across the country; the others were landed on the Apalachicola, and, immediately after, the vessels sailed away.

The American army, shortly after, returned to Mobile.

Wilkinson.-Eaton.-Latour.-Archives.-Gazettes.

CHAPTER XVI.

First session of the second legislature.-Jackson arrives at New-Orleans.-British fleet off Pensacola.-Capture of the flotilla of lake Borgne.Barataria men join the army.-Proceedings of the legislature.-Generals Coffee and Carroll.-Major Hinds.-Embargo. Affair of the twenty-third of December.

THE second state legislature had began its first session on the tenth of November, 1814. The following extract from Claiborne's speech, shows how little foundation there was in the rumor, that circulated, of the disaffection of the inhabitants of Louisiana: "In the patriotic ardor, which pervades the state, I behold a pledge of its fidelity, and devotion to the American union. This ardor, this American spirit, has been tested by the facility with which the late requisition, for an auxiliary force of militia infantry, has been carried into effect, by the laudable zeal with which the volunteer cavalry and riflemen have pressed forward in their country's cause. In meeting the requisition, I am satisfied with the conduct of every officer, whose duty it was to co-operate; and I have noticed, with pleasure, the promptitude with which most of the regiments furnished their contingent. But, for the valuable services of the cavalry and riflemen, we are particularly indebted to the distinguished patriotism of the citizens of Feliciana and Attakapas. You cannot,

gentlemen, too highly appreciate the patriotic, the martial spirit which at present exists."

General Jackson reached New-Orleans on the second of December, and, on the next day, descended the river to view fort St. Charles, at Plaquemines, and other works which were projecting on the opposite bank. A committee of the legislature waited on him, with the copy of a resolution of that body, testifying, that the great and important services, lately rendered by him and the gallant army, under his command, entitled them to the thanks and gratitude of the general assembly.

Accounts were now received from Pensacola, that a very large naval force of the enemy was off that port, and it was generally understood New-Orleans was the object of the attack; eighty vessels were in sight, and more than double that number were momentarily looked for. There were vessels of all descriptions and a large body of troops. Admiral Cochrane commanded the fleet, and his ship the Tonnant, was off the port.

Lieutenant Jones, who commanded on lake Borgne, a flotilla consisting of five gun-boats and a schooner, was ordered to reconnoitre and ascertain the disposition and force of the enemy, and in case they should attempt, through this route, to effect a disembarkation, to retire to the Rigolets, the principal pass between lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain, and there, with his flotilla, make an obstinate resistance and contend to the last. He remained off ship island till the twelfth, when the enemy's force being much increased, he retired to a position near the Malheureux island, from whence, on his being attacked, he had a better opportunity of making his retreat to the Rigolets, where alone he was instructed to make opposition. This

pass and that of Chef Menteur, unite at the entrance of the lake, and form a narrow channel, on reaching which the gun-boats would be enabled to present as formidable an opposition, as could be made to all the force that could be brought against them, and put at defiance any effort that could be made against the city through that route.

On the thirteenth, Jones perceived the enemy's barges approaching him, and immediately weighed his anchors, with the design of reaching the Rigolets: but found this absolutely impracticable. A strong wind having blown for some days to the east, from the lake to the gulf, had so reduced the depth of water, that the best and deepest channels were insufficient to float his little squadron; the oars were resorted to, but in vain. Every thing that could be spared was thrown overboard; but this was also ineffectual. At last, a sudden tide brought a momentary relief, lifted the boats from the shoals, and Jones directed his course to the Rigolets, and came to an anchor at one o'clock on the next morning, in the west passage of the Malheureux island, and at day-break saw the pursuit had been abandoned.

There was, at the bay of St. Louis, some public stores, which he had sent the schooner Sea Horse, to bring off. The British barges made two vain attempts to capture this vessel. Her commander deeming it impossible to execute Jones' orders, destroyed the stores: and seeing the enemy returning in great force, blew up the schooner and retreated by land.

On the morning of the fourteenth, the enemy's barges were seen approaching the gun-boats: a retreat became impossible; the wind was entirely lulled, a perfect calm prevailed and a strong current setting to the gulf, rendered every effort, to reach the Rigolets,

unavailing, the resolution was taken to fight as long as there remained the hope of the least success. The line was formed, with springs on the cables. Fortythree barges, mounting as many cannon, with twelve hundred fine men, were advancing in an extended line, and came soon in reach; at half after eleven o'clock they commenced to fire, and the action immediately became general. Owing to a strong current setting out to the east, two of the boats were unable to keep their anchorage, and floated about one hundred yards in advance of the line. The enemy advanced in three divisions; the centre one bore down on the centre boat, commanded by the senior officer, and twice attempting to board, was twice repulsed, with an immense destruction of officers and men and the loss of two boats, which were sunk. Jones being too severely wounded to maintain the deck, the command devolved on Parker, who no less valiantly defended his flag, till his wounds compelled him to retreat, and the boat was soon after carried: another boat, though gallantly defended, was soon after taken and the guns of both turned on the others, which were compelled to surrender. The loss on board of the gun boats was ten men killed and thirty-five wounded: that of the British not less than three hundred. The Americans had five boats, one hundred and eighty-two men, and twenty-three guns. The force of the assailants has already been stated.

The loss of the gun boats left the enemy complete master of the lakes to the east of the island on which the city of New-Orleans stands, and gave him the facility of reaching it by any of the waters running easterly to any of these lakes.

The crisis appeared really alarming. The force in New-Orleans consisted only of seven hundred men of