubtful whether he could have advanced against the current. Conner's report (Oct. 17) says the Mississippi could not get near enough to make any impression ​on the fort, but a Mexican account printed in La Esperanza, Aug. 27, stated that some shot from our vessels struck more than 200 yards behind the fort, and one sees no reason to suppose that the statement was an invention. Conner seems to have thought of coming to Alvarado again, for in Jan., 1847, the Mexicans reported that the bar was being sounded (76Landero, Jan. 28). For the capture of the place at the beginning of April, 1847, see vol. ii, p. 344. Apr. 2 a naval expedition went up the river, returning on Apr. 4 (66J. L. Mason to J. L. Smith, Apr. 9).
18. The first Tabasco expedition. (Perry) 46Perry, Aug. 15,17; 165Conner to P., Oct. 6; Conner, Home Squadron, 12-3. 162Conner, Oct. 30. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1165-70 (Perry's report, etc.). Ho. 4; 29, 2, pp. 632-9. Diario, Nov. 7, 1846 (Traconis' reports, etc.). 47Perry to Mason, Nov. 16. Taylor, Broad Pennant, 316. 76Gov. of Chiapas, Oct. 27. 60Champlen to Polk, Dec. 4. Semmes, Service, 89. Conner, Home Squadron, 9. Information given to the author by a Mexican civil engineer residing in Tabasco. Apuntes, 389-90. 73Bermúdez de Castro, no. 445, 1847. Aldrich, Marine Corps, 97. Ho. 4; 29, 2, p. 639. Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 381. Parker, Recolls., 73-4. 76Traconis, Nov. 16. Tesmístocles, Dec. 31. 76Santalo's testimony, Nov. 2. 76Comte. gen. Tab, Apr. 6. Sen. 1; 30,1, p. 950. 166List of vessels captured. 166Perry to Conner, Nov. 11. 166Merchants to Perry, Oct. 26. 76Traconis, proclam., Aug. 12. 13Giffard, Jan. 31, 1847. Meade, Letters, i, 169.
As Perry was assigned to the Mississippi on Oct. 6, and commanded this important expedition so soon afterward, it has been supposed incorrectly that virtually, if not formally, the squadron was divided. The hope of the United States at the beginning of the war had been that Tabasco would be neutral. The orders were not to disturb it in that case (49Bancroft to Conner, May 19). Perry's expedition was followed in Nov. by a revolution in Tabasco based ostensibly on the failure of the Mexican government to protect the state; but really the outbreak was due to local rivalries, and probably it caused the national government no material annoyance (76Alcorta, Jan. 4, 1848; México á través, iv, 599; 13Bankhead, no. 186, 1846; 76Acta of garrison, Nov. 19, 1846; Wash. Union, Jan. 18, 1847). Frontera was a valuable point, for the Americans could obtain water and cattle there and hinder illicit commerce. The Tabasco River is now called usually the Grijalva.
19. For the Tampico and Pánuco expeditions: vol. i, pp. 279, 281. 162Mason to Conner, Nov. 29, 1846, priv. and confid. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1175 (Conner), 1176 (Perry). Semmes, Service, 90. Bennett, Steam Navy, 93. 47Conner, Doc. 17. 166Perry to C., Dec. 27; to Benham, Dec. 23; to Sands and Parker, Dec. 21. 166Benham to Perry, Dec. 22. 166Parker to Perry, Dec. 22. 166Conner to Hunt, Feb. 8, 1847. 166Sands to Conner, Feb. 20. 13Giffard, Jan. 31, 1847. The expedition set out on Dec. 17.
Many of the people of Tabasco supposed, when Perry arrived off Frontera in Dec., that he was going to S. Juan Bautista to avenge his "defeat"; and as he did not, they presumably felt more haughty than ever (Temístocles, Dec. 31).
