he principal incidents of the siege
up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest occurred
till early in the morning of the next day, when I received
overtures from General Landero, on whom General Morales had
devolved the principal command. A terrible storm of wind and sand
made it difficult to communicate with the city, and impossible to
refer to Commodore Perry. I was obliged to entertain the
proposition alone, or to continue the fire upon a place that had
shown a disposition to surrender; for the loss of a day, or
perhaps several, could not be permitted. The accompanying papers
will show the proceedings and results.

Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commissioners
appointed by me early the morning before had again met those
appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry sent ashore his
second in command, Captain Aulick, as a commissioner on the part
of the navy. Although not included in my specific arrangement
with the Mexican commander, I did not hesitate, with proper (p. 310)
courtesy, to desire that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced
and allowed to participate in the discussions and acts of the
commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the
preamble to his signature. The original American commissioners
were Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, Brigadier-General Pillow,
and Colonel Totten. Four more able or judicious officers could
not have been desired.

I have to add but little more. The remaining details of the
siege; the able co-operation of the United States squadron,
successively under the command of Commodores Conner and Perry,
the admirable conduct of the whole army, regulars and volunteers,
I should be happy to dwell upon as they deserve; but the steamer
Princeton, with Commodore Conner on board, is under way, and I
have commenced organizing an advance into the interior. This may
be delayed a few days, waiting the arrival of additional means of
transportation. In the mean time, a joint operation, by land and
water will be made upon Alvarado. No lateral expedition, however,
shall interfere with the grand movement towards the capital.

In consideration of the great services of Colonel Totten, in the
siege that has just terminated most successively, and the
importance of his presence at