The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-09
THE CAPTURE OF ALvARADo.
THE sAvAL COURT OF INQUIRY.
EIGHTH DAY,

On the 3Oth Of March, in the cabin of the vessel was
Informed that Captain Breese and Lieutenant Hunter
clos heard the order given Captain Breese not
whether Lieutenant Hunter present not did not
read the order spoke to Captain Breese and he men,
toned its receipt Commodore Perry told them to go
down and lay of the river far enough so as not to
by Lieutenant Hunter got under weigh and stood
down SOUTH the Albany Captain Brccse also weighed
but was bee almed and again anchored same evening
1t reported to that gun had been heard down
south; Com. Perry appeared very uneasy heremarked
me to place an officer the look OUT afterwards
heard the report Of another gum Commodore Perry
haa mere ana gSng ON asc "a
sight; orders given II report of guns should be
heard during the night to report 1t; next morning
heard another gun; Commodore Perry was still more
uneasy and sent for Captain Sands to board.
and ordered him to go down the coast and see what
troops tse Maden river, the first of
April; following morning Captain Sands return
quiet below; during afternoon of that day gos under
Ecrs: Commodore Perry directed us to look out for
signals nom the army; flashes were given from the
vessels in retrp stood down, and on the morning of
the 3lst March, anchored off the mouth of Avarado
river; Commodore Perry joined troops on shore;
on the following morning he sent for me to come
shore and said ne had appointed me governor Of Ava
RADIO; he gave me memorandum Of what he wished
done; was required to obtain all the guns and NUM-
tons of war; the good to send Oft and to destroy the
rest secondly TO send to Tacotapan TO engage horses
for the army; sent Lieutenant Griffin up for that
purpose; my papers were all lost with my baggage
returning home; can furnish minutes; he said he
had contracted but don't recoect he stated the price,
or IL he did what it was; Colonel Scott arrived went
MP Tacotalpan and procured the horses; he applied
20 me for bread for his men, found two men each
horse gave each two biscuits there were fifty men
and consequently could have had but twenty five
horses Colonel Scott said there plenty OF horses
but they were not fit for services also said the good
horses had been driven off by Santa Annals army
cured all arms. sc; inquired where all the inhabi
tants and was told they kept close house under
direction of their priests; offered them protection in
civil and religious privileges and they again reappear
~ aud resumed business; General Quitman departeda
day OF two after INT ashore the Aeslde told me OF
the surrender of Alvarado, anu went WIN my inter.
prefer to the town hall and took copies = 'ae 'ers Oh
capitulation. -. .
| Commodore Perry-Did you not send Lieutenant
Griffin Tacotalpan to purchase horses under previ-
Gus stipulations with the authorities! A.-Commo-
dore Perry NAV have told me such the case think
he did; think there such memorandum; certain
ly had directions to send Commodore Perry told me
Alvarado had so stipulated to furnish horses.
Commodore Perry-Did not the country bordering
Avarado river and its tributaries abound with horses
Ayes, but they were driven on
knowledge Of the fact! Ain passing mp and down
the river had them; been told they had been
Court-were there any beeves, Accommodate
Perry directed to keep beeves on hand; found no
difficulty in procuring them.
Court-uow in regard to horses! A.-Saw herds OF
horses; tried to get good one, but could not
referred to- not the United States authority estab
lished at Alvarado and Tlacotalpan, with custom
houses, and incumbent on the Mexican authorities to
furnish them, under previous stipulations! A-Yes
Commodore Perry submitted to the Court certain
papers, written in Spanish, which he thought had
been sent him by Captain Mayo he had not sought
tbsm.
The Court caused Professor Girault, of tho Naval
School, to be called to whom these papers sub
nted for the purpose Of translation to be returned
when translated for the consideration OF the Court.
Captain Mayo's testimony continued.
