manded a complete surrender of the town and garrison, the latter as prisoners of war, but stated that in consideration of the gallant defence of the place, the garrison would be allowed, after laying down its arms, to retire into the interior on condition of not serving again during the war, or until regularly exchanged. An answer to this communication was required by twelve o'clock, until which time a cessation of fire was agreed upon.[1] Whatever mistakes Ampudia might have committed during the defence, he now showed great firmness in sustaining the honor of his nation. Exclaiming to those around him that he would perish beneath the ruins of Monterey before he would submit to such terms,[2] he requested a personal interview with the American commander-in-chief. Taylor had in the mean time proceeded to Worth's headquarters, but on his arrival a conference took place after some demur on his part, on the ground that he would open no negotiations except to arrange terms of capitulation. Upon the representations of Ampudia that the recent change in the Mexican government had altered the position of affairs, and that the latter was favorable to the establishment of a peace between the two nations,[3] Taylor consented to the appointment of a joint commission to consider the terms under which the Americans should occupy the city. Accordingly he named General Worth, General Henderson, governor of Texas, and Colonel Jefferson Davis of the Mississippi volunteers, on his part; Ampudia designating generals Requena, Ortega, and Manuel María del Llano, governor of Nuevo Leon.
So tenaciously did Ampudia adhere to his deter-
- ↑ See the correspondence in U. S. Govt Doc., ut sup., pp. 79-80.
- ↑ 'Indignándose ante las exigencias del enemigo y declarando que ántes de acceder á ellas pereceria bajo los escombros de la ciudad.' Roa Bárcena, Recuerdos, 55.
- ↑ In the conference with Ampudia I was distinctly told by him that he had invited it to spare the further effusion of blood, and because Santa Anna had declared himself favorable to peace.' Taylor's letter to the war-office, Nov. 8, 1846, in U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 30, Ses. 1, H. Ex. 60, p. 360.
