The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-29
[REPoRrED FoR THE REPUBLIc.l
CAPTURE OF ALvARADO.

IREPoRrED FoR THE REPuBLIc.l
CAPTURE OF ALvARADO.
Naval Court OF Inquiry.
Minutes Of the Proceedings Of Naval Court Of
Inquiry, concerned at annapolis, Maryland,
The l5h day 9f Awi,. 1850; By oirsuss Of pre-
AsNAPoLIs, April l5, 1850.
Present Commodore CHARLES MoRRIs, Presi-
dent; Commodore VIM. b. SHUsRIcx, and Com
mander SAMUEL F. DUPONT; ALEXANDER b. HAa-
sER, esq, Judge Advocate.
The court being proclaimed open, the Judge Ad-
vocate read the following precept converting the
court:
"To Captain Gu. MoRRIs,
"U. s. Many. Warrington, ID. c.
s'By virtue of the authority contained in the act of
Congress, for the better government of the Navy
of the United States approved April 20, 1900,
hereby appoint Captain Oh. Morris, President;
Captain William b. Shubrick, and Commander
Samuel f. Dupont, members; and Alexander b.
Hagner, esq, Judge Advocate, of Naval Court
Of Inquiry, which is ordered to convene at An
napolis, Maryland the 18th day of April, 1850, for
the purpose of inquirng into all the circumstances
connected with the surrender and occupation Of
the town of Alyarado and its dependencies, in Mex
leo, by the forces Of the United States during the
latter part of the month of March and the first of
April, lS41; which surrender and occupation
the subject of report made TO the Secretary of the
Navy by Captain Matthew c. Perry, of the Navy,
dated the 4th of April, ls47.
'sThe court convened in obedience to this precept
will carefully inquire into and report to me the
facts and circumstances connected with the said
surrender and occupation Of Alyarado; and will
permit the said Captain M C. Perry, of the Navy,
H. Al
States in the Gulfo Mexico at the time of he said
surrender and occupation of Alvarado, to be pres
ent at the examination Of the witnesses who may
appear before the said court, and to PROFOUND in
terrogatories to said witnesses
"Given under my hand and the seal Of the Navy
Department of the United States, this goth
[sEALl day of March, ammo Domini, 1850
"WM. BALLARD PRESTON,
Secretary of the Navy"
The Judge Advocate also read a letter from the
Secretary Of the Navy, addressed to Commodore
Charles Morris, dated 25th of March, 1850, and a
letter of the Secretary of the Navy, addressed to
Alexander b. Hagner, esq, appointing him the
Judge Advocate of the court.
Commodore Matthew G. Perry was also in at
tendance.
The Judge Advocate then administered to the
members the oath prescribed by the act OF Congress-
and the President administered the prescribed oath
to the Judge Advocate.
The names of the witnesses were then called, and
those present answered to their names.
The court was then closed for the purpose of de-
liberation, and, after consultation, it opened.
The witnesses required to remain in an adj
joining chamber to the court.
Commodore Perry was duly sworn.
Question by the COwt.-State whether you were
in command of the United States naval forces in
the Gulf of Mexico, during the latter part of March
and the first of April, ls47?
AnstpG.-I was.
Question by the Colut.-Do you know any thing
relative to the surrender and occupation of the
town of Alvarado and its dependencies, in Mexico,
about that timer If 30, state particularly all you
know in relation thereto.
Ans,oer.-I do. Three years have elapsed since
that time, but will state all know from the best
of my recollection. Immediately after the surren-
der, and, believe, before the evacuation of the
city and castle of Vera Cruz, General SoorT and
myself concerted measures for making a land and
naval demonstration to the south Of Vera Cruz, to
take possession of the country and of Avarado and
its dependencies in view of detaching thentercsts
of the people of that country from the cause of
Santa Anna, and Of procuring supplies of horses
and cattle for the army and navy, of which they
were greatly in want and in which that country
abounded. II was perfectly well understood or
supposed at the time that no defence would be
made after the fall of Vera Cruz; but a very con-
siderable detachment of troops and large detach-
ment of the squadron were detailed, in view of in
timidatng the people of that region, and at the
same time conciliating them by kindness into
pacific measures, il was generally thought, both
by the officers of the army and navy, that, after
a a.. ~ W. n.
active operation in that quarter against the enemy
The naval force was thus large because it was in
contemplation to undertake an expedition against
Tuspan. squadron Of cavalry was attached To
the land force, for the purpose of active oper
ations.
On the day Of the evacuation, as believe, Gen.
eral Quitman, who detailed by General Scott to
conduct the land forces, called on me on board my
ag-shp, the Mississippi, with directions from
General Scott to confer with me. General Quit
man and mysclfconcertedm measures for approaching
Alvarado. Il thought desirable that the troops
should be in the immediate vicinity, and near the
town, by the time that the small steamers and boats
Of the squadron should enter the river in view of
surprising, If possible, and cutting off the garrison
and intcrccpting of the leading citizens,
thinking that they might be induced to forward the
policy of pacihcation Signals were established be-
well day, so that the two forces, the army and
navy, should be in communication. Boats were sent
from the Ohio TO assist General Quitman command
to cross the Maden river, which lay on the march.
Some Of the vessels moved from their anchor
age at SACRIFICES TO Anton Lzardo, on that day. or
the next; the log-book will show when. On the
3Oth OF March, gave orders 10 Captain Breese,
commanding the Albany, TO get under weigh for
Alvarado, and proceed of that river, and continue,
az well as rccoect, about twelve miles from the
mouth of the river, TO intercept any vessels escap
ing-hsving knowledge that there were three Mex
lean vessels Of and steamer in the river,
which was anxious to capture, and feared might
slip out / gave particular orders to Captain
Breesc not TO go the mouth of the river a
TO alarm the people shore; also stated 10 him the
objects and plans had in view. Lieutenant Hun
ter who had arrived the day before from the United
States, in command Of the scourge, received writ
ten orders TO report TO Captain Breesc, for the pur