Captain Hunter-You alude to the pick OF the
horses having been driven of from Alvarado; do you
know at what period they were so driven A-Thesl-
ealde said they had been sent to Avarado for Santa
Anna but driven OF upon the approach 1.-THE Ameri'
forces.
uA IA
me IL Lieutenant Hunter had not approached these
horses would have been taken by the American forces
Captain Hunter-IIow far was Santa Anna from Al
ysrsdo! A.-Cant shy know nothing but what
heard.
They reiterated before the American forces took
session Of Al,arado.
Aiysrsdo when you went there; and how many mount.
ed and how many dismounteo' A-Cant say there
we're great many; mostw dismonnted
Court-When you obtained the horses and cattle
were they from inliyidua Mexican authorities
Writing to the scsde OF Tacotalpsn or Informing the
scslds II Alvarado, they were furnhed by them; or
nsy have purchased some from butchers
Court-whle you were in command Of Aivarado
had you any means Of tsccrtsinns the effect, II any
the premature sure ndcr had upon the procurement
Of supplies. Any means OF aseertsining were
enough the conversations with the alcaldes; and -
The Court interpose ed and declined the answer Cap
tain hsyo, in soto voice tssde) remarked that lac
sd no. know whs.h me suaeA "nS''sa most '"'
Commod.rr Pcrry-was the conversation with the
slesides Of an ofheial character! A-As governor Of
Alvarado. I consider them rs Official
Captain Huntcr-was your CONVERSATION respecting
Abe capture of Alvarado Official Al so regarded it
draw distinction between acaldes and others; tbs
could b. relied upon was their policy to tel
the truth
The witness was proceeding when tho Court inter
closed the doors deliberate whether the
Of the testimony was admissible and, reopenns, de
enrrd negatively.
com modorc Perry-Was Il not necessary. in sending
horses from Tlaeotspan to Cerro Gordo, Cordova. OF
ny place intervening to cross ferry near Alyarado
Yes; the ferry was about quarter 81 mile b.
Dow klyarado; knew Of no other route; heard II wa
thc usual route; but. after Ayarado was taken they
Captain Hunter asked recall Of General Jesup with
view to cross-question him respecting loss to the
niied states by this moveme MT upon Ayarsdo. and
H.. Court directed his recall
Lieutenant Bleeker returned certified transcript OF
book Of the seourge as previously directed by
bhe Court
Lieutenant Grifin recalled.
Commodore Perry-Did you know, when you con
rseed for the horses mt Tiacotalpan. that Il In
accordance with previous stipulationS Al did not
Commodore rerry-Did you see the horsei Al
merely contracted; very few OF them before Colonel
rcott arrived TO whom turned over the contract
Lieutenant Bissell swcrn-fn answer to the formal
ntsrrogatores Of the court said he second leute
liant Of the Albany &c, aud knew nothing personally
BIZ the surrender kc.
" the store ship supply. knew nothing personally Of
Ne matter
The court adjourned
NINTH DAY.
Commodore Perry Cat his own requcsr was allied.
said that he desired 10 make Some explanation In
freree TO the papers presented yesterday, in Spa.
h,sh 10 may have been possible, said he. had mea
ioncd TO Captain Mayo the propriety oftsking the
ope. no particular recollecti 81 the fact. nor do
seolleet how O when the papers came into my pos
..,ion; my mind wa. greatly occupied at the time
nah absorbing official matters thew cane most probs-
Wv from Captain Mayo before h. len Alvarado.
Court-Can you furnish the or ginal stipuatons
tin the Mexican authorities at AlVarado and Tlaco-
slpsn made BY yourself under your orders. A.
annot have examined my papers before leaving home
could fnd papers having reference 20 the sub
ret; reason to believe they left with Captain
whilst governor for his guidance; in consequence
N clerk lLcutenant Parker having been wounded
BY papers Of that date fell into contu-ion my clerk
a. stree died; \ am unable w obtain them.
Court-Do rccollect the terms II so state them
I have recollection; had no idea ~ formed
having been entered into. until apprisui
witnssse@ here rave specific terms = q right on
heir part bot merely ~ sunerancc; offers Of prOtcc-
iiudness, and the furnishing Of supplies 10 the
rmy .
|pd the castle.
-, the American lag hosted.