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410 had in tow got foul of each other in great disorder. More successful was an expedition during the latter month up the Tabasco River, under Commodore Perry, which resulted in the capture of the town of Frontera, two Mexican steamers, and five merchant vessels. In August the squadron sustained a loss by the wreck of the brig Truxton, twelve guns, Commander Carpender, on the reef of Tuxpam; and a still more serious disaster occurred December 8th, by the capsizing of the brig Somers, Lieutenant Semmes. The vessel sank in ten minutes, and thirty-nine of her crew were drowned. The operations of the squadron in the Pacific were principally confined this year to the coast of California.

After the capture of Monterey, Taylor was prepared to speak as to the advisability of his moving upon the capital. He was evidently opposed to it. Recommending the policy of occupying a defensive line along the Sierra Madre, with corps stationed at Saltillo, Monclova, Linares, Victoria, and Tampico, he said that if it was the determination of the government to strike a decisive blow at Mexico a force should be landed at Vera Cruz or Alvarado. In the mean time the United States government had decided to make a descent on the gulf coast, with the intention of capturing Tampico and invading Tamaulipas. Proposals to open negotiations with the