29. Niles, Oct. 31, 1846, p. 132. Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 775. (Bancroft) Mason to Conner, Oct. 26. Soley, Porter, 59. Farragut, Farragut, 158, 197. United Service, Feb., 1897 (Conner). México á través, iv, 419. Scott, Mems., ii, 422. N. Y. Eve. Post, June 10. 165Conner to Bancroft, June 11 (impregnable if properly equipped and manned). ​Memoria de . . . Guerra, Dec., 1846. Wash. Union, June 17. Diccionario Universal (Ulúa). Journal des Débats, Aug. 11, 1838. 162Morris to Conner, June 10, 24; Oct. 24, 1846. See chap. xviii, p. 349, and note 2.
Oct. 3, 1846, the garrison were in a state of mutiny because hungry (76Morales, Oct. 4; S. Anna, Oct. 14), but the Americans did not know this. Conner suggested that he be given a landing brigade, so that he could make a combined land and water attack (Conner, S. Juan de Ulloa, 15). During the siege of Vera Cruz Perry planned to bombard the fortress and attack it with boats on a dark night in conjunction with the land forces (Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1191). Many original documents bearing on the construction of Ulúa could be cited, but they would have only an antiquarian interest. David D. Porter and David G. Farragut are the men referred to. The eagerness of certain young officers led to some enterprises that were not altogether felicitous. Contrary to orders Lieut. Parker burned the Creole (Criolla), the last scrap of Mexican commerce, under the guns of Ulúa at night: but this injured Hargous, the American merchant, who owned or had chartered her (374Semmes to Conner, Nov. 28; Dec. 6, 1846; 374Parker to Semmes, Nov. 27). It has been said that this ended a secret correspondence by which Conner obtained valuable information (Conner, Home Squadron, 7), but circumstances had probably put a stop to that about six weeks before (166Pommarès to Conner, Oct. 17). A plan was laid to blow up a Mexican powder magazine near V. Cruz, but this resulted in the capture of Passed Midshipman R. C. Rogers and another man (162Semmes to Perry, Dec. 6, 1846; 162Wright to Semmes, Dec. 6; Semmes, Service, 91). For the capture of Vera Cruz and Ulúa see chap. xxii.
21. 162Conner, Sept. 30, 1846. 374Perry to C., Nov. 24. 162Morris to C., Oct. 24. Picayune, Jan. 6, 1847. Curtis, Buchanan, i, 603-4. Griffis, Perry, 210-1, 221. 108Appleton to Bancroft, Feb. 24; Apr. 27, 1847. Parker, Recolls., 92. Sen. 1; 30, 1, 945 (Mason, report). 163Semmes to Conner, Sept. 29, 1850. 165Conner to Perry, Mar. 20, 1847. 256Marcy to Wetmore, Apr. 6, 1847. Conner's reputation in the navy at the present day is that of a coward — one of the numberless instances of historical injustice.
22. Capture of Tuxpán. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1192-8, 1202 (Perry and others). Semmes, Service, 150-5. 76Cos, Jan. 18; Apr. 4, 16, 29. Picayune, Jan. 2. Griffis, Perry, 241. 76Soto, Aug. 31, 1846. 76Cos to ayunt., Apr. 24. Parker, Recolls., 78, 106-7. 76Proceeds. of Tuxpán ayunt., Apr. 22. Captain of the port, Apr. 26. American Star (Jalapa), May 2. Wash. Union, May 138, 17; June 4; Sept. 11. Soley, Porter, 72. Eagle (V. Cruz), Apr. 28. Jones, Tattnall, 64-5.
