Year: 1862

A Scrap of History


Soon after General Jackson arrived in New
Orleans, in the latter part of the year 1914, he
placed that city and whole district within his lines
under martial law This was considered wise
and even necessary precauton, and was zealously
submitted to by the patriotic portion of the pop
ulation. After the great battle on the 8th of Jan
uarv, 1915, in which the British were so totally
routed, the macontents in the city began 20 muir
mur at the maintenance of martial law. declaring
that, as the British had fled and there was no
danger from any foe the continuance of the mill
tary regime was downright tyranny. Old Hick-
ory paid no attention to these murmurs, but went
on his iron way, with an eye to the safety of his
country. But soon news came vague and unau-
thentic that eace had been declared, and then
the murmurs of malcontents became frequent and
loud. The French portion ofthe population were
especially clamorous, and finally they began to
get certificates of French citizenship from the
French Consul, hoping thereby to be able to set
Old Hickory al defiance. But they mistook their





were about, he ordered them and their Consul to


leave New Orleans within three days-not to
come nearer than 12O miles of the city until peace
should be officially announced. He at the same
time took jpdciops ',a'iee oe H. -.,,ro of rAace
b;ntna- tbe,i might have been circulated by the
epemy for the purpose of throwing him off his
guard he assured his army and the inhabitants
that the fruits of their glorious victory should not
be snatched from them by reason of any lack of
vigilance on his part, and that, until he received
official notification from his Government that
peace had been declared, he should maintain
within his lines the most inAexible discipline


The proclamation produced prodigious excite
ment A Frenchman named Lauaier, who was
a member of the Legislature, published In one of
the city papers defiant commentary upon it, and
declared, in substance, that the French citizens
would not obey such tyrannical order The
General at once had the editor brought before
him, and demanded the name of the author of the
"mutinous article The editor gave the authors
name and in a few minutes Lauailler was tapped
on the shoulder, as he was promenading the street
by sergeant at the head of file of soldiers, and
that he was "my prisoner" He pro-
tested against the arrest engaged lawyer on the
spot, named Morrill,, to take charge of the case,
and was marched off to prison. Morrill, at once
applied to the United States Judge, named Dom
mick Hall, for writ of habeaS corpus. The
Judge granted the writ; but when the official
went to serve it on the General he seized it, kept
of it as "eyidence against the Judge"
gave the officer a certified copy, and at once is
sued an order for the arrest of Dominick Hall, on
a charge of aiding TO ercite mutiny IN The camp
"Be careful to permit no escapes" wrote the Gen
eral to the officer detailed to arrest the Judge,
"as the emissaries of the enemy are more numer-
Gus than we expected" Rather hard hit, that,
for the United States Judges. Old Hickory's pen
was something sharper than his sword. Judge
Hall was speedily arrested and imprisoned along
with his friend, l.ouillar, where they could talk
over the matter at their leisure. But in a short
time the General had the Judge escorted beyond
his lines, and set at liberty with command not
to come within the lines again until peace should
be officially declared. Not long afterwards peace
was officially declared and then the General, in
an eloquent and heart-stirring proclamation dis
banded his heroic army, permitted the civil au-
thority to resume its legitimate sway and released
all prisoners confined for disobedience to militia
ry orders.


Judge Hall returned to the city and deter
mined to have his revenge. He soon had the
General served with an order to show cause why
be should not be attached for contempt of court,
ETC. On the day of the return, the General, in
,itizens dress, and accompanied by the renowned
Edward Livingston as his counsel, went to the
court room, which was packed with an eager mul-
.tude anxious to get glimpse of the "old hero.
As soon as his tall and majestic form was seen,
he audience burst into such a tempest of enthu-
,iasm that the Judge, not knowing what the ex-
,ited throng might d., gave orders to adjourn
he court But the General entertained different
yiews Springing upon seat he waved his arm,
md at once silence as of the grave pervaded the
III she'd multitude Then, in few words, he re-
minded the audience where they were, and be-
ought every man who was friend to him to be-
lave with the decorum due to the place and the
occasion. Then turning to the scared Judge, he
aid "The same arm that protects this city from !