The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-13


GThe following account is extracted from the
official correspondence, as published IN the
Spanish language in the newspaper called the
Diario del GobiernO, al the city of Mexico on
the 18th of December, 1912
II appears, in the first place, that the Mex
can Government, in anticipation OF some at
tack on its distant territories OF California, had
sent number of troops lhilher, under The com
mand of Don Manuel Mcheliorena, who was
appointed Commandant General and Inspector
of both the CALIFORNIA;. These troops arrived
at San Diego the southernmo,, port on The Pa
cifc side of California, in the middle OF Octo-
Der last and were on their way 10 Monterey,
the capital of that country, when the occurrences
in question took place there. Monterey is
small village founded by the Spaniards IN l71l'
at the southern extremity OF a lay OF the same
name, near the Seth degree of latitude; about a
hundred miles south OF the great bay OF San
francisco, aud about three hundred and hity
miles north from the town OF Angeles, where
the CommandanI MichelteTena was with his
troops when the events in question occurred.
On the 18th Of October, Commodore Jones ar
rived at Monterey, in the frigate United States,
accompanied by the Cyane, under Captain
Sribling. As soon as the ships had anchored,
Captain Armstrong, the flag captain OF The Uni
ted States, landed, and delivered to the actng
Governor, Don Juan Alvarado, letter from
Commodore Jones, requiring the immediate
surrender of the place, with its FORTS castles,
ammunitions, arms, &c. to the United States,
in order TO save il from the horrors OF war
which would be the immediate consequences OF
a refusal to submit. Alvarado, upon this sum
mons, consulted the other military and civil au-
thorities and finding that the garrison consist
ed of only twenty nine men, that the artillery
was composed of eleven pieces, entirely useless
from the rotenness of their carriages, and that
the whole nj mber of muskets and carbnes, good
and bad, did not exceed hundred and titty-he
surrendered the place; which was in conse-
quence Immediately occupied by the Americans.
The articles of capiluation signed on the occa-
sion provide, that the Mexican soldiers shall
march out with colors flying, and shall remain
as prisoners of war until they can be sent to
Mexico that the inhabitants shall be protected
in their persons and property, so long as they
conduct themselves properly, aud do not iu-
fringe the laws of the United States, &c &c
Commodore Jones at the same time issued a
proclamation TO the Californans, declaring that
he came in arms as the representative Of a
powerful nation, against which the existing Go.
vernmenl of Mexico had engaged in war, but
not with the intention of spreading dismay
among the peaceful inhabitants" and inviting
them TO submit TO the authority Of nation,
which would protect them forever in the en- Joy
ment of liberty, &c. &c.
All these things took place on the 10Th of Oc-
lober. Two days afterwards, on the 2lsl Of the
month. Commodore Jones addressed another
letter to the acting Governor Alvarado, ~ me
effect, that in formation received by him since
the capture of the place, left him reason to
doubt that the difficulties etween Mexico and
the United States had been adjusted and that,
being anxious TO avoid all cause Of future diff
culties, he was ready 10 restore the place, with
its forts and property, to the Mexicans, in the
same condition in which they were before the
seizure Monterey was accordingly, ON that
day, evacuated by the Americans, and re-occu-
pied by the Mexicans, whose flag, on being re
hosted, was salu ed by the ships.
Thus terminated the three days at Monterey
Immediately after the restitution of the place.
Commodore Jones despatched a letter 10 the
commandant Micheloreno, in which lie stated
that he had been induced TO inudde Caiifor-
mia, by the mani esto addressed by General
Santa Anna 10 The Diplomatic Corps at Her-
leo, phereia HIS Erceiency had condiiondily
declared wdr against the United States: that
the captulation of Monterey, had been as hon
orabe to Mexico as circumstances would per.
init: and hat he had restored the place, and
ceased all offensive operations, so soon as he
became convinced of the existence of peace be-
tween the two nations.
The commandant Micheltoreno, according to
his despatch to the Minister cf War at Mexico,
received the news of The capufe Of Monterey
on the 23d Of The month, when he was at the
rancho or farm Of San Francisco, near Ange-
les. On the following day, he issued TO all The
commandants on the coast, to ert themselves
to he utmost for the defence Of their country
against the peridious North Americans, the
declared en-, mics of Mexico, who had taken
possession Of Monterey with four ships Of war
and eight hundr, men anG, with that view, to
join forces at Angeles, by whose bravery he |
doubted not that he should triumph and secure
additional glory to the Mexican nation. On the /
day after the date of these orders, the Governor
received Commodore Jones' letter, in answer 10
which, he sent series Of propositions for the
settlement Of such of the difficulties as might
be arranged there, leaving the question Of the
seizure to be discussed between the two Govern
mcnts. Commodore Jones, in his reply, dated .
the l,t of Noyem btT end, ayorcd as far as nos