Perry's force, consisting of the steamers Mississippi, Spitfire (a vessel — similar to the Vixen — which had joined the squadron in November), Vixen and Scourge, the schooner-gunboats Reefer, Petrel and Bonita, the frigate Raritan (carrying 180 officers and men from the Potomac besides her own complement), the sloops Albany, John Adams, Decatur and Germantown, the bomb-vessels Vesuvius, Ætna and Hecla, and 300 officers and men from the ship-of-the-line Ohio, which stopped at Vera Cruz, on her way to the Pacific, to assist Scott, who were distributed on the Mississippi and smaller vessels, gathered first at Lobos Ids., where the forces were drilled about a day for the attack. Next, after having been separated by a norther, they met off the bar. The Mexicans were driven a short distance from the town, but further pursuit into the chaparral would ​have been vain. An expedition went some distance' up the river from Tuxpán (Semmes, Service, 154). The city government had not wished Cos to defend the town, and hence he withdrew all his troops from town before the attack. Most of his troops soon scattered. The city would not help support them, but furnished the Americans with supplies cheerfully. At Perry's request steps were taken to maintain order. He now left the Albany and Reefer off the river, and sent the Hecla to blockade Soto la Marina, the Germantown to search the coast north of Lobos Ids., the Ætna to occupy Tabasco River, the Porpoise and the Vesuvius to hold Laguna. Besides the flotilla mentioned above he probably had under his command at this time the gunboats Falcon and Tampico (vol. ii, p. 338; Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1182). For the loss of the Truxtun in Aug., 1846, which led to a great deal of discussion regarding the conduct of Carpender, her captain, see 162Conner, Aug. 24; 47Id., Aug 24; 47Carpender to Conner, Aug. 24; Mason to Polk, Oct. 28, 1846; Semmes, Service, 82; N. Orl. Commerc. Bulletin, Sept. 8; Parker, Recolls., 78; Docs. in Conner papers; comte. gen. V. Cruz, Aug. 23 and docs.; Taylor, Broad Pennant, 260; Wash. Union, Sept. 12, 22; Nat. Intelligencer, Sept. 14.
23. (Small ports) Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1204-8, 1223, 1228-9; 76Buchanan to authorities of Tapantla, May 10, 1847. The main purposes of taking the small ports were to gather fresh provisions, exclude contraband trade, and obtain funds under the contributory tariff (chap. xxxiii). The usual terms required a renunciation of Mexican allegiance during the war, obedience to American orders, and the payment of all revenues to the United States.
An indefinite number of citations bearing upon the situation in Yucatan could be given, but the following are deemed sufficient. Bankhead, no. 11, 1846. Journal des Débats, Sept. 13, 1842. Constitutionnel, Nov. 2-3, 1846. Polk, Diary, Aug. 29, 1845; Feb. 27, 1847. Sen. 43; 30, 1. 49Bancroft to Conner, May 19, 1846. 49Mason to Id., Oct. 16, 1846; Feb. 25,1847; to Perry, Mar. 17, 1847. Semmes, Service, 84. 335Tinsley to Trist, Aug. 6, 1846. 335Robira to Id.,June 7, 1847. Sen. 40, 42, 43, 45, 49; 30,1. Gaceta de Ciudad Victoria, Jan. 27, 1846. Picayune, Oct. 8, 1846; Jan. 12, 1847. México á través, iv, 599. Sen. 1; 29, 2, p. 382. Suárez y Navarro, Causas, 6-9. Richardson, Messages, iv, 581-3. Memoria de . . . Relaciones, Dec., 1846. 76Barbachano, procl., July 2, 1846. Temístocles, Dec. 27, 1846. 13Pakenham, no. 33, 1847. Ho. 60; 30, 1, pp. 256-7 (Walker). Wash. Union, Jan. 18, 1847. 366Declar. of Mérida. 166Perry to Conner, Dec. 27, 1846. 166Conner to Sands, Feb. 8, 1847. 166McFaul to ——. Nov. 12, 1847. Buchanan, Works, vii, 222. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1175-6 (Conner), 1204 (Perry). 165Gen. orders, Dec. 15, 1846. (May cruise) 47Perry, Dec. 27, 1846; Sept. 21, 1847. 47Conner, Dec. 29. May 15 Laguna port was opened to commerce; May 18 Frontera.
