the general sent a printed safeguard to the consul, and another, to be left in his care, for the British consul. Similar papers were addressed to the French and Prussian ministers. The time between this correspondence and the 22d was occupied in landing mortars, planting batteries, and investing the city. On that day General Scott summoned the city and castle to surrender, promising to the garrisons of both places the honours of war. The commandant replied, that he had prepared for a vigorous defence, and that it would ill become his character as a servant of the republic, to surrender his trust.

On receiving this answer, General Scott commenced his bombardment. Seven mortars opened from land, while the small vessels of the squadron approached near enough to the city to add their fire. All night the firing continued, the bombardment presenting a scene sublime and terrific. "Bombs," says an eye-witness, "were flying into Vera Cruz like hail. Sulphureous flashes, clouds of smoke, and the dull booms of heavy guns arose from the walls of the city in return; while ever and anon a red sheet of flame would leap from the great brass mortars of the castle, followed by a report which fairly made the earth tremble. A huge black cloud of smoke hung like a pall over the American army, completely concealing it from view; the Mexicans had ceased firing in order to prevent our troops from directing their guns by the flashes from the walls; but, having

PLAN OF VERA CRUZ AND SAN JUAN DE ULLOA.

REFERENCES.

SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ.

473

obtained the exact range before dark, the gunners continued their fire, every shell falling directly into the city. Suddenly a vivid, lightning-like flash would gleam for an instant upon the dense cloud of smoke over our lines, and then, as the roar of the great mortar was borne to our ears, the ponderous shell would be seen to dart upward like a meteor, and after describing a semicircle in the air, descend with a loud crash upon the house-tops, or into the resounding streets. Then, after a brief but awful moment of suspense, a lurid glare, illuminating for an instant the white domes and grim fortresses of Vera Cruz, falling into ruins with the shock, and the echoing crash that came to our ears told that a shell had exploded, and executed its terrible mission."

In the morning, the smaller vessels were withdrawn, on account of their exposed situation. Three additional mortars were placed in battery, and the whole fire of the Americans was now concentrated upon the city with terrible effect. At the same time the guns of the castle were in full blaze; but although shot and shell were flying in every direction, the American loss was only two men killed and four wounded. Among the former was the gallant and amiable Captain Vinton. On the same day, thirteen heavy guns arrived from Tampico, two of which were landed; but a norther then set in with such violence, that communication with the fleet, and even the siege itself were suspended. During the night the storm abated, and early the next morning the fleet recommenced the landing of military stores. The firing continued at intervals the whole of this day, the naval batteries co-operating with the land forces. Towards evening, the ammunition became exhausted, and a reoccurrence of the norther prevented any active operations on the American side. During this cessation, General Scott received, from the foreign consuls of the city, a request that a truce might be granted to allow neutrals, and the Mexican women and children to leave the city. To this the general replied, that a truce could be granted only on an application of the governor, with a view to surrender; that in sending safeguards to the different consuls, commencing as far back as the 15th instant, he had distinctly admonished them of subsequent dangers; that although at that date he had refused to allow any person to pass the line of investment either way, yet up to the 22d, the blockade had been left open to the consuls and other neutrals to pass out to their respective ships of war. This answer contained a copy of the summons to the governor, showing that General Scott had considered the case of the women and children before the siege commenced.

The destruction within the city was now so great, that the citizens implored the governor to surrender. This he refused to do. A council

of citizens and officers was then held, which requested him imme diately to resign. This was complied with, and General Landero was appointed to succeed him. He sent overtures for a truce early on the 26th, and negotiations were carried on as actively as the stormy condition of the weather would permit. Generals Worth and Pillow, and Colonel Totten were appointed commissioners for the Americans; and Pedro M. Herrera, Jose Gutierrez de Villanueva, and Manuel Robles, for the Mexicans. The fleet was not represented, on account of the impossibility of communication.

When these officers met, the Mexican commissioners presented six propositions, asking to evacuate the city without hindrance; to march out with the honours of war, and a full allowance of stores and fieldpieces; to salute their flag on its being struck; to be assured that private property and the enjoyment of religious opinions would be respected; that the guards of Vera Cruz should retire, unmolested, to their homes; and that, in case the siege continued, the neutrals be permitted to pass out. Most of these General Scott refused to grant, and negotiations recommenced. Captain Aulick now arrived from the fleet, and, at the request of General Scott, was admitted to the

TERMS OF SURRENDER.

47 conference. At length the commissioners agreed on the following

terms:

1. The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the arms of the United States, as prisoners of war, the 29th instant, at ten o'clock, A. M.; the garrisons to be permitted to march out with all the honours of war, and to lay down their arms to such officers as may be appointed by the general-in-chief of the United States armies, and at a point to be agreed upon by the commissioners.

2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, .ncluding horses and horse-furniture, and to be allowed, regular and irregular officers, as also the rank and file, five days to retire to their respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed.

3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article 1, the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, saluted by their own batteries; and, immediately thereafter, Forts Santiago and Conception, and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, occupied by the forces of the United States.

4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to be disposed of after surrender and parole, as their general-in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to return to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and descriptions of force, giving the usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged.

5. All the materiel of war, and all public property of every description found in the city, the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and their dependencies, to belong to the United States; but the armament of the same (not injured or destroyed in the farther prosecution of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be restored to Mexico by a definite treaty of peace.

6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in the city, with such medical officers and attendants, and officers of the army, as may be necessary to their care and treatment.

7. Absolute protection is solemnly guarantied to persons in the city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private building or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and for a fair equivalent.

8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is solemnly guarantied.

During the siege, Colonel Harney, of the dragoons, had a severe skirmish with a large body of Mexican cavalry, stationed outside the city. Without knowing the exact force of the enemy, he set out in pursuit of them with one hundred and twenty of his men. When