with propositions held out by admiral Cochrane, forwarded to the mouth of the Mississippi upwards of four hundred British prisoners; others will be sent, to complete the exchange, as soon as they arrive from Natchez, to which place I had found it expedient to order them. Major Blue, who had been ordered by general Winchester to the relief of fort Bowyer, succeeded in carrying one of the enemy's picquets, consisting of seventeen, but was too late to effect the whole purpose for which he had been detached the fort having capitulated twenty-four hours before his arrival. I learn from the bearer of my last despatches to the enemy's fleet, who was detained during the operations against fort Bowyer, that his loss on that occasion, by the fire from the garrison was between twenty and forty. I have the honour to be, &c! NO. XLVI. A. J. SIR, Letter from general Jackson to major-general Lambert. New Orleans, 26th February, 1815. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th inst. In conformity with arrangements entered into with admiral Cochrane by my aid-de-camp, Mr. Livingston, I despatched from this place on the 22nd inst. four hundred British prisoners to be delivered at the mouth of the Mississippi, to the officer appointed on the part of his B. M. to receive them. Others will be sent to complete the exchange, as soon as they arrive from Natchez. It is expected that the American prisoners made at fort Bowyer will be forwarded to the same point, as soon as practicable, and in time to return by the vessels that will convey the British prisoners now on their way from Natchez. I take the liberty to enclose you copies of two letters, which I did myself the honour to address to admiral Cochrane on the 20th and 21st inst. in doing which you will perceive both my motive and my object. I have the honour to be, &c. A..J SIR, NO. XLVII. Letter from general Jackson to major-general Lambert. Head-Quarters, 7th military district, March 7th, 1815. IN consequence of the intimation contained in your formal letters, that every facility will be given to the proprietors of slaves now with your forces, to induce them to return, I have given permission to M. M. Jumonville, Lanergue, Lacoste, Forstall, Philipan, Delphin, Veicz and Quarron to pass under a flag in the schooner Louisa, captain Pierre Etienne, to the fleet, for the purpose of seeing and reclaiming their slaves, to whom I pray that they (the slaves) may be delivered. Head-Quarters, 7th military district, adjutant-general's office, New Orleans, 8th March, 1815. ALTHOUGH the commanding general has not received official advice that the state of war has ceased by the ratification of the treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain, he has persuasive evidence of the fact, and credits it, at the risk of being misguided by his wishes. Under this impression, his first act is to release from actual service the body of the militia of this state, who have taken the field in obedience to the orders for a levy en masse. In discharging them from the noble duty which they were called to perform, the general does justice to the alacrity with which they have in general obeyed the call to the enthusiasm which animated them on the first invasion of the enemy, and the unanimity and patriotism which disappointed his insolent hopes. He thanks them, in the name of their common country, for the noble defence they have made, and he congratulates them in his own, on the consequences it has produced. Louisiana, though not called on for any exertion in assuming her independence, has shown, by her courage in its support, that she knows how to prize the inestimable blessing; her sons have not only ensured safely, but have acquired even a greater good-national reputation. Preserve this as the best reward of your exertions, and hand it down untarnished, together with your example, to your posterity. Let no designing men induce you to destroy it, by exciting jealousies of your best friends, or divisions among yourselves by preaching party spirit in peace, insubordination in war, injustice to your brave companions in arms, blindness to your own interests and to the true character of those enemies of your peace. Guard against these evils as you hope to enjoy the blessings you have so bravely won; and before you yield to such perfidious counsels, examine scrupulously whether those from whom they proceed, deserve your confidence, by any exertion they have made in your defence. A zealous wish for the prosperity of the interesting country, in whose defence he has been, by the blessing of heaven, instrumental, has induced the commanding general to give this admonitory caution, which those who court popularity, may tell you is unnecessary. He, however, values no popularity but that which arises from a faithful discharge of duty. In performing it, his object has been to secure your happiness; and he will always consider it as one of the most fortunate incidents in his life, to have contributed, by his exertions, to the prosperity of your country. By command, ROBERT BUtler. SIR, NO. XLIX. Letter from general Jackson to general Lambert. New Orleans, March 13th, 1815. It is with great satisfaction that I inform you of my having received this day official advice of the ratification and interchange of the treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain. A copy of the treaty and of the ratification will be presented to you by major Woodruff, of the 3d infantry, who will express you more fully than I can in the compass of a letter, those sentiments which the new state of things between the two nations inspire. I have, by special direction of the secretary of war, ordered an immediate cessation of hostilities, and by the like order make this communication to you. Mr. Livingston is empowered to make such arrangements for the restoration required by the first article of the treaty, and to receive all places, now in your possession, as well as the slaves mentioned in your former letters, and all public property, conformably to the provisions of the said treaty. Any facility or accommodation that may be required for your supplies, or the comforts of your sick or wounded in my power, will be given with the greatest pleasure. I have the honour to be, &c. ANDREW JACKSON. Letter from general Jackson to major Woodruff. New Orleans, March 13th, 1815. Major Woodruff will inform captain Newman at Petites Coquilles of the restoration of peace, and direct him to permit the British flag, now waiting at that place, to come up to the city. He will also instruct captain Newman that all vessels are, in future, to be permitted to pass and repass freely. He will then proceed to the British fleet and deliver the despatches with which he is charged to the commander-in-chief. He will receive the surrender of the posts and public property agreeable to the treaty, and require the delivery of slaves taken from hence. General M'Intosh will furnish the troops necessary for the occupation of the fort on his requisition. A. JACKSON. NO. L. GENERAL ORDERS. Head-Quarters, 7th Military District, Adjutant-general's Office, New Orleans, March 13, 1815. THE Commanding general, with the most lively emotions of joy, and of gratitude to Heaven, announces to the troops under his command, that a treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain was ratified and exchanged at Washington, on the 17th of February last. In consequence whereof, he loses not an instant in revoking and annulling the general order issued on the 15th day of Decembar last, proclaiming martial law, which is hereby revoked, annulled, and countermanded; and he orders all hostilities immediately to cease against the troops and subjects of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. And in order that the general joy attending this event may extend to all manner of persons, the commanding general proclaims and orders a pardon for all military offences heretofore committed in this district, and orders that all persons in confinement, under such charges, be immediately discharged. By order, ROBERT BUTLER, Adjutant-General. Head-Quarters, 7th Military District, Adjutant-General's Office, New Orleans, March 13, 1815. THE commanding general communicates with great satisfaction to the troops under his command, the following testimonial of the just sense which the president of the United States entertains of their patriotism, valour, and good conduct. He congratulates them particularly on their being able to receive his applause with a consciousness of having deserved it; and takes a singular pleasure in conveying to the brave citizens of this state, who took up arms in its defence, the assurance that their exertions are appreciated as they deserve by the executive of the United States. "The president requests that you will express to the troops, who have acted under you, the very favourable sentiments which he entertains of their conduct. The alacrity with which they repaired to the standard of their country, exposed, in many instances, to distressing privations; the patience with which they have borne the fatigues of the campaign, and their bravery in action, have been seen by him with great satisfaction. To our newly adopted fellow citizens of Louisiana, you will give assurance of his great sensibility to the decided and honourable proof which they have given of their attachment and devotion to the union, and of the manly support of the rights of their country. (Signed) "JAMES MONROE, Secretary of State." ROBERT BUTLER, Adj. Gen. |