24. Second Tabasco expedition. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1207-28, 28-32 (Perry and officers). 47Perry, June 25. 47Correspondence of Perry and Bigelow, July 18-23. Bennett, Steam Navy, 97. Negrete, Invasión, iii, 153-6. Roa Bárcena, Recuerdos, 526-8. 76Correspondence of Bigelow and Echagaray, July 1, 2; letters of E., May 31; June 9, 18, 23; July 5. México á través, iv, 703. (Later) Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1233-6 (Perry); 47Perry, Aug. 16.
On the way to 8. J. Bautista Perry had six men wounded. Many fell from exhaustion. June 30 on an expedition to Tamulté, about three miles
Aug. 16, 1847, the squadron was disposed as follows: (Raritan and Albany had gone home); Mississippi, Pensacola; sloop Germantown, Antón Lizardo, preparing to distribute supplies; sloop Decatur, blockading Tuxpán; sloop Saratoga, V. Cruz, maintaining connection with the army and watching the police; sloop John Adams, expected from Tuxpán probably to join bomb-vessel Stromboli in Goatzacoalcos River; gunboats Reefer and Petrel at Tampico; gunboat Falcon at Alvarado; steamer Scourge, bomb-vessel Ætna, gunboat Bonita at Frontera; bomb-vessel Vesuvius, gunboat Mahonese at Laguna; steamers Vixen and Scorpion in reserve; steamers Spitfire and Petrita laid up with injured engines; bomb-vessel Hecla ashore on Alvarado bar. Aug. 18, 1847, Perry ordered that all merchant vessels should be visited on their arrival in port to detect irregularities (Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 788).
25. For the share of the navy in the conquest of California see chap. xvii. (Impossible) 13P. J. Blake of Juno, Apr. 10, 1848; 53Pakenham to Buchanan, Dec. 14, 1846; 13/d., no. 57, 1846. (Proclam. and orders) Ho. 4; 29, 2, pp. 670, 673-4. Du Pont, Official Despatches, 9. (Cancelled, etc.) 53Pakenham to Buchanan, Dec. 14; 12Walker to Seymour, Mar. 26, 1847; 132Howland & Aspinwall to Buchanan, Sept. 22, 1847; 13Pakenham, no. 139, 1846; Sen. 1; 30, 1, p. 1803 (Mason); 48Mason to Biddle, Mar. 30, 1847; 48Orders, Dec. 24, 1846; 247Biddle to Larkin, Mar. 6, 1847. 47Stockton to Du Pont and to Hull, Aug. 20, 1846. 47Id., reports, Aug. 22; Nov. 23. 47Hull to Stockton, Sept. 12. 47Du Pont to Stockton, Oct. 12. 76Peinbert to ——, res., undated. Calif. Star, i, no. 9. (Guaymas) Du Pont, Official Despatches, 13; 47Correspondence of Du Pont, Spanish vice consul, and Campusano; Sonorense, Oct. 9; 76comte. gen. of Sinaloa, Nov. 11; 76gov. Sonora, Oct. 16; 76Campusano, Oct. 5; Cyane, journal; U. S. Naval Instit. Proceeds., 1888, p. 589 (Rowan). (Mazatlán) 171Cyane, journal and abstract of journal; 47DuPont to Stockton, Dec. 1; Id., Official Despatches, 19; 12Walker to Seymour, Mar. 26, 1847; 76Téllez to Bustamante, Feb. 17, 1847; 134A. Forbes, Apr. 17, 1847; 13Bankhead, no. 9, 1847. Sen. 1; 29, 2, pp. 378-80. Sen. 1; 30, 1, 948. Balbontín, Estado, 19. Memoria de . . . Guerra, Dec., 1846. (Spring) 120Shubrick to Biddle, May 4, 1847; 120list of captures. Wise, Gringos (N. Y., 1849), 82-100. 76Letter from Mazatlán, May 5; 247Biddle to Larkin, Mar. 6, 1847. 47Shubrick, May 31; June 1; Aug. 11, 1847. (Monopoly) 12Seymour, Dec. 26, 1846, no. 70. (After May) 61R. B. Mason to adj. gen., Feb. 1, 1848; 47Shubrick, May 31, 1847. Journ. Milit. Serv. Instit, xxx, 249.
