The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-13

ooat, WIN flag oil truce, came o
l. bearing Mexican officer with a rep
to Captain Du Points last commune
ton; the reply was peremptory ref
sal to comply with his terms, som
. what defying, with sprinhling Of ga
. conade. Accompanying the office
who brought the reply were four pc
sons, representing themselves as ne,
> 'ral merchants residing IN Guaymas
they brought letter from the SPANS
consul introducing them 10 that effect
they desired that hostilities nigh, no
commence for three days to allow then
time to remove their effects. The,
stated that not woman or child re
NAMED in the place, and that 500 me,
were under arms. They admitted they
had known of the war two months, ant
had been apprised of our visit four days
Captain Du Pont shrewdly suspected
that the object Of these merchants wa.
not simply personal, as they were un
accompanied by our agent, and did moi
bring line from him. Subsequen,
events strongly confirmed the suspi
con; for they gave their assurance
when it was urged that granting then
requests would give time to the enemy
to throw up batteries and receive rein
f"rcements, tha, it was impossible for
the forces on shore to receive any IN.
crease during the time; yet, on the
evening of the next day, three hundred
armed Indians, mounted, rode INTO the
place. they being the advance ola body
of seven hundred, that were to join
them the next day. These Indians
were armed by the Mexicans and are
subsidiary to them. Captain Du Ponl
finally told them that he had been relus-
ed the courtesy Of an interview with
the American agent--that he had re-
ceived delying letter from the militia
~ commander--th all he could do un-
der the circumstances would be to ex-
tend his terms one hour, which was the
time they had lost on board. They
showed off'a few minutes after 9 o'clock,
their boat had been on shore only IL
few minutes, and before 10 o'clock both
the gun-boats were discovered with the
Mexican flag flying and On fire, which
was seen with regret, although we ali
anticipated hot work in laying hold of
them. We at once fired two Paixhans
at them, which dispersed those that
were firing them. 1t was soon evil
den. that they were thoroughly fired.
and we considered SO much Of our work
as done work, too, which we thought
hazardous, as the gun-boats were haul
ed well up, and the shore was lined
with buildings and walls that gave pro-
lection to their men, and within fifty
yards of them; besides, we could see
that they had prepared entertainments
TO cover them, and had also the two
Guns taken from the gun-boats, and sew
ero,' oieces of field ordnance. We felt
thew had yielded to our ability to take
them. which was actually striking TO
h.en-the most that we
could have landed; and with these they
could have come to hand.and-hand
conflict in two feet water. Our ships
company was very much reduced IN
number, all our marine guard, win the
lieutenant of marines. having been le''
10 garrison the tawn Of Los Angeles. ,
Upper California. We had officered
and marined the prize schooner julia
with one lieutenant, one mlas!n'Pman'
and twelve men, which, together WIN
our sick list, left our effective force !
greatly reduced. |
awe now set manfully at our remain
ing work, which was to cut out the on
w Mexican vessel living in the harbor,
The neutraIs had hauled out, as they |
we're drected.) This was the trig
anchored within pistc-shol
of the town, and within short musket
range Of their troops concentrated be-
hind the hill l have before mentioned.
She evidently was not burned when
the gun-boats were, on account OF her
being more completely covered BY
their combined forces. lying in cove
10 far behind this hill that they could
ire upon her from their protected po-
,ition without exposing themselves to
he ships guns. Our launch. With her
,un--a l2.pound carronade- mounted
in her bows, and the third cutter, were
called away, with their crews armed
and equipped. Lieut.. G. W. Harr'-
SON in command of the expedition IN
the launch, with Midshipman h. N.
Crabb and Acting Boatswain James
Collins. The third cutter, with Lieut..
Edward Higgins and Midsh'pman K.
F. r. Lewis, with some extra small
arm men, showed off at half past eleven.
Lying on their oars lew minutes
along side, they were addressed by
Capt. Dn Pont in few pertinent re-
marks, selling forth the necessity ofhls
hnD I'd