Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[465] Mexican ports,--which would be a mere pretence, for no such blockade would have been of any use. At once upon a declaration of war, without any further notice to us, his fleet was to attack and take Forts St. Philip and Jackson, and move on to New Orleans. The rebels were to make an attack by land and dispossess the United States of its control of Louisiana. For doing this, Napoleon was to have Texas re-annexed to Mexico. The message to me was that I must get ready to meet the attack by putting the forts in full repair and full armament, and that I must defend New Orleans at all hazards. I was further told that for obvious reasons it was impossible that these orders should be entered of record unless carried out.

This was a somewhat startling condition of affairs. If a French fleet attempted to pass the forts I was to stop it by firing upon it. That would have been a pretty distinct act of war on a nation which was neutral, so far as was known to me officially. If the fight took place and I were successful perhaps I might be excused for having gone into an undertaking for which I had no proper legal justification. But if I were unsuccessful and it became necessary for our government to make an explanation, I knew enough of Seward to know that he would instantly deny that any such instructions were given me, and would claim that the whole affair was a matter of my rashness and desire to quarrel with the French government on account of the actions of the French citizens of New Orleans towards my army and the United States.

I had several reasons for believing that the projected enterprise was fully determined upon:--

First, the conduct of the French ship Catinet and its officers.

Second, the fact that the communication came to me from a source that I could well credit.

Third, it was so characteristic of the French Emperor.

It was certainly best to put the forts in thorough order for defence, and that I proceeded to do with the utmost energy and despatch.

I ordered Lieutenant Weitzel to examine the forts, which he had built, and to ascertain and report what was necessary to put them in such condition that no fleet could pass them, by day or by night, as Farragut had done. He jumped into my headquarters boat and went down, and returned very soon with an most admirable statement