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Th po of fill Orl be, th< sio oti fin sio or Th( shi Tir wh Ma difl em bet rigi req me This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est fiim6 au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X I I I I I I I I I |y | I I I 26X 30X 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy fllmtd h«r« hat bMn r«produc«d thanks to tha ganaroslty of: Library Division Provincial Archives of British Columbia Tha imaf M appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poaaibia conaidaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in itaaping with tha filming contract apacif ications. Original copias in printad papar covars ara filmad baginning v ii;i-Nt:(.u, I'Tiiuci, Liu.c io»i.i.C!.ii>..-> li lif», .'..i,,. «l 1- / AN ACCOUNT OP LOUISIANA. Tlie object of the following pages is to consolidate the inform- ation respecting the present state of Louisiana, furnished to the Executive ly several individuals among the best in- formed upon that subject. Op the province of Louisiana no general map, sufficiently correct to be depended upon, has been published, nor has any been yet procured from a private source. It is indeed pro- bable, that surveys have never been made on so extensive a scale as to afford the means of laying down the various regions of a country, which, in some of its parts, appears to have been but imperfectly explored. boundahies. The precise boundaries of Louisiana, westwardly of the Mis- sissippi, though very extensive, are at present involved m some obscurity. i5ata are equally wanting to assign with precision its northern extent. From the source of the Mississippi, it is bounded eastvi'ardly by the middle of the channel of that river to the thirty-first degree of latitude: thence, it is asserted upon very strong grounds, that according to its limits, when for- merly possessed by France, it stretches to the east, as far, at least, as the river Ferdigo, which runs into the bay of Mexico eastward of the river Mobilje. It may be consistent wfth the view of these notes to remark, that Louisiana, including the Mobille settlements, was disco- vered and peopled by the French, whose monarchs made seve- ral grants of its trade, in particular to Mr. Crosat in 17 12, and some years afterwards, with his acquiescence, tot he well- known company projected by Mr. Law. This com pany was relinquished in the year 1731. By a secret convention on the B ' 3^ ( 2 ) ^{\ November 1762, the French government ceded sf) macli of the province as lies beyond the Mississippi, as well as the island of New Orleans, to Spain; and, by the treaty of peace which followed in 1763, the whole territory of France and Spain eastward of the middle of the Mississippi to the Iber- ville, thence through the middle of that river, and the Lakes Maurepas and Ponchartrain to the sea, was ceded to Great Britain. Spain having conquered the Floridas from Great Britain during our revolutionary war, they were confirnuvj to her by the treaty of peace of 1783. By the treaty of St. Ude- lonso, of the 1st of October j8oo, his Catholic Majesty pro- mises and engages on his part to cede back to the French Re- public, six months after the full and entire execution of the conditions and stipulations therein contained, relative to the Duke of Parma, " the colony or province of Louisiana, with the same extent that it actually has in the hands of Spain, that it had when France possessed it, and such as it ought to be after the treaties subsequently entered into between Spain and other states." This treaty was confirmed and enforced by that of Madrid, of the 21st March 1801. — From France, it passed to us by the treaty of the 30th of April last, with a re- iereuce to the above clause, as descriptive of the limits ceded. DIVISIONS OF THE PROVINCE. The province, as held by Spain, including a part of West Florida, is laid otF into the following principal divisions: Mo- bille, from Balisc to the city New Orleans, and the country on both sides of Lake Ponchartrain, first and second German coasts, Catahanose, Fourche, Venezuela, Iberville, Galvez Town, Baton Kouge, Pointe Coupee, Atacapas, Opelousas, Ouachita, Avoyelles, Kapide, Natchitoches, Arkansas, and the Illinois. In the Illinois there are commandants, at New Madrid, St. GcnLnieve, New Bourbon, St. Charles, and St. Andrew's, all subordinate to the eonimandant-general. Baton Htnige having been made a government subsequently to the treaty ot limits, tlv'c. with Spain, the posts of Manehac and Thompson's Creek, or iViiciana, were addeil to it. Chaj)itoulas has sometimes been regarded as a separate com- mand, but is now included wilhiu the jurisdiction of the city. The lower part of the ri\er has likewise had occasionally a se- parate commaailaiit. Many of the present establishments are separated from each fjtlier by iumieuse and trackless deserts, having no communi- cation « ( 3 ) cation with each other by land, except now ami then a solitarv instance of its being attempttci by hunters, who have to swim rivers, expose themselves to the inclemency ot' ihe weather, and carry their provisions on their backs tor a time propor- tioned to the length of their journey. This is particularly the case on the west of the Mississippi, where the comnmnicatioii is kept up only by water, between the capital and the distant settlements; three months being required to convey intelli- gence from the one to the other by the Mississippi. The usual distance accomplished by a boat in ascending, is five leagues per day. The rapidity of the current, in the spring season especially, when the waters of all the rivers are high, facilitates the de- scent, so that the same voyage by water, which requires three or four months to perform from the capital, mav be made to it in from twelve to sixteen days. The principal settlements in Louisiawa are on the Mississippi, which begins to be culti- vated about twenty leajxues from the sea, where the plantations are yet thin, and owned bv the poorest people. Ascending, you see them improve on each side till they reach the city, which is situated on the east bank, on a bend of the river, thirty -five leagues from the sea, CHAriTOULAS, FIRST AND SKCOND GERMAN COASTS— CATA- HANOSK FOURCHli, AND IBKHVILLE. The best and most approved '^re above the city, and com- prehend what is there known by the Paroisse de Chapitoulas, Premier et Second Cote des Allemands, and extends sixteen leagues. Above this begins the parish of Catahanose, or first Acadian settlement, extending eight leagues on the river. Adjoining it, and still ascending, is the se.ond Acadian settlement or pa- rish of the Pourche, which extends about six leagues. The parish of Iberville then commences, and is bounded on the east side by the river of the same name, which though dry a great part of the year, yci, when the Mississippi is raised, tonmiunicates with the Lakes Maurepas and Ponchartrain, and through them with the sea, and thus forms what is called the island of New Orleans. Except on the point just below the Iberville, the country from New Orleans is settled the whole way along the river, and presents a scene ot uninter- rupted plantations in sight of each other, whose front:; to the ISIississippi are all cleared, and occupy on that river from 5 to 25 acres, with a depth of 40: so that u planlalion of 5 acre* in n 7 front ( 4 ) front contains 200. A few sugar plantations are formed ir^ the parish of Catahanosc, but the remainder is devoted to cot- ton and provisions, and tlie whole is an excellent soil inca- pable of being exhausted. The plan tatirnctilement from this nUire to New Madrid, V hich is itself ineonsidt.'rable. Asvendini: the river, you come to Cape Girardeau, St. Gent'vit v,', and St. f.ouis; where, though the inhabit;mt'^ are numerous, they raise little for ex- portation, and content themselves with trading with the In- dians, and working' a lew lead-mines. This country is very fertile, especiallv on the banks (^1' the Missouri, where tlii^e have been formed tv>o settk-menls, called St. Charles and St. Andrew, mosilv bv emigrants from Kentucky. The peltrv procured in the Illinois is the best sent to the Atlantic market, and the quantity is vt-rv considerable. I^ead is to be had with ease, and in such quanlities as to snj^ply all tuirope, if the population were sufficient to work the numerous mines to be lound within two or three feet from the surface in various parts of the country. 