The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-21
WILLIAM CARROLL.
Hon. HENRY A. WISE,
Washington City.
FROM THE NAHvILLE UNION.


1t is peculiarly gratifying to those who have
knowledge Of the facts connected with the affairs TO
see that The President has recommended toCongress
the passage Of Law, TefuDdmg General Jackson
the line oil thousand dollars imposed by Judge
Hall after The defeat Of the enemy in 1915 II is
true that some of the newspapers in the Country are
opposed to it, doubtless for the want of correct IN
formation with regard to the peculiar and smbarras
sing circumstances by which the General was sur
round at the time. Louisiana was taIen posses
sion of by the United States in 1903. The popula-
ton consisted Of French, Spaniards and oher for
egners from every part Of the world, to aarge Por-
ton of whom our language unknown and taey
entirely ignorant of the peculiar Character OF our
government, for which they had little or 10 affection.
Their intercourse with the States dlhcult rare
and limited and when General Jackson arrived in
New Orleans in the fall Of 1914 he soon ascertained
that but little improvement had been nnde in their
attachment TO the country. 1t is however but jus
the population, steadast devotedncss 10 the country
"a strong manifestation of zeal and patriotism, and
readiness to devote their lives and pope ~ To the
defence OF the city under the Generals direction. Ii
is equally ncontestble however, that there were not
waning those who destitute Of love Of country,
and ready to betray lis best interest for thrilling
reward OF this no one can have doubt, Who reads
tie letters Of Gov. Claiborne to General Jackson
previous to his arrival in the city. The Governor
who it is 10 be presumed had thorough laow ledge
of Tie character of the people and who couh have no
motive TO do them injustice, from time u time as
sur the General that great danger tobe appre-
hended from the reasonable designs of portion Of
the inhabitants.
When the General arrived in the city, lie found il
without the proper means of defence. No army
munitions OF war, arms or other resources, and his
own creative genius had TO furnish remedy for all
the defects. high degree Of excitement prevail
ed among the people, and to add to theiralarm, the
enemy had command Of the lakes. Uude such cir
cumstances what was to be donei The unanimous
opinion of the DID, influential and intelligent citizens
who had thorough knowledge Of the diversified cha
racter of the population was that there could be
security without martial law, and consequently it
was declared, the Gensral being fully cny need of
its importance and proprety.
Our gun-boats were captured and DESTROYED at the
bay OF ST Louis, thus giving The enemy command Of
the numerous nlets 10 the CITY, and making manifest
the propriety of martial law. Indeed who heard
Of a General who did not institute martu law with
in his own camp And New Orleans was necessar-
ly the camp Of General Jackson Generals Carroll
and Coffee arrived on the 20th December lel4 at
3 o'clock in the afteTnoon-the former witha div
sion OF Tennessee militia three thousand strosg and
the latter with a brigade Of fifteen hundred The
fact that those men were in good health, armed and
equipped for war IN some measure, aayed the ex-
element and dispeled the gloom that pervaded the
city.
Three days subsequently, to this, the enemy effect
which manifest among the inhabitants Of the
city that memorable occasion, and the confidence
which seemed TO be restored when the old General
he rode through the streets the field of battle
desired them TO calm their fears, he resolved
the enemy should never reach the CITY, would have
thought person insane, who would then have pre-
dicted that this same people, in few short weeks.
would have been heapng upon their defender the
most unmerited abuse Nor were there less mani.
estatons Of joy and gratitude the part of the poo-
Pile the day which the lines Of defence were bro
ken up, and the different corps of the army marched
through the city to their respective places Of encamp
ment The street through which the army marched
was strewed with flowers by the lades-Te Deuu
was chaunted in the Cathedral-the General wa,
crowned by the Bishop, and all seemed TO vie with
each other in bestowing hopor and rendering graft.
tude 70 the Commanding General, and these who had
aided in saving their property and their persons from
violation by the enemy.
Scarcely however had the sound Of rejoicing fcy
their deliyeraDce died away, when complaints began
10 be made that martial law was not rescinded and
by those too, whose all had been saved They seem
ed TO forget that the enemy was the lakes within
few hours march Of the city, smarting under re-
cent defeat watching with ygilant eve for an op-
portunIty TO regain their lost hoDors. No reason,
we're assigned for their complaints but to lay asid,
the habiiments Of war and resume their ordinary bu-
sncss The blush OF shame ought TO have mantled
their cheeks, when they the citizen soldiers OF
Kentucky and Tennessee one thousand miles from
home dischargng all their duties with alacrity and
without murmur, waiting patiently and ready TO do
their duty il the enemy had made any further hostile
demonstration. That they should have become some
what impatient would not have been a subject OF
wonder, especially as the spring was approaching
when was desirable that they should be al home
plant their crops. But they soldiers patriotic
soldiers who would not think Of an act that would
tarnish the fame they had so CALAMITY won
But II is said the General refused 10 rescnd mar
tial law after he received the news Of peace That
is true but the information was mere rumor Sup
pose he had revoked martial law, and the rumor
proved TO be untrue, and the enemy in consequence
Of our want Of vigilance had landed and captured the
city, what would public sentiment then have been in
relation to the conduct of the Generali WHY, that
he had dimmed the luslre Of his fame and BY an III
timed act Of confidence had forfeited all claims 10 the
gratitude Of his country and ruined his reputation as
skilful and wstchlul officer. II may not be amiss
to state fact with which the public is not fully &C.
quarned and which furnishes the most incontestibe
evidence that the General had no disposition to re-
tain power a moment longer than was necessary for
the repose and security Of the city.
From the rumors which had reached the city he
was in daily expectation Of receiving the official news
Of peace from the War Department, and the day on
which 1t did arrive he dined with General Games.
Shortly after the company seated at dinner, his
o. derly brought him despatch on opening IL, and
asce raining at peace had been made he rose from
the table and requested General Carroll TO acoonpa-
ny him 10 his quarters, distant about seven hundred
yards. An order was instantly prepared, revoking
martial law--sent TO printing Office and in half an
hour was distributed all over the city. Having thus
discharged his duty, he returned TO General Gaines
and finished his dinner.
Befors we dismiss the subject we must be allowed
to offer the opinion that but for the decla ration Of
martial law, General Jackson with all his energy,
oulI not have saved The city, and indeed, with ali