G THEM TO ARMS.--STIRRING
ADDRESS TO THE COLORED TROOPS THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE BATTLE OF NEW
ORLEANS.--GEN. JACKSON ANTICIPATES THE VALOR OF HIS COLORED
SOLDIERS.--TERMS OF PEACE AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR BY THE
COMMISSIONERS AT GHENT.--NEGROES PLACED AS CHATTEL
PROPERTY.--THEIR VALOR IN WAR SECURES THEM NO IMMUNITY IN PEACE.

When the war-clouds gathered in 1812, there was no time wasted in
discussing whether it would be prudent to arm the Negro, nor was there
a doubt expressed as to his valor. His brilliant achievements in the
war of the Revolution, his power of endurance, and martial enthusiasm,
were the golden threads of glory that bound his memory to the
victorious cause of the American Republic. A lack of troops and an
imperiled cause led to the admission of Negroes into the American army
during the war of the Revolution. But it was the Negro's eminent
fitness for military service that made him a place under the United
States flag during the war in Louisiana. The entire country had
confidence in the Negro's patriotism and effectiveness as a soldier.
White men were willing to see Negroes go into the army because it
reduced their chances of being sent forth to the tented field and
dangerous bivouac.

New York did not hesitate to offer a practical endorsement of the
prevalent opinion that Negroes were both competent and worthy to fight
the battles of the Nation. Accordingly, the following Act was passed
authorizing the organization of two regiments of Negroes.

"AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE RAISING OF TWO REGIMENTS OF MEN OF
COLOR; PASSED OCT. 24, 1814.

"SECT. 1. _Be it enacted_ by the people of the State of New York,
represented in Senate and Assembly, That the Governor of the
State be, and he is hereby, authorized to raise, by voluntary
enlistment, two regiments of free men of color, for the defence
of the State for three years, unless sooner discharged.

"SECT. 2. _And be it further enacted_, That each of the said
regiments shall consist of one thousand and eighty able-bodied
men; and the said regiments shall be formed into a brigade, or be
organized in such manner, and shall be employed in such service,
as the Governor of the State of New York shall deem best adapted
to defend the said State.

"SECT. 3. _And be it further enacted_, That all the commissioned
officers of the said regiments and brigade shall be whit