'I'he settlements about the Illinois were first made by the Canadians, and tlieir inhabitants still resem- ble them in their aversion to labour, and love of a wandering life. Tiiey contain but few negroes, compared to the nuniber of the whites* and it may betaken foragener;:^ rule, that in proportion to the distance of the capital, the U'lmber of blacks diminish below that of the whites, the former aboundinii' most on the rich plantations in its vicinity. GENERAL DKSCIUi TION OF UPPER LOUISIANA. When compared with the Indiana territory, the face of the country in Upper Louisiana is rather more broken, though the soil is equally fertile. It is a fiict not to be contested, that the west side of the river possesses some advantages not generally incident to those reijions. It is elevated and healthy, and well watered with a variety of large rapid sln.ams, calculated for mills and other water works. From Cape 'iirardeau, above the mouth of the Ohio, to the Missouri, the land oa the east side- of I 4 r ( ) they crs of of ihc Mlssis-'ippi is low aiul iLit, :uul ooi-asionally exposed to niumlations; that uii ihc l^ouisixna Mil.', coiuiguoiis to thi! rivLT, is generally nuieh liigluT, aiui in nnmv ytlaces very rocky on the sliore. Some ol' the htighls exhibit a scene truly pic- luresquc. Tlu'v rise to a hci'.ihl of at least too feet, faeiilwitli perpentlieular /'tine and J'ni' .\/oni', earved mto various shapes and figures by the hand of nature, and nifwril tlie appearanee of a nniltitude of antiijue toweri^. From the tops ot tliese ele- vation*, the land gradually slopes baek from the river, without gravel or rock, and is covered with valuable timber. It may be » said with truth, that, for fertility of soil, no part of the world exceeds the borders of the JMississip])i ; the land yields an abundance of all the necessaries of life, and almost sponta- neouslv, very little labour being re(juired in the eulti\ation of the earth. That part of I -pper Louisiana which borilers on North Mexico is one immense pra'nif; it protiuces nothing but grass; it is filled with buffalo, i\\.i.r, and other kii.-' of game: tlie land is represented as too rich for the Q;rowtU of forest trees. It is pretended that Upper Louisiana contains in its boweU many silver and copper mines, and various specimens of botli are exhibited. Several trials have been made to ascertain the tact, but the want oi bkill in the artists has hitherto left the subject undecided. The salt-works are also prcttv numcrouf:: some belong tii individuals, others to the public. They aheadv vield an abun- dant supply for the consumption of the country ; and, if pro- perly managed, might become an article of more general ex- portation. The usual price per bushel is i ileer3, J Mobillc and the country east ol" LatwC Ponchar- traln, 2 Companies of horse and foot incomplete Militia, i6oo ICO TOO 20O lOO 8oo lOOO I20 5j440 The same p-cntlcman alluded to, page 13, makes the num- ber of the miiitia to amount to 10,340 men within the same limits to v\hi:h his estimate of t!ic population a})plies. He distributes them in the several settlements, as follows: 1. The ishuid of New Orleans, with the op- posite margin and the adjacent settlements - - 5)000 2. The west mar^vin from Manehac, including Point Coupee, and extending to the Red river - 800 3. Atacapas, alono- the coast, between the Delta oi the Mississippi and the river Sabine - 350 4. Opelousas _-___^_-- y^o 5. lied river, includinc'ttlements on the east side of the !Mississii pi, from the American line to the Iber- villcj and some other settlements - - - - 600 10,340 It 4 i ( 15 ) % 1 It It is to be observed, that none of these statements include the country beyond the river Sabine, nor even all those which lie eastwardly ot" it. Data are also wanting to give them. FORTIFICATIONS. St. Lonis has a lieulenant-eolonei to connnand in it, and but few troops. Baton Kouge is an ill-coniitnictcd fort, and has about 50 men. in describing the canal of Carondelet, the small fort of St. Jean has been mcuLioned, as has the block- house at the Balise in it? proper piace. The fortifica- tions of New Orleans, noticed before, consist of five ill-con- structed redoubts, with a covered way, paiisade, and ditcli. The whole is going fast to decay, and ii is supposed they would be of but little service, in case of an attack. Though the powder-magazine is on the opposite side of the river, there is no sufficient provision made for its removal to the city, in case of need. The fort of Plaquemines, which is about twelve or thirteen Icaffues from the sea, is an ill-constructed, irregular brick work, on the eastern side of the iMississippi, Vvitli a dileh in front of the river, and protected on the lower iide by a deep creek, flowing from the river to the sea. It is, however, im- perfectly closed behind, and almost without defence there, too much reliance having been j)Iaeed on the swampiness of the ground, which hardens daily. It might be taken, per- haps, by escalade, without ditlicuity. It is in a degree ruinous. The principal front is meant to defend the ap- proach from the sea, and can oppose, at mo*t, but eight heavy guns. It is built at a turn in the river, where ships in general must anchor, as the wind which ])rings them up so flir is contrary in the next reach, which they mostly work through; and ihey v^ould therefore be exposed to the fire of the fort. On the opposite bank are the ruins of a small closed redoubt, called Fort Bourbon, usually guarded by a sergeant's command. Its fire was intended to flank that of the fort of lM.iquemines, and preveiu shipping and craft from ascending or descending on that side. When a vessel ap- pears, a signal is made on one side, and answered on the other. Should she attempt to pass, without sending a boat on shore, she would be inmiedialely fired upon. INDIANS. The Indian nations within the limits of Louisiana arc, as f;n- as known, as follows, and consist of the numbers here- after specified. On ( "■ ) Cn the eantrn hank of the ?vli.?:-L>.-ippi, about 25 Je»i^nir^ 'above Orleans, the remains of the nation of Hoinnas, or Red Alcn, which do not exceed 60 persons. There are no otlicr Indians settled on this vside of the river, cither in Louisiana or West Florida, though they are at times fn.ijucnted i)y partic s of wandering Choctaws. On the west side of the Mississir.pi are the remains of the Tonr.ieas settled near and aijovc Poiiitc Coupee on the river, consisting of 50 or 60 person.