Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1842-09-03
LETTER FROM GEN, JACKSON
HRRMITAcE, JuNR 9, 1912

OF the 24lh Of May last, and since, / have
also received the Globe containing The
speech of Senator Conrad, Of Louisiana,
on the bill to refund 70 me the fine, &c .
imposed by Judge Hall, who is styled b,
Mr.. Conrad the upright Judge.
The feeling and sentiment dispia yed by
Mr., Conrad in his speech truly asronish
me. They are the very opposite of those
entertained by the patriots who we're en-.
gagged 10 the defence of New Orleans. moi
one OF whom considered Judge Hall as
performing the part Of a good citizen in
The proceedings which he instituted
against me, They are such as Abner L.
Duncan, Esq, under whose patronage
Mr.. Conrad was raised, and who. with
the character of a distinguished iurist.
combined that Of the fearless soldier and
the good man, would have been ashamed
to aVow, Although at that time Mr. Con.
rad was youth, he cannot have forgotten
the leading facts Of the case; and the les.
sons be learned from his patron should
have taught him 10 disrust the motives OF
those who, in such an emergency as that
at New Orleans, obtained applause from
those alone who were iaimicaI 10 their
country,
II is a source Of The deepest regret to
me, that MIR. Conrad has disturbed the
sleeping ashes Of the Judge, for the pur.
pose OF throwing an unjust inpuraion up.
on my character. The fault mus, be his
lin doing 50, truth ard justice will COM
pei The public to dlscredil his statements
What are the prominent facts?
After intelligence had been received of
the embarkment Of the Britlsh troops al
Plymouth, in England, and their object
was the invasion Of New Orleans; and
whilst ! wns engaged with all exertions in
repelling their ADVANCE. which was then
in possession Of Pensacoa-lt being ne
cessary for me to clear my left flank Of the
enemy before | could proceed 70 New
Orleans 10 meet them Ihere--severaI com.
mi,lees from New Orleans waited upon
me al Mobile. (he committee of safety and
the committee of vigilauce,) all giving the
similar information TO that communicated
BY Gov. Claihorne's letters, which were
appended TO nv defence, and produced
before Judge Hall, under his rule to ap.
pear and show cause cause why an attach.
ment should not issue for contempt.
which you have published in the Globe,
md To which refer Having expelled
he British from Pensacola, and made the
necessary arrangements for the defence Of
Mobile, fastened to New Orleans, and
reached there on the morning Of the first
IF December, commenced then nv ar.
for the defence of that country
when ! arrived there, every thing was
and alarm at the approach
II such an overwhelming force. The
traitors to our cause were emholdenei. |
There were no arms-not even fints-in
he arsenal; and The means for defence.
we're in all respects deficient. I had
nothing to depend upon but The hope o, |
'rousing the citizens to that higA feeling
# patriotism which would make them as |
me man in union and energy. A call
vas made on the Louisiana militia in mass
plans were formed TO prevent traitors
md spies from communicating with the
nemy.
Soon after my arrival, | was made ac-
Inainted with Judge Hall, who appeared
Wiling to aid in the measures Of defence.
lie was present at MANY interviews ! had
With the committees Of vigilance and safe.
y. The Legislature was in session, and
ad passed law, laying an embargo on
VI vessels; thus enabling Commodore
to impress the seamen 10 man
is flotilla. The Judge had opened the
Ills, and liberated prisoners charged with s
tracy, pc, without bail and had adiour. {
ed the Court. The subject was discuss. I
whether, in addition TO these measures. q
real necessity did not exist for the de, |
Iaraiion Of martial law in New Orleans. {
Inch had pow become nv camp. The y
Judge wac present when this question was {
ecided in the affirmative, and, bv his h
stures, he appeared to approve the decis. e
m. But as the Legislature had assumed A
e power to pass the embargo law, acting il
pom the necessity Of case, appealed 10 n
to exert the same power in suspendinp C
q writ Of habeas corpus during the inya. e
on. This was opposed by LoualIier, d. Il
' ,hose who wished to surrender the city e,
the enemy. The application failed RI
vents, however, soon made il apparent hi
al, without declaration OF martial law. b
Q city could not be defended; and took W
Q responsibility upon myself to make lii
9 declaration in time 10 profit BY the
ditional power it gave to the military cl
engagements for the defence: and the Ia
orning | declared 1t, Judge Hall was 10 W
: Office, and heard il read. II was then 81
exclaimed, Nou The co,,ntr,, ,,o,, L. ha