The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-02-10

impossible that its garrison should receive
from without, succor or reutorcements o
any kind and having caused to be es
tabllshed batteries, competent to the
speedy reduction Of the said city, he the
Undersigned, deems it due To the courte
sizes OF war, in like cases, as well as to
the rights OF humanity, to summon his
ExceIlency, the Governor aud Comman.
der.in-Ch'et Of the city of Vera Cruz, TO
surrender the same to the arms of the
United States Of America at pr esent be-
lore the place. The undersigned, anxious
TO spare the beautiful city of Vera Cruz
from the imminent hazard Of demolition
its gallant defenders from useless eff.
fusion OF blood, and It's peaceful iniabi.
tants-women and children inclusive
from the inevitable horrors Of trum-
phant assault addresses this summons to
the intelligence, tie gallsutry aud patrl-
ohsm, no less than the humanity Of his
EXceliency, the Governor and Comman-
der.ln Chief Of Vera Cruz. The under
signed is not accurately informed whether
both the city oi Vera Cruz and the cas-
tie OF San Juan de UIloa be under the
command Of his Ercellency, or whether
each place has its own independent com
mander; but the undersigned. moved by
the considerations adverted to above, may
be willing TO stipulate that, if the city
should he garris oned by a part of his
troops, no missile shall be fired from with
in the city, or from its bas,ions or walls,
upon the castle, unless the castle should
previously fire upon the city. The un.
dersIgned has the honor to tender to his
distinguished opponeot, his ExceIIencv.
the Governor and Commander in. Chief of
Vera Cruz, the assurance Of the high re.
spect and consideration Of the unJersign.
ed.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
TRANSLATION.
The undersigned, Commanding Gene.
raj OF the free and sovereign State Of Vera
Cruz, has informed himself of the con-
tents OF the note which Major General
Scott, General in. Chief Of the forces Of
the Cnited States, rs address, d to him
under the date Of TO day, dem .nding the
surrender Of this place, and cast>, of VI.
ioa; and, in answer, has to say, thai the
above named fortress, as we'll as this
place, depend on his authority and it
beng hs principal duty. in order to provo
worthy OF the confidence placed iu him
by the government Of the nation, to de-
iend both points at al costs, to effect
which he counts upon the necessary eIe-
ments, and will make it good to the last;
therefore bis ExcelIency can commence
his operations Of war in the manner in
which he may consider most advantage.
Gus. The undersigned has the honor to
return TO the Guneral.in Chief Of the
forces Of the United States the demonstra.
tons Of esteem he may be pleased to
honor him with.
JUAN MORALES.
God and liberty
To Major-General Scott, General.in. Chief
Of the forces Of the United States stu.
ated in sight of this place.
Vera Cruz, March 22, ls47.
The next summons came from our bat
ter'es. On the same evening about 8 o
clock, the signal was given, and three
b buteiies opened their lhunders on the
city. The Mosquito feet" under Cap.
tain Tatnall. Of the navy ran up under
point Of main land, and opened upon the
city a tremendous fire from its heavy
guns. These were very small vessels, but
carried the heaviest metal, and the havoc
OF their fire was awful. These little YES
sels had terribly Significant names, such
as the "Spirfre," the Vixen" the "Hor-
net" 1t is called the mosquito fleet"
AS descriptive Of lis annoying and blood
letting qualities.