-. Ill the yllacapn^;. Or the lower part of the Cayou 'j'echc, at about 11 or 12 Iea<:ues from the sea, arc two villaiics of Chitimachas, con- sistincc of about 100 souls. The Atacapas, properly so called, dispersed throughout tlic district, and chietly on the Bayou or creek, of Wruiilhon, about 100 souls. Wanderers of the tril)es of Bilexis and Choctaws on Bavou Crocodile, which empties into thcTcche, about 50 souls. Jw the Opelousus, to the N. If. r)f ^l/acapas. Two villages of. Alibamas in the centre of the district near the church, con isting of 100 persons. Conchates dirspcrsed through the countrv as far west as the river Sabinas and its neighbourhood, about 350 persons. On the River Ruugc. At Avoyelles, 19 leagues from the Mississippi, is a village of the Biloni nation, and another on the lake of the Avoyelles, the whole about 60 souls. At the Rapide, 26 leagues from the Mississippi, is a village of Choctaws of 100 souls, and another of Biloxes, about 2 leagues from it, of about 100 more; about^or9 leagues higher up the R','d river is a village of about 50 souls. All these are occasionally employed by the settlers in their neighbourhood as boatmen. About 80 leagues above Natchitoches on the Red river is the nation of the Cadoquics, called bv abbreviation C^ados ; they can raise from 3 to 400 warriors, arc the friends of the whiles, and are esteemed the bravest and most generous of all the nations in lliis vast country; they arc rapidly decreasing, owing to intemperance and the numbers annually destroyed by the Osages and Choctaws, There I \ , or [{ijd lo Gtiicr lisiana or y partits ns of the he n\er, 1 1 or 12 rhout llic •rniillion, on BavoLi Ollli. trict near Qsl as the JUS. s a village fVvoyclles, Ippi, is a f Biloxes, jut "B or 9 50 souls. 5 in their d river is m Cados ; nds of the roiis of all ecreasipir, destroyed There ( 17 ) There arc, besides the foregoing, at least 4 to 500 famllieii of Choctaws, who arc dispersed on the west side of the Mis- sissippi, on the Ouachita and Ked rivers, as far west as Nat- chitoches; and the whole nation would have emigrated acro>-) the Mississippi, had it not been for the opposition of the Spa- niards and Indians on that side, who had sutiered by their ag- gret;sions, ON THE RIVER ARKANSAS, &C. Between the Red river and the Arkansas there are but a few- Indians, the remains of tribes almost extinct. On this last river is the nation of the same name, consisting of about two hundred and sixty warriors; they are brave, yet peaceable and well-disposed, and have always been attached to the French, and espoused their cause in their wars with the Chickasaws, whom they have always resisted with success. They live in three villages: the first is at 18 leagues from the Missis- sippi on the Arkansas river, and the others are at 3 and 6 leagues from the first. A scarcity of game on the eastern side of the Mississippi has lately induced a number of Chc- rokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, &c. to frequent the neigh- bourhood of Arkansas, where game is still in abundance: they Jiave contracted marriages with the Arkansas, and seem clined to make a permanent settlement, and incorporate them - {selves with that nation. The number is unknown, but is con- siderable, and is every day increasing, On the river St. Francis, in the neighbourhood of New Ma-, drid. Cape Girardeau, Riviere a la Pomme, and the environs, are settled a number of vagabonds, emigrants from the Dela- warcs, Shawnese, Miamis, Chickasaws, Cherokees, Piorias, and supposed to consist in all of 500 families: they ara at times troublesome to the boats descending the river, and Uave even plundered some of them, and committed a few mur- ders. They are attached to liquor, seldorr remain long in any place, many of them speak English, all understand it, and there are some who even read and write it. At St. Genevieve, in the settlement among the whites, are about 30 Piorias, Kaskaskias, and Illinois, who seldom hunt, for fear of the other Indians : they are the remains of a nation, which 50 years ago could bring into the field 120Q warrior;? 4 f 6N i I ! I ( 18 ) ON THE MISSOURI. On the Missouri and its waters are many and numerous na- tions, the best known of which are : the Osages, situated on a river of the same name, on the right bank of the Missouri, at about 80 leagues from its confluence with it: they con- sist of 1000 warriors, who live in two settlements at no great distance from each other. They are of a gigantic sta- ture and well proportioned, are enemies of the whites and of all other Indian nations, and commit depredations from the Illinois to the Arkansas. The trade of this nation is said to be under an exclusive grant. They are a cruel and ferocious race, and are hated and feared by all the other Indians. The conliuence of the Osage river with the Missouri is about 8 leagues from the Mississippi. Sixty leagues higher up the Missouri, and on the same bank, is the river Kansas, and on it the nation of the same nari^e, but at about '70 or 80 leagues from its mouth. It con- sists of about 250 warriors, who are as fierce and cruel as the Osages, and often molest and ill-treat those who go to trade among them. Sixty leagues above the river Kansas, and at about 200 from the mouth of the Missouri, still on the right bank, is the Riviere Platte, or Shallow River, remarkable for its quicksands and bad navigation ; and near its confluence with the Missouri dwells the nation of Octolactos, commonly call- ed Otos, consisting of about 200 warriors, among which are 25 or 30 of the nation of Missouri, who took refuge among them about 25 years since. Forty leagues up the River Platte you come to the nation of the Pan is, composed of about 700 warriors in 4 neigh- bouring villages; they hunt but little, and are ill provided with fire-arms: they often make war on the Spaniards in the neigh- bourhood of Santa Fe, from which they are not far distant. At 300 leagues from the Mississippi, and 100 from iha River Platte, on the same bank, are situated the villages of the Ma- has. They consisted, in 1799, of 500 warriors, but arc said to have been almost cut off last year by the small-pox. At 50 leagues above the Mahas, and on the left bank of the Missouri, dwell the Poncas, to the number of 250 warriors, possessing, in connnon with the Mahas, their language, fero- city, and vices. Their trade has never been of much value, and those engaged in it are exposed to pillage and ill treat- ment At the distance of 450 leagues from the Mississippi, and on 4 rous na- il a ted on /lissouri, iiey con- ts at uo ;ntic 6ta- s and of from the s said to ferocious ns. The about 8 Lhe same the same . It con- lel as the to trade bout 200 rht bank, (le for its ence with only call- which are [re amonii; he nation 4 neigh - tnded with the neiiih- distant. 