The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-18

Perote might be fortified and garrisoned effective
ly but il would take ten thousand men to de-
fend ia greater number than the enemy can
spare for that purpose. But can see no reason
Tor defending any of the intermediate places be-
tween Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico, that
does not weigh with much greater force for
the defence of Vera Cruz itself. Even supposinp
Santa Anna TO be imprcssed with the certainty of
defeat he could accomplish an orderly retreat
and show that he intended to DISPUTE every inch
Of ground with our army. He possesses a
thorough knowledge of the country. and. there
fore. IAN advantage over Gen Scott being his securc
from pursuit. In fne he can lose little or nothing
by defending Vera Cruz, and he can gain nothing
by Its evacuation.
From tho advanced state of the military opera.
tons in attacking Vera Cruz, apparent from the
last accounts, 1t is now very doubtful whether
commodore Perry will reach the Gulf in time to
participate In the action. The accounts received
n day or two before the Ohio sailed, seemed to
threaten some delay in the embarkation and dis
position OF the forces but the advices lately re-
ceived give promise OF the entire readiness of the
military and naval commanders to undertake the
combined attack about the'time have before in
dicated-from the 20th to the Oath inst.
Ihe operations OF the squadron will not sacken
after the capture of San Juan dUlloa Under
Commodore Perry, it will continue to annoy and
harrass the coast, and enforce the blockade more
strictly than heretofore. The means placed at the
disposal OF Commodore Connor's successor are
have been hitherto employed for the annoyance
OF the enemy. The violations of the blockade, so
frequent at present, will it is hoped, greatly de-
crease in number, by reason of the large additions
to the squadron lately made.
The MISUNDERSTANDING, pressed against
The manifest will OF Congress, no less than in OPP
posuon to the earnest remonstrances of the press,
met the tate 1t merited | doubt not its projec-
toIs have ere now learned to regret their agency
IN ~. IL was from beginning to end sorry affair.
IL has done Mr.. Benton no good, and the Pres-
dent irreparable injury. II served to draw off for
time, the former from opposition, to which there
IS little doubt he will now return. Mr. Benton
Tor an entire session i'll the ranks OF the oppos-
uon-should not have been approached by the
President with the proffer OF diplomatic or mill.
larry appointments, If the latter had consulted his
own reputation. j do not mean to intimate that
Mr.. Benton could be bought off, or that the Pre-
sident intended TO buy him off from opposition by
Inc protfer OF the mission to France, or OF the
Lieutenant Generalship of the army; but the ne.
Socauon, under the circumstances, wore an awk-
ward appearance, and could have been handled
with great force against both parties The pas.
sage (through the House of REPRESENTATIVE of
the law virtually authorizing the President to APP
point Mr.. Benton TO the command of the army,
succeeded by piece of political intrigue, and
owed It's success TO the bitteres opponents both of
Mr.. Benton and the President. The expediency
and fitness OF the measure were entirely lost sight
Of Of what has taken place since the failure of
that measure In Congress, | am not disposed to
speak. There is nothing in worse taste than to
exult over disappointed man.
(rAJvIENsIS