The soldiers became little better than an unruly mob; some deserted, or else in company with other ruffians, both French and American, indulged in furious and sometimes murderous orgies, to the terror of the Creoles who had property.

The civil authorities, growing day by day weaker, were finally shorn of all power by the military.

This, however, was in nowise a quarrel between the French and the Americans.

As already explained, in Todd's absence the position of deputy was sometimes filled by a Creole and sometimes by an American.

He had been particular to caution them in writing to keep up a good understanding with the officers and troops, adding, as a final warning: "If this is not the case you will be unhappy." Unfortunately for one of the deputies, Richard Winston, he failed to keep up the good understanding, and, as Todd had laconically foretold, he in consequence speedily became very "unhappy." We have only his own account of the matter.