Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/96

76 former power of France in America had conceived the idea of reclaiming the ancient discoveries of La Salle and striking at England through the valleys of the great river. He was setting forth upon the operation, which Theodore Lyman says justly and emphatically belonged to the first class of profound comprehensive plans. He had at his command the finest army in the world. To dream even that our hasty lines of volunteers could meet this super-soldier and his veterans of twenty victorious pitched battles would be ridiculous. For a few months of his extraordinary reign he was at peace with the world, and had under his orders the combined fleets of France and Spain to transport his stores and his army.

He was to make his landing at New Orleans. This in itself would have been simple enough, much as it might infuriate this country. For New Orleans belonged ostensibly to Spain, but really to him. He was coming under colour of title. But more to the point, from a military point of view, he would be