USA > Louisiana > A history of Louisiana, revised edition > Part 14
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Revolt of the Baton Rouge District .-- All West Flori- da -- that is, the district north of Lake Pontchartrain, east of the Mississippi, south of the 31st degree of latitude, and west of the Perdido river t -- was claimed by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. But Spain refused to give up this district, declaring that she had never yielded it to France, and that therefore France could not have sold it to the United States. Hence Spanish garrisons were still kept at Baton Rouge and Mobile. The inhabitants of the Baton Rouge district were largely Americans, who had come from Mississippi and Ohio. They disliked the govern- ment of Spain, and, as early as 1805, they had tried to seize the fort at Baton Rouge and expel the Spaniards ; but the
* Alcée Fortier, in " Memoirs of Louisiana."
t The Perdido is the present western boundary of Florida.
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garrison was on the alert, and the attempt failed. In the year ISIo, however, the inhabitants determined to make an- other attempt. One hundred and twenty men were collected, and, under Captain Thomas and Captain Depassau, they marched upon Baton Rouge. The Spanish garrison con- sisted of one hundred and fifty men. The Americans at- tacked with great spirit, and the Spanish commander, Col- onel de Grandpré, was shot down at the head of his soldiers. Twenty prisoners were taken, and four of the garrison were wounded ; but the majority made good their escape.
The Americans then held a convention at Baton Rouge, in which they declared the whole territory of West Florida to be " a free and independent State." At their request the President of the United States took the new State under his protection. That portion of it, however, which lay east of Pearl river, was left in the power of Spain until 1813, while the Baton Rouge district, as we shall see, was added to Louisiana. Its inhabitants, by a daring feat of arms, had won their independence, but they were well satisfied to have their destiny joined to that of Louisiana.
Slave Insurrection .- The year ISII was long remem- bered on account of a dangerous uprising of the negroes in the parish of St. John. Five hundred of them formed a plot among themselves to march upon New Orleans, burning the plantation houses on their way and forcing all the slaves they met to join them. They provided themselves with weapons, and as they proceeded down the banks of the Mississippi with flags flying and drums beating, they chanted wild songs that filled with dread the hearts of the unprotected planters. A number of white people were put to death, but the great majority were warned in time, and fled to places of safety. As soon as the news reached New Orleans, the militia and the United States troops, under General Wade Hampton, were ordered out, and when they met the blacks, the latter were soon dispersed. Many of the ringleaders were con-
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demned to death, and their heads placed on lofty poles along the Mississippi-a dreadful warning to those who might attempt the same thing in the future. It is said that old ne- groes still living in Louisiana tell the story of this slave insurrection as they heard it from their fathers.
QUESTIONS.
Who was Aaron Burr? Why was he arrested? What was the first college in Louisiana? Describe the revolt of the Baton Rouge dis- trict. Slave insurrection.
CHAPTER XXIV.
LOUISIANA ADMITTED AS A STATE.
Before Congress .- The same year ( 1811) permission was received from the Congress of the United States to call a convention in the Territory of Orleans for the purpose of drawing up a constitution. The Territory, which now had more than seventy-five thousand inhabitants, was at last to be admitted into the Union as the State of Louisiana. This permission, however, had not been obtained without some difficulty. When the question of admission was brought be- fore Congress, it provoked nearly as much discussion as it had in former years. Many members declared that the Territory of Orleans was almost a foreign country, and should not en- joy the same privileges as the original thirteen colonies. The inhabitants, it was said, were largely Spaniards and French- men, and if they were permitted to send representatives to Congress, these representatives would interfere with the rights of the Atlantic States. There could be no sympathy, it was declared, between the people of Louisiana and the inhabi- tants of the North and the East. Josiah Quincy, of Massa-
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chusetts, went so far as to say that if Louisiana were admitted into the Union the rest of the States would be justified in withdrawing from that Union, "amicably if they could, violently if they must."
The Convention .- In spite, however, of this bold -lan- guage, the bill passed, and the constitutional convention met at New Orleans, November 4, ISII. Members came from the whole Territory of Orleans, but not from the Baton Rouge district ; for this district had not yet been added by Act of Congress.
