While making his preparations at Coyoacan, on the morning of the 21st, to take up the necessary battering or assaulting positions, to authorize him to summon the city to surrender, General Scott was waited on by General Mora y Villamil, who came out to propose a truce. The terms which were suggested being unsatis- factory, the American commander dispatched his con- templated note to Santa Anna, omitting the summons to surrender, and signifying his willingness to consent to an armistice with a view to negotiation.[1] On the same day a reply was received from Alcorta, the Mexi- can Minister of War, accepting the proposition, and stating that Generals Mora y Villamil and Quijano had been appointed Commissioners on the part of the Mexi- can government, to settle the terms of the armistice. Generals Quitman, P. F. Smith, and Pierce, were se- lected by General Scott to represent the American army; and on the 21th instant, the armistice, signed by the Commissioners, was duly ratified by the command- ers of the two armies.
- ↑ The note written by General Scott was as follows:
"Head Quarters, Army U. S. America. Coyoacan, August 21. 1847. “To his Excellency. the President and General in Chief of the Republic of Mexico. “Sir:—Too much blood has already been shed in this unnatural war between the two great Republics of this Continent. It is time that the differences between them should be amicably and honorably settled; and it is known to your Excellency, that a Commissioner on the part of the United States, clothed with full powers to that end. is with this army. To enable the two Republics to enter on negotiation, I am willing to sign, on reasonable terms, a short armistice.
“I shall wait. with impatience until to—morrow morning for a direct answer to this communication; but shall, in the meantime, seize and occupy such positions outside of the capital, as I may deem necessary to the shelter and comfort of this army.
“I have the honor to remain, with high consideration and respect, your Excellency’s most obedient servant.
