horrors of a triumphant
assault, addresses this summons to the intelligence, the gallantry,
the patriotism, no less than the humanity, of his Excellency the
governor and commander in chief of Vera Cruz. The undersigned is not
accurately informed whether both the city and the castle of San Juan
de Ulloa be under the command of his Excellency, or whether each
place has its own independent commander; but the undersigned, moved
by the considerations adverted to above, may be willing to stipulate
that if the city should by capitulation be garrisoned by a part of
his troops no missile shall be fired from within the city or from
its bastions or walls upon the castle, unless the castle should
previously fire upon the city. The undersigned has the honor to
tender his distinguished opponent, his Excellency the general and
commander in chief of Vera Cruz, the assurance of the high respect
and consideration of the undersigned, WINFIELD SCOTT."

To which he received the following reply:

"GOD AND LIBERTY!"

"VERA CRUZ, _March 22, 1847_.

"TO MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT: The undersigned, commanding
general of the free and sovereign State of Vera Cruz, has informed
himself of the contents of the note which Major-General Scott,
general in chief of the forces of the United States, has addressed
to him under date of to-day, demanding the surrender of this place
and castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and in answer has to say that the
above-named fortress as well as the city depends on his authority;
and it being his principal duty, in order to prove worthy of the
confidence placed in him by the Government of the nation, to defend
both points at all cost, to which he counts upon necessary elements,
and will make it good to the last, therefore his Excellency can
commence his operations of war in a manner which he may consider
most advantageous. The undersigned has the honor to return to the
general in chief of the forces of the United States the
demonstrations of esteem he may be pleased to honor him with.

"JUAN MORALES."

The city was garrisoned by a force of three thousand three hundred and
sixty officers and men, and the castle had a force of one thousand and
thirty, making a total of four thousand three hundred and ninety. It
was certainly a brave determin