The president of the convention was Julien Poydras, the rich planter of Pointe Coupée. By the 22d of January, 1812, the new constitution had been prepared, and being duly for- warded to Washington, it received the approval of Congress. Under this constitution Louisiana was admitted into the Union by Act of Congress, April 8, IS12, and the Baton Rouge district, as far as Pearl river, having been added a few days later, the boundaries of Louisiana were fixed as they stand at the present day.
Claiborne Elected Governor of the State .- According to the new constitution, the governor was to be chosen by the people, instead of being appointed by the President. The two candidates who received the highest number of votes were Wm. C. C. Claiborne and James Villere, the son of the patriot that lost his life during O'Reilly's administration. As Claiborne had a larger number of votes than Villeré, he became governor of the new State. This was certainly a high compliment to his services. He had been governor of the Territory for eight years, and now, by the choice of the people, he was once more raised to that high office. By his sterling integrity he had withstood all the attacks of his ene- mies and defeated all their plans.
The first secretary of state was L. B. Macarty, a member of a distinguished Louisiana family. There was no lieuten-
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ant-governor in Louisiana till a new constitution was framed in 1845.
The First Steamboat .- On the 10th of January, 1812, New Orleans was thrown into a great state of excitement by the announcement that a steamboat had arrived at the levee. It was the first ever seen on the Mississippi. Up to this time nothing had been known on Western waters except flat-boats, barges, and lighter craft. But Robert Fulton, who some years before had built a steamboat to run between New York and Albany, now drew the model of a second one to ply be- tween Natchez and New Orleans. It was one hundred and sixteen feet long and twenty feet wide, and cost thirty-eight thousand dollars. When this new kind of vessel left Pitts- burg and glided down the Ohio into the Mississippi, won- dering crowds gathered along the banks and predicted that it would never be able to ascend the swift current. The only cabin passengers were N. J. Roosevelt, who was one of the owners, and his wife. At Cincinnati, Louisville, and Natchez the voyagers were received with great rejoicings.
The trip, however, was not without its dangers. Once the vessel caught on fire and came near being consumed. Moreover, during the latter part of the year 1Sur, the chan- nel of the Mississippi was considerably changed by severe earthquake shocks, many of which occurred while the boat was making the trip ; and several times the voyagers made narrow escapes from immense trees which were hurled into the stream by these sudden movements of the earth. No serious accident, however, occurred, and the "New Orleans," as the vessel was named, arrived safely at the Crescent City. The actual time from Pittsburg was only 259 hours, which was considered a very quick passage in those days.
The success of this steamboat made a great change in the development of the whole Western country. Cotton and other products began to come down the river in vast quantities, and New Orleans sent back all kinds of supplies. After the
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war, which now broke out, was over, the Crescent City pros. pered as it had never prospered before .*
QUESTIONS.
Why did the Northern Congressmen still object to having Louisiana made a State? When was Louisiana admitted as a State? Who was made governor, and how was he chosen? Describe the first trip of the first Mississippi steamboat. Tell some of the changes made by the use of steamboats.
WAR OF 1812-15.
CHAPTER XXV.
BEFORE THE LOUISIANA CAMPAIGN.
Causes of the War .- The Act of Congress making Louisiana a State had not been approved more than a few months when the United States declared war against Great Britain (June 18, 1812). The principal cause of the war was this: Great Britain had determined to crush Napoleon Bonaparte, and as she needed sailors to man her ships, she had boarded some nine hundred American vessels on the high seas and impressed into her service several thousand American sailors. It was claimed that these sailors had been born in England, and that "once an Englishman" meant "always an Englishman ;" but a great many of them were citizens of the United States and our Government deter- mined to put a stop to these unjust seizures.
The First Years of the War .- For two years the war
* It is related that an old negro at Natchez, when he saw the " New Orleans" stemming the current, exclaimed : "Ole Mississippi got her massa dis time." Sec Claiborne's History of Mississippi.
