DISAFFECTION OF THE INHABITANTS.

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American descent, completed the number. After it became a member of the American union, the AngloAmerican population became more numerous; but at the time of which we speak, they were far inferior in number to the French. Besides the classes we have enumerated, there were very many foreigners of other nations, among whom were numerous subjects of the British crown, whom the desire of gain had drawn thither. But a small portion of the whole number of inhabitants had been born on the soil; and it could scarcely be expected that those whose first breath had been drawn in foreign lands, whose every association was repugnant to American habits, and whose prejudices were against the peculiar institutions of the country in which they lived, would be willing to peril their lives in support of them. But the disaffection. of many of the inhabitants of Louisiana was not merely a vision of the imagination. Facts which could not be misunderstood came to the knowledge of General Jackson, proving that there were many in the state who would not only refuse to aid in its defence, but would even be willing to aid the enemy that threatened it with all the horrors of a hostile invasion. It was by this class that information was constantly conveyed to the British of the movements, and, as far as was possible, of the intentions of the American general. To prevent this, Jackson at an early period prohibited all communication between Pensacola and New Orleans; but he was never able to prevent the enemy from receiving accurate intelligence of every event of importance which transpired in the city or camp.

It must not be supposed from these remarks that the French inhabitants of Louisiana refused to respond to the call of the country in the hour of her peril. The great body of that class, which comprised the oldest and wealthiest families in the state, entered warmly into the measures taken by the military and civil authorities to preserve the integrity of their territory.

On the 15th of September, shortly after the hostile designs of the British government upon Louisiana became known, a meeting of the citizens of New Orleans was held, who resolved to support to the extent of their ability the authority of the government, and the honour of the American arms. A committee of safety was appointed to co-operate with and assist the governor in the execution of such measures as might be deemed expedient for the defence of the city. This committee addressed their fellow-citizens in the following patriotic strain:

"Fellow-Citizens! Named by a numerous assembly of the citizens of New Orleans to aid the constituted authorities in devising the most certain means of guarding against the dangers which threatened you, our first duty is to apprise you of the extent of those dangers. Your open enemy is attacking you from without, and by means of his vile agents dispersed through the country, endeavours to excite to insurrection a more cruel and dangerous one in the midst of you.

"Fellow-Citizens! The most perfect union is necessary among all the individuals which compose our community; all have an equal interest in yielding a full and free obedience to their magistrates and officers,

ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE.

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and in forwarding their views for the public good-all have not only their property, but their very existence at stake; you have, through your representatives in the convention, contracted the solemn obligation of becoming an integral part of the United States of America; by this measure you secured your own sovereignty, and acquired the invaluable blessing of independence. God forbid that we should believe that there are any among us disposed to fail in the sacred duties required by fidelity and honour. A just idea of the geographical situation of your country will convince you that your safety, and in a greater degree your prosperity, depends on your being irrevocably and faithfully attached to a union with the other states; but if there exist among you men base and mad enough to undervalue their duties and their true interest-let them tremble on considering the dreadful evils they will bring down upon themselves and upon us, if by their criminal indifference they favour the enterprises of the enemy against our beloved country.

"Fellow-citizens! The navigation of the Mississippi is as necessary to two millions of our western brethren, as the blood is to the pulsation of the heart-those brave men closely attached to the union, will never suffer, whatever seducing offers may be made to them -they will never suffer the state of Louisiana to be subject to a foreign power; and should the events of war enable the enemy to occupy it, they will make every sacrifice to recover a country so necessary to their existence. A war ruinous to you would be the consequence; the enemy to whom you would have had the weakness to yield, would subject you to a military