1 the rliver )f the Ma- Lit arc said ox. ank of the ) warriors, iiage, fero- .ich value, 1 ill treat- 5sippij and on ( 19 ) on the right bank of the Missouri, dwell the Aricaras, to the number of 700 warriors ; and 60 leagues above them, the Mandi like nation, consisting ot about 700 warriors These two last nations are well disposed to the whites, but have been the victims of the Sioux, or Nandowessies, who being themselves well provided with fire-arms, have taken ad- vanta'>-e of the defenceless situation of the others, and have on all occasions murdered them without mercy. No discoveries on the Missouri, beyond the Mandane na- tion, have been accurately detailed, though the traders have been informed that many large navigable rivers discharge their waters into it, far above it, and thai there are many numerous nations settled on them. The .1 ioux, or Mandowessies, who frequent the country be- tween the north bank of the Missouri and Mississippi, are a great impediment to trade and navigation. They endeavour to prevent all communication with the nations dwelling high up the Missouri, to deprive them of ammunition and arms, and thus keep them subservient to themselves. In the winter they are chiefly on the banks of the Missouri, and massacre all who fall into their hands. There are a number of nations at a distance from the banks of the Missouri, to the north and south, concern- ing whom but little information has been received. JKe- turning to the Mississippi, and ascending it from the Missouri, about 75 leagues above the mouth of the latter, the river Moingona, or Riviere de Moine, enters the Missis- sippi on the west side, and on it are situated the Ayoas, a na- tion originally from the Missouri, speaking the language of the Otachatas : it consisted of 200 warriors before the small- pox lately raged among them. The Saes and Renards dwell on the Mississippi, about 300 leagues above St. Louis, and frequently trade with it j they live together, and consisted of 500 warriors; their chief trade is with Michilimakinac, and they have always been peaceable and friendly. The other nations on the Mif^sissippi higher up, are but little known to us. The nations of the Missouri, though cruel, treacherous, and insolent, may doubtless be kept in order by the United States, if proper regulations are adopted with re- spect to them. It is said, that no treaties have been entered into by Spain with the Indian nations westward of the Mississippi, and that its treaties Avith the Creeks, Choctaws, &c. are in effect su- D a perseded ! f .*• ( 20 ) prr'alctl by our treaty wiHi that power of the 27thi)f Ociober 1795' OF LANDS AND TITLHS. The lands arc held in soni.c instances by grants from the rrown, h\\{ mostly from the colonial government. Perhaps not one quarter part of the lands granted in Louisiana are hiild by complete titles j and of the remainder, a considerable part depends upon a written permission of a commandant. Not a small proportion is held by occupancy with a single verbal commission of thn officer last mentioned. This practice has always been countenanced by the Spanish government, in order that poor men, when they found themselves a little at case, miglit, at their own conveniency, apply for and obtain complete titles. In the mean time, such imperfect rights were suffered by the government to descend by inheritance, and even to be transferred by private contract. When requisite, llicv liavc been seized by judicial authority, and sold for the payment of debts. Until within a few years, the governor of Upper Louisiana was authorized to make surveys of any extent. In the txercise of this discretionary power, some abuses were com- mitted ; a few small monopolies were created. . t three years ago, he v^as restricted in this branch of his du. ; since which lie has been only authorized to make surveys to emi- grants in the following manner : 2oo acres for each man and wife, 50 acres for each child, and 20 acres for each slave. Hence the quantity of land allowed to settlers depended 011 Ihe number in each family ; and for this quantity of land they paid no more than the expense of survey. These sur- veys were necessary to entitle the settlers to grants; and the governor, and after him the intendant at New Orleans, was alone authorized to execute grants en the receipt of the sur- veys from the settlers. The administration of the land office is at present under the care of the intendant of the province. There are no feudal rights nor noblesse. It is impossible to ascertain the quantity of lands c^ranted, without calling on the claimants to exhibit their titles; the i:eglstry being incomplete, and the maps made by the different surveyors-general having been burnt in the fires of New Or- leans of 1788 and 1794, no estimate has been obtained. All the. lands on both sides of the Mi-sissippi, from the distance of 16 leagues below New Orleans to Baton Rouge, are granted to the depth of 40 acres, or near half a league, which is the usual depth of all grants. Somt have double and I triple I « f October from the*. Pcrliaps siana are isiilerable inaiulant. a single s practice iiiicnt, ia a lilllc at id obtain jhts were nice, and requisite. Id lor the Louisiana In the ere coni- t three k ; since to emi- nian and ch slave. ended on of land ese siir- and the ans, was the siir- ind office ovince. granted, ties; the different New Or- led. "roni the Rouge, a league, uble and triple ( 21 ) triple grants ; that is to say, they have twice or thrice 40 acres iii deptli; and others have grants extending from the Missis- sippi to the sea or the lakes behind them. In other parts of the country, the people, being generally settled on the banks of creeks or rivers, have a front of from 6 to 40 acres; and the grant almost invariably expresses a depth of 40 acres. Ail the landsungranted in the islandof New Orleans, oron the opposite hank of the Mississippi, are sunken, inundated, and at present unfit for cultivation ; but may, in part, be reclaimed at a fu- ture day by efforts of the rich and enterprising. CULTIVATION OF SUGAR. The sugar-cane may be cultivated between the Iberville and the citv, on both sides of the river, and as far back as the swamps. Below the city, however, the lands decline so ra- pidly, that beyond 15 miles the soil is not well adapted to it. Above the Iberville, the rane would be affected by the cold, and its produce would therefore be uncertain. Within these limits the best planters admit that one quarter of the culti- vated lands of any considerable plantation may be planted in cane, oue quarter left in pasture, and the remaining half employed foi provisions, 8cc. and a reserve for a change of crops. One Parisian arpent of 180 feet square may be expect- ed to produce, on aa average, 1200 weight of sugar, and 50 gallons of rum. From the above data, admitting that both sides of the river are planted for 90 miles in extent, and about three fourths of a mile in depth, it will result that the annual product may amount in round numbers to 25,000 hogslieads of sugar, witli 12,000 puncheons of rum. Enterprising young planters say, that one third, or even one half of the arable land, might be planted in cane. It may also be remarked, that a regular supply of provisions from above, at a moderate price, would enable the planter to give his attention to a greater body of land cultivated with cane. The whole of these lands, as may be supposed, arc granted ; but in the Atacapas country there is undoubtedly a portion, parallel to the sea-coast, fit for the culture of the sugar-cane. There vacant lands are to be found, but the proportion is at present unknown. In the above remarks, the lands at Tcrre aux Beeufs, on the Fuurche, Bayou St. Jean, and other inlets of the Mississippi, /south of the latitude supposed to divide those which are fit, from those which are unfit, for tlie cultivation of the cane, ^jave been entirelv kept out of view. Including these, and taking r ili ( 22 ) taking one third instead of one fouth of the lands fit for sit-* gar, the produce of the whole would be'fo^coo instead ot 25,000 hogsheads of sugar. The following quantities of sugar, brown, clayed, and re- fined, have been imported into the United States from Loui- siana and the Floridas, viz. In 1799 773^542/^. 