The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-30
[REPoRTED FOR THE REPUBLIc.]
CAPTURE OF ALVARADO.

[REpoRTED FOR THE REPUBLIc.]
CAPTURE OF ALVARADO.
Naval Court OF Inquiry.
Minutes of the Proceedings of Naval Court of
Inquiry, cOnUensd at annapolis, Maryland, on
the 18th day Of april, 1850, 6y pirtus Of pre-
cept from the honorable the Secretary Of the Nary.
Continued.
TUESDAY, April l6, 1850.
The court met at 10 O'Clock, a. m, pursuant to
adjournment.
Present, all the members and the Judge Advo-
cate; also Commodore Perry.
The proceedings of yesterday were read.
Commodore Perry desired to explain portion Of
his testimony of yesterday in reference to the
mark that after the fall of Vera Cruz, it sup
posed that there would be no further active opera
tons against the enemy in that quarter.
He proceeded to explain. II was generally
supposed in the army and navy serving in the
neighborhood of Vera Cruz, considering the de-
feats Of the enemy in northern Mexico by Gen
eral Taylor, and the subsequent fall of the
stronghold of Vera Cruz and the castle of San
Juan 'Ulloa, that the enemy would not be able
TO organize another army, and that the party in
favor of peace would have the means of bringing
about pacifcation The action by the United States
against the enemy In regard to the extent Of the
naval force cooperating with the United States
troops, Commodore Perry desired to make this ex-
PLANTATION of his testimony of yesterday.
Question by the Coyt.-To whom did you deny
the acts of Lieutenant Hunter, of which you have
spoken?
Anssrer.-I denied the conduct of Lieutenant
Hunter, to the American officers and the Alcaldes.
Commodore Perry caused copy of communi-
cation to the Secretary of the Navy, dated April
4, ls47, to be read, in which he approves of the
conduct of all the officers except that of Lieu
tenant Hunter, in the movements upon Alva-
RADIO, &c.
Question by the Cotrt.-You stated, yesterday,
that you had court martialed Lieutenant Hunter;
state if the papers (Which were handed him, al
leging violation Of orders in entering the Alvarado
river, &c. contain the charges against Lieu
tenant Hunter for which he was court-martialed.
Ans,oer. Commodore Perry, after examining
the paper said he believed it did.
The Court handed Commodore Perry -docu-
ment, and asked him if it contained the proceed
ings of the court martial alluded to. Commodore
Perry answered it did, and was sent by him, with
two letters of the same date, to the Navy Depart
ment.
The Court also directed Commodore Perry to
those to which he last alluded.
Anstcer.-They are. When wrote these letters,
(dated the 4th, and two of the 10th Of April was
not aware that Lieutenant Hunter had gone into
the river, under flag of truce; but was after
wards so informed by Captain Mayo.
[The questions which form the courts record
are all put in writing, and, in making up my re-
port, shall give and appropriately designate such
colloquial matters occurred, preliminary to for
NAL questions and incidental. remarks. At this
stage Of the proceedings, for instance upon hear
ing the concluding remark of Commodore Perry,
the court promptly (orally) asked Do you say
that Captain Hunter went into the river with flag of
truce flying? To which Commodore Perry replied
Yes; but was not aware of all the circumstances
when wrote these letters.l
Qu<stion by the Court. Was the letter of the 4th
April sent by the same conveyance the pro-
ocedings of the court-martial to the Navy Depart
nenti
was.
Question by the Cowt.-Are there any other cir
cumstances connected with the capture and occu-
patton of Alvarado and its dependencies, which you
wish to bring to the notice of the court?
Anstcu.-Not at this time Probably may at
some subsequent period.
The Court proposed calling and examining Cap
tain Hunter, but he was excused, from not having
received certain papers refresh his memory as 10
dates, &c.
Captain Samuel l.. Breese called and sworn.
Question by the Cont.-Were you employed in
the Gulf of Mexico, during the latter part Of March
and the first of April, ls471 If SO, in what capa-
city3
4Inspa.-I was; and in command Of the sloop-
Of war Albany.
Cowt.-Do you know any thing personally Of
the surrender and occupation of Alvarado an d it's
dependencies, any thing in connexion there
with! II so, state all you know.
Anspu.-Iknow nothing personally Of the surrcn-
der. On the Goth of March, ls47 was directed-ver-
bally, believe-by Commodore Perry to proceed
with the Albany fAlvarado; TO keep atsuch distance
from the bar at the mouth Of the river not to
alarm the people on shore. Was then at SACRIFICES;
weighed anchor same day; attempted to get out,
but failed The next morning was towed out
stood TO the SOUTH that afternoon, about halfpas
one, or perhaps two O'Clock, anchored at Lzardo
don't recollect for IL following morning got
under weigh. The bar Of Alvsrado was some
twelve miles distant, southeast. Next day, about
four O'Clock in the afternoon, saw the Mississippi
standing of the land coming in the direction Of the
bar. Commander Adams, Of the Mississippi, in
formed me ofthe surrender of Alvarado, and, under
his direction went 10 Avarsdo; anchored there the
same evening.
Cowf.-Wss any officer placed with you TO act'
II so, whom
Acknowledgement Hunter, who was then in
command Of the steamer Scourge, received written
orders from Commodore Perry 10 do 80, at the same
time received my verbal orders from Commodore
Perry TO proceed off Alvsrado. Captain Hunter at
that time showed the orders he had just received
and that Is the only report he made to me.
Covf.-When you received the orders, Lieu
tenant Hunter present. and If 90, did he make any
remark
Ans,cer Captain Hunter present, and must
have heard the orders given me by Commodore
Perry.
Cowf.-After you received your orders, did you
give Lieutenant Hunter any special ordersS
1ns,cr.--None because ] expected to meet him
of Alvsrsdo river, the place for the vessels TO
cruise.
Oo,vf-Did you meet him therei
Ans,csr did not.
Al. a