The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-12

Perry and 1ruNtun; schooners Refer, Petrol and Boz
nito; and storeshlp Relief.
During the last two years. the menaces of hOstliues
the part of Mexico have made ii necessary TO conhne
the operations OF the squadron principally to the Gulf OF
Mexico.
On the Goth of March, 1915 the acting Secretary of the
Navy, in "A confidential despatch informed Commodore
Conner that the President OF the United States is i'm
pressed with belief that II is possible contingency
that the government OF Mexico may resort TO acts OF
hostility against the United States, and has directed me
order the other vessels of the home squadron under
your command 10 join you AT Vera Cruz The dlslos-
ton OF the President Is to MAINTAIN the most friendly
relations with the Mexican republic, and 10 meet any
begercnt movement on the part OF that republic IN ie
most decisive manner. You will, therefore, dispose
OF the force which now * or may be placed under your
command, will give the most etiecual protection 10
our citizens and commerce You wl be cautious not to
violate the rights OF others, but to resist and punish any
aggression If public declaration al war shall
be made by Mexico against the United States, you will
conduct your operations as To show to her and TO tue
world that, while rea " 10 do justice and 10 maintain
peace, prepared to vndicite the national honor,
and TO visit public enemies the utmost severn
ties of the war thus provoked. Ii, without such an
open declaration, hOsIllues shall be commenced on her
part, you will meet and visit them with the utmost
promptncss AMI energy - and the 10th Of August.
ISIS, II again impressed on him by the Secretary of
the Navy that the policy OF this government Is the pre-
servdtlon OF peace II possible"
In the extremely delicate circumstances in which he
was placed by the menaceI hOstilIucS the part OF
Mexico, Commodore Conner fully sustained his reputa
ton for sound judgment in the performance of hlsduty
On the Sd day OF May, lNid, he received intelligence at
era Cruz, which LETT no doubt on his mind that orders
had been gwen by the Mexican government 10 General
Arisa 10 attack the American army east Of the Del
NOrte with the forces under his command On the nth,
the commodore sailed with the principal part Of HIS
squadron for the BlUs Santa lagO, anI anchored oil the
bar on the Nth, while the battle Of Pao Alto raging,
Although too late 10 take part in that memorable conflict,
the arrival OF the squadron was most oppOrune, and Ell
icCtua security given to the depot at Point Isabel
BY landing five hundred seamen and marines under Cap
tain Gregory, OF the RarItan. A detachment under Cap
tim Aulck OF the Potomac, proceeded up the river to
BurIia ana aided in establishing military post at that
place.
For these prompt and gallant movements the commo-
dore, his officers and men, received the thanks OF the
President, through this department
On the 18th of Man, the Secretary of the Navy
formed him that Congress had declared that a state OF
exists between the United States and the republic of
Mexico and ordered HIM To exercise all the rights that
belonged to him the commander chief of bellge
rent squadron Under these orders, he declared and
forced blockade OF the principal ports OF Mexico on the
gulf The enemy had no ships OF which he dared
to show on the open and, dcterm ned on common
cling war, pecaution had been taken, in advance
Of the meditated attack, to place his public YES
sells in situations where, from natural obstacles, they
could not be reached by the ships of squadron. As
soon as authority was gwen by the appropriations OF
Congress- measures taken by the department to Pur
chase tor employ ment m the squadron small vessels of
suitable draft Of water to the dangerous bars which
guard the ports of Mexico Three schooners and two
small steamers purchased but the last of these did
not report to the squadron from uncomfortable causes
until early in November.
On the eth of August, Commodore Conner appeared off
the bar Of Alyarado with purpose Of attempting the
capture Of the enemys vessels of in that river The
return of bad weather, endangcrnE the small vessels IN
the open roadstea and the apdiN of the current from
the swollen state of the induced him to abandon his
design and to withdraw his force.
On the 18th - October, he made another attempt to
enter the AvaraiO river for the purpose. In
dcaVOrng to cross the bar OF the steamers having
tow the principal division Of the attacking force ground
ed and became entanglcd with the vessels in tow. The
current could not be overcome IN the state OF the wind
without the aid Of steam, and the commodore had the
On the 10th OF October, Commodore NJ c. Perry, with
the steamer mississippi and the small vessels, left the
squa iron at LIZarjO and sailed for TabaSc0 Ga the
pa he arrived off the bar, ana with great Judgment
and gaiiantry captured the town of Frontelra,
with the enemys steamers and vessels in port, and pro-
Ceeded up the river distance OF sevenyOur miles, into
the interior OF settled country, and appeared before the
city Of aasCo. He captured the vessels in the port and,
at the earnest request OF the foreign merchants humane
~ determined not to involve them III ruin, by destroying
the Town In dropping down the river of his prizes
grounded, and large body OF Meycans opened furious
fire on her. which was promptly returned with great ci-
fcCtthc stranded vessel got aOat and the MeNcans
beaten of. But in this treacheTOus attack American
seaman was killed. and Lieut. Charles w. Morris and
two scamcn were wounded. Lieut.. Morris survived I'M
board the Cumberland His commanding officers have
paid sad tribute TO the worth of this brave young officer
whose untimey death is severe loss to the service.
The objects of the expedition fully accomplished
and by the capture or destruction OF every vessel and
steamer OF the enemy IN that important river achcck has
been given to a commerce, by which, no doubt MUM
Much praise IS due to Commodore Perry, and to the
officers and men under his command for the skill u1g
ment, and courage manifested throughout the expedition
On the 18th OF November, Commodore Conner sailed,
with large portion of his squadron, and on the nth,
the town of IamWCO Capltuatei Internationally without
resistance Three fine gunbOatS and other public prop
erty fell into the hands Of the captors The enemy anti
clpatng an attack, hal wlthrawn the garrison, removed
the guns, and destroyed his munitions OF The
OF the enterprise Is OF great importance, and the
my has lost of the most considerable ports the
gulf Arrangements have been made hold it; and the
commodore instructed to renqush the command ashore
TO the officer Of the army commanding the garrison, and
resume the operations of the squadron. Additions OF
great value made 10 the naval forces in the gulf by
Tampico and the prizes adapted to the navigation of the
mouths of the rivers along the will be equipped and
usefully employed as cruisers.
The political condition of the State of YuCatan had in
duced of conduct towards her which exempted
her from the evils of war Having received information
which justified the belief that this generous course the
part of the United States had been abused on the 10th of
that hc President has given to the position in which
lucaan is placed by the pronmCiamento OF Merida, a
careful consideration, and directs to inform you that
the state must be regarded integral part of the Mex
lean republic, and her people portion of the public
enemies with whom arc at war and YOU will act to-
wards her as towards other portions of Mexico"
These instructions will be carried into effect
During the past the brig Truxtun has been lost
and the brig Perry wrecked but has been by great
tons of Lieutenant commanding Blake got TO Key West
and will be brought to Norfolk for repair The officers
and crew Of the TuXtm became prisoners the MeXi-
cans An inquiry will be had as to the of both
diSasters-a proceeding due the officers and the
vice.
No general cartel has been established between the two