part of Mexico; and I
now have good reasons to believe that within the last forty-eight
hours, if not earlier, the third article of that convention has been
equally violated by the same party. These direct breaches of faith
give to this army the most perfect right to resume hostilities
against Mexico, without any notice whatever; but, to allow time for
possible apology or reparation, I now give formal notice that,
unless full satisfaction on these allegations should be received by
me by 12 o'clock meridian to-morrow, I shall consider the said
armistice at an end from and after that hour.

"I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient servant,

"WINFIELD SCOTT."

General Santa Anna replied in an insolent note, denying General
Scott's charges and making counter charges.

Many newspapers throughout the United States criticised General Scott
in the severest terms for being duped by General Santa Anna into an
armistice which the latter only desired to recruit his army. There is
the strongest evidence--that of Mr. Trist and the Mexican
commissioners--that Santa Anna was really desirous to make peace. The
manifesto which he issued to the nation is itself sufficient proof on
this score; and certainly it reflects the highest credit on General
Scott, that when he was at the very gates of the capital, which he
could have entered in a few hours, he was willing to spare not only
the lives of his own gallant army, but those of the enemy. Santa Anna
now called a meeting of the principal officers and governmental
civilians to meet him in the palace, and it was agreed to continue
resistance.

A force was at once sent out under cover of the guns of Chapultepec to
strengthen the position and resist the advance of the Americans. At
this point was a number of very large buildings known as Molino del
Rey, which had formerly been used for the manufacture of ordnance
stores. Chapultepec was a strong, well-fortified and well-armed fort.
Molino del Rey was occupied by a brigade of the National Guards, under
General Leon. These were re-enforced on the morning of the 7th by a
brigade under General Rangel. The Casta Mata, a large storehouse
surrounded by a wide ditch and inclosed by a bastioned fort, was
occupied by the brigade of General Perez, and between these two
positions was posted General Ramirez's brigade with six pieces of
artillery. In the rear occup