Stockton intended to cruise for the protection of our whalers, etc., and also to invade Mexico by way of Acapulco (vol. i, p. 338); but affairs in California prevented. The Malek Adel was bravely cut out at Mazatlán, Sept. 7, 1846, under the Mexican guns. Guaymas was cannonaded because the Mexicans refused to give up two gunboats, preferring to burn them. As there were two harbors at Mazatlán, a single vessel could not blockade the port satisfactorily. In the spring of 1847 Shubrick was ordered to blockade both Mazatlain and Guaymas, but for this reason he kept both the Independence and the Cyane at Mazatlán. In Feb. and March, 1847, there might have been serious trouble between the British commander, Sir Baldwin Walker, and Captain Montgomery of the Portsmouth owing to conflicting orders and interests; but the former, having ​far the stronger force, knew he could afford to be considerate, and the latter treated British commerce so well that our government was thanked by England (13to Crampton, June 30, 1847; Sherman, Sloat, xxiv; and note partcularly Journ. Milit. Serv. Institute, xxxii, 249-53). Shubrick was at Mazatlán in May, 1847, but left at the beginning of June. The Cyane remained a little longer. She and the Portsmouth anchored there, at the end of June, but both sailed away within two days. Biddle was ordered Jan. 6, 1846, to take command of the squadron, but did not receive the orders until Dec. 31 (at Lima). Mar. 2 he took command. His vessels then were the Columbus (74 guns) on which he arrived, Independence (razee, 54), frigates Congress (44) and Savannah (44), sloops Portsmouth (20), Levant (20), Cyane (20), Warren (20), Dale (16) and Preble (16), storeships Erie (8), Lexington (8) and Southampton (6), and the captured Malek Adel (Sen. 1; 30, 1, p. 948; 48Bancroft to Shubrick, Aug. 21, 1846). The Savannah and Levant went home; and the Warren, on account of its condition, was assigned to guard duty (120Shubrick to Stockton, Mar. 1, 1847). The Ohio reached the squadron in the early part of 1848. Besides blockading, cruising for prizes, looking after the American whalers, and watching for possible privateers, long voyages were necessary to obtain provisions and instructions. The latter were usually very tardy and the commanders had to follow their own judgment in the main. Monterey, Calif., was in general the base of operations.
26. (Succeeded) 49Bancroft to Shubrick, Aug. 21, 1846; 120Shubrick to Biddle, Mar. 5; July 20, 1847; 47Shubrick, July 21. (Notice) 47Id., Aug. 11. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1072-5 (Shubrick). 76Téllez, Nov. 4, 1847. (Guaymas) Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1075-83 (Lavallette et al.), 1110 (Shubrick); Correo Nacional, Nov. 30; 13Wooldridge, Nov. 18. (Mazatlán) Wise, Gringos (N. Y., 1849), 95; Lummis, Mex. of To-day, 150; Mofras, Explor., i, 173; Gaxiola, Invasión, 162.
Guaymas, a place of considerable importance, was summoned Oct. 19. The Mexican troops and people decamped, and the cannon were removed. Hence the cannonade did little harm. A civil official reported the evacuation to Lavallette of the Congress, who was there with the Portsmouth. (Montgomery). As Campusano, who was believed to have 600-800 troops and 6-8 guns, remained in the vicinity and cut off water and provisions, the town was abandoned by its foreign residents also. American marines landed, but soon reëmbarked. Nov. 17 a landing party was ambushed in the town, and the Dale, then occupying the harbor, took part in the firing. One American was wounded. The harbor of Mazatlán was open to the worst winds.