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went on without any decisive battle on either side. The British marched up to Washington and burned the Capitol ; but on the sea the Americans met with brilliant success, and a large number of British vessels were sunk or captured. This was what Bonaparte had predicted, and he doubtless - heard with great pleasure the news of our victories. In 1814 the English decided to attack the United States on the north through Canada and on the south through New Or- leans. In September of the same year the northern army was defeated by the Americans, and forced to return to Can- ada. Another army and a fleet, however, had already been sent to Florida, with the intention of attacking New Orleans. Thus the seat of war was transferred to the Gulf of Mexico.
Fort Bowyer and Pensacola .- The commander of the American forces in the South was General Andrew Jack- son,* who was destined to be the hero of the Battle of New Orleans. The first hostile movement of the British vessels was against Fort Bowyer on Mobile Point ; but Major Lawrence, who was in command of the fort, repulsed the attack so suc- cessfully that they retired to Pensacola, at that time in the possession of Spain. Jackson marched against Pensacola, and forced the English to withdraw from the town. Then hastening to the defence of Louisiana, he arrived in New Orleans December 1, 1814.
John and Pierre Lafitte, the Smugglers .- The British had hoped that their designs against New Orleans were un- known to the Americans. But as early as September 5th of this year (1814), John Laffitte had warned Governor Clai- borne of the approaching army and naval forces. As this Laffitte played an important part in the conflict, we must in- quire who he was.
* Jackson was born in North Carolina, March 15, 1767. He was not well edu. cated, but possessed great natural ability. Brave and skilful in war, he always won the confidence and affection of his soldiers. He was twice elected President ot the United States, but he did not prove himself a wise statesman.
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On the southern coast of Louisiana lies a beautiful little island called Grande Terre. Just behind this island is Lake Barataria, which forms one of the safest harbors west of the Mississippi. On the inner coast of Grande Terre we find on the old maps of Louisiana one spot marked as " Smuggler's Anchorage." For some years before the Battle of New Or- leans this spot was the favorite haunt of a number of desper- ate men, who brought rich prizes into their little harbor and defied the revenue laws of the United States. ' Whether they were sailors who fitted out privateers under the flag of Car- thagena to seize the rich vessels of Spain, or whether they acted on their own account as pirates, has been disputed. It is certain, however, that they were smugglers, and that they established a kind of auction exchange at Grande Terre, where they sold their rich goods to any one that dared to come and buy them. They even sent fine stuffs to New Or- leans, and disposed of them through some of the merchants, who were induced by the large profits to violate the laws. The rules of the Spanish custom house had been so strict that many people of New Orleans had fallen into the bad habit of regarding smuggling as an innocent occupation. The most prominent of these Baratarian smugglers were Pierre and John Lafitte. The two brothers had come from France, and had opened a blacksmith shop on St. Philip street in New Orleans. Soon growing weary, however, of following this slow road to wealth, they betook themselves to Grande Terre, where, amid the dark bayous overhung with Spanish moss, they became chiefs of- " a rebellious clan." Their swift vessels would dart out into the open sea, capture a Spanish ship laden with rich goods, and bring it into the bay, where the cargo, which cost them nothing, except perhaps a little bloodshed, would be sold at a price far below its value. It was as wild and fascinating a life as Robin Hood used to lead in the forests of England, when every man was a law unto himself.
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The Governor of Louisiana, who strongly objected to these constant violations of the law, declared the inhabitants of Barataria to be pirates and outlaws; but for some years no serious attempt was made to break up this nest of evil-doers. On one occasion the Lafittes were tried for introducing con- traband goods, but they boldly employed Livingston and Grymes, two of the most famous lawyers in New Orleans, to defend them, and nothing was proved against them .*
Finally Pierre Lafitte was arrested on another charge and thrown into the calaboose in New Orleans. After remaining there awhile he escaped in some mysterious way, and was soon back at Lake Barataria. During his absence important events had been taking place at Grande Terre.
The British Visit John Lafitte .- Colonel Nichols, who was commanding the British forces, sent one of his officers with a letter to "Mr. Lafitte, Barataria." It was dated August 31, 1814, and proved to be an offer from the British commander to take Lafitte and his company into the English service. " If you will join us with your men and vessels," said the letter, "you shall have a large sum of money, and " the rank of captain. After the war is over you and your " followers will receive large estates as a reward."
