r Latour, addressed to General Morgan in
anticipation of the publication of his "Historical Memoirs of the War of
1812-15," advising him that he would give an account also of the
military situation and battle on the west bank, as he viewed them; and
inviting any statement from General Morgan in his own vindication that
he might choose to make. This letter is not printed in the history, but
was seen and copied by the author, through the courtesy of Judge
Seymour, who is a lineal descendant of a sister of Andrew Jackson. A
diligent inquiry was made by the writer of this monograph for a copy of
General Morgan's report, and also of letters or documents from him in
vindication of his course in the affairs mentioned. If any such are in
print, or otherwise preserved, the author did not succeed in finding
them, to his regret.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., April, 1815. TO GENERAL DAVID
MORGAN.

_Sir_: I send you herewith a copy of the publication that I am
preparing for the press, upon the last campaign, relating to the
transaction that took place on the right bank, on the 8th of January.

As I am of opinion that you are to bear the blame of our disgrace on
that part of our defense, I thought myself in duty bound, as a man
of honor, to participate to you what I wrote on the subject previous
to my putting it to the press. What I have stated is, I believe,
strictly true; however, sir, you are in a situation to furnish me
with such observations as may tend to rectify what should not be
printed, in its true light.

Be persuaded, sir, that I have no enmity against you; on the
contrary, as a private citizen, I have the regard for you that I
think you deserve. Then I hope you will not take my conscientious
caution in a bad part, and that you will direct to me in
Philadelphia, where I am departing for in a day or two, anything you
will choose to write for your vindication. It will find room in the
appendix, at all events, should it be founded upon proper
authorities.

I remain, sir, your most respectful servant,

A. LACARRIERE LATOUR.

Incidental prominence has been given to this episode of the battle of
the eighth, on the west bank of the river, far beyond its real merits as
an event of the military operations around New Orleans. Worse panic and
confusion resulted among the American militia at Bladensburg, in front
of Washington, and at other places, during the W