ey and lands, now received by the white soldiers of
the United States, viz: one hundred and twenty-four dollars
in money, and one hundred and sixty acres of land. The
non-commissioned officers and privates will also be
entitled to the same monthly pay, and daily rations, and
clothes, furnished to any American soldier.

On enrolling yourselves in companies, the Major-General
Commanding will select officers for your government from
your white fellow-citizens. Your non-commissioned officers
will be appointed from among yourselves.

Due regard will be paid to the feelings of freeman and
soldiers. You will not, by being associated with white men
in the same corps, be exposed to improper comparisons or
unjust sarcasm. As a distinct, independent battalion or
regiment, pursuing the path of glory, you will, undivided,
receive the applause and gratitude of your countrymen.

To assure you of the sincerity of my intentions, and my
anxiety to engage your invaluable services to our country, I
have communicated my wishes to the Governor of Louisiana,
who is fully informed as to the manner of enrollment, and
will give you every necessary information on the subject of
this address.

ANDREW JACKSON, _Major-General Commanding._

[_Niles Register, vol. vii. p. 205._]

When the news of Gen. Jackson arming the free negroes reached the North
it created no little surprise, and greatly encouraged those, who, from
the commencement of hostilities, had advocated it. The successes of the
summer were being obliterated by the victories which the British were
achieving. The national capitol was burned; Maine had virtually fallen
into their hands; gloom and disappointment prevailed throughout the
country. Enlistment was at a stand-still, and as the British were
threatening with annihilation the few troops then in the field, it
became evident that the States would have to look to their own defence.
New York again turned her attention to her free negro population; a bill
was prepared and introduced in the legislature looking to the arming of
her negroes, and in October, a month after Gen. Jackson issued his
appeal to the negroes of Louisiana, the Legislature passed a bill of
which the following are the most important sections:

"_An Act to authorize the raising of Two Regiments of Men of Color;
passed Oct. 24, 1814._

"SECT.