In order to gain time to warn Claiborne of the approach- ing danger, Lafitte asked for two weeks to consider the matter. This was granted, though the British officer begged. him to decide immediately. " Your brother," said he, "has " been put in irons by the American Government ; you your- " self have been declared an outlaw. Why not aid the " English to fight against a government that has treated you " so unjustly ?"
Lafitte Writes to Claiborne .- But Lafitte secretly sent off to Claiborne a full account of the British plans, and asked
* The lawyers were to receive ten thousand dollars each for their services, and Grymes ventured down to Barataria to collect the fees. He was well received, and the money was promptly paid. See Gayarre, in Mag. Amer. Ilist.
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permission to serve his adopted country against the enemy. As a sign of his repentance he described himself as a stray sheep that wished to return to the fold. It was about this time that Pierre Lafitte escaped from prison, and when he reached Grande Terre he also wrote to a gentleman in New Orleans, approving what his brother had done, and asking to be taken into the service of Louisiana. No answer was sent to these letters, and the Lafittes kept the English officer waiting until he began to suspect some snare, and sailed away.
Expedition Against the Lafittes .- In the meantime Claiborne had called a council of officers (General Jackson had not yet arrived) to decide whether the sinugglers should be pardoned and taken into the American service. The ma- jority of the officers voted to have. no friendly communication with the Lafittes. Therefore, instead of returning a favora- ble answer, a body of troops under Commodore Patterson was sent to break up the settlement at Barataria. The expe- dition was successful and a large amount of rich booty was seized. The two brothers, however, escaped to the German settlement on the Mississippi, whence they afterwards fled to Last Island, which lies south of Terrebonne parish.
Lafitte Visits Jackson .- When General Jackson arrived in New Orleans, John Lafitte paid him a visit, and again offered his services and those of the other Baratarian outlaws. The stern General had once declared that the Lafittes were a set of bandits with whom he would have no dealings. But now that he found himself face to face with the daring out- law, he seems to have been won over by his manly bearing and his attractive manners. Jackson liked a brave man, and he knew that he needed every one he could find to defend the city of New Orleans. So he accepted the services of the Baratarians. Some of them were placed at the forts on the Rigolets ; others at Fort St. Philip; while Captain Domi- nique ( who afterwards lived tor many years in New Orleans ),
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commanded an important battery on the field of Chalmette. Everywhere that they were placed the Baratarians fought like tigers. Jackson himself admired their courage so much that, it is said, he never failed to stop and chat with them wherever he saw them.
QUESTIONS.
What was the cause of the war of 1812? What happened during the first years of the war? Who was Andrew Jackson? How did the English begin operations in the South? Who were the Lafittes? Why did Lafitte write to Claiborne? Tell of the expedition to Bara- taria. What was the result of Lafitte's visit to Jackson? Find Bara- taria Bay on large map of Louisiana.
CHAPTER XXVI. THE BRITISH IN LOUISIANA.
Jackson in New Orleans. - We have seen that Jackson reached New Orleans December I. Governor Claiborne had already been very active in organizing the militia to meet the British invasion. His proclamations had stirred the patriotism of the people, and every one was ready to do his duty .* As Louisiana had become a self-governing State, all classes felt that they had a common interest in protecting her. It was soon seen that Jackson was the right man to defend New Orleans. Though his constitution was weak- ened by constant sickness, his energy was untiring. He seemed to rise above bodily weakness by means of his in- domitable spirit. Wherever he went he inspired the inhab-
*The following incident is given by Major Latour, who served under Jackson : "Madame Bienvenu, a rich widow of Attakapas, after sending her four sons to the defence of their State, wrote to Governor Claiborne that she regretted having no other sons to offer her country, but that if her services in taking care of the wounded should be thought useful, notwithstanding her advanced age and the great distance of her residence, she would hasten to New Orleans."
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itants with confidence. "The streets," says Latour, "re- sounded with Yankee Doodle, the Marseilles Hymn, * and other martial airs, while those who had long been unaccus- tomed to military duty were polishing up their arms and preparing for battle. The women of New Orleans pre- sented themselves at the windows and balconies to applaud the troops in their evolutions and to encourage their hus- bands, sons, fathers, or brothers to protect them from the insults of the enemy."
