The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-10

States disclosing the whole matter, and lSadIng
Quitman, and especially Shields, for opposing it
and although Gen Scott knew nothing oft, the
matter was blown. Where Davis got his Informs
ton, is not known but he gave pretty accurate
account of the proceedings Of the meeting.
Santa Anna, in Mexico, heard that meeting had
been held, and also that Pierce was near Puebla;
and wishing to throw something else in the scale Of
his chances, sent down another message, to the
effect that he had been trying his best, but that
something would be necessary to intimidate the
Mexican people and to render their representatives
willing to make peace. He therefore proposed the
course which Gen. Scott adopted-that the Ameri-
can army should advance into the valley OF
Mexico, should attack and carry outwork,
then halt, and send in flag of truce proposing ne
gotatons General Scott at once agreed to the first
part Of the proposition, but struck out the sending
of the flag. Gen. Pillow heard from Mr. Trist of
General Scott's committal, and at once strongly
urged him to relieve himself Gen. Scott wrote
letter Of an ambiguous character, which effected the
object, and neglected to do what Santa Anna de-
sired him to do-that was, to inform him what out
work Of his lines of defence it was intended to as
sault 1t was believed by Pillow that the matter
was at an end and that there would be no halt
after the first success in the valley.
Santa Anna it will be seen, was allowed every
thing by his own proposition If the American
army were successful at first, he was to be allowed
time to recuperate if be chose II he chose to make
peace he was to get million Of dollars. And he
never intended that the conquest Of his outworks,
Pcnon or Mexcalcingo, should be an easy matter.
General Scott marched from Puebla, arrived ut
Ayotta and determined to attack Mexicacingo;
but, upon after information, the result Of Colonel
Duncan's reconnaissance, determined to turn the
city, and attack upon the southern front. He did
so, and his army fought the battle of Contreras,
and lost thousand men at Churubusco, which
proved conclusivey how much faith was to be placed
in Santa Annals implied promises The city was
in his power. The Dragons were at the Garita of
San Antonio; Worths and Pillows divisions, and
Shields brigade, were in march to support them,
and would have been in the plaza in an hour, whom
Gen Scott ordered halt.
That night, Mr. Mcintosh, the British Consul,
came out to renew the negotiations, and, after q
good deal of consultation, Gen. Scott determined
to give up the point about the flag. Santa Anna,
being in critical situation, also sent flag, not for
negotiation, but for proposing truce for the burial
of the dead. Tae two flags met at Coyacan,
/
sent the flag, and that he was relieved
Santa Anna, who had pretended TO quarrel with his
minister for sending the Mexican dag, then acknow
lodged it as his act and said that, since the enemy
was sueing for peace, he bousd to listen to their
proposals. and so this point was 90. 1t was
| agreed that an armistice should be concluded and
negotiations should be commenced; and the first
thing then was to conclude upon the terms Of the
D.4 Dl-tac Go
fixed his head quartersat Tacubaya, and quartered
his army in different villages in the vicinity of
Mexico. On the morning of the 22d he drew up a
project of terms to be demanded by the commits
sioners upon his part, and showed 1t to Generals
| Worth and Pillow. Both of these generals differed
in opinion as to the proprety of the terms, but in
different degree. Worth thought it well 10 make
the armistice and ensure the commencement Of
negotiations, but wished that General Scott should
insist upon the surrender of the Castle of Chapultc
pee, as q guarantee of the good faith Of Santa
Anna. Pillow opposed the negotiation in toto,
until after the surrender Of the capital, and espe
cialy any armistice without the surrender of Cha
pultepec. General Scott inserted in his project an
indirect demand tor Chapultepec, but not in very
peremptory decided terms.
The commissioners on either side met, and the
terms of the convention we're agreed upon, and
approved by General Scott. Nothing was obtain
| aauvv, anu Ouupa nnl.~ aiuvel
| every od,Anta5c WHICH ne was then possessed u,
and time to recuperato and re-fortify during the
negotiations for peace.
While these progressed, many instances Of viola
ton of faith occurred the Mexican side, but did
not shake the confidence which Gen. Scott had in
the expressed and implied promises of Santa Anna.
1 -, ID
tish functionaries, who were several times at his
headquarters, and professed to give him informa-
ton Of movements and prospects in the city of
Mexico. OF these, the most prominent were Mr.
Thornton, the Secretary Of legation who had been
the principal channel Of communication between
Santa Anna and Mr. Bankhead and Gen. Scott and
Mr. Tris, while the two latter at Puebla; and
Mr. Mcintosh, the consul, who had been and then
was furnishing Santa Anna with money for military
purposes.
Matters progressed until the 9Th Of September,
without any prospect Of treaty. Mexican obstina-
cy arrogant, and in proportion Mr.. Trist
| went down in his demands, although he went far
below anything which he was authorized to offer
On the 9th, to the bitter disappointment and morti-
fcation Of Gen. Soft, they were broken off and he
found, as be might have known, that he had been
befooled and hoodwinked into an armisce; that his
| folly had given up all advantages which had been
| gained at Contreras and Churubusco, and tina. he
had risked the Of his country and the safety
of his army upon slender reliance the Implied
faith of dplomatist Of the willy and trsaeherous
character Of Santa Anna
The battle of Moline del Rcy, the storuing Of
Chapultepec, and the bloody conflicts of the Garitas
Of Belen and San Cosne, required TO atone for
the error. Mexico was conquered, hut 1850 men
fell in the expiation.
During the occupation Of the Mexican capital by
the American army. occurred the quarrels between
General Scott and his generals; and amongst other
matters which the Court Of Inquiry, Of which Gen.