The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-30 00:00:00

THE MEXICAN WAR.

The operations on the coast of the gulf of Mexico have
been inactive. The return of Santa Anna to Mexico
may or may not promote a pacific arrangement with the
United Staten. Overtures to such an end have been trans.
mitted to him from the President of the United States
through Commodore Connor, commanding the gulf squadron.
Santa Anna reached Vera Cruz on the 16th of August, and
was received with open arms. We have no account yet of his
having reached the city of Mexico, but every thing
there was ready for bis cordial reception. The latest dates
from Vera Cruz are of the 29th tilt. At that time the
despatches of the President for Commodore Connor bad
beea reoeived. .mad communication was immediately had
with Vela Cruz by means of a flag. What the nature of
the propositions of the American Government is, or what the
reception they see likely to meet with from Santa Anna, is,
as yet, mere conjecture. The U.S. brig of war Truston was lost
on a shoal off Tuppan, about 120 miles north of Vera Cruz,
on 14th ult. tier commander, Capt. Carpender, with
the majority of his officers and crew, surrendered themselves
prisoners to the Mexicans. Lieut. Hunter, one other lieu-
tenant and 14 men escaped to the squadron in a small Mexi-
can schooner, which they captured with one of the boats of
the Truxton.. _ . .

Meantime the war on the Rio Grande languishes, the Sea-
son and the want of sufficient wagon trains alike forbidding
active operations.

The following particulars of the lose of the Truxton are
from the correspondent of a New Orleans paper, dated off
Antonio, Aug. 28
The United States brig Truxton, Capt. E. W. Carpender,
sailed from this anchorage on the 19th inst., on a cruise up
the coast. On the 14th, while standing in to Tuspan, 160
to the northward of Vera Cruz, she captured c small Mexi-
can coasting vessel; after throwing the cargo overboard,
and transferring her captain (a Scotchman) and his crew
to the Truxton, she was sent adrift. Captain Carpender
being anxious to cross the bar, for the purpose of ob-
taining fresh provisions for the squadron, employed the
captain of the coaster, who knew the coast perfectly,
to pilot Lim. This fellow, without doubt, knowingly ran
the Truxton on the reef, as she soon after struck. lately
effort (but without effect) was immediately made to heave
her off, the wind blowing fresh from the northward, her
guns and shot were thrown overboard, reserving her bow
guns, but she still thumped very heavily. Capt C. then de-
spatched Lieut. Berryman in one of the brig's boats, with
orders to reach the squadron, and get the assistance of one of
the steamers. Four days after, the boat was picked up by the
St. Mary's, and brought into this place on the 19th. As soon
as the information was communicated to Commodore
Conner, he sent the Princeton to Tuspan. In the mean-
time, while the Truxton was in this perilous situation, two
Mexican schooners made their appearance, standing to-
wards her. Lieutenant Blighted Hunter volunteered to take
them with the first cutter of the brig, which was soon accom-
plished, Mr. H. and five men retaining one of the schooners
and a petty officer and four men the other. They then
attempted to regain the Truxton, but were prevented
from achieving their aim by the state of the wind and
weather. Captain Carpender finding that Lieutenant H.
and his party could not get back to him, placed some
I provisions and water in a small boat, which fortunately
drifted out to the schooner. A note was sent at the same
time to that officer, informing him that ho could either
make the best of his way with the schooners to the squadron,
or rejoin Capt. C.—that it was the intention of those on
board the brig to abandon her, and reach the shore, intend-
ing to deliver themselves up. Lieut. H. not being able to
reach the brig, started with his prizes for the squadron,
where be arrived safe on the 22d, with the schooner in his
own possession. The other one in charge of a " quarter
gunner, has not been heard from, and it is feared she has
been lost. This boat has since arrived safe.
Yesterday the Princeton returned from Tuspan, and we
learn the finale of the Truxton. The l'rinceton reached the
wreck on the morning of the 20th, and found the Truxton
abandoned. A tlag of truce was then sent by Lieut. Bog
who landed, and was kindly received by the people, who in-
formed him there was no soldiers about, nor did they take
any part in the war—he was further informed that Captain
Carpender, the officers and crew of the brig landed on the
17th, and on the 19th they started ou foot cur Tampico, dis-
tant about 100 miles, intending to deliver themselves up as
prisoners of war. Nothing further, as yet, is known of their
fate.
The Truxton, after being abandoned by her people, and
before the arrival of the l'rinceton, was pillaged of all that
could be earth d off by the Mexicans. On the 29d, Captain
Engle, of the Princeton, finding there was no possibility of
saving the brig, the water then being nearly up to her spar
deck, set her "on fire, and when the l'rinceton left, she was
was burnt to the water's edge.
The Truxton was built at Norfolk in 1812, and was
the finest brig in our navy. The following is a list of
the officers who have gone to Tampico: Commander
E. W. Carpender. Acting Master, Isaac N. Briceland.
Passed Midshipmen, John P. Bankhcad, Geo. B. Bissell.
Midshipman, Simeon T. Bassett. Purser, George F. Cutter.
Surgeon, John S. Messersmith. Captain's Clerk, li. Wil-
kinson.

Of the crew, about sixty petty officers and men are sup-
posed to have gone to Tampico. Lieut. Hunter, with his
men, are on board the Cumberland, and Mr. BenTratin and
boat's crew on board the Princeton.
The health of this squadron is materially affected by the
scurvy. The Raritan, when she sailed from here to Pens:-
cola, had eighty cases—the Potomac has over a hundred, and
it is making its appearance on board the Cumberland. This
all arises from the inactivity of the large vessels, and the
want of vegetables and fresh provisions ; the smaller vessels
which are kept constantly cruising are not troubled with it.
The U.S. steam-cutter Legere arrived here on the 25th,
from the Brasses, rid New Orleans. Midshipman Haber-
sham, of the Raritan, was the bearer of important despatches
from Washington for Com. Conner—after their receipt a Hag
of truce was sent by Cora. C. to Vera Cruz—all very mys-
terious.
The same correspondent, under date 3rd of Sept. says :
"I have just arrived from Vera Cruz, which place I left
on the '2oth ult., bringing with me despatches Irons the Com-
modore for the Government • • •
" The yellow fever had made its appearance ou board
the British vessels of war at Sacrificios.
" The scurvy prevailed to a great extent on board the
Potomac frigate. The Lalaztce of the squadron were in good
health.
" Santa Anna had landed at Vera Cruz. He was received
with great demonstrations of joy—the city and castle both
saluting him. He was permitted to land by Commodore
Conner. It is presumed that he had a passport."