Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-11-28

roduced into Mexico from the nelBnborlng province OF uc-
Much praise is due to Commodore Perry for the skill
and Judgment manifested throughout the whole expedition.
The Department will learn with regret the death OF Lieut.
Charles w Norris which took place on the ls instant on
board the Cumberland from wound received at the town of
abasco the 2Gth ultmo lie ocer OF great pro-
mise, and his loss is most serious TO the service.
am, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
ID. CONNER
Commanding Home Squadron.
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
II detailed account of The proceedings Of the erpe-
don under along the eastern coast of rico
left the anchorage St John Lzardo the evening of
the 10Th Of October with the Mississippi having
board detachment of zoo officers seamen, and marines
under command Of Captain French Forrest and in tor the
Vixen and schooners :" Bonita, Refer, and
Nonata, respectively commanded by Commander Sands,
and eutenans Commandan Benham Serrett and Hazard
and the schooner Forward" and steamer McLane, com
manded by Captains Nones and Howard, Of the revenue
marne
The next morning at daylight captured off the bar of Al
varado the American barque Coosa found in reasonable
communication with the enemy and the same day the " "Vx-
en- chased and boarded the American schooner Portia
The Coosa was dispatched to this place as Prze and
the Poria permitted to proceed her papers hav-
ing been endorsed From the day Of our leaving Alvarado
(he l7h) up the 22d, had succession of very bad
weather, which gave much trouble in keeping my little
command together During the interval, however, cap
tured and in the Mexican schooner telegraph"
On the 23d oil the vessels with the exception OF the
Reefer previously separated gae,) reached the bar
Of the ahascn and havng determined attacking the
commercial town OF Frontera at the mouth the rver and
the city of Iabasco situated "a miles higher up, placed
self on board the Vixen" leaving the g Mississippi in
command of Commander Adams at anchor outside and Ia
king in the g Bonita and Forward with the barges
containing the detachment under command of Capt Forrest
crossed the bar, the g Nonata following under sail
The Vxen," with this heavy drag, steadily ascended the
stream against four knot current and arriving to From
terra, discovered (of which had received pre-
in he Of
but too close upon them Casting off her tow the
Vixen proceeded ahead followed by the other vessels and
barges and at the town. the steamers and all the
sells port possession excepting only the schooner
"Amado, which vessel attempting escape up the rive
was pursued by Lieutenant Commandant Benham in the
6 Bonta and captured
Desrous Of reaching Tabasco before they would have time
for increasing their defcnces the detachment under Captain
Forrest placed board the largest Of the captured steam
ers, the Pctrita, and he with the "Nonata the " For
ward and the bages in tow, and the Vixen" with the
" Bonita let Fronera at hafpas nine the next morning.
Lieut. Walshbe being left in command OF the place.
After steamng all night and encounterng incidents
arising from the rapity Of the and the circuous
course OF the ream arrived Mt nine the next morning in
difficult pass OF the river On approach the employ
ed in preparing the guns for service hed and passed it
unmoested but careful the guns be spiked
Anticipating serious resistance at this place. arrangements
had been made for landing Captain Forrest and his detach
mcn mile below the fort march up and carry by Storm
At noon, all the vessels anchored in line of battle IN front
of the city at halfmuskc range, when Immediately
moned il to suuende the boats meanwhile being employed
in securing five merchant vessels found at anchor in the port
TO my summons by flag with Captain Forrest,
usa to capiulae returned, with invitation to me TO
fire pleased Suspecing, as did, that this an
given in bravado than in earnest and being
extremely reluctant TO destroy the place. entertained the hope
that few shots fired the buildings would have caused
surrender Accordingly directed the guns Of the "Vxen"
alone TO be fred and the flag staff sending order to all
the vessels 10 avoid far possible, in Of general
thnh sltaII Iy
At the third discharge from the "Vixen," the flag disap
pcared from the staff On seeing down, ordered the firing
cease, and Captain Forrest again ashore TO learn
whether bad been down by shot puposey struck
The reply that had been shot away and the city would
not I've surrendered.
now directed Captain Forrest, with the force under his
command to land and take position in the city commanded
by guns This movement brought scattering fire OF
musey from various parts of the city, which was returned
by the notia.
Percciving towards evening that the enemy did but little
injury, though openly exposed the decks Of the small yes
sel and their balls passing through slight bulwaks and
appehendng from the proverba heedessncss of sailors that
should they and the marines be attacked in the streets
after dark, they would be of by shapshooters from the
houses, ordered the detachment TO I've 70 embarked
In this position the vessels remained all night the crews
lying their quarters ready the fire Of the artillery
of the enemy which il supposed they would have bad
the courage TO have brought down under Of the night
to the openings Of the streets opposite to our vessels but they
left us undsturbed
Learning that the merchants and other citizens Of the city
desrous that captuaton should be made, but
overrued by the Governor who regardless of consequences
and himself against attack, that the city
should be destroyed rather than surrendered, deermn-
ed from motives Of humanity, fire again. but pass
down to Frontera with my prizes.
In the morning, however, the fire recommended from
the shore, and necessarily returned but with renewed
orders to regard the consular houses far they could be
distinguished In the midst of the fire flag of truce
displayed shore perceivng which, caused the firing
again to and Captain Forrest to meet its bear
er who submitted written communication addressed to me
copy Of which, with copy Of my reply, marked and e,
will be found enclosed.
As assurance Of my sincerity, now hoscd white
ag and directed the prizes drop down the stream, intend
ing to follow with the ota but in violation Of the under
standing implied in the before mentioned correspondence, the
enemy in discovering that Of the prizes had dted ashore
in front Of the city, collected large within and behind