The Spanish Domination (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: ...Jackson to the free people of color, dated on the 21st of September, which I have recited in the-preceding pages, Governor Claiborne sent him the following observations, on the 17th of October: "The publication of your address to the free people of color is delayed a few days. An unfortunate misunderstanding between the oflicers of the 'battalion of color, which excites much interest, is the 366 CLAIBORNE on THE COLORED MEN. 1814 subject of investigation before a court of inquiry now sitting. The difficulty will, I hope, soon be arranged In the mean time, I have deemed it best to postpone giving publicity to your address. I cannot disguise from you the fact that many excellent citizens will disapprove the policy you wish to observe toward the free people of color. The battalion already organized, limited as it is, excites much distrust, and I should not be surprised if, at the ensuing Legislature, -an attempt should be made to put it down. I must confess that, for myself, I have no cause to lament the confidence which the Local Government has placed in these men. Their general deportment has been correct, and they have done nothing to 'create in my mind any doubt as to their fidelity. It does appear to me that, at the present crisis, these men ought.to be attended to; that it is not probable they will remain careless and disinterested spectators of the pres ent contest, and more particularly if the war should be brought into the bosom of Louisiana; but, on the contrary, that their feelings and best wishes would be enlisted in some wa y, and that if we distrusted their fidelity, the enemy might the more acquire their confidence. But this mode of reasoning makes no impression upon some respectable citizens here. They think that, ...