"On the first of April, in company with a friend, I set out upon a visit to the Attakapas country. We proceeded up the east bank of the Mississippi about eighty miles; then crossed the river and went in a westerly and southwesterly direction, between fifty and sixty miles into the country. We often called at the houses by the way, distributed a number of Testaments in different parts of the country, and informed the people that a quantity had been sent on for gratuitous distribution by the Philadelphia Bible Society, and where they might apply to obtain them.

"Have we not reason to hope that in this region and shadow of death the true light is beginning to shine? May it shine more and more until the perfect day.

"From the preceding account you will perceive that we have reason to believe the circulation of the Bibles among the suffering soldiers was blessed to the spiritual benefit of many. We sincerely regret that there was not a greater quantity of Bibles at the disposal of the managers of the Bible Society. When the militia of this State were discharged, many of them called for Bibles to carry home with them. They came eight or ten in a company. These poor men, who had been jeopardizing their lives on the high places of the field in the defense of their country, whose health, in many instances, had been destroyed by the fatigues they endured-and some of whom were doubtless destined to fall by the way on their return to their homes-requested that they might be furnished with Bibles. We informed them that not a copy could be obtained. The deep regret which they manifested on receiving this information convinced us that they were sincere, well-meaning petitioners, and excited in our breasts emotions not to be described. But with aching heart we sent them empty away, as we had done many of their followers who had previously applied.

"We earnestly hope that some more efficient means will be soon entered upon which will meet the necessities of the destitute poor in this part of our country."

The fourth and last report of Doctor Mills regarding Louisiana was dated June 1st, 1815, and was in reference to the distribution of Spanish Testaments and a few extracts therefrom may not be out of place:

"During our stay in New Orleans, and while the French Testaments were circulating among the people, inquiries were frequently made for the Spanish Testament or Bible. It was the opinion of a number of gentlemen of information that some hundreds of copies of the Testament might be readily distributed among the Spaniards, with a prospect that they would be gratefully received, and extenseively useful. There are some extensive

Spanish settlements in different parts of the State, but we have not been able to make out any satisfactory estimate of the number of Spanish inhabitants. There are many families on the Bayou La Fourche. Natchitoches, on the Red River, is partly settled by them, and there are a number of families in the vicinity of that place. We were informed that some hundreds of copies might probably be sent into New Spain, by the way of Natchitoches. Within the limits of Louisiana five hundred copies of the Spanish Testament might probably be very soon distributed, and in a very satisfactory manner. Father Antonio de Sedilla (referred to in the preceding communication) expressed his readiness to aid in the distribution of the Spanish Testament, within the limits of the State, should any number of copies be committed to his care for the purpose. He engaged likewise, should he be furnished with any considerable quantity, that he would send some to Havana and some to Campeachy.

"The Rev. Father has it in his power, no doubt, to aid the circulation of the Scriptures in these places and in other portions of Spanish America. The inhabitants of Cuba and of Campeachy have generally been esteemed very bigoted.. If therefore the Testaments were permitted to circulate freely in these places it is most likely that there should be no portion of the West Indies, or of Spanish country in North or South America, where the distribution of them would be forbidden. It is well known that many provinces, formerly subject to the Spanish government, are at the present time in possession of the revolutionists. The present is certainly a very favorable opportunity for sending the gospels to the places already named. Father Antonio informed us that very many of the Spaniards could read. He said that they were required by the priests to read certain books made use of in their church, but that they were not supplied with the sacred Scriptures, of either the Old or New Testament.

"As this paper presents to you the facilities for circulating the Spanish Testament not only within the limits of Louisiana, but also among the inhabitants of Cuba, New Spain and Campeachy, and of the adjacent countries, we should recommend that 1,000 copies at least should be procured as speedily as possible and directed to the care of the managers of the Louisiana Bible Society, either for gratuitous distribution, or in part for sale, as you shall think proper."

I have prepared this paper by quoting from two books kindly loaned me by Mr. T. P. Thompson, one of the Vice-Presidents of this Society; they are: "The Report of a Missionary Tour through that part of the United States which lies west of the Alleghany Mountains; performed under the direction of the Mas

sachusetts Missionary Society, by Samuel J. Mills and Daniel Smith," printed by Flagg and Gould at Andover in 1815, and "Memoirs of the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, late Missionary to the South Western Section of the United States, and Agent of the American Colonization Society, deputed to explore the Coast of Africa," published in New York in 1820, and have given, with the exception of a very few introductory and explanatory words, the exact text from the books.

MEETING OF OCTOBER, 1916.

