Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-27
UEIllIEl lpl!bRS S.
CAPTURE OF A MEXICAN TOWN
BY THE u. S, SQUADRON.

BY THE U. S. SQUADRON.
NRw YoRK Jan. 14-The bark Anahuac,
tina, arrived here las, Sunday brought re-
port from Mexico that Monterey, the capital
Of California, had been captured by the ma
val force of the United States, on the Pacific
station, under the command Of Commodore
Jones. Ho was led to believe that the Uni
ted States had declared war against Mexico,
and therefore took this bold step. The Madi-
sonian Of yesterday contains n translation
from tho Diaro del Gobicrno, of the l4lh
ul,imo, published in the city of Mexico, which
gives full particulars
"On tho 10Th Of October Commoiorc Jones arriv |
oil al Monterey in the frigate United States, accom-
panied by the Cyane, under Capt Slrbling. as soon
rs tho ships had anchored, Capt. Armstrong the flag
captain OF the United States landed and delivered to
the acting Governor Don Juan Ayarado, little from
Commodore Jones, requiring the immediate surrender
OF the place was fDtts, castles, ammunition, arms,
&c 10 the United States, IN order to save II lro, the
horrors Of ear-which would he the immediate con
s,ducnces of refusal TO submit. Avarado. upon TINS
summons, consulted the other military and civil au-
thortes; AMI finding that tho garrison consisted oil
only twenty nine that the artillery vas composed OF
eleven pieces. entirely useless from the roenness OF
their Aages and that the whole number OF mus
k.ts .nd carbiies good and bad, did moi, exceed an
hrndrcl and ity--he SURRENDERED the place; winch
VAS in conscq cncc, Immediately occupied by the
Americans. The articles ofcapulation, signed on the
occasion. provide that the Mexican soldiers shall
march ont with collars flying and shall remain as
prisoner. Of war, unit, they can be sent to Mexico:
that the inhabitants shall be protected IN their persons
nni property, so long as they conduct themselves
properly, and do not infringe the laws OF the United
States &c, &c. Commodore Jones, at the same
time issued proclamation to the Caiitornlans de-
Glazing tina, he in arms MS the representative OF
arowerful nation, against which the existing govern
n,ent of Mexico had engaged IN war but not with the
intention Of spreading disnay among Inc peaccl IN
habitnnts ami inviting lhsrl TO submit 10 the author
i,y OF a nation which would protect! them forever IN
the enoymen, o! liberty &c. dc.
All these things took place on the 18th oil October
Two days afterwards the 2lst of the month, Com
,jore Jones addressed another letter to the acting
Governor Avarado, to the effect. that Information re-
eeived by him since the capture of the place left hln
no reason to doubt tina, the difficulties between Mex
leo and the United States had been adjusted and
that being anxious 10 avoid all cause of future Difficult
ties, lie was ready 10 restore the place, with its
forts and property, to the hsXc1ns in the same con
dition in which they were before the seizure. Mon
leroy rdingy, on that day evacuated by, the
Americans, and re occupied by the Mexcans, whose
Dag on being re hoised, was sauted by the ships
Thus terminated the three days al Monterey.
Immediately after the restitution Of the place, Com
m ,dorc Jones despatched letter 10 ne commandan
hicheltoreno, who was Oh his way TO Monterey with
reinforcement OF troops in which he stated that ht
had been induced TO invade California by the mani
fesio addressed BY General Santa Anna 10 the DlpIo
eondonallv declared war against the United s! ates
that the capulaiion ofMontorey had been as honor
able to Mexico as circumstances would permit; ant
that he had restored the place and ceased ali offensive
operations as he became convinced Of the ex
istencc OF peace between the two nations.
The conmandant Micheoreno, received the new
OF the capture of Monterey, the sd Of the month
when he was Angeles On the 18th he receives
Commodore Jones' letter, in answer to which, h
sent series Of propositions for the settlement OF sue
of the difficulties might be arranged there eavin
he ouee o discussed Detwee
the two governments Commodore Jones' IN his re
ply, dated the LIST of November endeavored, as ia
possible sooth and concaie the excited feeling
Of the Mexicans; and expressed his readiness I
mce. Governor Michetoreno nj Santa Barbara with
out delay, in order to confer with him on his propos
tion3.
Thing. remaned in this state on the 10th Nover
ber when the vessel which brought the papers fror
the Governor to Mexico, Quilted California: at thu
Gms Commodore Jones had not met Mcleltoreno
N'"",l Tnteliuenc"- ,--".'o'
curious private letter, written on board on
Of the vessels ofthe squadron in sl'e Paclh
probably the United States, dated sat Sc;
Sept. TO-" which affords some clue to Con
Jones's system of operations in his uncert
monious occupation of California. 1t seen
that Com. Jones had received at Gala
about the Sd Of September, a copy of the lie
ter Of the Mexican Secretary of State to M
Webster, with his circular to the Diplomat
corps, together with rumors of war betwe'
Mexico and ths. United States, and of Il
cession of California by the former to Gre
Britain. He ascertained also that about t
same time the British Admiral Thomas,
the flag ship Dublin, sailed suddenly frc
Callao, on secret service. in pursuance of c
ders just received from England. 1t is ia
~ nfcribe from this letter that Com. Jen
under Nhc strong impression that the Eng
Admiral was under orders to take possessi
Of the province Of California, was rosolv
to anticipate him by the celebrity of his o
movements, and therefore left Callao
hours'af him, and made all sail for No
terey. Ho arrived there October 10, hav
IN forty-foir days sailed through forty-n
degrees of latitude, and nearly as many
longitude; and on his arrival lost no time
carrying into effect the object of his mo
ment. Whit could have been the desti
ton of the British Admiral, is fact ye,
be learned.