The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-01
[REPoRTsD FoR THE REPUBLIc.]
CAPTURE OF ALvARADO.
NAVAL Court or INQUIRY.


Naval Court OF Inquiry.
Minutes Of the Proceedings Of Naval Court d
Inquiry, conUensd at annapolis, Maryland on
ns iSh day u april. 1850. by pirtus Of q pre-
etpt from The honorable The Secretary Of tie Nary
GContinued.l
THURSDAY, April 10, 1850.
The court met
Lieutenant Gibson recalled.
Commodore Perry submitted question. (the pur-
port OF which could not be ascertained il not
read,) TO which the Court took exceptions, and
went into secret session TO deliberate upon it, and
afterwards ruled il out.
Commodore Pery-Will the Court say how ]
may get the statements Of others through the wit
nessi
CoTt.--We can only receive facts. The witness
may give his own impressions, but he cannot be
supposed to know the opinions Of others; nor can
he give them.
Commodore Perry.-Will the Court put upon the
records my desire in the premises'
Cotyt.--You can write down what you please,
sir, and let ns see it,
Commodore Pe,ry--My only object is to obtain
truthful historical narrative of the capture of Aa
RADIO; and if the Court has doubts as to the course
propose, must submit. have nothing further to
ask, my question is inadmissible.
Commander III. adams sworn.
Court.-Were you employed in the Gulf Of Mex
leo, Scr
AnstD9.-I was; and executive officer of the
Mississippi.
C0Wf.-Are you acquainted with any. circum-
stances connected with the surrender of Alvara-
do, &C.?
AnsiOe. II know nothing relative to the Scourge.
day or two after the surrender of Vera Cruz,
Commodore Perry informed me that he going
down TO attack Alvarado, in conjunction with Gen
eral Qutman; ordered me to have every thing in
readiness for battle and for landing. On the 3lst
of March, the squadron moved from SACRIFICES
down TO Anton Lizardo, ON the way to Alvarado;
the same morning sent boats to ferry Quitman's
forces over Madelin river, their march to Alva-
RADIO. The next morning, (the LIST of April the
Mississippi, with the other vessels, got under
weigh; the Mississippi took the small vessels in
tow, and proceeded towards Alvarado; Commodore
Perry directed me to watch for signals from the
troops shore, and said he had advised General
Quitman. When we arrived off the mouth of the
Alvarado river, American ensign flying
from a small battery on the hill, and Commodore
Perry directed boat to be sent ashore and ascer-
tain facts respecting it. The boat went, and, re-
turning we were told that the Scourge had caused
it to surrender-that she had passed up the river
the day previous, and that the town of Alvarado
had been abandoned by the Mexican forces; also
learned that Passed Midshipman Temple, with two
or three men, had been left there to take charge,
and that the Scourge had gone further up the
river to attack Tlacotalpan. Commodore Perry
then went on board the steamer Spitfire, and ac-
companied him. Captain Tatnal was in command
of the Spitfre. On landing at Alvarado, after ex-
aiming the place, directed to select points for
sentinels. reported to Commodore Perry that the
town was deserted and defenceless The next day
Commodore Perry ordered me TO accompany Com
mander Mckenzie and Captain Tatnallto Tlacotal-
pan, and annul the stipulations made there by
Lieutenant Hunter and make new ones. We did
so, and returned to Alvarado the same evening,
bringing down some Mexican deputies from that
place to see Commodore Perry and General Quit
man, to adjust some minor points. l returned to
the Mississippi the next day.
CoWt-What was the character of the stipula-
tons entered into at Alvarado?
Anstcer.-A guaranty of safety and protection TO
the town and people, in all their civil and religious
privileges and they were required to deliver up all
arms and stores, and to furnish a certain number
of horses and cattle for the use of the American
forces, at fair market price, to be determined by
disinterested persons.
Corf.-Were these stipulations in writing ri
30, by whom were they signedl
Anuou.-They were in writing, and signed by
the Mexican authorities in the town hall
Commodore Perry, (orally III find no such doc
uments among my papers. Is witness certain they
were in writing?
Anscr.--They were in writing, signed az stated.
and directed, think, to Captain Tatnall.
Commodore Pary--Did you, on landing at AL
varado ON the LIST of April, any appearances of
recent preparation for defence?
Anno9.--I did not visit any Of the forts or towns
There were signs Of movements Of troops from APP
pearances about the stables.
Commodore Pory.--In your Judgment, how far
is il from the bar at the mouth Of the river 10 the
fort; and is that the only fort on the river
-dnspn.-The bar is about two nautical miles
from the fort-where the Mississippi anchored close
up TO the bar. There were or two guns mounted
on hill above the fort, about half mile distant
though not Immediately in the Of the fort.
Commodore Pory.-Did the Mississippi anchor
for the purpose Of firing; and she as close TO the
outer edge Of the bar ms prudent for weasel
TO go'
Ansio0.-To fire; laid about one hundred yards
from outer edge of breakers; near as a vessel Of
her burden could safely go.
Commodore P1ry.-what was the range and eff.
feet Of the guns fired from the Mississippi
-4nsrr.-Ranged ten degrees-greatest the gun
carriage would allow. First shell fell near the
fort; some beyond, and others did not reach it
full charge Of powder; all snge-shotted or shelIcd
The effect upon the fort was to draw return fire,
but their shot all fell short-the nearest a quar-
ter OF n mile, or three or four hundred wards
short. They then ceased firing, and kept them.
selves out Of sight When our vessels ceased firing
the Mericans again appeared. We had thought
they had abandoned the fort, but they had gone
behind the hills for safety.
Commodore PoTy.-were ten-inch Paixhan's
used, being the largest caIbrei
Annon.--They were; and the largest in use in
the navy at that time.
Commodore Perry desired 10 put questions re-
specting small weasel intimdating tho fort, but
the Court objected.
Co'gi.-when you arrived at Alvarado, did you
zee any United States troops; and, ifso, who COM
manded themi
dns,on.-Ssw General Quitman, with few SOL
diers, afternoon Of lst April; afterwards saw more
officers and soldiers and the ID Of April saw
more officers and soldiers than previously.