The New York herald., 1850-05-03
signed as stated. and directed, think. to Captain

signed as stated. and duected think. to Captain
Commodore Perry--Did you. landing at Al
he ist 81 fsiaii, .oy ,rar.ue al
recent rrepa rations for dereDce' Al did not visit
any Of the forts or towns. There signs OF
movements Of troops, from appearances about the
stables
Commodore rerry-in your judgment, how far
is il iiCm lie bar at The mouth of e rver to the
font ; and Is that the only fort on the ryerl A
The bar is about Two nautical miles from the fort
where The Mississippi anchored, close up 10 the
bar there were one or two guns mounted on a
hill above the foit, about half mile distant,
though not Immediately in the rear Of the fort.
Commodore perIy-Did the Mississippi anchor
for The purpose OF hiins; and was she as close to
the outer edge Of the bar prudentfor vessel TO
go! A.Io fire laid about one hundred yards
nom outer edge OF breakers; near as a vessel
of her burden could safely go.
Conn niodoye Pcrry-What was the range and
effect OF the guns fired from the Mississippi? A.
Ranged ten degrees; greatest the guncarrage
would allow first shell fell near the fort; some be-
yond, and others did not reach it; full charge of
powder; all single-shotied shelled; the effect
upon The fort was 10 draw return fire. but their shot
all fell short; the nearest a quarter OF mile, or
hree or ionr hundred yards short they then ceased
firing, and kept themselves out of sight; when our
vessels ceased firing, the Meyic again appeared;
we had thought they had abandoned the fort, but
they had gene behind the hills for safety.
Commodore PeTry-Were ten-inch Paixhans
used, being the largest calibre? A.-They were;
and Tie largest in use in the navy at that time
Commodore Perry desired to put questions re-
specting small vessel intimidating the fort, but
the Court objected.
Court-When you arrived at Avarado, did you
see any United States troops, and if so, who
manded them! A.-Saw General Quitman, with
a few soldiers, afternoon of 1st of April; after
wards saw more officers and soldiers; and on the
I'd OF April saw more officers and soldiers than
previously.
Commodore Pery-Do you know whether there
were concerted signals between the army and
navy! A.-CommOdore Perry informed me that
such was the arrangement that the army and navy
could be informed Of each others position; troops
and vessels arrived at Avarado at the same time.
Commodore Pcrry--ln your visit to Tlacotalpan,
did you perceive any preparation for defence or
sisance on the part of the cnemyl Add not.
Captain Jacob Ta,nal sworn.
Court-Were you employed in the Gulf Of Mex
leo, &c.! A.-Ies; and commanded the steamer
Slitire
Court-Are you acquainted with any circum-
stances connected with the surrender Of Alvara-
do, Nc.! A.-The Sptire left Anton LizardO
about the first Of April when off the mouth of the
Akarado river, heard that the Scourgc, under COM
mand of Lieutenant Hunter, had taken possession
of the town; detachment entercd' the fort; an
chcfed in port of Akarado; Commodore Perry
went hore and he ordered the Spitiire proceed
up the river TO 1lacotalpan, to arrest Lieutenant
IIunier met Lieutenant Hunter on his way down,
sumc evening; next day the Sptire and several
small yessels was ordered To Tlacotalpan the duty
assigned us as Il commission, consisting OF Captains
Adams, Mckenzie and myself, was 10 annul the
Terms made by Lieutenant Hunter, and, make
Othcrs--graDilng protection Of property, kindness,
&c., and TO secure cattle and horses five hundred
horses were wanted, and a commission of Mexican
authorities went down 10 AlyaTado, IN the Spitilre,
10 settle the details the terms originally made at
1lacotalpan were read at Alvarado. General
Quiman accepted the terms for delivery Of horses,
but said he had mislsd his directions from General
Scott, which he thought only related to inquiries as
TO whether they could be procured, and not to ac-
tua purchase ! subsequently returned to Taco
tapan, 10y order OF Commodore Perry, with him
ts,py Ii.s ssfr aoIsn
except Turser OBricn, who substituted for
Captain Adams; and they 80 modified the stipua-
tiCns as 10 require such necessary preparations TO
be made for the delivery OF horses and mules the
regusitions of the conimanderin-ciiefof Of the army
might require. The character and price Of the
animals were also agreed upon.
Cour-in what manner did The American conf
missionCTs communicate to the Mexican authori-
ties that the stipue'ons made by Lieutenant Hun
ter were unnulledl A.-Ierbally, by saying that
Lieutenant Hunter was not authorized TO do so.
Think there was 4 leading point IN our s'iPulatons
TO that eject.
Captain Sends, sworn.
Cour-Were You employed in the Gulf of
Mexico, Nc.! Ayes; in command OF the
steamer Vixen.
Comi-Arc you acquainted with any circum-
stances connected with the surrender of Alvarado,
Nc? A.-On the evening Of the 3lst March,
ws Was sen'tior Mny Commodore rery, to come on
went accordingly, ~hen Commodore Pcrry said the
report of gums had been heard below, meaning
! down AT ANaTado: ana Siid he was apIrchenStvc
| that that young officer (allujing to Lieutenant
lluntcr) has done or may do some foolish thing,
and that he wanted me TO hold myself in readiness
| TO 20 down TO him and tell him he must abide his
Instructions, and comply with the usagcs OF the
nayy-or something 10 that effect. got up the
fires in my steamer, and Immediately proceeded
down TO the mouth Of The Avarado river; went
cicse ia TO the bar; took good look IN every di-
rec,ion saw nothing; all was quiet supposed
that the Scourgc might be under the lea II the
land; returned 10 the squadron--arriving about
day break. hcPoltcd TO Commodore Perry, could
or hear nothing amiss. The squadron weighed
and moved down ; about two hours afterwards
came up with the squadron of the mouth OF the
r,er; after some arrangements outside the bar, We
Passcdit-Commodcre Perry leading in the steamer
SptfiIe; soon arrived opposite the town +; in the
mean time saw American colors flying on shore
anchored abreast OF the town, and remained ill
next day.
witness to what the Mexican authorities said in
reference to the attack and surrender but the
court objectinP, crIered the court to be cleared,
and after dcliberaiiDg for a short time reopened,
and ruled the question out.
rrrrn DAY.
Captain Sands was called and continued his tes-
iimony. day after reaching Alvarado, pro-
ceetcd up the river with the Vixen and other small
10, and. with the rect of the officers not duty.
went ashore under Commodore Pcrry's direc.
tons, surveyed the town of Tlaco,alpan parook
oi The hSsp,sss Of some ,a Of The principal nhasi
~
up the river, some seven, eight, or perhaps ten
mcs, to where the river was narrow II was dii
fcult 10 turn the steamer round returned TO Tllco-
talpan after remaining a short time. went back 10
Akarado in the interim General Quitman, with
some troop, had entered the town found them
there on my return, among them some officers Of
the quariermasier's department; spent some time
at their quarters; there was present person who
appeared to he employ ed in the purchase of horses
"a government contractor, suppsed-the subject
Of whose conversation was respecting the difficulty
in procuring horses in consequence ot the preIna-
turc movement.
Court (intcrposing)-Iet us see whether such
statements can he received as evidence. Was IL
matter of Incidental conversation, II osf-
cial statement A.-lt was general conversation.
Commodore Perry (orally)-rhc tendency Of this
evidence is TO show the difficulties growing out o.
certain naval movemcnts, and
Court (intcrposng)-We want merely facts
statements Of ofiicsls-not Of persons you don
know. Witness--The conversation was respecting
difficulties reeung from an unexpected state OF
thipre.