The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-10


"On the I'd Of December General Jackson arriv.
4 ed at New Orleans, where he established his Head
Quartels On the same day he reviewed the battalion
of the uniform companies of New Orleans militia
commanded by Major Daquin The military APP
pearance Of those companies completely equipped,
and the precision of Il cir mannuyres gave the
General great pleasure, and he testified his saiisiac
ton 10 the officers From that day the General fore
saw what he might expect from that gallant battalion
"Ihe situation of our country at that period, ow
ing to the proximity Of the enemy-lhe number of
VIII ships OF war on coast was daily increasing
was critical IN the extreme but the unbounded
confidence which the nation IN general had IN the Ia
Tents of General Jackson, made US all look up to
that officer, commander destined TO lead our
troops TO victory, and 10 save our country IL Is
hardly possible utterly impossible Ito form an idea
Of the change which his arrival produced on the
minds of the people. Hitherto partial attempts had
been made to adopt measures of deience the lie
gislature had appointed joint committee OF both
Houses to concert with tho Governor, Commodore
Patterson and the military commandment, such mea-
sures as they should deem most expedent But NO
THING HAD BEEN DONE, There ,oas 1anting that
central on Of poeer accessory for The Of mill
tary operations The citizens having very little
fdence IN their civil and military authorities, for the
defence of the country, filled with dstrust and
gloomy apprehension. Miserabledispues on account
| of two different committees of defence disputes
unfortunately countenanced by the pressure and in
huence of several public officers, had driven the peo
pie to dependency they complained, and not with
out cause that the Legislature wasted time, and
sumed the money Of the State in idle discussions on
empty lorna tiles Of election, while all their time
and all the wealth they squandered might be profta-
bly, employed in the defence of their country. Gre
dit annihilaed already for several months had
the banks suspended the payment of their notes-and
to supply the want OF specie, three dollar notes had
been issued and dollars had been cut as substitute
for small change; on the banks refusing specie the
moDeyed men had drawn in their funds W Itch they
no longer lent out without lisurious interest Of
three or four per cent per month. Every
distressed confidence had ceased, and with it al
most every species of business. "-Latour, page 53i
cannot 81 far insult your u TO attempt to
sustain this truly powerful and accurate de scription
The very nature Of things gives it force which car
ry conviction to the mind of every candid man. The
Capitol of the nation lay in smouldering ruin, all was
dsmay and disorder, and truly does the brave and
| excellent officer continue
"Our situation seemed desperate. In case of an
attack, we would hope TO be saved only by
miracle, or by the wi dom of a commander in-chief
Accordingly, on his arrival, he was Immediately in
vested with the confidence Of the public, and all hope
| centercd in him. We shall, hereafter, how
ply he mered the confidence he inspired"
humbly conceive that full sufficient is already
stated to have justified more prompt declaration of
martial law than General Jackson actually adopted.
On the 18th Of December the gunboats stationed in
the passes leading into Lake Pontchartrain, were
captured by an overwhelming force of British barges
The British fleet was concentrating outside of Cat
Island, and nothing left to impede their troops from
penetrating TO the banks of the Mississippi. Nor
there at the disposal of the commander-n-
chief but let to prevent spies from reach
ing and communicating with the dsafiected The
Legislature vacillated even when the gunboats were
cd Rnt tha Jad a.,
last and great Of this state of painful uncertainty
was resorted to- and martial law was proclaimed
As it would appear, from recent circumstances that
very few persons comparatively, have clear ideas of
what every one is now canvassing here insert,
batim that memorable document
"NEw ORLEANS, Dec. l5 1914.
"ro THE CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS
"The Major eneral commanding has, with as
constituent and regret learned that CONSERVATION and
alarm pervade your city. 1t is true the enemy is
our coast and threatens invasion Of territory
but II IS equally ue with union, energy and the APP
probation If heaven, will be at him every point
his emerity may induce him to set foot upon our soil
The General, with still greater astonshment, has
heard that British emssaries have been permitted to
propagate sedltous reports among you, that the
threatened invasion is with view of storing the
country TO Spain, from supposItion that Of you
would be wi ling To return 10 your ancient govern
ment Believe not such incredible tales-your Go
yernment is at peace with Spain-it is the vital
envy of your country the common enemy of man
kind the highway robber of the world that threatens
you, and has sent his hirelngs amongst you this
false report, to put you OIL your guard that you
fall an easy prey to him-then look TO your liberties
your property, the chastity OF your wives and dsugh
ters take retrospect OF the conduct OF the British
army at Hampton, and other places, where it has en-
} tered our country, and every bosom which glows
with patriotism and virtue, will be inspired with in
dignaton, and pant for the arrival of the hour when
we shall meet and revenge those outrages against
laws Of civilization and humanity.
THE General calls upon the inhabitants of the
city to trace this unfounded report to its sourre and
bring the propagator 10 condign punishment. The
Rules and Articles of war annex the punishment Of
death to any person holding secret correspondence
with the enemy, creating false alarm or supplying
+ him with provisions and the General announces
unaterabe determination rgidy to execute the Mar
tial Law in all cases which may come within his pro-
vince
The safety Of the District, intiused to the pro-
lection OF the General must and will be maintained
wi b the best blood of the country and he IS conf
dent all good ca zcns will te und at their posts, with
their heir bands determined To dispute every
inch Of ground with the eneu that unanimity will
p ryade the country genetaly-but, should the Gene.
raj be Disappointed his eNpoc alinn be will separate
our en,mrs from our frend,-those who are not Tor
us against us, and will be dealt with accordingly
THOMAS BUTLER, Aid-dc-camp.
YOU have before you the causes which led TO
the declaration Of martial law, aud tie order ITSELF
that order tceming with truths and afording model
Of energy and fitness TO the occssn To all tina, sp
preclate the inspiring effect the population of Lou
sanS, aud The troops Of all kinds, regular militia
the previous dependency must come into The contrast
One month before its pIomulgation few, indeed, were
they in the country who felt the least hope Of a sue
ccssful defence. Now, all animation and actiy.
ty-the slaves called ino rcquison rs aborers
, and lines rose II 10y magic.
Il All clssscs Of sociry were now animated with