27. The references to Téllez in 76 are almost innumerable. It seems enough to cite here: M. Gutiérrez, May 19, 1846; To J. I. Gutiérrez, May 13, 17; To Téllez, Aug. 18; J. I. Gutiérrez, May 9; also Gaxiola, Invasión, passim; Apuntes, 371-3; 13Bankhead, no. 74, 1846; Wise, Gringos (N. Y., 1849), 99. See also chap. xvi, note 5. Téllez, who was a generous, careless person, arrived at Mazatlan at the head of an expedition bound for Upper California. During the year before the war the receipts from the customhouse were about $3,000,000. He pronounced May 7, 1846, in favor of federalism as an excuse for insubordination. In Jan., 1847, fearing the government might overpower him, he pronounced for Santa Anna as dictator. He pretended to be a loyal Mexican, and the government wavered between recognizing him as comandante general of Sinaloa and trying to crush him. Finally it ​decided on the latter course. Cut off from his financial resources by the Americans, he could not support his forces, and toward the end of Jan., 1848, he gave up. J. P. Anaya was then comte. gen. (Capture of Mazatlán, etc.) Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1089-92, 1104, 1110, 1117; Wise, Gringos (N. Y., 1849), 144-5; Apuntes, 374-5; 76Téllez, Nov. 10, 14, 15; 61Shubrick to R. B. Mason, Dec. 6; 13Wooldridge, Nov. 18; Gaxiola, Invasión, 163-6. The Erie had arrived at M. on Nov. 1.
(Nov. 20) Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1105-8; Wise, op. cit., 150-7; 76Téllez, Nov. 20; U.S. Naval Instit. Proceeds., 1888 (Rowan, p. 555); Apuntes, 376; 76Horn, Nov. 15, 21; Gaxiola, Invasión, 186. A land party of 94 and a boat party of 62 set out from Mazatlán at about 1 a.m. The Mexicans, who were commanded by Lieut. Carlos Horn, a Swiss, ought to have been routed, but they had received notice of the expedition and were on the alert. The American land party fell partially into an ambuscade, and the boat party were misled. After some desultory fighting both sides retired. The Americans lost 1 killed and 21 wounded. The Mexican loss was probably somewhat larger.
Dec. 13 Americans routed a Mexican advanced party about twenty miles from the city, inflicting some loss and suffering none (Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 1083-4; Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1121). The Mexican blockade was evaded easily by bribery.
(Fortifications) Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1120 (Halleck), 1131 (Shubrick); 76J. P. Anaya, Mar. 11, 1848. (Safe) Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 1088 (Shubrick).
(S. Blas) Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 1084 (Shubrick); comte. gen. of Jalisco, Jan. 11; Feb. 22, 1848; Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1127 (Bailey), 1128 (Chatard). S. Blas was blockaded under a fresh notice issued Jan. 1, in consequence of the delay. (Manzanillo) Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1129 (Shubrick); prine. comte., Colima, Jan. 18; comte. gen. Jalisco, Feb. 1, 29. Altata was blockaded Feb. 13 by a hired schooner, the Triton (76comte. gen. Sinaloa, Feb. 21). (Expeditions) Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1133-7, 1158-61; comte. gen. Jalisco, Feb. 1. Jan. 31 Shubrick reported that not one Mexican cannon was mounted on the coast except at Acapulco (Ho. 1; 30, 2, p. 1129). Early in Nov., 1847, T. A. C. Jones set out from the east to meet the Ohio at Valparaiso and succeed Shubrick.
28. The fort at Acapulco was now in a ruinous condition. The cannon were removed and (it was reported) sold by Juan Alvarez. Shubrick (47Aug. 11, 1847) said it was worse than useless to blockade Mazatlán without blockading S. Blas, because vessels unable to enter at M. would then enter at S. B. and pay duties to the Mexicans. He forcibly urged upon Scott and Col. Mason, commanding in California, the importance of providing troops (Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 1035; 61Dec. 6, 1847), and Mason sent as far as Oregon for volunteers (Sherman, Memoirs, 1, 38); but every effort to find men was in vain (61Mason, May 19, 1848). All that Mason could spare went to Lower California. With the men who were ashore Shubrick said he could have sealed up the west coast (Ho. 60; 30, 1, p. 1084).
