The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1852-11-25

and the world, Mr.. Johnson's profound sa-
gacity in knowing when and what people are
oppressed and striving to be free (D to pub
lish his devotion to the laws of nations and
his respect for his own country ~ to reveal
his true American heart, filed with great
national sentiments, such for instance, az
the srimdication Of tie imsxkted honor of orr
cowntyy' N and lastly to show that in con-
sequence Of these things he is devoted ad-
vocate for transplanting what he terms, the
blessings Of civil liberty, without the con.
sent Of the inhabitants, on the rich and fer
tile soil Of Cube, and ss psetext to excuse
the nefarious design pretends q feigned syr-
pdthy for tie people Of Cuba. III M,W arxggie
70 relsive Themselves 0 As dsposis" of Spain"
t'tn
This is all very keen, indeed, and John
son evidently wriggles under II To COM
fort and console him, however, and revive
our own spirits, ~ well as to refresh the
recollettims of our anti -Filib,.ster friend,
we will give him brief history Of events
which occurred in his own town, some forty
years ago.
1t was in 1910 that a number Of young
Americans, who resided in ~ Spanish
Colony Of Fast Florida, now tie Florida
Parishes. As they are called, Of this State,
aided by others, who lived across the river
in Louisiana, or across the line in Mississip-
pi, came to the conclusion that the existence
Of despotic and corrupt Government like
that Of Spain, in the vicinity Of the United
States, was reproach to our free citizens,
as well us nuisance, and an impeliment to
the spread Of Our institutions Throughout the
Southwest. They therefore determined to
overthrow the Government, dive out the
Spaniards, and annex the Florida parishes to 4
the United States Prominent among these
conspiratoIs, were some gentlemen who
have since figured largely 10 the histtty Of
our State, enjoying great degree Of popular
confidence. These were DR.. Skipwith, so
long known as leading politician; the late
Judge Joseph johnson; father Of our late
Governor Colonel Collins, Of Bayou Sara,
and Colonel Hick,, Of Baton Ro,ge; who
still live, universally respected for their
many virtues: and General PhilomenA
Thomas, a patriarch Of the rev olution, who,
during his life, was regarded with the deep
est veneration throughout the State, whose
portrait was hung in otr Legislative Hall,
by the side Of those Of George Washington
and Andrew Jackson, as special mark Of
admiration and esteem.
These gentlemen were the leading "FiIi-
busters" of their age. They collected to-
gether the American population in the
neighborhood, wrote Declaration of Inde--
pendence, the original of which Is now III
the possession Of our friend Judge .Carrisan,
Private Secretary of the Governor, armed
themselves, and, dividing into two parties;s ]
marcked t6wafds Baton Rouge, whieh was
then the seatOf the Spanish GovennlGht,
and was strongly fortified One company
Of horse marched from Bayou Sara along
the coast whilst General Thomas, with
force OF Rosin- Heels, came down from the
plains and took the town in the rear. The
Spai,iaids were rsurprised.-the Americans
gallopped in the gates and called OIL them
to surrender. The officer in commanl re-
fi,sing, was shot down. The soldiers rallied,
and were about to resist, when the yell OF
the Rosin.Heels, led by General Thomas
was heard, aud they We're seen clambering
over the walls with their long gaas and
knives. Down with yoar arms.n bellDws
ed General Thomas, "os we'll blow yoss TO
-, ye n1inions OF espotism--wec come to
give you freedom and Republicanism, and
if you don't like it, we will shove It down
your tbroats with the bayonet,"
This appeal was irress ible. The Spsn-
iards surrendered, evacuated thS place, and
retired to Havana, and the 6aG q Repuh-
can freedom has ever since waved over the
very place whence Colonel Elam discharges
his missiles against every similar effort to
extend Free Institutions on this continent.
Thus did Louisiana acquire that rich and
I,eaut;illl region, now inhabited by hun
lred thousand souls, add producing va,t
amount Of wealth. The men who were q
engaged in this gallant movement were ever
afterwards revered as patriots and heross-
But even in that age, there were people IN
The Republic they were. however, confined