1800 - - -^ - - - - 1,560,865 1801 ------- 967,619 1802 1^57^^933 OP THE LAWS. When the country was first ceded to Spain, she preserved many of the French regulations, but by almost imperceptible degrees they have disappeared, and at present the province is governed entirely by the laws of Spain, and the ordinances tbrmed expressly for the colony. COURTS OF JUSTICE. The governor's court has a civil and military jurisdiction throughout the province. That of the lieiitenant-governor has the same extent in civil cases only. There are two alcadcs, whose jurisdiction, civil and crimi- nal, extends through the city of New Orleans and 5 leagues around it, where the parties have nofuero mil'Uar, or military privilege 3 those who have, can transfer their causes to the go- vernor. The tribunal of the intendant has cognizance of admiralty and fiscal causes, and such suits as arc brought for the reco- very of money in the king's name or against him. The tribunal of the aleade provincial has cognizance of criminal causes, where offences are committed in the country, or when the criminal takes refuge there, and in other specified cases. The ecclesiastical tribunal has jurisdiction in all matters re- specting the church. The governor, lieutcnant-srovernor, alcades, intendant, provincial aleade, and the provtsor in ecclesiastical causes, are respectively sole judges. All sentences affecting the life of the culprit, except those of the aleade provincial, must be ra- tified by the superior tribunal, or captain-general, according to the nature of the cause^ before they are carried into execu- tion. lands fit for sit-* ijCoo instead ot clayed, and re- atcs from Loui- 773,542 Z^'. I 560,865 967,619 57^33 1, she preserved )St imperceptible ; the province is d the ordinances I itary jurisdiction ant- governor has n civil and crimi- s and 5 leagues U'Uar, or military causes to the go- nce of admiralty It for the reco- lim. IS cognizance of d in the country, n other specifi'id in all matters rc- ades, intendant, esiastical causes, fccting the lil'e ot cial, must be ra- ncral, according rricd into cxccn- tiua. ( 23 ) tion. The governor has not the power of pardoning criminals. An auditor and an assessor, who are doctors of law, are ap- pointed to give counsel to those judges ; but for some time past there has been no assessor. If the judges do not consult those officers, or do not follow their opinions, they make themselves responsible for their decisions. The commandants of districts have also a species of judicial power. They hear and determine all pecuniary causes not cx- ceedino; the value of 100 dollars. When the suit is for a larojcr sum, Jiey commence the process, collect the proofs, and re- mit the whole to the governor, to be decided by the proper tribunal. They can inflict no corporal punishment except upon slaves; but they have the power of arresting and impri- soning when they think it necessary ; advice of which, and their reasons, must be transmitted to the governor. Small suits arc determined in a summary way by hcaring^ botii parties viva voce', but in suits of greater magnitude the proceedings are carried on by petition and reply, replication and rejoinder, reiterated until the auditor thinks they have no- thing new to say. Then all the proofs either party choose to adduce are taken before the keeper of the records of the court, who is always a notary public. The parties have now a:\ opportunity of making their re- marks upon the evidence by way of petitir -, and of bringing forward opposing proofs. When the auditor considers the cause as mature, he issues his decree, which receives its bind- ing force from the governor's signature, where the cause de- pends before him. There is an appeal to Havanna, if applied forwithin fiveday.i after the date of thedecrce, in causes above a certain value. Aii ulterior appeal lies to the Audience which formerly sat at St. Domingo, but which is now removed to some part of Cuba, and from thence to the council of the Indies in Spain. Suits are of various durations. In pccuninry matters, the laws encourage summary proceedings. xVn execution may be had on a bond in /{.days, and in the same space on a note of hand after the party acknowledges it, or after his signature is proved. Moveable property is sold after p;iving 9 days warn- ing, provided it be three times publicly cried in that interval. Landed property must be likewise cried three times, with an interval of 9 days between each, and it may then be sold. AH property taken in execution must be appraised and sold for at least half of the appr:nsement. In pecuniary matters, the go- vernors decide verbally without appeal, when the sum does not w tl ;! Hill ^i I 'I ''ill I t' )' 11 < > i I'j' I It t i: ( 21 ) J50t exceed lOO dollars. The alcadcs have the same privilege when the amount is not ahove 20 dollars. In addition to these cmirts, 4 years ago there were esta- blishcd 4 alcades dc barrio, or jx'tty magistrates, one for each ot the 4 quarters of the city, with a view to improve its police. They hear and decide all demands not exceeding 10 dollars^ exercise the power of commilling to prison 3 and in case ot robbery, riot, or assassination, they can, by calling on a no- tary, take cognizance of the affair j but when thi;» is done, they are bound to remit the proceedings to some of the other judges, and, in all cases whatever, to give them information when they have conmiitted any person to prison. Most of the suits are on personal contracts, rights to dower* inhcrilauces, and titles to land. Those arising from personal quarrels are generally decided inasumniaryway. The inhabit- ants are said not to be litigious. LAWYERS AND COSTS OF THE COURTS, AND THEIR OFFICERo. The number of lawyers is small, not exceeding 3 or 4 attor- nics. Their fees arc small. Suits are carried on n\ writings •railed esrritos, which may he drawn up by the parties them- selves if they please, but they must be presented by the cscri-' hiun or notarv, who is keeper of the records of the court. The fees of the judges are 25 cents for every half signature or flourish (which is usually allixcd on common occasions), 50 cents for every whole signature, and 2 dollars and three fourths for every attendance, as at a sale or the taking of cvi- ilence. The fees of the abogada, or person consulted by the judge,'? *A\ law points, are 1 2 and a half cents for every leaf of which the process consists, and 4 dollars for evcrv pouu of law cited. Those of the attorney, when employed, are 62 and a halt cents for a simple petition or escrito; but if it should be ne- cessary to read a process in order to form his petition, and it shovdd require much time and labour, he is compensated in proportion, besides 12 and a half cents per leaf for peru'-'iig the papers. I'or attendance on any busmess he is allowea i dollar and 50 cents for i\\{i assniancc of 2 and a half hours. Tlie notary lias 50 cents for each decree or order of the judge, 25 cents for a notification in hisoliice, and 50 cents for one out of it, but within the city; i dollar and seven eighths for every attendance of 2 and an half hou^s on business, and 25 cent:; additional for every leaf of paper vvritteu by him, A couns-ellcr * privilege /ere esta- e for each its police, c dollars, n case ot ; on a no- is tlone, the other iformation ; \o tlower» n personal le inhabit- TIIEIR or 4 attor- n writings •lies thcm- ihe cscri- [ourt. sifirnaturc: )Ccasions), and ihvcc no; of cvi- the judgc^i which the law cited, :ind a half Id be ne- on, and it cnsatcd in pcru^'ug allowca I ah hours, the judge, for one out IS for every I 25 ceui:v ( 25 ) A counsellor or two have sometimes resided at New Orlearts; but being generally found obnoxious to the officers of the go- vernment, they have not continued there. The