The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-20
From the New Orleans Bee Of Dec. 8.
IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO.
DESTRUCTION or FoRr or. JUAN DE OIL,


DESTRUCTION or FoRr or. JUAN DE ULLoA
the following ample and highly interesting details
speeding the expedition and the attack upon the fortress
Of San Juan de Uloa
After the arrival Of Admiral Bsudin of the coast Of
Mexico. M. Leroy, OF the commanders, was de-
spached TO the city Of Mexico to make known TO tho
Government The ullimatum of France. few days
after, he returned. without bringing any satisfactory
reply. The next morning letter was received IN
which Mr. Bsudn requested repair 10 Jalaps, IN
order 10 treat with the ENJOYS Of the Government and
to send away part Of his forces, that Mexico might not
appear to be compelled to yield to violence. The adj
mal consented 10 the first conditions but refused posi-
lively TO listen to the second He therefore took his
departure, and sauted with sayo OF nineteen guns
on his entrance into Vera Cruz
On his return, he stated that the ENJOYS had accepted
all the conditions imposed by France, with single
ception, viz that by virtue OF which Mexico was TO
authorize sales by retail be made BY the French and
that the ENJOYS had wished to consult the Government
respecting this point M Bsudin added that he had
granted them few days more, but the expiration
OF this period The replies still continued Unsatisfactory
hostililies would Immediately commence.
On the morning of the 9th the bomb vessels Cyclop
and Vulcan lowed by the steamboats, far as the
middle Of the shoals which bound the eastern sde
where they anchored The Nereide, commanded by
the admiral, the Goire and Iphgenie took their places
afterwards the line. In the meanwhile, some OF the
Mexican ENJOYS went board Of the admirals vessel,
and sought to obtain respite. At IS minutes past
two they left the fngate. The signal to prepare for
action was given at 20 minutes past 2, the fire COM
menced and continued nearly four hours without inter-
mission The Prince de Joinyle, unwilling TO remain
an idle spectator, asked permission Of Admiral Baudn
TO take part IN the action and without waiting for his
reply, raised the tri-colored flag board the Creole,
discharged broadside at the fortress The Creole
struck by several bullets. The bomb shells effected
most terrible havoc within the fortress. The situation
bel
thrown directly upon the spot. Three Of them expod-
ed with much violence, that the decks of several
Of the French vessels at the distance Of than
mile were strewed with their fragments. The Cavol-
Zero, Of the strongest Of the fort exploded
about o'clock, p. NJ The portions Of the fort de-
molIshed by the rgates were in most dcporable
di,on, the embrasures being entirely disnounted and
battered 10 pieces AT O'Clock, the guns Of the Mex
cans were nearly sllenced.
The..fngate La Goire theniemoved by the steam
boat Meeore The fire Of the others continued until
nghtfal II then kept up solely by the bomb yes
sells Just the frgate Admiral about to set sail.
canoe approached fro n the fortress and demanded
truce, that the dead and the wounded who buried
under the ruins might be Withdrawn. The admiral
piled that he could not grant truce but that he would
send summons to capituate and that 1t were not
signed by six o'clock, m Of the 28h, he would re-
commence his attack the fort and city. The terms
OF surrender were accepted and at break Of day all the
boats OF the squadron carry of the rest OF
the garrison. The surgeons OF the different vessels
likewise attend the wounded Of the enemy,
who were subsequently removed 10 Vera Cruz.
In this action, which continued two hours and
half by two Of the frgates and four by the third, eight
thousand balls and three hundred and twenty bombs
were thrown into the fortress. On the French side 5
men were killed, one OF whom mdshlpman, and
thirty three wounded. two OF whom, were officers
The Mexicans have suffered immensely. The Cap
tain Of the Meeore, with whom we conversed gave us
a touching description Of the carnage The shore was
covered with the dead and dying and the pteous cries
of the latter heard amid all the din and tumut of
the battle. ...
In case this attack had proved unsuccessful, force
composed of 500 marines and 800 cannoneers was
ready assault the fort and the steamboats, being fur
nished with bridges to be upon the wallis the cas-
tie would have been carried by assault
We must not omit adding. that throughout this af-
fair the conduct of Admiral Baudin was marked by
generosity. He RETAINED from firing upon the city,
and though he was strongly advised to attack the fort
during the night, which would have given him an i'm
mense advantage he replied that he would only fight
the enemy in the day The other vessels belonging to
the squadron took no share in the action, there
not room enough for their operations.
The French vessels still continue to cruize in the
neighbohood of the coast Of Mexico, to prevent the
Of vessels any other port than that Of Vera
Cruz m
We arc told that the English consul had requested
admiral Baudin to spare his house, if he attacked the
city. The admiral promised to observe his request.
BY curious fatality the only bomb that reached the
town. fell and exploded the dwelling OF this func
tonary, carrying away portion Of the roof
The French squadron now consists Of twenty three
vessels. .r