Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-17

NJ summons to the Governor of Vera Cruz and within
the two hours limited by the bearer of the flag, received the
Governors answer. Copies of the two papers (maked
| spectively A and B) herewith enclosed.
IL will be perceived Governor, who turns out is
the commander Of both places chose against the plain terms
OF the summons suppose TO have demanded the
render of the castle and Of the city, when, in fact from the
non-aval OF our heavy metal principally mortars in
no condition to threaten the former.
On the return OF the flag with that reply ordered
the seven mortars in battery open upon the city. In
short time the smaller vessels of Commodore Perys squad
ronwo steamers and five to previous
arrangement with him. approached the city within about
mile and an eighth, WHENCE being partially covered from the
castelar, essential condition their saety-hey also opened
brisk fire upon the city, This has been continued unner
rupedly by the morlars and only with few ntemissons
by the vessels up nine o'clock this morning. when the
Commodore very properly called them oil from position too
daringly assumed.
Our three remaining morars ~ o'clock M in
battery, and the whole activity. Tomorrow, early,
the city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. and
will be ready to add their fire; No. consisting Of four
"a Founders and two s-nch Paixhan guns and No. 5
naya batte) Of three 32 Founders and three snch Pax
hanshe guns, officers and saors landed froa the squad
ronour friends of the navy being unremitng IN their
lons operation, in every mode and form
SO far we know that fire upon the city has been highly
eectvepariculary from the batteries Of l0inch moars
planted at about eight hundred yards from the city, ncu
ding the preparation and defence OF the batteries from the be-
gnning-now many days-and Notwithstanding the heavy
fire of the enemy from the city and caslewe have only
killed in the trenches That officer Capt JOAN
r. VISToS, of the United States Sd Artillery, of the
most talented accomplished, and effective members of the
armv and who highly distinguished in the brilliant ope
raons at Monterey He fell last evening in the trenches,
where he duty field and commanding officer uni
versay regretted have just attended his honored remains
to soldiers grave, in full view Of the enemy and within
reach of his guns.
Thirteen of the long needed Notwithstanding twenty seven
besides heavy guns, behndhave arrived and two Of them
landed heavy norher then set in Cat merdan) that stop
ped that operation and also the landing OF shells Hence
the fire Of mortar batteries has been sackened since two
o'clock to-day and cannot be renvigorated until shall
again have smooth In the time shall leave this
report open for ournazng that may to the
departure of the steam ship of the Princeton, with Com
modore Conner who learn, expects to leave the anchorage
off Sacrifcios for the United States the 18th instant
March 24-The storm having subsidized in the night, we
commenced this forenoon the became little
smooth, to land shot, Shells and mortars
The naval battery, No. s. opened with great activity
under Captain Aulck the second rank of the squadron at
about 10 A. M. His fire continued to o'clock p. NJ,
little before ne relieved by Captain Mayo, who landed
with fresh supply of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A. having
haused the supply be had brought with him. He lost four
sailors killed. and had officer, Lieut. Baldwin, slightly hurt
The mortar batteries, Nos. l. and 3 have fired but Ian
guidy during the day for the want of shells, which
going out from the beach,
The reports Of Col Bankhead chief Of artillery, both
Of this date copies of which enclose give the incidents of
those three batteries.
Battery No. A. which will four FOUNDERS and two
snch Paxhan guns has been much delayed in the hands
the ndeatgabe engineers by the norher that filled the
work with sand nearly fast it could be opened by the
halfbinded aborers il WILL however, doubtless be in full
activity early tomorrow morning.
March 25-Ihe Princeton being about to start for Phia-
delphia, have but a to continue this report
All the batteries, Nos l. p 3, 4, and 5, are in awful ac-
tivity this morning The ELECTS doubt very great, and
think the city cannot hold on,NeS md to-day. To morrow
morning many of the will be position to add
their fire, when, after the delay Of some twelve hours if
proposition to surrender should be received shall
parties for carrying the city by assault So far the defence
has been spirited and obstinate
enclose copy of the memorial received last night signed
by the Consus of Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prussia
neutras together with Mexican and children, to with
draw from the of havoc about them shall reply the
moment that opportunity may be taken, TO say That
truce only be granted the application Of Governor
Morales with view To surrender 2 That in sending safe
guards the different Consu beginning far back the
18th instant distinctly admonished them-partculay the
French and Spanish Consu and Of course through the two,
the other Consuof the dangers that have followed 3.
That although, at that date had already refused to allow
any person whatsoever pass the line of investment either
way the blockade had been left open to the Consus and
other neua pass out TO their respective ships Of TO
the 22d insan and, Alb, shall enclose TO the memoraists
copy Of my to the Governor 10 show that had
fully considered the impending hardshps and dstreses Of the
place. including those Of and children, before gun
had been fired in that direction The between the
neutral ships of and the city stopped the last men,
toned date by Commodore Perry, with concurrence which
placed the ground that that intercourse could not fail
give to the enemy moral aid and comfort.
II will be from the memorial that batteries have
already had terrible effect the city, (aso known through
other source and hence the inference that surrender
soon be proposed.
In haste, have the honor to remain, sir, with high
spect your most obedient servant
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. VIM L. Manor, Secretary of War;
i