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had relied principally for the protection of the channels by which the rear of Fort Bowyer might be gained; and their loss, and the consequent increase of the available force of the enemy, caused much chagrin. He immediately informed General Winchester, at Mobile, of the event, and ordered him to defend Mobile Point at all hazards; impressing upon his mind, at the same time, the immense injury which would accrue to the American arms by its loss.

Commodore Patterson, after officially informing the governor of the loss of the squadron, requested the legislature to take some steps to procure a sufficient number of sailors to man the vessels upon the river, intended for the defence of New Orleans. In compliance with his request, a law was passed by which six thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of giving bounties to sailors, to enlist in the United States service. In this manner, and by laying a temporary embargo upon the vessels in port, a sufficient number of seamen were obtained to man the ship Louisiana, and the schooner Carolina, which afterwards did great service.

On the 15th, perceiving that the British would probably succeed in landing, having entire command of Lake Borgne, General Jackson sent expresses to Generals Coffee, Carroll, and Thomas, to hasten their approach. General Coffee, who had been previously ordered to take a station whence he might without delay reach New Orleans, had advanced to Sandy Creek, near Baton Rouge. He arrived there, after a tedious and difficult march, about the 8th of December. Jackson ordered him to repair immediately to New

Orleans. On the 18th, the New Orleans and Louisiana volunteers and militia, who had been regularly mustered into the service of the United States, were reviewed by the general, on their respective parades. He addressed each corps in language calculated to arouse all their ardour and patriotism, and to fill them with a wish to meet the enemy.

"Fellow-citizens and soldiers!" said he to the militia, "the general commanding in chief would not do justice to the noble ardour that has animated you in the hour of danger, he would not do justice to his own feelings, if he suffered the example you have shown to pass without public notice. Inhabitants of an opulent commercial town, you have by a spontaneous effort shaken off the habits which are created by wealth, and shown that you are resolved to deserve the blessings of fortune by bravely defending them. Long strangers to the perils of war, you have embodied yourselves to face them with the cool countenance of veterans and with motives of disunion that might operate on weak minds, you have forgotten the differences of language and prejudice of national pride, and united with a cordiality that does honour to your understandings as well as to your patriotism.

"Natives of the United States! They are the oppressors of your infant political existence with whom you are to contend-they are the men your fathers fought and conquered whom you are now to oppose. Descendants of Frenchmen! Natives of France! They are English; the hereditary, the eternal enemies of your ancient country, the invaders of that you have adopted, who are your foes. Spaniards! Remember

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the conduct of your allies at St. Sebastian, and recently at Pensacola, and rejoice that you have an opportunity of avenging the brutal injuries inflicted by men who dishonour the human race. Louisianians! Your general rejoices to witness the spirit that animates you, not only for your honour, but your safety; for whatever had been your conduct or wishes, his duty would have led, and did lead him to confound the citizen unmindful of his rights, with the enemy he ceases to oppose. Commanding men who know their rights and are determined to defend them, he salutes you as brethren in arms, and has now a new motive to exert all his faculties, which shall be strained to the utmost in your defence. Continue with the energy you have begun, and he promises you not only safety, but victory over an insolent foe, who has insulted you by an affected doubt of your attachment to the constitution of your country. Your enemy is near; his sails already cover the lakes: but the brave are united; and if he find us contending among ourselves, it will be for the prize of valour, and fame, its noblest reward."

The battalion of men of colour he addressed thus: "Soldiers: From the shores of Mobile I collected you to arms; I invited you to share in the perils, and to divide the glory of your white countrymen. I expected much from you; for I was not uninformed of those qualities which must render you so formidable to an invading foe. I knew that you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the hardships of war. I knew that you loved the land of your nativity; and that, like ourselves, you had to defend all that is most