On the day of his arrival Jackson reviewed the militia companies of Creoles and Frenchmen, and declared that he was much pleased with their appearance and manœuvres. Besides the white companies, two battalions were formed of the " free-men-of-color," who were put under distinguished white officers, and who were afterwards highly complimented by Jackson for their bravery.
Defences .- With many hundred miles of sea coast, Lou- isiana was almost without defences; for the various forts were in a bad condition. However, Jackson strengthened, as best he could, Fort St. Philip, Spanish Fort, and a fort on the Rigolets called Petites Coquilles (now Fort Pike ). There was not enough ammunition, and arms were so scarce that he ordered private houses to be searched for fowling- pieces. At his suggestion, moreover, an order was given that all the bayous leading into the interior should be closed with logs or other obstructions, so that the English vessels could not pass. Unfortunately one important bayou was neglected, and the consequences were very serious.
Battle of Lake Borgne, December 14, 1814. - To pro- tect the entrance to Lake Pontchartrain, there were on Lake Borgne five United States gunboats. These were under Lieutenant Thos. Ap Catesby Jones, and were armed with twenty-three guns and one hundred and eighty-two men. As soon as Jones saw the English fleet approaching from Ship
*The national hymn of France.
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Island, he decided to retire towards the Rigolets. But when he reached a point about fifteen miles off, he found the water so low that he had to cast anchor and await the enemy. The British sent against him a little fleet of forty-five barges and launches, armed with forty-three cannon and more than one thousand men. Though this force was far superior to his own, Jones made a fierce resistance, and many of the enemy's barges were sunk. But finally he himself was wounded in the shoulder, and the British, boarding the gunboats, cap- tured them all. Their loss, however, was about three hun- dred, while the Americans had only ten killed and thirty-five wounded.
Martial Law .- The report of this disaster reached Jack- son on the following day, and having heard that there were some British spies in New Orleans, he promptly declared the city to be under strict martial law. This meant that the city was to be controlled by the military orders of the Gen- eral himself. Such a regulation was doubtless necessary at the time, but it will be seen that trouble grew out of it later on.
Landing of the British .- After the battle on Lake Borgne, the British decided to land some of their forces and march towards New Orleans. As they knew that their army was twice as large as that of the Americans, they expected to meet with very little resistance, and they actually imagined that the Creoles would come over to their side. We shall soon see what a mistake they made.
Bayou Bienvenu, leading from Lake Borgne to the plan- tations just below the city, had for some unknown reason been overlooked by the Americans, and there were no ob- structions at its mouth. Some Spanish fishermen, who lived near by, doubtless acted as guides to the invading forces. About sixteen hundred men and two pieces of artillery were landed and placed in barges, which were silently rowed up the bayou. General Jackson had sent out some pickets to
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watch the movements of the enemy, but these, being taken unaware by the British, were all captured except one who escaped through the marshes.
The British had never before seen a Louisiana marsh. As they gazed around upon the tall reeds and the "trembling prairies," with no human being and no dwelling in sight, they declared that they had never beheld a more desolate country. It was just the kind of country, however, that they needed to conceal their movements. Their plan was to reach solid ground and then send the boats back for reinforcements from the ships. So during the morning hours of December 23rd they rowed up the bayou until they came to General Villere's plantation, about nine miles from New Orleans. Sending out detachments, they surrounded Villere's house and captured two of his sons, who were stationed there with some troops. The elder of these, Major Villere, jumped through a window, and though he was fired at several times, he es- caped, and was one of the first to inform Jackson of the enemy's approach.
The British now marched towards the river and camped on Villeré's and LaRonde's plantations, within nine miles of the city. They took their time, for they felt confident of capturing New Orleans whenever they chose to advance.
They then drew up a proclamation, which was signed by the British commander, and copies of which were posted on all the fences. It was in these words: "Louisianians, re- " main quiet in your houses. Your slaves shall be preserved " to you and your property respected. We make war only " against Americans." This proclamation excited nothing but indignation among the Creoles; they were more deter- mined than ever to show the British that they were not trai- tors, but patriots.
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