REMARKS. 1. Of this force, (13,473,) 8,113 were mustered into service under the call made in November last; but, counting the casualties, it may now be computed to be but little, if any, over 7,000. Computing the companies to be 80 when mustered into service, the additional volunteer force, under the call of April 19th, will amount to 6,480 men, of which 1,200 are assigned to the army under General Scott, and 5,280 to the army under General Taylor. 2. Of the volunteers called out in November last, (8,113,) 4,994 are serving with the army under Major General Scott, and 3,819 with the division under Major General Taylor; but the casualties of the service require a deduction of at least 15 per cent. from this number-[April 26th, i. e., during the first three months of service.] By order: WAR DEPARTMENT, R. JONES, Adjutant General. Adjutant General's Office, Washington, April 26, 1847. No. 22. HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE ARMY, SIR: According to general orders, No. 94, Twiggs's division of regulars (the 2d) marched for Jalapa, the 8th instant, and were followed, the next day, by Patterson's division (two brigades only) of volunteers; leaving Quitman's brigade and Thomas's Tennessee horse. Worth's division of regulars, (the 1st,) and the siege train, remain behind, from the same cause-the want of means of transportation. (See general orders, No. 105, of this date.) Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Martin Scott, and 300 men of the 5th infantry, sailed, the 8th instant, to ascend the Alvarado some 50 miles, in search of draught and pack animals, to be back in two or three days from this time. From the advancing columns I have yet heard not a word. Twiggs must now be near Jalapa. I sent him, the 9th instant, a note through the commanders in his rear, advising him that President Santa Anna had arrived at Jalapa, with a force of, exaggerated by rumor, 6,000 men. I did not believe in half that number. (See the note addressed, in the first instance, to Major General Patterson, herewith enclosed.) I however made some hasty arrangements to follow, personally, at the first intimation that a serious conflict might be expected. I still believe that none is to be expected this side of Jalapa, or before my arrival there. In the mean time, our means of transportation are slowly increasing, by arrivals from the Brazos and Tampico; to be further augmented, we have some reason to hope, from Alvarado and the line of operation in front. Captain Irwin, now some days chief of the quartermaster's department, is displaying great energy and powers of combination. As the result of an increase of horses, wheels, and packs, three heavy siege pieces will move to-morrow, and, I think, Worth's division in twelve or twenty-four hours later. Again, please see general orders, No. 105. I hope not to be called to the front in the next day or two, when my arrangements, of every sort, for this depot, will be so far advanced as to give to forward movements firmness of step and consistency; otherwise the army, without reference to the enemy, might be in danger of retracing its steps towards this water depot, in search of indispensable supplies. I have good reason to know that the Mexican Congress have secretly authorized President Santa Anna to negotiate a peace with the United States; on what basis or ultimatum 1 may learn through my agents in a few days. The department need not fear that I shall, early or late, consent to any truce, without placing the United States on a safe footing for negotiations. The quartermaster's and commissary departments are in want of funds for disbursements, and there is silver coin in abundance here, in the hands of, principally, foreign merchants. They are willing to cash drafts upon the United States, endorsed officially by me, but demand that we should allow a premium of six per centumthe amount already paid to Mexico for the privilege of shipment to Europe. I have replied that, if the United States drafts are not worth the full amount expressed on their face, that the United States forces are strong enough not to allow an ounce of the precious metals to be shipped to Europe, without my consent, or without payment of a duty equal to the premium demanded. Hence my order, No. 103, of yesterday, herewith enclosed. The money is held for shipment in the next steam packet, British. This will soon show that the United States are sovereign in the principal Mexican ports, and bring our drafts up to par. Then I may, on the promises necessary, rescind that order, or take the money that the army may need and give drafts, at par, for it. In the act of writing, I have received the report of Brigadier General Twiggs, with the addition of Brigadier General Pillow on this side, of which I enclose copies. Major General Patterson, who has been somewhat out of health, had not quite got up with Pillow, temporarily in the command of the volunteer division. Four thousand men I think rather an exaggerated account of the enemy's force this side of Jalapa. Nevertheless, by working all night, I shall deem it best to be ready to go forward, personally, early in the morning. I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, Hon. Wм. L. MARCY, Secretary of War. WINFIELD SCOTT. P. S. I send copies, in English and Spanish, of my proclamation of this date. It is likely to do much good. I enclose also some other papers, not specifically named above. W. S. NEW ORLEANS, April 23, 1847. * SIR: The accompanying package was entrusted to my care, with instructions from General Scott to deposite it in the post office at New Orleans, if, on my arrival there, I should feel unable to proceed at once to Washington, via Mobile. In accordance with this direction, I send the letter by mail, and beg leave to state, in explanation to one of the orders enclosed, (No. 108,) that it was issued after the parties interested had promised to receive United States paper at par for the specie of the country. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, To Hon. W. L. MARCY, E. P. SCAMMON, 1st Lieut. and A. Aid-de-camp. Secretary of War. GENERAL ORDERS, HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz, March 28, 1847. As soon as the city of Vera Cruz shall be garrisoned by his brigade, Brigadier General Worth will become the temporary gov ernor of the same. Without disturbing the ordinary functions of the civil magistracy, as between Mexicans and Mexicans, he will establish strict police regulations for securing good order and good morals in the said city. He will also establish a temporary and moderate tariff of duties, subject to the approval of, the general-in-chief and Commodore Perry, commanding United States home squadron, on all articles imported by sea from countries other than the United States; the proceeds of said tariff to be applied to the benefit of the sick and wounded of the army, the squadron, and the indigent inhabitants of Vera Cruz. The tariff so to be established will be continued until the instruc-tions of the government at home shall be made known in the case. By command of Major General Scott. H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. General. * General Scott's despatch, above, and the following papers, therein enclosed. The following tariff of duties is decreed and announced for the information of all concerned: VERA CRUZ, April 3, 1847. 1. All articles introduced by regularly appointed sutlers, (who will be required to exhibit to the assistant adjutant general the evidence of their appointment,) called and known as soldiers' necessaries, as also supplies of all kinds for officers, are duty free; but to avoid misapprehension or fraud, all articles imported by that class of persons will be entered at the custom house, and arrangement made with the collector for payment of duties on the whole cargo, subject to restitution (or freedom from duty) of such articles, or the value thereof, as may be sold to officers or soldiers. Said articles or value to be certified and sworn to, in a manner satisfactory to the collector, and in conformity with such regulations as he may adopt, under sanction of the commander or governor of Vera Cruz and dependencies. 2. On provisions 5 per cent. ad valorem. On wines, cider, ale, and porter, 15 per cent., ad valorem. On raw cotton 4 cents per pound. All other articles of merchandize 10 per cent., ad valorem. 3. Several foreign vessels having arrived and been under detention, before the occupation, are admitted under the foregoing regulations; but henceforth all foreign vessels arriving will be held subject to such duties as said vessels or cargoes would be required to pay in any port of the United States, or to exhibit, before admission, evidence of entry and payment of duties in the United States; but always subjected to the additional duty hereby imposed. The collector of the port will draw up and submit for approval port regulations, which, when approved, will be duly imposed. It is further decreed that foreign goods, in deposit in the United States, arriving at this port will be admitted by paying duties as per tariff of the United States, the same arriving at this port in American bottoms. The foregoing regulations to be in force until otherwise directed by the governor for the time being, or the orders of the government of the United States. W. J. WORTH, Governor, Brevet Major General Commanding. WM. J. McCLUNG, Commander U. S. Navy. ORDERS, HEAD-QUARTERS, Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847. In obedience to the order of the general-in-chief, Major General Worth enters upon the duties of commanding officer and governor of Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulloa. By order of Major General Worth, governor and commanding officer. W. W. MACKALL, Acting Adjutant General. As the sole civil authority of the city, I announce to its inhabitants that the actual governor has addressed to me the following order: ORDERS, No. 3. HEAD QUARTERS, Vera Cruz, March 30, 1847. 1. The alcalde will forthwith cause all citizens of Vera Cruz, other than such as may receive special authority, to deliver up their arms into his custody, reports of the same to be made to these head-quarters. 2. The alcalde will cause every "pulperias" to be forthwith closed, and none hereafter opened, except under special license. And none to be opened after 6 o'clock, p. m., when licensed. 3. The alcalde will require every citizen to apply for a letter of domicil, showing his occupation. That the foregoing may be better carried into effect, the first officer of this corporation will receive into the public warehouses all the arms referred to in article first. From the secretary of the corporation will be obtained such licenses as are referred to in article second. From the same officer will be obtained the letters of domicil referred to in article third. The office of the secretary will be opened daily from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon, and any person neglecting to comply with the provisions of these articles will be liable to such punishment as may be awarded to his disobedience. 4. The Mexican laws, as between Mexicans, will be continued in force, and justice administered by the regular Mexican tribunals. 5. In all cases arising between American citizens of the army, or the authorized followers of the same, a military commission will be appointed to investigate the case. 6. All Mexicans will be allowed to enter and leave the city freely between reveille and retreat. 7. Soldiers on pass can enter the city by the gates of Mercy and Mexico, and at no other point, between the hours of 10, a. m., and 6, p. m.; at the latter hour all soldiers, not on duty with the guards, will retire from the city. |