counsellor va- lues his own services, and in general exacts large sums. The attorney- general receives from the party who employs him more than is allowed by law. CRIMES, CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE, AND PUNISHMENTS. In cases of petty crimes, the cognizance of the proper court may be said to be final and without appeal; and most com- monly such causes are decided in a summary way. With re- spect to crimes of deeper die, more solemnity is used. A person skilled in the laws is always nominated by the court to defend the accused. The trial is not public, but examinations and depositions in writing arc taken privately by the auditor at the time most convenient to himself, at which, neverthe- less, the counsel of the accused is admitted to be present. He has also every kind of privilege granted to him in making his defence. Such suits are generally very tedious and expensive, when he is wealthy. The condemned is entitled to an ap- peal, as in civil cases, provided he gives security for the payment of the future costs. There appears, however, to be a virtual appeal in every capital condemnation, because a stay of execution takes place until the confirmation of the sentence returns from St. Jago de Cuba, where there is a grand tribunal established, consisting of five judges, before whom counsellors plead as in our courts. Crimes of great atrocity are very rare. Murder, by stab- bing, seems to be confined to the Spanish soldiers and sailors. The terror of the magistrate's power restrains assaults, bat- teries, riots, &c. Punishments are generally mild. They mostly consist of imprisonment and payment of costs, sometimes the stocks. White men, not military, are rarely, perhaps never, degraded by whipping ; and in no case do any fines go into the public treasury. Murder, arson, and aggravated robbery of the king's treasury or effects, are punished with death. Rob- bery A private persons to any amount is never punished with death, but by restitution, imprisonment, and sometimes enor- mous costs. — Crimes against the king's revenue^ such as con- traband trade, are punished with hard labour for life, or a term of years on board the gallics, in the mines, or on the pub- lic works. couns-clloi S LEARNING-. ( 26 ) LEARNING. There arc no colleges, and but one public school, whicli i.4 at New Orleans. 'I'hc masters of tliis are paid by the king. Tiiev teach the Spanish language only. There are a few pri- vate schools for children. Not more than half of the inhabit- ants are supposed to be able to read and write, of whom not more than 200, perhaps, are able to do it well. In general, the learnino: of the inhabitants does not extend bevond those two arts, though they seem to be endowed with a good natural genius, and an uncommon facility of learning whatever they undertake. THE CHURCH. The clergy consists of a bishop, who docs not reside in the province, and whose salary of 4000 dollars is charged on the revenue of certain bishopricks in Mexico and Cuba ; 2 ca- nons, having each a salary of 600 dollars ; and 25 curate?, 5 for thv cilv of New Orleans, and 20 for as many country parishes, who receive each from 360 to 480 dollars a year. Those sniciries, except that of the bishop, together with an al- lowance for sacristans and chapel expenses, arc paid by the treasury at New Orleans, and amount annually to 13,000 dollars. TIuTc is also at tiKit place a convent of Ursulines, to which are attached about 1000 acres of land, rented out in 3 planta- tions. The nuns are now in number not more than 10 or 12, anil arc all French, '{'here were formerly abou), the same num- ber of l^panish ladies belonging to the order, but they retired to Flavanna during the period when it was expected that the province would be transferred to France. The remaining nuns receive vouno- ladies as boarders, and instruct them in reading, writinsi', and needle-work. Thev have always acted with great propriety, and arc gene- rally respected and beloved throughout the province. With the assistance of an annual allowance of 600 dollars from the treasury, they always support and educate 12 female orphans. OF THE OFFICERS OF GOVERNMENT. The officers who are merely judicial have been already men- tioned, and therefore some of them will be altogether omitted in this place, 'i'he executive ofHcers appointed by the go- \ernor, for each division of the province, and called com- MANDANT.S, are generally taken from the army or the militia. ^Vhcn tilt octlkment is small, sonip. respectable character is I appointed J* ( •>7 ) Auc\i l.i »e king, few \)n' nhabit- om not :;ral, the (jsc two natural vcr they le in the I on the L ; 2 ca- curate?, country a year. th an al- [ by the I 13,000 to which I phuita- o or 12, Uie nurn- V retired that the ing nuns reading, arc genc- e. With from the orphans . uly men- r omitted I the go- ed COM* e militia, iracter is appointed •m appointed to the civil command, and the militia officer has the direction of mihtary matters. Where there is a garrison, the commandant is sub-delegate of the intcndant, and draws upon him for all expenses incurred. In that case, lie hns the charge of all matters relating to the revenue within his district. The duty of commandants is to superintend the police, pre- serve the peace of the district, examine the passports of travel- lers, and to suffer no strangers to settle within the limits of their command, w ithout regular leave obtained from govern- ment. They are to prevent smuggling, to certify that all lands petitioned for by the inhabitants arc vacant before they are granted, and, when required, put the owner in possession. They are besides notaries public ; and in their offices it is ne- cessary to register all sales of lands and slaves, and even to make the contracts for those purposes before them. They act as sheriffs, levy executions on property, attind and certify the sale, and collect the proceeds. They also take inventories of the property of intestates. By an ordinance of Baron Ca- rondelet, syndics are established every 3 leagues, who arc sub- orduiate to the commandant, decide small causes, and have the police of roads, levies, travellers, and negroes. The officers of the general government arc the following : Beside his judicial power the governor is chief of the army and militia, and the head of the civil n;ovcrnment. He is also president of the Cabildo, or provincial council, lie appomts and removes at pleasure the commandants of districts, Me appoints the ofBcers of militia, who are nevertheless commis- sioned by the king, and he recommend.^ military officers for pre- ferment. He is superintendent of Indian atl'airs, Hepnnnu].