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Show 250 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. ·cHAP. the different states, agreeably to their respective reprevnr. sentations, and called into service for, and during, the ~war. The quota wanted will, in my opinion, be soon 1814. . raised, from premmms offered by those who are sub-ject to militia duty, rather than be harassed by repeated drafts. In the mean time, let the present bounty, given by the government, be also continued. If this be done, I will ensure that an effective force shall soon appear in every quarter, amply sufficient for the reduction of Canada, and to drive all our enemies from our shores." Such was the course of things, and such the plans adopted for security and safety, when the genernl reached New Orleans. The period was too moment· ous to alford him a respite from business ; and he immediately adopted such measures as could be earliest effected, and were best calculated for resistance and defence. The legislature of Louisiana had been for some weeks in session ; and, through the governor's com· munication, had been informed of the situation and · strength of the country, and of the necessity of calling all its resources into action ; but, balancing in their decisions, and uncertain of the best course to be pur· sued, to assure protection, they as yet had resolved upon nothing promising certainty and safety, or calc~lated to infuse tranquillity and confidence in the pubhc mind. The an-ivai of Jackson, however, produced a new aspect in affairs. His activity and zeal in prepa· ration and his reputation as a brave man and skilful com~ander, turned all eyes towards him, and inspired LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 251 even the desponding with a confidence they had not CHAP. VJIT. before felt. ....,-v-....; The volunteer corps of the city were reviewed, and 1814_ a visit, in person, made to the different forts, to ascer-tain their situations, and the reliance that might be had on them, to repel the enemy's advance. Through the lakes, their large vessels could not pass : should an ap-proach be attempted, through this route, in their barges, it might be met and opposed by the gun boats, which already guarded this passage; but if, unequal to the contest, they should be captured, it would, at any rate, give timely information of a descent, which might be resisted on the landing, before an opportunity could be had of executing fully their designs. Up' the Mississippi, however, was looked upon as the most probable pass, through which might be made an attempt to reach the city ; and here were progressing suitable preparations for defence. We have already noticed that colonel Hayne had been despatched from Mobile, with directions to view the Mississippi, near its mouth, and report if any advantageous position could be found for the erection of batteries; and whether the re-establishment of the old fort at the _Baliz_e could command the river, in a way to prevent 1ts bemg ascended. That it could not be relied on for this purpose, the opinions of military men had already declared. General Jackson was always dis~osed to respect the decisions of those, who, from the1r character and standing, were entitled to confidence : yet ~ matters of great importance, it formed no part of his creed to attach his faitl1 to the statements of any, where the object being within his ' |