The regular monthly meeting of the Louisiana Historical Society took place on Wednesday evening, October 18, at the Cabildo.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Mr. Hart presented the following candidates for membership: Mrs. E. H. Clogston, Prof. Milledge L. Bonham, Mr. Charles H. Behre, Mr. W. S. Smith; all were elected.

Mr. Cusachs read a letter from the chairman of the editorial department of the National Farm and Live Stock Fair asking the cooperation of the Society in the educational day program, which included a historical pageant. Mr. W. O. Hart read a similar letter from one of the committee. No action was taken beyond the recommendation of the President that the members of the Society would respond to the appeal and do what they could to make the day a success.

The attention of the Society was then called to its regular program, which consisted of an unusually interesting collection of unpublished historic documents collected by the President and read by him and the Secretary as follows:

A representation upon the limits of Louisiana made to His Excellency the Duke of Alcudia by His Excellency Brigadier General Estevan Miro, dated 1793, containing much valuable authentic information concerning the discussion between the United States and Spain concerning the disputed points of the Navigation of the Mississippi River and the boundaries of the respective possessions of the English and French and the conflicting claims of the original Indian possessors of the Louisiana. territory.

This was followed by a most interesting letter read by the Secretary and written by a British officer from H. M. Ship Alceste, off Cat Island, dated January 28, 1815, giving a personal account of the various engagements between the British and Americans before the Battle of New Orleans, and a description of the battle itself, showing the causes that led to the defeat of the British from the British point of view.

Mr. Cusachs then read a translation of the testimonial sent to General Wilkinson after his trial and vindication of participation in the Burr conspiracy signed by the Mayor of New Orleans and city officials; and also a letter from Governor Claiborne addressed to General Wilkinson, dated December 12, 1806, advising with him as to measures to be taken by the general government in what he calls "an extensive combination with designs most hostile" to the safety of the territory.

Mr. Hart, in answer to a question raised about Thomas Jefferson, gave a very succinct and pleasant account of the procedure by which the first Presidents of the United States were elected.

The Society then adjourned to meet in November.

LETTER FROM GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE TO

Dear Sir:

GENERAL JAMES WILKINSON.

New Orleans, Decr. 12, 1806.

Devise the means to enable Captain Shaw to obtain sailors and as far as my powers permit, they shall be resorted to. I learn from some of the merchants that the term of service is the greatest obstacle,-it is proposed to enlist the sailors for six months, this length of time is objected to. Do you not think, General, that two months, unless sooner discharged, would answer our objects?

I am sorry you should think me wanting in decision. To assist Captain Shaw in obtaining men I have authorized an embargo, an act of authority which can alone be exercised, legally, by the General Government, and this act of mine I fear the Collector will not long submit to, lest by withholding clearances he may subject himself to personal actions.

In the last resource we should indeed pursue any means for the public safety, but I submit it to your cool reflection whether, at this time I could be justified in directing an impressment, and compelling men, perforce, to enter the service?

I am sincerely desirous to cooperate with you in all your measures. Many well disposed citizens do not appear to think the danger considerable, and there are others who (perhaps from wicked intentions) endeavor to turn our preparations into ridicule; but these things have no effect on my mind. That an extensive combination, with designs the most hostile, exists, I have no doubt and it is our sacred duty to be on the alert and be prepared to meet danger. With respect to the force under your command, I am persuaded you will make such disposition of it as will effect your primary object, the safety of the Territory.

I have seen Mr. Cox and will give you the particulars of our conversation on tomorrow.

I am, Dear Sir, yours with respect,

WILLIAM C. C. CLAIBORNE.
The mails had gone before your last note reached me.
Genl. Wilkinson.

Unpublished Letter Relative to the Battle of
New Orleans.

[The following letter, written by a British officer in 1815, was given by the daughter of the writer, Miss Forbes of Santa Cruz, Cal., to Dr. Jerome B. Thomas of Palo Alto, who, in turn, gave it to Professor Ephraim D. Adams of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, by whom a copy was kindly given to the Historical Society of East and West Baton Rouge, with permission to publish.] Presented by Prof. Milledge L. Bonham.

James Cobb, Esq.,

On Board H. M. S. Alceste,

Sec. East India Company,

London, England.

My Dear Sir:

Off Cat Island, 28th Jan. 1815.

The Plantagenet-74 leaves us in the course of the day with Gen. Lambert and Sir Alex Cochrane's dispatches for England and I feel particularly happy in the opportunity by her to be able to state to you certain circumstances regarding our expedition that you are not likely to become acquainted with through