The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-14
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1871.


TO report complete.
WASHINGTON, March 10, lS47.
Vetcs From the Army-iSdnta Annas Policy
Commodore Coanor-Ihe attack on San Juan
a. UUoa-D1r BeNf0gs--fhe merit Elections.
Letters have been received from General Tay-
Tor, dated at Saltllo, the 9th 7th of February.
At that time there had been apprehension Of
an attack. Everything was quiet in that quar-
Ter. The rumor that Santa Anna had ordered
Vera Cruz to be abandoned, gains no credence
here. That he authorized spreading the report,
there is little doubt, as his policy is to mYstify
our Generals as much possible. He has in
dustriously circulated many rumors Of intended
attacks on our various frontier posts, manifestly
with the view Of distracting the attention Of our
Generals, and to mask his real design. 1t is be-
lieved here that his real purpose is to march in
person TO the support Of Vera Cruz, leaving his
subordinates to keep General Taylor in check.
Nothing could be better conceived than the policy
he has adopted, if this DO, as have very little
doubt it is, his real object. lie has thrown for
ward various parties of light troops to cut off our
advanced detachments, and to impress our Ge-
neras with the fear OF an immediate attack on
several OF their posts ct once, in order 10 deter
General Scott from taking from General Taylor's
command as large force as he had at first in
tended, for the attack on Vera Cruz; at the same
time that he has given out a report that he has
ordered the castle to be abandoned by its garri.
son, with the view of delaying the embarkaton
Of the troops intended for its attack he doubt
less believed General Scott would be in no hurry
to embark, if he supposed the castle would be
surrendered without a blow, and still less so with
the large forces Of the enemy lowering over our
weak posts. In the mean time, Santa Anna has
probably set ont Tor Vera Cruz, and may be
expected to make stand there, if he
ind that position untenab!e, then somewhere in
the neighborhood. He can gain nothing, and he
must lose great deal by evacuating Vera Cruz
without struggle-aways provided he do not
intend TO create a necessity for peace by giving
up, one by one, the strongest positions, into the
hands of our army, and thus showing his country
men the folly OF prolonging the contest.
Gen Scott will not be deceived by this manGu-
vre. His orders have been to proceed, as soon as
practicable, to the attack on Vera Cruz, and he is
by this time in all probability, the ground, ma
king his preparations.
tits not at all certain that the Mississippi will
take part in The bombardment Of San Jnan d.
Ulloa Unless some extraordinary and unooke
for delay takes place III the embarkation of the
forces or the preparations onthe ground, the land
attack will take place about the Goth or at late st the
2ith inst. The tack will be combined one, and
therefore it i. more than probable the nj ssissippi,
If she do not possess more than ordinary sailing
qualities, will not arrive in time. Com. Perry goes
out to take the command of the Gulf squadron,
which he will assume Immediately on his arrival.
The longest term OF the command Of squadron
is three years, and Com. Conner has been nearly
four years in command in the Gulf. The rule was
not enforced when his term expired it was
thought hard to recall him just when the long ted-
um of his mcnotonous and tiresome duty was
about TO be envened by little active service. A,
that time too hegeneral opinion was that the wal
would not last more than a few months, and il
was not thought worth while to enforce the rule
in his regard. The aspect of things has since
changed. Although there are indications that the
war canno. last through the summer, there is no
certainty that it will terminate Tor years; and UNI
der these circumstances, 1t would be unjust TO the
other officers not to afford them opportunity for
distinction to which the rules OF the service entitlc
them As Commodore Corners term is at an
end in the service is better entitled to the
command than Commodore Perry Independent
of his fame as a naval officer, his patriotism in
serving in subordinate capacity IN the Gulf is
worthy of all praise, and is well worthy of imita-
ton by the juniors Of the service. Whether he
arrive before or after the capture Of the castle, he
will Immediately assume the command. II
Commodore Conner has not yet been enabled to
perform any brilliant exploit since the commence
ment Of the blockade, yet his patient endurance
of the tedium and unpleasantness ofthe blockade
and his triumph over the many difficulties of hi:
position, will insure him hearty welcome from
his countrymen on his return.
Numerous coniectures have been advanced
about Mr. Benton's course since the defeat of the
Lieutenant Generalship on the last day of The ses
sion. see that some have gone so far as to plac,
the three millions at bis disposal. / need scarce
ly say that in any rumor representing him a
going to Mexico in diplomatic capacity, there
is no sort Of truth. The three millions will be lait
out under the eye of Mr.. Buchanan, and believe
for diplomatic intercourse with Mexico, no othe
than Mr.. Slidel will be chosen. Should Mr. Ben
ton decline the appointment rendered him by the
President, il is believed it will be offered to Gen.
eral Dix. a better appointment could not b.
made.
As corollary to the list of the member
of the House of Representatives OF the Thr
deth Congress, published few days since il
the Herald, give the following calculation as {,
the probable result of the elections yet to b,
held. Ii Is made up by some OF the ablest poll
ucians in the country, and is impartial. 1t IS NJ
TO Psb 10, 1917,
1rssiy Elected. :..........". 90 70
WV .~ap''ea, siains