The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-21

age, ana the suspicious might nave INDUCED IN very Sc
censure Again. there an old anecdote of what re
ally occurred very many years ago. in department when
on occasion, and AFTER the bidders save one
were present at the opening of the bids and then mme
diately withdrew TO adjoining room and all at once
by combination, withdrew all their bids except one and
the consequence considerable loss to the govern
ment After this single example of the dangerous con-
sequences of such course this experiment of having the
bidders present was never renewed, and the invarabe
practice eadopted and continued ever since pursued by
Mr. Walker There sanother conclusive objection to such
course Ii the bidder is not present. and knows moth
ing of the bids until his bid is accepted he bound by il
after such acceptance becomes thereby contract and
he is bound by law to fulfil it, and is responsible to the
government for any loss if he does not but if he is pres
ent watching, and knowing the progress and character
of the bids, he may at any time before all the bids are
opened and the facts asceraned and his own bid actu
ally accepted, withdraw his bid, and subject the gov
eminent to great loss which case, have stated
actually occurred, and the experiment (now proposed by
the Courier) consequence, renewed Until
the bid is actually accepted, it is proposition,
which may be Withdrawn; but after acceptance, il is a
contract which the bidder must fulfil, or make good any
loss the government and this alone proves the pro-
priety of the pursued by Mr. Walker in accord
ance with the nvarabe practice of the Treasury ever
since the government was founded.
Capture of Avarado-Return OF General Qu.tman to
Vera Cruz.
The United States sloop-of-war St. Mary's arrived at
Pensacola the 18th instant She brings the following
letter to the Secretary of the Navy from Commodore Per-
ry which was received by the last evenings mail at the
Navy Department:
UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP MISSISSIPPI,
Anchorage Anton Lizardo April A, 1917.
SIR have the honor to inform the department that
nj ('rIIZ
Scott and myself concerted measures for taking posses
sion of Alvarado.
Although it was not expected that any defence would
be made 1t was thought advisable that strong detach-
ments, both OF the army and navy, should be employed,
in view OF making an imposing demonstration in that di
rection.
The southern brigade, under General Quitman was de-
tached for this duty, and the naval movements d
rected personally by myself.
As had been anticipated, not the slightest opposition
offered by the enemy, and the river and town were
quietly occupied the Cd instant by the combined forces
OF the army and navy.
General Quihnan took up his line of march this morn
ing, on his return to Vera Cruz, and left for this
chorage to arrange expedition to the north; Captain
Mayo with small naval detachment, being placed in
command of Alyarado and its dependencies, in which
may be embraced the populous town of lacoalpam sit
uated about twenty miles up the river.
In tins expedition have had the good fortune to be-
come acquainted with General Quitman and many of the
officers OF his command and have been gratied to OBJ
serve most cordial desire, as well with them as with
the officers OF the navy to foster courteous and efficient
cooperation.
The enemy before evacuating the place. burnt all the
public vessels and spiked buried most of the guns but
those that concealed have been discovered, and
have directed the whole numberabout sixtyeither to
be destroyed or shipped with the shot on board the gun
boats, they may be found of sufficient value to be
moved
With great respect, have the honor to be your most
obedient servant, NJ G. PERRY,
| Commanding Home Squadron
The Hon. John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy
Washington, ID. {.