The legality and justice of General Jackson's operations in the Spanish territory have been questioned, and, as usual, he has received a liberal share of censure therefor. How deserving he is of reproach for his conduct during this expedition, will, it is believed, be readily perceived, on reverting to the provocations which induced him to carry his arms into the Spanish dominions. The bloodhounds of the Creek nation, who had spread devastation and death among the defenceless borderers of our southwestern frontier, till the martial spirit of our soldiers being roused in self-defence, vanquished them in various desperate conflicts, had retreated into the Spanish territory, and were there received with the most officious kindness by the Spanish governor. British troops were not only permitted, but encouraged to land, to fortify themselves, and to distribute arms among these ferocious sons of the forest, and instruct them in military tactics, that they might the more effectually wreak upon our countrymen their murderous vengeance.

General Jackson remonstrated with Governor Manrequez upon the reprehensible course he pursued, but with no beneficial effect; he wrote to the secretary of war for instructions, but, by some unaccountable delay, the answer, which bore date 18th July, 1814, was not received by General Jackson till 17th January, 1815. When received, the conclusion of its instructions were found to hold the following language: "If all the circumstances stated by you, unite, the conclusion is irresistible. It becomes our duty to carry our arms where we find our enemies." The momentous nature of the crisis induced General Jackson to hazard every thing dear to him, and to proceed upon his own responsibility to punish the aggressions of Spain. But in acting as he supposed upon his own responsibility, he did nothing more, as we have seen by reference to the instructions from the war department,

than to follow the very letter and spirit of those instructions; and although he had never received them when he made his descent upon the combined forces of British, Spanish, and Indian troops at Pensacola, yet they existed; and who can be found so captious, as to censure him for anticipating instructions, when those very instructions were given, but prevented from reaching his hands by unavoidable delay.

This campaign of General Jackson has been termed "a wanton attack upon a neutral power, amounting to a declaration of war with Spain, upon the authority of one unauthorized individual." Neutral power, indeed; receiving into her cities and upon her coasts our deadliest foes, permitting them, nay aiding them, to arm and fortify themselves there for hostile operations upon us, and to prepare themselves for a co-operation with Sir Edward Pakenham in his grand plan of attack upon New Orleans, which, if taken, would expose our western frontier to the ravages of the enemy. So far were the important services of General Jackson in this campaign deserving from rebuke, that they have received, and will continue to receive, the approbation of every patriotic American, long after his censurers shall have been forgotten.

CHAPTER VII.

The safety of New Orleans menaced-General Jackson commences his march for that place-Defenceless situation of Louisiana-Disaffection among the inhabitants-General Jackson arrives at New OrleansDespondency of the people-His exertions in their behalf-He addresses them, and makes preparations for defence-Defection of the French populationCauses that led to the proclamation of martial law -General Jackson proclaims it-Defence of the measure-Arrival of reinforcements-Battle of the twenty-third of December-Consequences resulting from it.

THE attention of General Jackson was now directed to New Orleans, the safety of which was seriously menaced. Notwithstanding the negotiations pending between Great Britain and the United States at Ghent, serious preparations were making for the invasion of Louisiana; and it became evident, that, as an important preliminary step, the enemy would concentrate his whole force for an attack upon New Orleans, from the possession of which he would derive incalculable advantages. General Jackson, for a considerable length of time, had been the only general officer attached to the United States army in this district. General Winchester, of the United States army, arrived at length, and General Jackson assigned the command of the eastern section of his district, and immediatoby commenced his march for New Orleans.

This section of the Union was, at this period, far from being in a good state of defence. Louisiana had then but just been admitted into the Union, of which it formed the remotest part. Its population was thin, and a great part of it consisting of slaves, added nothing to its means of defence; but required, on the contrary, a constant force to prevent its becoming a domestic enemy of the most dangerous kind. Its remote situation, pressing dangers nearer the seat of government, and other causes, had caused it to be left in a state of utter destitution, and dependent for defence upon its own resources. A country accessible by numerous inlets from the sea, was left undefended by any fortifications, except two; the principal much dilapidated, ill provided, and very inadequately garrisoned, the other incapable of the slightest defence. A few gun-boats were the only maritime defence for those approaches; a flat-bottomed frigate, which would have proved effectual in the shallow waters that surrounded the coast, by some extraordinary policy, or culpable neglect, was left unfinished. The military force was two incomplete regiments, a militia badly armed, and a battalion of city volunteers. Two or three field pieces, and a howitzer, formed their park of artillery, and the arsenal contained no arms; even the common and necessary article of flints was totally wanting. The magazines alone were well provided. This was the state of the defence of Louisiana, immediately previous to the month of December. The inhabitants had been long cut off from any intercourse with the sea, by a blockading squadron, which it was known preceded the arrival of a formidable fleet, bearing an invading army of the most imposing force, from their number, their discipline, the excellence of their appointments, and the reputation of the generals who commanded them.

To add to the difficulties of the Louisianians, there

existed division among them, not disaffection, but that confusion which naturally arises in times of danger, when there is no head, or one in which there is no confidence. Committees of defence were named by the citizens, exhortations were made to resist the enemy, and show that the insulting confidence he had expressed in the want of attachment of a large portion of the state to the Union was false. Funds were endeavored to be raised; every thing was done to show that the inhabitants were disposed to defend themselves and their country; but every effort demonstrated that, without further aid, the struggle would be ineffectual. That aid at length arrived, in the person of General Jackson.

On his arrival, he found the population prostrate with fear and despondency. He comprehended at a glance the difficulties that would obstruct a successful defence of the country, and while thousands of hearts were despairing, he resolved, with his wonted decision and energy, to surmount every obstacle, and defend or perish with his countrymen. He anticipated assistance from Governors Blount of Tennessee, and Shelby of Kentucky, and an augmentation of his force by the gallant soldiers of Mississippi; yet that he should receive the aid of these important auxiliaries, was uncertain. From Governor Claiborne and Mr. Edward Livingston, he received a hearty cooperation in his endeavors to organize the Louisiana militia. General Coffee and General Carrol, the brave men who had fought by his side in many a desperate battle-field, were with him, and he knew they were ready to follow him to victory or to death.

From the first moment of his arrival, the confidence of the inhabitants in him begat confidence in themselves. He visited the forts; he organized the scanty force which was placed under his command; he addressed to them the aspiring language which promised future victory; he told