The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-12
Mo1Iozs or DooKs.


Worth, in the battles of the valley of Mexico.
VIM. II. Moore and Co.
This is a remarkably interesting work. II con-
tains number Of Autograph plates, and map of
the line Of operation of the United States army in
the battles Of Mexico. The author was attached
to one of the vessels OF war of the home squadron
before the breaking out of the Mexican war, and,
in this capacity, he was able to find those scenes
" afoat, which are described in his pages Sub
he was sent to the seat of the Mexican
after the war commenced, on special
mission. In the prosecution of this purpose he
Joined the army of General Scott after the battle
at Cerro Gordo, and was on the march to Puebla
Here no became volunteer in the staff of General
Worth and remained with him till the entry Of the
army into the city of Mexico.
Lieut.. Semmes was six months in the country,
and made good use of his opportunities for observa-
ton. What we especially like in his work, is its
manly exposition Of facts He has plainly exposed
the hollowness of much vanity and fattery in the
glowing accounts of deeds done in Mexico, and has
given a very interesting picture of Mexico. We
can best give true character of the work, by per-
hitting its pages to speak for themselves and, ac-
cordiDgly, select number of extracts, as specimens
of the authors style of writing and thinking.
After describing Mexico, and giving succinct
and clear history of the events in Mexico which pre-
coded the war, Lieut.. Semmes comes down to
THE BLOCKADE OF THE MEXICAN COAST.
Upon the breaking out Of the Commodore Conner,
under instructions from the government immediately
declared all the ports Of Mexico the Gulf In state
of blockade 1t not meant by this declaration to
establish paper blockade such had often pro-
although the declaration WAS z. neral no attemp was
made TO enforce it, except to such ports actu
ercial nation interested In the freedom Of the it
behooved US to set example Of hberay in this war;
TO the other commercial powers Of the world and to
show tn m Il at the principles had long contended
for. in vain when neutral, willing to carry out
in good faith now that had become belligerent 1t
accordingly ordered by Mr. Mason the then Score
tary of the Navy only that bockades should be de
co but that the whole doctrine Of notice
the existence of bic should be exploded and
II special warning before the bockaded ports should
lie given in all previous to capture Our favorte
principle that free ships make free goods also pro-
claimed, and formly act upon throughout the
Commodore Conner, and after him Commodore Perry,
carried out these instructions with much Judgment and
discretion and in entire accordance with the spirit in
which they had been conceived by the government
Soon after joining the squadron, became Commodore
Corners fag lieutenant and boarding officer AMI had
frequent occasions to admire his thorough acquaintance
with the law Of prize and his discrimination and tact in
Opposing Of cases presented for his decision Although
many captures during the war, there did not
occur single case in which he was MOI sustained by the
admiralty courts Of the country Some few complaints
were made by Of the foreign ministers At Washing
ton OF undue rigor and partiay but they based
upon false and gsrbed statements presented by
of vessels and other aud always
dismissed upon investigation, q unworthy OF further
notice.
In the interval, between the declaration Of these
blockades and the sege and capture Of Vera Cruz
ties could have been rksome than those which de
volved upon the navy During the whole Of this period
we were confined to our ships and engaged in the most
arduous and active cruising. rigid blockade
maintained Of all the enemy ports, and his small
chant marine entirely swept from the During
the parching heats of summer and the long AMI
tied
and was unremttinz We frequently lived on the
ships ratiors having other mssn. Of supplying
table and our only clean shirts such Jack rned
out tor US In bucket of salt water and hung up by
ropeysrn to rough-dry In the rigging We Of the flag
ship lay most Of tie time al Anton LZardo& hsr5or
formed by several snau barren islands rising more
than foot two above the ses-level-whick
more irksome than ctyc service on the blockade We
looked forth from ship from prison, upon the
glttering specks Of ssnd glowing like many furnaces
bcnestha tr r:cal dsy after say without other va
ration than lie occasional arrival of one OF the biock
aiding squadron TO Gil with water and provisions and
depart again on her cruise. Thther We resorted to-
ward unet every evening When the weather prop
tous TO stretch cramped limbs smoke Idle segar
ano talk over the events OF the for the navy
Of tolls aud vigs without the prospect Of either excite
ment or glory The enemy had navy and what little
maritime commerce he had once possessed We had
ALREADY, a. have said destroyed. Our force
weak 70 undertake the attack Of vers Cruz; vas It
k y that the government would reinforce 1t sufficiently
TO enable 10 do 1t was evidently it's pocy-in-
deed the only policy-to carry the wholly
land leaving the navy 10 act the subordpat. but not
les onerous part Of harrsng and noying the enemy
on his board cutting OF his supplies Of provisions
and munitions Of and Of aiding land forces in
The duties Of transport convoy, making descens etc
Although Of the naval service ardenty desired It, IL
would have been great piece Of folly In he government
TO have assaulted Vera Cruz and its castle by II
would have been attended with great d. strucon OF pro-
pery-perhsps the sinking Of some half dozen ships
end With corresponding loss Of life Two contingencies
which IN the prese Mt century, when l. reduced
almost 10 the perfection Of exact science IL became
the duty Of the pmeDt TO guard against Men and
ships Of moment whatever IL their sacrifice be
In mt. lint
la this instance hsd the entire ga
Its own hands. and such sacrifice would not only have
been mrolitc. but discreditable Designing a. IL did
20 make Vera Cruz the base Of operations against the
centre OF Mexico Il OF Importance to u, pos
sess this place ut the army of invasion should be
pared for its iecen and then fcw days siege would
ELECT our purpose almost without loss-as events vcr
fed These were the views Of Commodore Conner, and
~ several other distinguished naval officers whe
consulted on the subject BY the Navy Department. and
IL bounds much 10 the credit II them all that 10 oppo
aon 20 their personhl interests, military men. they
such sound nd patriotic advice TO the government
We uniora cbsfeJ somewhat under the curb which
thu plsced ambition Of emulsting the army I'm
t glorious achievements but that the excitement
o. the war has passed cannot but recognise the wiz
d. m of the course II supcrors. But II the acts Of
mankind are not guided by wisdom W lille the people
illuminated their cities and lighted boncfres ia the
country in celebration OF the victories Of the army the
os and hsrdshPs Of the not only forgotten
Tut this branch Of the service loaded with oboguy
for not performing impo-sbitier With the exception
OF Vera Cruz there town the whole Gulf coast
ofMexico within effective range Of which q
sloop Of war could approach The maritime town. q
the enemy were more ehectuslly efended by reefs,
ndoubts aud intrencbments Sotwith -tapding these
natural obstacles, beligerent fellow ctiz.os many
u ~b' suTposed ship TO lie little ether than high
III. whole q the ebenys coast by and sword Even
some 81 the respectable papers in the cities which ought
70 have been capable 81 approaching the true state Of
thipgs msniesed Impst.nc- Mt what they called our
inactivity and we're disposed to pass upon
.e ~ nv' eens''i'e on 'ne ometn we're 20
an .speditcn TO storm Old Nick himself could have been