Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-04-15

Il shells. Hence the fire of our mortar battcriei
has been slackened, since two o'clock, to-day
and cannot be reinvigorated until we shal
| again have smooth sea. In meantime shal
/ leave this report open for journalizing event
that may occur up to the departure Of thu
steam ship-of- war, the Princeton, with Com
Conner, who, l learn expects to leave the an
chornge off Sacrifcios, for the United States
the 25th inst.
March 2l-The storm having subsided il
the night, We commenced this forenoon,as soor
as the sea became little smooth, to land shot
shells, and mortars.
great activity, under Captain Aulick, the
second in rank Of the squadron, at about IL
A. M. His fire was continued to o'clock
l p NJ, little before he was relieved by Capt
Mayo, who landed with fresh supply of am.
munition-Capt. A. having exhausted the sup
ply he had brought with him. lie lost -four
sailors, killed, and had one officer, Lieut.. Bald.
win, slightly hurt.
The mortar batteries, Nos. 1, 9, and 3, have
fred but languidly during the day for want OF
shells, which are now going out from the beach.
The two reports of Col. Bankhead, chief OF
artillery, both of this date, copies Of which ]
enclose, give the incidents of those three bat
teries.
Founders, and two inch Paixhan's guns, has
been much delayed IN the hands Of the indefa.
tigable engineers by the norther that filed up
the work with sand nearly as fast as it could
be opened by the half laborers. II will
however, doubtless be in full activity early to-
morrow morning.
March 25.-The Princeton being about to
start for Philadelphia, have but a moment to
continue this report
All the batteries, Nor. I, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are
in awful activity, this morning. The effect is,
no doubt, very great and think the city can
not hold out beyond to-day. To-morrow morn.
ing many of the new mortars will be in posi-.
ton to add their fire, when, or after the delay
of some twelve hours, IL no proposition to sur
render should be received, shall organize par
ties for carrying the city by assault. So far
the defence has been spirited and obstinate.
l enclose a copy of a memorial received last
night, signed by the consuls of Great Britain,
France, Spain and Prussia, within Vera Cruz,
asking me to grant truce to enable the ne u.
trails, together with Mexican women and chill.
dren, to withdraw from the scene Of havoc
about them. | shall reply, the moment that
an opportunity may be taken, to say. That
a truce can only be granted on the application
of Governor Morales, with view to surren-
der. g That in sending safeguards to the
uIhcieht cohsuis, peSHlHihR us ioI oaCh 40 TIC
18th inst, distinctly admonished them
particularly the French and Spanish consuls-
and Of course, through the two, the other con-
suls, of the dangers that have followed. 3.
That although at that date had already re-
fused to allow any person whatsoever to pass
the line of investment either way, yet the
blockade had been left open to the consuls and
other neutrals to pass out to their respective
ships of war up to the 22d instant and 4th,
] shall enclose to the memoralsts copy of
my summons to the governor, 10 show that
had fully considered the impending hardships
and distresses Of the place, including those of
women and children, before one gun had been
fired in that direction. The intercourse be-
tween the neutral ships of war and the city
was stopped at the late mentioned date by
Commodore Perry, with my concurrence,
which placed OF the ground that the inter-
course could not fail to give to the enemy NOR
al aid and comfort.
II will be seen from the memorial, that our
batteries have already had a terrible effect on
the city, (also known through other sources
and hence the inference that surrender must
som be proposed In haste,
have the honor to remain, sir with respect,
your most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. VIM. l.. Marcy, Secretary of War.