The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-03


market, and should such result be realized,
there must be a corresponding improvement in
prices for our principal staples on both sides of
the Atlantic. Breadstufs are destined to adj
vance ; no restrictions in the money market can
keep down prices for food; as the season advan-
ces there appears to be demand for consump-
ton greater than the supply, which spectators
are not slow in taking advantage of.
| The shipments from this country have not for
some time past been as large usual; and the re-
ceipts at Liverpool and other ports of Europe,
have, therefore, been less This is, no doubt,
partially the cause of the advance in prices. We
look for the steamer every hour; in the mean
time look out for spectators. Hold on to all the
flour you have until an Extra Herald is issued,
and then let it slide at the best price you can get.
The Capture OF AIvarado-The Court-Martial
and Reprimand OF Lieut.. Hunter.
The court-martial and sentence of Lieut.,
Charles G.. Hunter, have been for some time be-
fore the public and have been commented
upon freely by our citizens and by the public
journals. AS regards the press, there are two
opinions entertained, and we believe they are
participated in by the public. These opinions
are directly contrary to each other; but the
used more harshncss than the case required, and
less of that gallantry which one brave officer
owes to another.
We have not as yet expressed our opinion on
the matter, but we shall do so now, first, how
ever, giving few of the reasons and circum-
stances on which it is based, without which no
one can form proper opinion.
The capture of Alvarado, by Lieut.. Hunter,
as every one knows, was the prime cause of the
court martial; but we shall see by and by, whe-
Their it was the cause of the splenetic remarks,
which formed Commodore Perry's reprimand,
and which might have been better omitted. Lieut..
Hunter did capture Alvarado-the port which
he was directed to blockade, until the arrival of
the great naval and land force, which Commo-
dore Perry had detailed to attack it, This was
| unquestonably breach of orders, but not to
gallant and comprehensive man like Lieut.. H.
There were circumstances connected with it
that 60 far to paliate it, and to make it SPLEEN
did affair 1t Is well known that it is the
same port which baffled Commodore Conner and
large naval force, composed of the vessels
differed and manned by men who were burning
to partake of the glory which had crowned the
army. The attack of Commodore Conner was
veral circumstances. The feet then pro-
ceeded to Vera Cruz and remained there
month after month, literally idling away time,
or making an inglorious capture occasion
ally of an unfortunate ship that intended to run
the blockade. This was not the kind of glory
which our gallant navy officers courted. They
wished to brave danger, and reflect honor and
lustre on the American flag. They did not wish
the army to gain all the laures in the war; and
the navy none.
Well, Vera Cruz was captured, and 80 was the
Castle of San Juan deHUl1a; in taking both of
which the navy contributed their share, and of
course are entitled to their portion of the glory
that accrued from it. Lieut.. Hunter did not,
however, participate in that glory for he arrived
there Immediately after the surrender. That
belongs to Com Conner and Captain Tatnall,
and the brave officers under them Lieut. II. was
ordered, as we said before, to blockade Alvarado;
but hearing that several American prisoners
were confined there, a fact unknown to the COM
modore knowing that the time had arrived for
its capture, in order to secure the munitions of
the war stored there painting for portion of the
glory which the war had hitherto denied him
and wishing also to prove to his cOuntrymen at
home that, notwithstanding the ingorious mac
tivity of the navy for year past, it wanted but
an opportunity to test and prove its courage and
gallantry, he resolved in his own mind that
the little vessel which he commanded, and
his officers and crew, could take it, and by
taking it, do act that would for ever
silence the croakings of those who, without en-
curing whether the navy had an opportunity of
doing any thing or not condemned it for its in
activity. All this prompted the gallant Hunter,
and under such workings of his spirit did he
and his brave officers and crew, resolve upon
taking Alvarado. Commodore Perry afterwards
said to him that he captured it at mere hap
hazard but the charge was unfounded He pre-
pared and digested plan of operations differ
ent somewhat from what he afterwards carried
out but a plan that would have succeeded as
efiectually as in that which he followed after
wards. His original plan was, to land on the
night Of the 10Th of March, and then to storm
the first fort by surprise but a heavy gale
occurring, he was obliged to stand off shore
all night, and this alone prevented him from
capturing Mexican General and force of
five hundred men. Frustrated by the elements,
over which he had no control, he then re-
solved upon the plan which he pursued and suc-
cessfuy carried out the next day and which,
under the circumstances, was one of the most
gallant affairs that ever took place.
Because II was constructively disobedience
OF orders, he was court-martialed The dis
clpinc of the navy perhaps required such
course to be pursued, as it has been in
few, very few other instances but if, at the
same time that the intended capture of the
same place by Commodore Conner was un.
dertaken and failed-as it did fail--Commodore
Perry had asked for volunteers TO undertake its