Mason to Stockton, Jan. 11, 1847. 5S. José was occupied Mar. 30; S. Lucas Apr. 3; La Paz Apr. 13. In August two companies of N. Y. volunteers under Lt. Col. Burton arrived on the ground. The passing of men and munitions from the mainland to the Peninsula was promptly cut off by our navy. The towns of Mulejé (opposite Guaymas) and Comandú, several hundred miles to the north of La Paz, were the centres of the opposition. Citizens of the former under Vicente Mejía and of the ​latter under J. M. Moreno, all commanded by Manuel Pineda, marched south with no little devotion. Pineda moved against La Paz (held by Burton); the other two leaders against S. José (held by Lieut. Heywood of the navy). The latter were repulsed without much difficulty, but only the arrival of the Cyane, Dec. 8, ended a series of small skirmishes at La Paz. In Jan. S. José had to undergo a more serious attack. By the twelfth our garrison (27 marines, 15 seamen, some 20 volunteers) found itself, after a desultory siege of about three weeks, in a critical situation; but on the fourteenth Du Pont arrived in the Cyane, and this ensured the defeat of the Mexicans on the following day. March 22 about 150 American troops, who had left Monterey Mar. 5, arrived at La Paz. Burton, having now about 270 men, assumed the offensive, and the skirmish of Mar. 30 at Todos Santos (without loss on the American side) ended the hostilities. The American casulties in all the skirmishing were insignificant. For the principal documents see Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 103-12, 1055-64, 1086-8, 1095-1102, 1110-2, 1117-8, 1122-7, 1129-31, 1137-55; Ho. 17; 31, 1; Sen. 18; 31, 1, pp. 293, 299, 488-504; Du Pont, Official Despatches, 23, 31, 35; 76Pineda to comte. gen. Sonora, Oct. 3, 1847; 47Shubrick, Dec. 4, 21; 76Princ. comte. of Mulejé to V. Mejía, Oct. 3; 76Pineda and Mejía, Oct. 3; 76Relaciones to Guerra, Feb. 26, 1848. U.S. Naval Instit. Proceeds., xiv, pp. 304 — 25.
29. 13Bankhead, no. 168, 1846. London Times, Jan. 30, 1847. 73Bermúdez de Castro, nos. 441, 445, 1847. 163Semmes to Conner, Sept. 29, 1850. Conner, Home Squadron, 3-4, 21. Bennett, Monitor, 40-1. 162Matson to Conner, Mar. 28, 1847. 162Mason to Id., Nov. 29, 1846, priv. and confid. Richardson, Messages, iv, 570-2. 13Giffard to Bankhead, May 27, 1846. 166Shubrick to Conner, Aug. 19, 1845, priv. Buchanan, Works, vii, 240-1, 290-2. 47Conner, June 30, 1846.
Spain complained of us, but unjustly. Some thought inefficiency was shown by the number of American vessels lost (besides the Somers and the Truxtun, the Boston, the Hecla and the Neptune were wrecked, the Perry and the Cumberland were damaged, and some minor losses were suffered), but considering the character of the coast this opinion seems unfair. An important feature of the war was the demonstration of the superiority of steam vessels.
30. 76Lavallette, proclam., Oct. 26, 1847. Apuntes, 375-9. Conner, Home Squadron, 14. Negrete, Invasión, ili, 139-46; app., 399. Ho. 1; 30, 2, pp. 1092 (articles), 1109, 1129-33 (Shubrick). 47Letter to Shubrick, Dec. 23, 1847. 47Lavallette, orders, 5, 6, 1847; 3, 5, 1848. Semmes, Service, 85-7. Gaxiola, Invasión, 166-81, 217, 223. Duties to the amount of $150,000 were collected. Conner reported, June 30, 1846, that the blockade had deprived Mexico of $500,000 in duties. This paragraph belongs logically in chap. xxxi, but is placed here to complete the subject.