directed to be taken of all persons of this
description, remaining in the city, after the expiration of
three days.

"Time has shown this to have been a most unfortunate step; and
those by whose suggestions it was taken, soon found themselves
unable to avert from the general the consequences to which it
exposed him. The people against whom it was directed were
loyal--many of them had bled, all had toiled and suffered in
the defence of the state. Need, in many instances, improvidence
in several, had induced the families of these people to part
with the furniture of their houses to supply those immediate
wants, which the absence of the head of the family occasioned.
No exception, no distinction was made. The sympathetic feelings
of every class of inhabitants were enlisted in favour of these
men; they lacked the means of sustaining themselves on the way,
and must have been compelled, on their arrival at Baton Rouge,
then a very insignificant village, to throw themselves on the
charity of the inhabitants. Another consideration rendered the
departure of these men an evil to be dreaded. The apprehension
of the return of the enemy was represented, as having had much
weight with Jackson in issuing his order. Their past conduct
was a sure pledge that, in case of need, their services would
again be re-offered; there were among them a number of
experienced artillery-men; a description of soldiers, which was
not easily to be found among the brave who had come down from
Kentucky, or Tennessee, or even in the army of the United
States. These considerations induced several respectable
citizens to wait on Jackson, for the purpose of endeavouring to
induce him to reconsider a determination, which was viewed as
productive of flagrant injustice and injury to those against
whom it was directed, without any possible advantage, and
probably very detrimental, to those for whose benefit it was
intended."

To quiet and console this distressed and injured people under this
wanton decree of military power; this cruel exile; it was recommended to
them to submit without resistance to the order.

"They were assured, that the laws of the country would protect
them, and punish, even in a successful general, a violation of
the rights of, or a wanton injury to, the meanest indi