wealth and
comforts of New-Orleans as already their own. The battle that shortly
after ensued, _sought for and won_ by the Americans, can never be
forgotten. The promptitude, decision, and skill, with which General
Jackson took his measures; the bravery with which they were executed;
and the glorious success which crowned the bold attack upon an enemy
greatly superior in numbers, discipline, and experience, will be ranked
among the most gallant achievements of military history. Our author
assures us that the invading army "had a force of very near five
thousand men; that which opposed him was not above two thousand."
Preparations against the grand attack upon the city continued with
unceasing vigilance and labour. The members of the legislature--_the
suspected legislature_--old and young, joined some of the military
corps; but lest their legislative aid might also be required, they
continued their sessions; when a most extraordinary proceeding occurred.

"Every day, towards noon, three or four of the members of each
house, who served among the veterans or on the committees,
attended in their respective halls to effect an adjournment, in
order that, if any circumstance rendered the aid of the
legislature necessary, it might be instantly afforded. On going
for this purpose to the government house, Skipwith, the speaker
of the senate, and two of its members, found a sentinel on the
staircase, who, presenting his bayonet, forbade them to enter
the senate chamber. They quietly retired, and proceeded to the
hall of the sessions of the city council, where an adjournment
took place. The members of the other house, who attended for
the same purpose, were likewise prevented from entering its
hall, and acted like those of the senate."

A committee was appointed to wait upon the general, and inquire into the
reasons of these violent measures against the legislature. The general
gave his reasons, which, in short, were, that he had received
information "that the assembly were about to give up the country to the
enemy." The author goes into a full examination of this charge; and the
refutation of it is entirely satisfactory.

The spirit of defence even entered the walls of the prisons.

"A number of debtors, who had taken the benefit of the acts
establishing the prison bounds, were anxious to join in the
defence of the city, but were apprehensive of ex