The second proclamation is one of the highest compliments ever paid by
a military chief to his soldiers.
On December 18, 1814, General Jackson issued, in the French language,
the following address to the free people of color:
"Soldiers! When on the banks of the Mobile I called you to take up
arms, inviting you to partake the perils and glory of your white
fellow citizens, I expected much from you, for I was not ignorant that
you possessed qualities most formidable to an invading enemy. I knew
with what fortitude you could endure hunger and thirst, and all the
fatigues of a campaign. I knew well how you loved your native country,
and that you, as well as ourselves, had to defend what man holds most
dear--his parents, wife, children and property. You have done more
than I expected. In addition to the previous qualities I before knew
you to possess, I found among you a noble enthusiasm, which leads to
the performance of great things.
"Soldiers! The President of the United States shall hear how
praiseworthy was your conduct in the hour of danger, and the
representatives of the American people will give you the praise your
exploits entitle you to. Your General anticipates them in applauding
your noble ardor.
"The enemy approaches; his vessels cover our lakes; our brave citizens
are united, and all contention has ceased among them. Their only
dispute is, who shall win the prize of valor, or who the most glory,
its noblest reward. By order, Thomas Butler, Aide-de-Camp."
The Pennsylvania Freeman, of March 10, 1851, heralds as follows:
"The article below from the New Orleans Picayune, of a recent date,
revives an important historical fact, which, with similar evidence of
the devotion of free people of color, to their country's safety and
welfare, notwithstanding the injustice they have received from its
hands--the enemies of the colored people have been careful to conceal
in their calumnies against this injured people. Let those men read and
ponder it, who fear dangers to the nation from the presence in it of a
population of colored freemen, protected by law in the full possession
of all their rights. The incident narrated is also a burning rebuke
from a slave-holding community to the vulgar negro-hatred of the
North, which drives worthy colored men from popular processions,
parades, schools, churches, and the so-called 'respectable avocations
of life.'
"The Free Colored Veterans.--Not the least interesting, although the
most novel feature of the procession yesterday (celebration of the
Battle of New Orleans,) was the presence of ninety of the colored
veterans who bore a conspicuous part in the dangers of the day they
were now for the first time called to assist in celebrating, and who,
by their good conduct in presence of the enemy, deserved and received
the approbation of their illustrious Commander-in-Chief. During the
thirty-six years that have passed away since they assisted to repel
the invaders from our shores, these faithful men have never before
participated in the annual rejoicings for the victory which their
valor contributed to gain. Their good deeds have been consecrated
only in their own memories, or lived but to claim a passing notice on
the page of the historian. Yet who more than they deserve the thanks
of the country and the gratitude of the succeeding generations? Who
rallied with more alacrity in response to the summons of danger? Who
endured the hardships of the camp, or faced with greater courage the
perils of the fight? If in that hazardous hour, when our homes were
menaced with the horrors of war, we did not disdain to call upon the
Colored population to assist in repelling the invading horde, we
should not when the danger is past, refuse to permit them to unite
with us in celebrating the glorious event which they helped to make
so memorable an epoch in our history. We were not too exalted to
mingle with them in the affray; they were not too humble to join in
our rejoicings.
"Such we think is the universal opinion of our citizens. We conversed
with many yesterday and without exception they expressed approval of
the invitation which had been extended to the colored veterans to take
part in the ceremonies of the day, and gratification at seeing them in
a conspicuous place in the procession.
"The respectability of their appearance and the modesty of their
demeanor made an impression on every observer and elicited unqualified
approbation. Indeed, though in saying so we do not mean disrespect
to any one else, we think that they constituted decidedly the most
interesting portion of the pageant, as they certainly attracted the
most attention."
The editor, after further remarks upon the procession, adding of its
Colored members, "We reflected that, beneath their dark bosoms were
sheltered faithful hearts, susceptible of the noblest impulses," thus
alludes to the free Colored population of New Orleans:
"As a class, they are peaceable, orderly, and respectable people, and
many of them own large amounts of property among us. Their interests,
their homes, and their affections, are here, and such strong ties
are not easily broken by the force of theoretical philanthropy, or
imaginative sentimentality. They have been true hitherto, and we will
not do them the injustice to doubt a continuance of their fidelity.
While they may be certain that insubordination will be promptly
punished, deserving actions will always meet with their due reward in
the esteem and gratitude of the community."
Heroism Rewarded.--A correspondent of the New York Observer, writing
from the West, says:--
"Before leaving our boat, we must not omit to notice one of the
waiters in the cabin. He is a man of history. That tall, straight,
active, copper-colored man, with a sparkling eye and intelligent
countenance, was Col. Clay's servant at Buena Vista. Fearless of
danger, and faithful to his master, he attended the Colonel in
the midst of the fatal charge, saw him fall from his horse, and,
surrounded by the murderous Mexicans, at last carried the mangled dead
body from the field. The Hon. Henry, in gratitude for such fidelity
to his gallant son, has allowed this man to hire himself out for five
years, and to retain half the proceeds, and at the end of that time
gives him half his freedom."
That is, a human being perils his life to save the life or bear off the
body of another human being, and for this act, he is to receive one
half of his own earnings, for five years, and at the end of that time,
to be made a present of to himself!--Boston Christian Register.