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Show 2!0 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. ing the pleasing intelligence that all was ~e, and that ~the enemy, beaten and vanquished, had retired. 1814. The conduct displayed by the officers and soldiers of this garrison is worthy to be remembered. With troops wholly undisciplined, and against an enemy ten times more numerous than themselves, so coolly and fearlessly contending, that we cannot wish our country better, than that the future defenders of her honour, and violated rights, may be as sensibly alive to their duty, and act with a like determined brav ry. ~~;!~i~'rc. TP.e British had now retired to Pensacola, to dispose 1 ;,,. to of their wounded, refit their vessels, and be ready, as .l'ensacola. soon as circ~mstances would permit, to m:!ke, peri'k1J>S, another qescent, on some less guarded point. So long as this, their only place of refuge and r~treat on the southern coast, was left in their possession, it was im· possible to calculate ~m the consequences that might arise. The conpp.anding general was well convinced that this was merely a feint, and that the object of their wishes and designs, so soon as a sufficient force should arrive, would be New Orleans. At this place, he believed his presence material, to ascertain and guard th!'l most important passes to the city, and coq· cert some system of general defence. His feelings, however, would not permit him to depart, and leave the settlements and ;Mobile open to an attack, from forces immediately in the neighbourhood, which might reduce them, and thereby gain a position whence they might obtain supplies, and be placed nearer the ulti· mate point, against which, mo~t probably, their views were directed. His regret was indeed gr~at, that? time LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. l!21 .after time, without the least success, he had urged and CHAP. entreated Iu . s government, fio r permiS. SI.O n to ta· k·e pos· ~YII. session of a place where so many dangers threatened, 1814. .and where every assistance and encouragement was afforded the British ; and that regret was increased, .now, when he saw the very evils engendering and springing into existence, to which he had so often endeavoured to draw their attention, and which were jeopardizing the safety of the whole lower country. To him the defence of this district had been entrust· ed : it was incumbent on him to render a just account of his stewardship, and zealously to support his well-earned reputation. Unless Pensacola were reduced, it was vain to think of defending the country : it would be involved in ruin,-himself in disgrace. Anxious-ly concemed for the general good, he saw no channel tlrrottgh which safety could be effected, but by hazarding, on his own responsibility, the reduction of lhis [)lace. Jackson and his government had ever viewed this ~~~~.:;:;;:• subject in very different lights : they were not willing~~~~;~.~~to risk a contest with Spain, for the sake of removing sons, for what they considered an inconsiderabie injury : he ln~ccc'<l• thought it of more serious import, and did not believe ~~~~~~~~. it could afford even a pretext for rupture between the two nations. If Spain, through her agents, permitted and encouraged a power with whom she was at peace to be thus harassed and annoyed, she deserved to be placed on the list of enemies, and treated accordingly. If, however, Great Britain, taking advantage of the ~efenceless state of her province, claimed free egress, Jll exclusion of her authority, she could have no well· |