- gates ordinances for the good government and improvenieutof the province, but he has no power to assess taxes upon the inhabitants without their consent. Until the year 1798, he possefcd the sole power of granting lands, but it then passed into the hands of the intcndant. The cabildo is an hereditary council of tv/clvc, chosen ori- ginally from the most wealthy and respectable families. The governor presides over their meetings, Their office is very ho- nourable, but it is acquired by purchase. They have a right to represent, and even vemunstrate to the governor, in respect to the interior government of the province. The police of the city is under their control and direction. In it they regulate, the admission of physicians and surgeons to practice. Tw > members of the cabildo serve bv turn monthly, and take upon themsvU es the immediate superintendence of markets, bakerSj J; 2 streqliij m J» i t;.,i |i;;' m !i Ift ipi, ( 28 ) streets, bridges, and the general police of the city. This coun- cil distributes among its members several important officci, finch as alguazil mayor, or high sheriff, alcalde provincial, procurcur-gcncral, &c. The last-mentioned is a very import- ant charge. The person who holds it is not merely the king's attorney, but an officer peculiar to the civil law. He does not always prosecute^ but after conviction he indicates the pu- nishment annexed by law to the crime, and which may be, and is, mitigated by the court. Like the chancellor in the Eng- lish system, he is the curator and protector of orphans, &c. ; and finally, he is the expounder of the law, the defender of the privileges belonging to the town, province, or colony, and the accuser of every public officer that infringes them. The cabildo is also vested with a species of judicial autho- rity. The intcndant is chief of the departments of finance and commerce, and exercises the judicial powers already mention- ed. He is entirely independent of the governor, and no pub- lic monies can be issued without his express order. The land office is under his direction. The contador, treasurer, and interventor, are officers subor- dinate to the intendant. The first has four clerks under him, and keeps all accounts and documents respecting the receipt and expenditure of the revenue, and is therefore a check upon the intendant. The treasurer is properly no more than a ca- shier, and is allowed one clerk. The interventor superintends all public purchases and bargains. The administrator is also subordinate to the intendant, and, with a number of inferior officers, manages every thing respecting the custom-house. Every clerk in these offices receives his commission from the kijic;. 'I'he auditor is the kine's counsel, who is to furnish the governor with k'g;il advice in all cases of judicial proceedmgs, wiiclhcr civil or military. The assessor's iunctions are similar to those of the auditor, und nrc properly apj)licable to the intendant's department. Fioth of the officers last-mentioned are also the counsellors *>{ some of the other tri!)unals, as before intimated. A secretary of the government and another of the inteii-. d;mcv. A surveyor-general. A iiarhour-mastcr. A storekeeper, who takca eliargc of all public moveable p roper t\'. Ai; J. kH^sI IS coun- officei, ovincial, import- Peking's does not the pu- may be, the Eng- nsj &c. ; ender of any, and • 1 autho- mce and mention- no pub- The land rs subor- der him, le receipt leck upon lan a ca- )erintends or is also if inferior m- house, from the rnish the iceedings, ic auditor, tncnt. ounscUors the intcn-. moveable An ( 20 ) An hiterpreter of the French and Spanish languages — and a number of other inferior officers. All appointments in the province with a salary of more than 30 dollars per month, are made by the king, and most of those with alower salary uy the governor or intendant, as belongs to their respective departments* There arc no officers cliosen by the people. The salaries and perquisites of the principal officers are as follow : Governor, annually 6,oco p. salary 2,000 p. perq,uisite5 Intendant ----- 4,000 none Auditor ------ 2,000 2,000 Contador ----- 2,000 none Assessor ----- 1,200 i,oco Treasurer ----- 1,200 none Administrator - - - - 1,200 none Secretary of government 6co 2,000 The commandants of districts receive each loo dollars front the king annually, unless they are possessed of a military em- ployment or pension.. TAXES AND DUTIES. Instead of paying local taxes, each inhabitant Is bound to make and r lair roads, bridges, and embankments through his own lanxJ. A duty of six per cent, is payable at the custom-house, on the transfer of shipping. It is ascertained upon the sum the buyer and seller declare to be the real consideration. As no oath is required from cither, they seldom report more than half the price. The following taxes are also payable in the province : Two per cent, on legacies and inheritances, coming from collaterals and exceeding 2,000 dollars. Four per cent, on legacies, given to persons who are not relatives of the testator. A tax on civil umployments, the salaries of which exceed- 300 dollars annuallv, called media annala, amounting to half" of the first year's salary. By certain otficers it is to be paid in two annual instalments, and by others in four. The first person appointed to a newly-created office pays nothing, but the tax is levied on all who succeed him. Seven dollars is deducted from the sum of 20 paid as- gilotaac by every vessel enteriuLror leaving the Mississippi f but. ( 30 ) but the treasury provides the boats, and pays the Salary of the pilots and sailors employed nt the Balisc. Tiie remainder of the 20 dollars is thus distributed: — To the head pilot 4 — - to the pilot who is in the vessel 4, and 5 to the crew ot" the row-boat, that goes out to put the pilot on board, or takchiui ashore. A tax of 40 dollars per ntnuim for licenses to sell liquors. A tax on certain places when sold, such as those of reg'- dor, noiarv, attorney, &:c. But the principal tax is that of 6 percent, levied on all ni^ ports and exports, according to a low laritf; the proceeds of which nctl about 1 20,000 dollars, whilst all the other taxes arc said uoi to yield more than 5 or 6,ooq dollars annually. The expenses of the present government, comprehcnJIng the piy and the support of th.c regiment of Louisiana, p.'jrt of a battalion of the reo;inicnt of Mexico, a company of dragoons, and one of artillery, which form the garrison of the countrv, including Mobifle; the repairs of public build- ings and fortifications ; the maintenance of a few gallics to convey troops and siort:^ throughout the province; Indian presents, and salaries of ofliccrs, clergy, and persons employed for public purj.'oscs, anuiunt to about 650,000 dollars. A sum in specie, which docs not gencrallv exceed 400,000 dol- lars, is annually sent from Vera Cruz ; but this, together w'th the amount of duties and taxes collected in the province, leaves usuallv a deficiency of 100 or 150,000 dollars, tor "vyhich ccrtilicates arc issued to the persons who may have furnished supplies, m to orticers and workmen for their sala- ries, licnce a delu has -ccuniulated, which, it is said, amounts at present to about 450,000 dollars. It bears no interest, and is now depreciated 30 per cent. The latter cir- cumstance has taken place not from want of conlldence in the eventual payment of the certificates, but from the uncertainty ot the time when, and the want and trencral value of specie. The whole of this debt is said to be due to the inhabitants, and to American residents. It would have been long since paid off, but for a diversion of the funds destined for that purpose, to diflercnt and external objects, IMPORTS AXB r.XPOIlTS. The productions of Louisiana are sugar, cotton, indigo, rice, furs, and peltry, luuiber, tar, pitch, lead, flour, horse*-, 4 ilary of nainder ilot 4 — V ot" the akc hiia iiors. of VL'I " all 111-. :et'dt« ot cr taxes uallv. 'hcnJing ma, p.'»rt ipany of rrison of ic build- all ic.> to ; Indian m ployed lars. A ceo dol- t()!reihcT irovincc, ars, tor nay have cir sala- is sait}, bears no attcr cir- ce in the certainty specie. al)ilant?, nsi; since tor that , indifTo, ■j hurstv, i ( 31 ) nnd cattle* Popuhulon alf>iic i- wanting to muUiply thom to an astonishing degree. The soil is fcitilc, the climate salu- brious, anil the means of communication between most parts of the province certain, and by water. The tbilowing has been received a:i a sketch of the present exports of Louioiana, vi/. Dull (Hi, i 20,000 })ales of cotton, of 3 cwt. | i-,, 000 increasing. each, at 20 cents per lb. - - J -^ 45,000 casks of sugar, 10 ewt. each j ^^^^^ ,^^1^, at 6 cents per lb. - - - - - j -^ 800 ditto molasset", 100 gallons each 32,000 .