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Show 412 NOTES. should be attacked, we must principally depend for security upon the prompt movements of the regular force under your command, and the militia of the western states and territories. At this mo~ ment, we are in a very unprepared and defenceless condition: several important points of defence remain unoccupied, and in ease of a sudden attack, this capital would, I fear, fall an easy sacrifice." On the 12th of the same month, the respondent was told- " On the native Americans, and a vast majority of the Creoles of the country, I place much confidence, nor do I doubt the fidelity of many Europeans, who have long resided in the country; but there are others, much devoted to the interest of Spain, and whose partiality to the English, is not less observable, than their dislike to the American government." In a letter of the 24th, the same ideas are repeated- " Be assured, sir, that no exertions shall be wanting, on my part; but 1 cannot disguise from you, that I have a Yery difficult people to manage: to this moment, no opposition to the requisition has manifested itself, but I am not seconded with that ardent .zeal, which, in my opinion, the crisis demands. \¥ e look with great anxiety to your moVements, and placeovr greatest reliance for safe8 ty, on the energy and patriotism of the western states. In Louisia8 na, there are many faithful citizens,; thesr: last persuade them8 selves, that Spain will soon re-possess herself ofLouisiana,and they seem io believe, that a combined Spanish and English force will soon appear 6n our coast. If Louisiana is invaded, I shall put myself at the head of such of my militia as will follow me to the field, and, on recei1Jing, shall obey your orders. I need not assure you of my entire confidence in you, as a commander, and of the pleasure I shall exp~rience, in supporting all your measures for the common defence; but, sir, a cause of in~escribable chagrin to me is, that I am not at the head of a willing, and united people: native Americans, native Louisianians, Frenchmen, and 811aniards, with some Englishmen, compose the mass of the population-among them, there exists much jealousy, and as great differences in political sentiments, as in their language and habits. But, nevertheless, •ir, if we are supported by a respectable body of regular troops, or of western militia, I trust I shah be able to bring to your aid, a valiant and faithful corps of Louisiana milir tia: but if we are left tQ rely principally 011 our own resources, \ NOTES. 415 I fear existing jealousies will lead to distrust, so general, that we shall be able to make but a feeble resistance." On the 8th of September, the spirit of disaffection is said to be greater than was supposed-the country is said to be filled with SJ1ies and traitors: "Inclosed you have copies of my late general orders. They may, and I t1·ust will be obeyed; but to this moment, my fellow-citizens have not manifested all that union and zeal, the crisis demands, and their own safety requires. There is in tlris city a much greater spirit of disaffection than I had anticipated; and among the faithful J.Jouisianians, there is a despondency which palsies all my preparations; they see no strong regular force,• around which they could rally with confidence, and they seem to think themselves not within the reach of seasonable assistance, from the western states. I am assured, sir, you will make the most judicious disposition of the forces under your command; but excuse me for suggesting, that the presence of the seveuth regiment, at or near New Orleans, will have the most salutary efrect. The garrison here at present is alarmingly weak, and is a cause of much regret: from the great mixture of persons, and characters, in this city, we have as much to apprehend from within, as from without. In arresting the intercourSe between New Orleans and Pensacola, you have done right. Pensacola is, in fact, an enemy's post, and had our commercial intercourse with it continued, the supplies furnished to the enemy, would have so much exhausted our own stock of provisions, as to have occasioned the most serious inconvenience to ourselves. I was on the point of taking on myself, the prohibition of the trade with Pensacola: I had prepared a proclamation to that effect, and would have issued it the very day I heard of your interposition. Ene8 mies to the country may blame you for your prompt and energetic measures; but, in the person of every patriot, you will find a supporter. I am very confident of the very lax police of this city, and indeed throughout the state, with respect to the visits of strangers. I think, with you, that our country is filled with spies and traitors: I have written pressingly on the subject, to the city authorities and parish judges.-I hope some etficicnt re· gulations w.ill speedily be adopted by the first, and more vigilance exerted for the future, by the latter." On the 19th of Septembe1·, speaking of the drafts of militia, he says- |