On the night of the 24th General Scott received a communication, signed by the British, French, Spanish, and Prussian consuls in Vera Cruz, asking time to permit the neutrals and women and children to withdraw from the city; to which he replied that up to the 23d the communication between the neutrals in Vera Cruz and the neutral ships of war lying off Sacrificios was left open to allow them an exit, and that he had given notice to the consuls.  He therefore declined to grant the request unless it was made by the governor and commander in chief of Vera Cruz, accompanied with a proposition to surrender.  On the 25th, the six heavy guns, the navy battery, and all the mortars opened fire.  General Scott had determined that, if no proposition for surrender was made by the 26th, he would assault the works.

The command of the city having been turned over by General Morales to General Landero, the latter, on the 26th, addressed General Scott as follows: 

“I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the exposition which has this moment been made to me by the senores consuls of England, France, Spain, and Prussia, in which they solicit that hostilities may be suspended while the innocent families in this place who are suffering the ravages of war be enabled to leave the city, which solicitude claims my support; and considering it in accordance with the rights of afflicted humanity, I have not hesitated to invite your Excellency to enter into an honorable accommodation with the garrison, in which case you will please name three commissioners who may meet at some intermediate point to treat with those of this place upon the terms of the accommodation.  With this motive I renew to your Excellency my attentive consideration.

“God reward your Excellency, etc., etc., etc. (on account of the
sickness of the commanding general).

“JOSE JUAN DE LANDERO.”

General Scott notified General Landero that he had appointed Brevet Major-General Worth, of the regular army, Major-General Pillow, of the volunteers, and Colonel Totten, chief of the engineer corps of the army, commissioners on his part to meet a like number to be appointed by General Landero.  The latter announced the appointment on his part of Colonels Herrera, Gutierrez de Villa Nueva, and Lieutenant-Colonel Robles.  The commissioners met at the Punta de Hornos, and on the 27th agreed upon terms.

[Illustration:  Siege of VERA CRUZ]

The terms of capitulation were in substance that the Mexican troops should march out of the city with the honors of war, should stack their arms and be paroled; that their colors, when lowered, should be saluted.  Absolute protection was guaranteed to persons and property in the city.  No private building was to be taken or used by the United States forces without previous arrangement and fair compensation.  A Mexican historian says:  “The sacrifice was consummated, but the soldiers of Vera Cruz received the honor due to their valor and misfortunes—­the respect of the conqueror.  Not even a look was given them by the enemy’s soldiers which could be interpreted into an insult.”  Five thousand prisoners and four hundred guns were captured, and with a loss of only sixty-seven killed and wounded.