WARNING JACKSON ABOUT NEW ORLEANS
Unknown to the British, an American merchant in Havana, Vincent Gray, had learned the invaders planned to capture cotton bales stored at New Orleans and sell the stolen goods in Liverpool. Under international law at the time, officers could profit from prize money received for items seized in war. It is estimated that 4 million pounds worth cotton, sugar, hemp, tobacco and ships could be seized at New Orleans, far more than was available in Mobile.
Gray overheard conversations with Nicholls, commander of the Royal Marines, and learned the first British attacks would be on Pensacola and Mobile. Alarmed at the rumors he was hearing, Gray wrote three letters of warning, that he sent to Secretary of War James Monroe, Gov. William Claibborne of Louisiana and the Forbes partner in Mobile, James Innerarity.
Although his loyalties were torn, James Innerarity knew the British might loot his stores as war prizes, and decided that the American defenders needed to be warned of these planned attacks. James requested an interview with Andrew Jackson, and showed him Gray's letter. By this stroke of fortune, Jackson learned of the British attack on New Orleans four months before the invasion began which gave him time to prepare.
--Brock-Perry
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