Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/798

778 France, Spain, and the United States. Juarez rejected the proposition, and issued a declaration against compromise in any form.

There were lying in Vera Cruz, besides the steamers Indianola and Wave, under charter to the liberal authorities, the United States frigate Savannah, and corvettes Saratoga and Preble. Marin's squadron, composed of the steamers General Miramon and Marqués de la Habana, was descried in the offing at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon of March 6th. The ships steamed along the coast from La Antigua and anchored in Anton Lizardo at four. On passing San Juan de Ulúa, they had been signalled to show their colors, which they did not do till opposite the Spanish vessels. By the time they reached the anchorage, they were boarded by several of Miramon's officers. The Indianola and Wave had been ready to tow the Saratoga. Captain Jarvis, commander of the frigate and senior officer present, sent a lieutenant and 80 men to the Indianola, and another officer with an equal number of men to the Wave, each officer at once assuming command of the steamer he was on. La Llave went on board one of the steamers. The attack on Marin's ships was successful; at midnight the two vessels were a prize of the United States naval force. The General Miramon made some resistance, and then, in trying to escape, got aground. The Marqués de la Habana attempted no defence. The Saratoga fired 90 shots. The prizes were afterward sent to New Orleans to be adjudicated on by the admiralty court.

Captain Jarvis' proceedings were protested against by the commander of the Spanish war brig Habanero, on the 13th of March, claiming the Marqués de la Habana as Spanish property. The commander also