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Show SIO LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. ent quarter, would be attempted, produced exertions IX. to be able to defend at all points. ~ The forts on the river, well supported with brave 1814. men, and heavy pieces of art!'I I ery, mi· g h t, per h aps, deter their shipping from venturing up the Mississippi, and dispose them to seek some safer route, if any could be discovered. Through Pass Barrataria was best calculated for this purpose, where, in all probability, the effort might be made. The difficulty of ascending the Mississippi, from the · rapidity of ~he current, its winding course, and the ample protection already given at St. Philip, Bourbon, and St. Leon, were circumstances to which it was not inferred the British were strangers : nor was it to be expected, that with a knowledge of them, they would venture her~ the success of an enterprise on which so much depended. It was a more rational conjecture that they would seek a passage through Barrataria-proceed up on the right bank of the river, and gain a posit~on, where, co-operating with the force on ~e east side, they might drive our troops from the _!me they had formed, and, at less hazard, succeed m the accom · plishment of their designs. . M~jor R:ynolds was accordingly ordered thither, With mstructwns to place the bayous, emptying through this pass, in th~ best state of defence-to occupy and strengthen the isl~d -to mount sufficient ordnance, and draw a cham, within cannon-shot, across, the more effectually to guard the route, and protect it from approach. Lafite, who had been heretofore promised a pardon for the outrages he had committed against the laws a: the United States, and who had already shown a lively LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 311 zeal in behalf of his adopted country, was sent with CHAP. Reynolds. He was selected, because, from the proofs~ already given, no doubt was entertained of his fidelity, 1814_ and because his knowledge of the geography, and pre-cise situation of this section of the state, was remarka-bly correct: it was where he had constantly rendez-voused, during the time of cruizing against the mer-chant vessels of Spain, under a commission, obtained at Carthagena, and where he had become perfectly acquainted with every inlet to tl1e gulf, tlrrough which a passage could be effected. With tl1ese arrangements ; treason apart-all anxiously alive to the interest of their country, and disposed to protect her ; there was little room to apprehend, or fear disaster. To use the general's own expression, on another occasion ; " tl1e surest defence, that seldom failed of success, was a rampart of highminded and brave men." That there were some of this description with him, on whom he could safely rely, in moments of extreme peril, he well knew ; but that there were many, strangers to him and danger; and who had never been called to act in those situations, where death, stalking in hideous round, appals and unnerves even the resolute, was equally certain: whether they would contend with manly firmnesssupport the cause in which they had embarked, and realize his anxious wishes on the subject, could be only known in the moment of conflict and trial, when, if disappointed in his expectations, the means of retrieving tl1e evil would be fled, and every thing lost in the result. |