The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-30

Commodore Psny.-Did any injurious conse-
quences result to the United States in consequence
of the premature movement mentionedf
Anstoa.--I believe, stated in my report TO the
Secretary Of War, that the American army
greatly delayed and the expenses Of Government
much increased, by allowing Alvarado TO surrender
without having secured resources within its re-
gion To obtain these, il was necessary to use
coercion; and still retain these opinions.
Commodore Pery-In your report referred to,
you not only speak Of delay and expense. but Of
the same cause allowing Santa Anna to provision
himself, to take position and hold it during the
summer. Explain.
Ansrg.-I know nothing but what the whole
country knows-that Santa Anna, after the battle
of Cerro Gordo, seized Orizaba and maintained it
during the summer, thereby commanding the re-
sources of the country, and enabling him to close
SCOTS communication with Vera Cruz This
and is my opinion-a matter about which men
may differ.
General Jesup here remarked that there were
confidential instructions given him by the Presi-
dent of the United States at the time, requiring
him to use every means to reduce the expenditures
of the Government by forcing the enemy to supply
the immediate necessities of the army. He sug
gested this due to his position as well as
that of others.
The Court nterposing, the subject was waived.
Question by Commodore P1ry.-What do you
suppose to have been the actual loss to the United
States by the premature surrender of Alvarado'
| Ansicer.-I have means of calculation; cannot
ascertain the whole amount; might state amounts
paid for animals which from four to six times
| higher than ! had anticipated.
Commodore Perry think you have mentioned
the gross amount Of loss to me or others. If SO.
please state what you placed it at
| Court, (interposing. THE question Is simply
whether you have any knowledge Of increase OF
expense to the Government, by the premature sur.
| render Of Avarado.
| Commodore Perry desire to know Of the wit
ness whether he has not stated some specific sumf
| 4,,s,cer.-Yes. / have stated probably million
of dollars as the difference in the result but have
| never made an estimate Considered the military
disadvantages greater than the pecuniary loss.
| Commodore Perry. (orally. )-That's all wanted
| to get at. have no further questions.
| Court.-Statc how the resources in the rear Of
Alvarado might have been secured by the proposed
combined attack, and without the premature sur
| render.
| Ans,per.-To obtain supplies, it was necessary
to coerce the people, and to secure them from pun
ishment by their own Government and this was
best done by the officers in command and the obi
| cials with whom they treat He then narrated the
course incident to cases OF seizure or surrender,
| and remarked that these were not peculiar to tho
war with Mexico.
! Cowt.--Was this the course in this particular
case?
| Ansrver.-Did not apply to Avarado, when IT
surrendered, in either case.
| Commodore Perry, (orally Cant well under
stand what is meant by two surrendcrs.
| rlo,., hat he
| means.
General Jesup.-Ncver understood there
two surrenders of Alvarado.
| Commodore Perry, (orally )-One in advance.
| Corf.--Would or would not the possession OF
| Orizaba, by Santa Anna, have had influence in
preventing supplies, il there had been shpu-
ations for them, consequent upon the surrender OF
| Alvarado?
| Ansscer.-l have no doubt il would have operated
against the delivery of supplies, if even stipulated
for.
| Commodore Perry remarked, incidentally that
although Santa Anna held Orizaba, we held all the
coast, upon the borders of which the cattle were
| feeding.
General Jesup permitted to retire, and re-
| turn to Washington.
| Liete~amf Gibson called and sworn.
| Question By the Cosut.--Were you employed in
the Gulf of Mexico, &C
dns,or.-Yes; a first lieutenant of the Saratoga,
arrived off the island of Anton Lzardo on the 26th
| April, ls47, and afterwards in command of the
schooner Refer.
Co~t.-Are you acquainted with any thing con
nected with the surrender, &c.2
Ansroer.- Nothing.
Cowf.--Do you know any thing connected with
tl
Ansoe.-Nothing personally; had heard much
conversation about the matter while in the neigh
borhood, &c.
Commodore Pery-Did the conversation you
speak Of refer to the surrender and occupation Of
Alvarado; and with whom these converse
tons held
Anstoe,-It was relative to the surrender of Al
varado, and held with the alcalde and other Mexi-
can officials
Commodore Pery.-State what received by
the Mexican officials.
The Court objected to the question; and. after de-
libcrang upon IL with closed doors, ruled il 10 be
inadmissible.
The court thereupon adjourned.
I7b Be continued.