The New York herald., 1850-05-03

the fort. and take the gun-boats; CAPTAIN Hunter
was going IN OGe OF the boats, in another and
iieu'rnsnt Marine ie third; Passed Midshi,men
men all armed approached the shore Saline
master BaDkhead left in charge Of the steamer IA
commenced blowing very hard shortly after very
heavy swell; consulted, and gave up landing in
uie Steamer, stood OH and on during the night al
daylight next morning.. stood towards the bar
and The fort saw number OF horsenien on the
beach; Captain Hunter ordered me 10 fire shot
at them did so, about y O'Clock men soon after
wards came down, and showed a white flag they
sent boats towards us with white flags flying; we
then hoisted white flag three Mexicans came
on BOARD, and told us the military had left the fort
aiIu tnry were ready to surrender the place
Court, (nerposng)-llow do you know they
said so! A.--Mr. Marine, who acted as Captain
rIn'e. rnnS % . interpreter, SO informed me- The Mex-
cans spoke through the interpreter to Captain
Hunter; We next stood in, and went up the river
towards Alvarado; anchored as close as we could;
sent Marine on shore; Lieutenant Marine was
ordered oy captain Hunter TO take possession Of the
Town; he shortly returned, and reported that the
MeXicans had agreed to all the terms proposed; we
Then had the American flag hoisted, gave three
cheers and hred salute; despatched Passed Mid
shPfnan Temple with tive men to take Temporary
possession OF Alyarado Ii was about 2 r. M
when the Scouige got under weigh. and stood
towards the town; discovered some Mexicans un-
loading schooner; sent Passed Mdshpman Prn-
gle TO take possession of them the vessel was set
on lire, because we could not get her off.
Commodore perly-Ilow do you know that she
could not he got of A.-Merely from report
Court hat is not testimony.
Witncss-l do know that she was fired cap
tured several other vessels went up the river;
we ariyed OIL Tlacotalpan about two in the morn
ing; all hands were called to quarters; turned the
guns upon the town; sent Lieut.. Marine on shore;
Captain Hunter told him (Marine) 10 demand
unconditional surrender of the places think we fired
a gun, before entering. over the town; Captain
Hunter allowed twenty minutes for surrender,
would ~ ott ter trin left
waiting about thirty minutes and hearing nothing
from him, Captain Hunter directed ne to fire
shot over the town; told him perhaps Marine was
engaged in drawing up papers; besides, being dark,
we might knock down a church stceple or some
thing 10 that effect; Captain Hunter said | must
hfe; Then got permission to lire towards the oppo
site side oi the town, instead OF al it, then hailed
the town and Captain Hunter said il il did not soon
surrender, he would fire into il; shortly after
wards Lieutenant Marine on board, and said
they were willing TO surrender the place and agreed
to terms ltilc after one, the day. got un-
der weigh, and stood down the river; towed one
prize vessel down; sent prize crew to another AT
hve spoke The Spittre: at six anchored OIL Alvara-
do; al midnight, Captain Hunter went OIL aud soon
returned. about two, and reported he had seized
vessel with about ninety bales of cotton, which he
had anchored of the town. Captain Hunter was
subsequently arrested, and was left in temporary
command Of the Scourge.
Court-Was the memorandum which you have
examined here made at the time Of the logs dstesl
Ali was made when Commodore Perry sent for
months after the Transaction.
CouTt.-When the guns were fired by the
Scouige AT the fort, were they returned; or did
you see any troops on shore A.-No; should
have previously stated that, upon first entering the
river, we saw several gunboats burnt 10 the waters
edge.
AT this stage Of the proceedings, the President
oi the Court announced the receipt of u communi-
cation irom the Secretary Of the Navy, in answer
10 request from Captain Hunter, granting him
permission to the court room, for the purpose OF
inicIIogailns witnesses; and The court directed
assigned suitable position, accompanied 10y Siml.
iiumcs Porter, Esq, Of Pennsylya as legal ad
yiser.J
Lieut.. Bleeker's testimony resumed
Question by Commodore Pery.-llow far from
the outer breakers was the Scourge when the first
gun was fired, and what distance when she fired
the next morning! A:.Csn't say exactly.
Commodore Perry-What was the calibrc of the
cannon, and how chargedl A.-From a pivot
gun; Two shells at evening, and one in the morn
ing; thiy.two FOUNDERS; single shells.
Commodore Pery-Were you outside the break
ers ON the bar, when you fired on the fort9 A.
Yes.
Commodore pery--Did you see the town when
You fired at the fort. the cnenys vessels moored
across th'.riyer' A.-No, neither.
Commodore Perry--FIcm the time the Scourge
lay cti Alvarado till she returned TO Anton Liar
do did ycu sec any opposition offered by the enemy
to the scourge, or others Of the American squad
ron A.-Ncne.
Commodore Perry--Werc you, afler leaving Sa-
crfcior. and before arriving Mt Alvarado, made
acquainted with the instructions of Commodore
fcny! A.-No, except that we were going to
ANaradc ] understood il was his intention 10 go
in.
Captain lIunfer-Is il possible to see the town
(Akarado) from the bar at the mouth Of the riverl
Al think not; did not see il; nor could |, /
think, from where we were.
letter was received from Commodore Warren
ton, accompanied 10y the log-books Of the Scourgc
aud vixen. for the use of the Court.