Nicoll. It would be "stale, flat, and unprofitable," to analyze or criticise it. It evinces the weakness of the author, his ignorance of the American character, the arrogance of a coward, and the baseness of a scoundrel. The conduct of Nicoll at Pensacola, is a sufficient commentary upon his proclamation. Having duped the Governor of Florida, and exposed his capital to destruction, he basely deserted him, in his utmost need, and shewed, that with an ancient British Knight, he thought "the better part of valour is-discretion." Maj. Lawrence, at Fort Bowyer, taught him, for the rest part of his life, to look with a single eye.* No proclamation could be better calculated to call the gallant sons of Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi, to the standard of the AMERICAN HERO, than this. They knew well how to distinguish between his patriotism and courage, and "the sacred honour of a British officer." It will be remembered that another British officer, Gen. Brisbane, invited the citizens of New-York and Vermont, to flee to the standard of Sir George Prevost, at Plattsburg. They preferred that of Gen. Macomb; and there taught the vaunting conquerors of Napoleon the same lesson at the North, which Gen. Jackson afterwards repeated to them at the South.

*See Gen. Jackson's account of the defence of Fort Bowyer.

CHAPTER XIII.

General Jackson's arrival at New-Orleans-perilous situation of that place-reliance upon distant forces-his address to the people of Louisiana-timidity of the legislature-evidence of disaffection, and traitorous conduct-Declaration of Martial Law-Measures of defence-Arrival of reinforcements-Landing of the enemy-Battle of the 23d December-Official report of it.

THE solicitude which Gen. Jackson felt for the safety of Mobile Bay and Fort Bowyer, was now almost forgotten in the overwhelming anxiety he endured for the most important place in his district, and, in some respects, in the Union-New-Orleans. For a considerable period there had been no general officer in the 7th military district but himself, who was attached to the army of the United States, although with him there had long been one general officer who would adorn any service. At length Brig. Gen. Winchester, of the U. S. army, arrived, and to him Gen. Jackson assigned the command of the eastern section of his district, and immediately repaired to New-Orleans."

He arrived at this place upon the 2d December, 1814. A mere casuist may wonder why the pres ence of a single individual at an exposed place, is an augury of its safety; but it is in vain for casuists, philosophers, or stoics, to laugh at a sentiment

that is common to our nature. The presence of WASHINGTON at Trenton, and of PUTNAM at Bunker's Hill, had the same effect upon citizens and soldiers, as that of JACKSON at New-Orleans.

At no period since the declaration of American Independence in July 1776, to December 1814, had an American commander a duty of more impor tance and difficulty to discharge, than had Gen. Jackson at this portentous period. At Mobile, with means apparently wholly insufficient, (to use his own language,) he had "a sickly climate, as well as an enemy to contend with." At New Orleans, he had to contend with the consternation of the citizens, the insolence of judicial power, and the timorous policy of the legislature of Louisiana; as well as against the most powerful land and naval force, that had, for forty years, menaced any one place in the Republic. He had also to contend with the prejudices, the favouritism, and the perfidiousness of foreigners, a vast number of whom had migrated to Louisiana before its accession to the Republic, by Mr. Monroe's treaty.

Although the proclamation of Nicoll, excites in the mind of an intelligent American reader, no feeling but that of ineffable contempt; yet with the mixed population of Louisiana, its effects might be essentially different. Although amongst that population, were many native Americans of distinguished talents and patriotism, it is without a doubt the

fact, that in 1814, a majority of its inhabitants were of foreign extraction; and that much the most numerous class of foreigners were Frenchmen. They saw the same formidable power, that had recently taken the lead in conquering the conqueror of Europe, driving him into exile, and restoring Louis XVIII. to the French throne, now menacing Louisiana with a force, that seemed to be irresistible. Spaniards, in the same power, recognized the restorer of Ferdinand VII. Englishmen, dared not take up arms against their own countrymen unless certain of victory. Gen. Jackson was aware that in this discordant mass of people, there would be many, who would not only neglect to repair to the American standard, but who would “give aid and comfort" to the enemy. He was also aware that energetic and coercive measures to detect domestic traitors, or to conquer a powerful foe, would meet with resistance from that undefined, and frequently unrestrained spirit of liberty, which foreigners, recently settled in the Republic, almost invariably manifest. But, it was in vain for him to wish for a different state of things, or to pursue a course of conduct which a different state would have rendered judicious and expedient. He was compelled to act as circumstances dictated, without the power of changing them. Like a great man in danger, described by a great poet, with elegance-" Serene

and master of himself, he prepared for what might come, and left the rest to heaven.”

Commander in Chief of the extensive and important military district No. 7, he knew that the eyes and the hopes of the American people were fixed upon him, and "the little phalanx" who had followed him to victory. With many who knew the peril of his situation, these hopes were mingled with despair; but despair never produced its paralizing effects in the bosom of the general. In Gov. Claiborne of Louisiana, Gov. Blount of Tennessee, and Gov. Shelby of Kentucky, he felt a safe, a certain reliance, as he knew them to be patriotic statesmen of the first water. In Gen. Coffee and Gen. Carroll, and the gallant men whom he knew would follow him to victory or to death, he could recognize officers and soldiers who would cheerfully unite with him and the small regular force he had under his command, at New-Orleans. From Mis sissippi, he also felt the strongest assurance that his force would be augmented by many of its gallant soldiers, who had followed him in taking ample vengeance upon the Creeks, for the massacre at Tensaw, in their territory. It was still, however, wholly uncertain how soon an effective force, which would give any hopes of a successful defence of the place, would arrive. His first reliance was upon the Lou. isiana militia, upon whom, from circumstances al ready mentioned, he could place the least. He had

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