The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-20
The American Fleet before San Juan dc Ulua-
French View OF the Capture.

From the Journal Du Havrc, April 49,
The next arrival will in all probability, bring the
Of the attack Of the castle of San Juan de Uda
the naval forces Of the United States The American
government has finally determined to make the attempt
after having for long time, hestated to entrust this
enterprise he importance of which makes It evident
that It ought to have been Of its first eor to the
which have been attended with but little success, and
seek by this brilliant stroke to eclipse the insgnin
cant aggressons against the various small ports the
Mexican coast to which they have hitherto confined
themselves: Grand preparations have been made for
fair to navy and there is doubt but that tho
fear Of failing In enterprise which the French navy
states government to hesitate considerably from the
first and to take the great precaution that it has In
der to
1t will not, perhaps be embarrassing at this moment,
when the Americans about to undertake this work.
to institute comparison between the French forces
which caused the capitulation Of s. Juan dUua, and
those Of the United States which have assembled before
Vera Cruz to attack this fortress which they still per-
sist in calling the Gibraltar of the new world
The squadron, commanded by Admiral Baudin, con-
brigs two bomb Ketches and two steamers in all
ty vessels carrying $50 guns Three frigates
corvette the two bomb ketches the only
that took part in the action which commenced at two
surrender place the principal batteries of which
had been sienced and its chief works destroyed.
Tho American force at present before Vera Cruz Is
the largest force which the United States have yet
assembled before single place and consists in all
thirty light vessels Of carrying in all 395 guns
which several Paixhans. II consists of the follow
ing viz one "a gun ship, the Ohio; two frgstes the
Potomac, guns; the Nartan, ~ c0r9
vettes the John Adams St Mary's, Germantown Alba
ny, Decatur, and Saratoga Two 10 gun brgs. the
Porpose and Perry twelve steamers of which the Mis-
sissppi and Princeton carry Paixhan guns five bomb
keches and ten schooners, or soops carrying from to
guns.
In addition to this warlike array the American 60
has taken into its service considerable num-
Der of merchant vessels both steam and sailing the
transportation of the troops which make part the
petition under General Scott who is to attack the
of by land under the orders Of squadron
This branch consists of seventy ships briggs and
eleven which makes aggregate of I76 sail
all kinds which have all directly indirectly the same
object in view viz the reduction Of Vera Cruz
fortress.
As n matter of course the American government found
great hopes the Of such imposing
equal to which they have had previously In the
historyof the nation We doubt however whether
the result will repay the expenses which these
preparations must have cost. Not that for one
moment doubt that the American navy will fail in
terprsc in which navy with such limited means
ceeded brilliantly but because there is every
believe that all this costly preparation will be rendered
useless by the. ineficiency OF the resistance they
will meet with Already the evacuation Of Vera Cruz
has given this city without blow to General Scott
who will only have collected large force at great
pense from distance Of two hundred leagues from the
North to take possession Of abandoned town II Is
highly probable that being cut on from its communica-
ton with the Interior the castle of San Juan de Uua
will surrender at the first summons and by such too
easy victory the American flag will be deprived Of the
glory Of feat OF for which the French navy Ia
justly envied.