Deputation to General Scott.

daylight under the guns of the formidable citadel, yet to be subdued.

At about four o'clock next morning, (September 14,) a deputation of the ayuntamiento (city council) waited upon me to report that the federal government and the army of Mexico had fled from the capital some three hours before, and to demand terms of capitulation in favour of the church, the citizens, and the municipal authorities. I promptly replied, that I would sign no capitulation; that the city had been virtually in our possession from the time of the lodgments effected by Worth and Quitman the day before; that I regretted the silent escape of the Mexican army; that I should levy upon the city a moderate contribution, for special purposes; and that the American army should come under no terms, not self-imposed-such only as its own honour, the dignity of the United States, and the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion, imperiously demand and impose.

At the termination of the interview with the city deputation, I communicated, about daylight, orders to Worth and Quitman to advance slowly and cautiously, (to guard against treachery,) towards the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more commanding points. Quitman proceeded to the great plaza or square, planted guards, and hoisted the colours of the United States on the national palace-containing the halls of Congress and executive departments of federal Mexico. In this grateful service, Quitman might have been anticipated by Worth, but for my express orders, halting the latter at the head of the Alameda, (a green park,) within three squares of that goal of general ambition. The capital

Firing from the houses.

however, was not taken by any one or two corps, but by the talent, the science, the gallantry, the prowess of this entire army. In the glorious conquest, all had contributed—early and powerfully—the killed, the wounded, and the fit for duty-at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, San Augustin, Churubusco, (three battles,) the Molinos del Rey, and Chapultepec-as much as those who fought at the gates of Belen and San Cosme.

Soon after we had entered, and were in the act of occupying the city, a fire was opened upon us from the flat roofs of the houses, from windows and corners of streets, by some two thousand convicts liberated the night before by the flying government—joined by, perhaps, as many Mexican soldiers, who had disbanded themselves and thrown off their uniforms. This unlawful war lasted more than twenty-four hours, in spite of the exertions of the municipal authorities, and was not put down till we had lost many men, including several officers killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants. Their objects were to gratify national hatred; and in the general alarm and confusion, to plunder the wealthy inhabitants—particularly the deserted houses. But families are now generally returning; business of every kind has been resumed, and the city is already tranquil and cheerful, under the admirable conduct (with exceptions very few and trifling) of our gallant troops.

I recapitulate our losses since we arrived in the basin of Mexico.

August 19, 20.-Killed, one hundred and thirtyseven, including fourteen officers. Wounded, eight hundred and seventy-seven, including sixty-two officers.

Trophies.

Missing, (probably killed,) thirty-eight rank and file. Total, one thousand and fifty-two.

September 8.-Killed, one hundred and sixteen, including nine officers. Wounded, six hundred and fiftyfive, including forty-nine officers. Missing, eighteen rank and file. Total, seven hundred and eighty-nine.

September 12, 13, 14.-Killed, one hundred and thirty, including ten officers. Wounded, seven hundred and three, including sixty-eight officers. Missing, twentynine rank and file. Total, eight hundred and sixty-two.

Grand total of losses, two thousand seven hundred and three, including three hundred and eighty-three officers.

On the other hand, this small force has beaten on the same occasions, in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of (at the beginning) thirty odd thousand men-posted always in chosen positions, behind intrenchments, or more formidable defenses of nature and art; killed or wounded, of that number, more than seven thousand officers and men; taking three thousand seven hundred and thirty prisoners; including thirteen generals, of whom three had been presidents of this republic; captured more than twenty colours and standards, seventy-five pieces of ordnance, besides fifty-seven wall-pieces, twenty thousand small arms, an immense quantity of shot, shells, powder, &c., &c.

Of that enemy once so formidable in numbers, appointments, artillery, &c., twenty odd thousand have disbanded themselves in despair, leaving, as is known, not more than three fragments—the largest about two thousand five hundred-now wandering in different directions, without magazines, or a military chest, and living at free quarters upon their own people.

Scheme of the priesthood.

In the national palace of Mexico opposite the entrance of the great reception room, there hung a portrait of the celebrated Mexican, Iturbide. Rumaging about the palace, some of the officers found, in a neglected room, a portrait of Washington. Amid the greatest enthusiasm, the frowning representative of Mexican greatness gave place to the mild benevolent countenance of the great American hero; the proper sequel to the overthrow of the forces of the Mexican nation by the army of the North American republic. From the taking of the capital to the present, all has remained quiet and tranquil. The priesthood attempted to carry out a plan for the annoyance of the American army, refusing to open the churches, and in other modes cherishing the popular ill will. But the prompt and energetic orders of General Scott brought a sudden termination upon their plans. Signor Pena y Pena, who had been called to the administration of the government of Mexico, issued an address marked by the moderation of its views, and his secretary of state followed with one similar in tenor.

In October, Senor Rosa, the secretary of state, in the name of the president called a meeting of the Mexican Congress, to assemble at Queretaro in November, the results of whose deliberations have as yet been unimportant. During the same month, the attention of the government was directed towards General Paredes, who had effected an entrance into the country in disguise, and issued a very florid address to his countrymen. The government refused his proffered services, and directed harsh measures to be taken against him.

Santa Anna, though driven from the capital, continued his indefatigable efforts in behalf of his ungrateful

Death of Walker.

country. With nearly eight thousand men he advanced upon and took Puebla, and on the 25th of September, laid siege to the American works near that city, commanded by Colonel Childs. A siege of twenty-eight days failed to induce the gallant colonel and his starved troops to depart from their intention to make a successful defense. A cannonading was briskly maintained on both sides for three days. On the 1st of October, Santa Anna sallied out from the city with a large force, in order to attack General Lane, who was on his way up from Vera Cruz with a large train, and a force of about three thousand men. On the evening of the 8th of October information was received that Santa Anna, with four thousand men and several pieces of artillery, was prepared to dispute their passage at the pass of Pinal Venta del Final. The army prepared for a battle, when it was learned that Santa Anna himself was at the town of Huamantla, some ten miles distant, and General Lane determined to advance upon that town with a portion of his forces, Captain Walker leading the van with a force of two hundred cavalry. Santa Anna had left that morning for the pass with four thousand men, leaving his artillery with a detachment of five hundred to follow. Captain Walker dashed into the town, defeated this detachment, captured four guns, and supposing the fight to be ended, suffered his men to disperse through the town in search of guns and ammunition. With some fifty men he remained in the plaza, where he suddenly found himself fiercely attacked by the enemy's cavalry, who had seen his advance and returned to save their artillery. In the struggle which followed, the gallant captain was slain. The arrival of the infantry soon