^'f^^* , ,. r diminishing J"^'So •- - . ico,ooo ^ ^.^,y,j,y^ Peltrv --------- 2co,coo Lumber -------- 80,000 Lead, corn, horses, and cattle, un- certain. All other articles, suppoic - - - 100,000 2,158,000 According to ofFicial returns in the treasury of the L'nlted States, there was imported Into our territory from Louisiana and the Floridas, nierchandiae to the following airoiuits, ia tile several years prelixcd : Dollar 'i. In 1799 to the value of - - 507,132 j^oo ------- 904,322 1801 ------- 956,6^5 1802 ------ 1,006,214 According to the same authority, which makes the total of the exports to amount to 2,158,000 dollars, the imports, in merchandise, plantation utensils, slaves, 8:c. amount to 2,500,000, the ditfereaee being made up by the money intro- duced by the government, to pay the expenses of governing and [)rotecting the colony. According to the returns it. the treasury of the L^nited States, exports have been made to Louisiana and the Flo- jjda?, to thy tbJlovving amount in the years pretixed : In ll.! \ itilll! 111 i il i| ;!.■! i:'!|!'i III; ( 3'- ) la 1/99 '° ^'^^ value of 3,056,268 in foreign articles^ 447,824 in domestic dillo. Dollars 3,504.092 in 1800 * ri,795»»27 in foreign articles. I 240,662 in domestic ditto. D'Jlars 2,035,789 111 1801 - I ^^770.794 i'^ foreign articles. 1 137,204 in domestic ditto. BoUars 1,907,998 In i8c2 - J 1,054,600 in foreign articles, t 170,110 ill domestic ditto. DoJla rs 1,224,710 It is to be observed, that if the total of the imports and exports into and from these provinces (of vvliich the two Flo- ridas arc but a very luiiniportant part, with respect to both), be us above supposed, viz. Imports -.---- 2,500,000 Dollars, Exports ------ 2,158,000 Making; toccther - 4,658,000 Tlie dutv of six per cent, ought alone to produce the gross sum of 279,480 dollars, and that the difl'crence between that sum and its actual nctt produce, arises partly from the imperfect tariff by which the value of merchandise is ascer- tained, but principally from tlie smuggling, which is opeidy countenanced by most of the re\enueoiricers. MANUFACTURES. There are but few domestic manufactures. The Acadians manufacture a little cotton intq quilts and cottonades; and in the remote parts of the province, the poorer planters spin and weave some negro cloths of cotton and wool mixed, 'inhere is one machine for spinning cotton in the parish of Iberville, and another in the Opelousast but they do little or nothing. ^/i« ( 33 ) nothing. In the city, besides the trades which are absolutely- necessary, there is a considerable manufacture of cordage, aiul some small ones of shot and hair-powder. There are like- wise in, and within a few leagues of the town, twolve distil- leries for making taffia, which are said to distil annually a very considerable quantity ; and one sugar-refinery, said to make about 200,000 lbs. of loaf suoar. NAVIGATION EMPLOYED IN THE TRADE OF THE PROVINCE. In the year 1802, there entered the Mississippi :68 vessels of all descriptions, 18 of which were public armed vessels, and the remainder merchantmen, as follows, viz. American, Spanish, French. Ships Brigs Polacres Schooners Sloops 48 63 SO 9 4 61 I — I Total iports and e two Flo- L to both), liars. 170 97 e the gross ce between ' from the e is asccr- is openly e Acadians :ottonades ; rer planter)* mot mixed. le parish of ,' do little or nothing. Of the number of American vessels, 23 ships, 25 brigs, 19 schooners, and 5 sloops came in ballast : the remainder were wholly, or in part laden. Five Spanish ships and 7 schooners came in ballast. The united tonnage of all the shipping that entered the river, exclusive of the public armed vessels, was 33,725 register tons. In the same year there sailed from the Mississippi 265 sail, viz. A>nericr2n. Tons. Ships Brigs Schooners Sloops Polacres 40 8 j of which I 1 o 1 in ballast. ] ^'97* ^1 French, Schooners 3 7,546 4,346 519 11,383 Spanish, 18 22 3 3 104. I in ballast I in ballast z in ballast l^ons, 3,714 ^944 3,747 108 240 To ns. 105 Total. Americans 1^8 Spanish 104 French 3 9,753 Tons, 21,383 9,753 105 f. Grand total 265 sail. tons3 1,241 The ..i* I' 1 1 !i73 8 878 I'olacres — 3 4S0 2 4"?^ Schooners 22 1,899 iS 1,187 7 488 Slooj)S 4 278 3 167 Total 93 13,264 58 7,087 22 2,804 Total of Ships. Total of Tons • American 93 13,264 Spanish 5» 7,087 French 22 173 2,804 :ons Grand total 23*155 ' In the same six months there sailed from the Mississippi 156 vessels, viz. American. Spanish. French, Ships 21 18 2 Brigs 28 3« I Folacres — 4 Schooners »7 26 5 Sloops 1 1 68 80 8 I '; COASTING TRADE. There is a considerable coasting trade from Pensacola, Mobille, and tiie crteks and rivers falling into, and in the neighbourhood of Lake Ponchartrain, from whence New Orleans is principally supplied with ship-timber, charcoal, lime, pitch, iJid lar, and ])artlv with cattle, and the places be- fore named arc supplied with artickd'of foreign growth and I ^ produce r T last, and he torc- , spars, tered the c public innaa;e is I), tons, i,ooa 8;8 488 ( «s ) produce in the same way from Orleans. The vessels eni- plovcdarc sloopo and schooners, sonic of which are hut half decked, from 8 to 50 tons ; 500 of which, incUuhng their n pcatvd vov^urcs, and 13 gallics nnd gun-boats, eiiterLd the HayoM St. .lean last year. There is likewise a snjall < o isting trade between the Alaeapas and Opclonsas, and New Orleans, by way of the lialise, which would much increase, if th(;rc was any encouragement given bv government, to cL-ar away a few ol)structions, chiefly caused by talleii timbcr> it\ the imall rivers and creeks leading to iheni. 2,804 lississippi ^rcnch* 1 X 8 Pensacola, and in the ence New , charcoal, places be- rowth and produce I / i m \m ■i'ilillil ! I ir •IIP m IL r !i; ' ' 1' M,P f .»!>S APPENDIX. No. I. CENSUS OF LOUISIANA, IN THE YEAR I785. Districts. Balise to the City - - f New Orleans - - - St. Bernardo - - - - Payou St. Jean - - - ;|^ Costa de Chapitoulas First German Coast Second Dicto Cat.\hanose - - - - Fourche - - - - - Valenzula - - - - Iberville - - - - - Galveztovvn - - - - Baton Rouge & Manchac Fointe Coupee - - Atacapas and Opelousas Ouachita - - - . - Avovelles - . - - Rapide - _ - - - Natchitoches - - - Arkansas - - - - - Illinois - - _ - - Natchez Mohiile and Tombigbee Feiisacola Whites. Free Hcoplt of Colour. 2,820 584 '561 7'4 3CU 45' 2^- 1,204 iy8 404 14S 1. 139 3«4 14,215 Slaves. Total 562 2 14 263 6q S 2 4 2Z 138 31 t8 51 __2B '»303 1,664 1,(^3^ 573 1^273 581 402 273 46 222 5 100] 1.035 1,182 9 25 344 ^7 434 4-^8 46 184 16,544 2,118 5,028 586 678 7'036 i»903 1,303 ^33* 606 35* ^73 24% 173 I,52t 2,408 207 287 88 756 196 1. 591 1.559 «37 5«)6 32,062- I ?« I ft;! ™''l'' ii ii ! ( 38 ) No. II. Census of tbe Districts or Posts of Louisiana and VV'est Florida. Is'ames and Sitnati'.,n ofdic Posts 1 VVliitfi. Free ('cop; I slave;. Total. or Districts. uf Colnii . iJalise to New Orleans - - „_ ...^ 2,388 San Bernardo, or Terre anx Boeuis, on a creek lunning from the English I'nrn ;ast, to the sea and L-ike Bort^na __ . — 661 City of New Orleans and sub- / urbs 3.94S i.3;v=i 2.773 8,ocr> Fayou St. Jean and Chantilly, between the City and Lake ■• Ponchartrain . - - - — . — . — 489 Coast oFChapitoulas, or along ■ the banks of the Mississippi, 6 leagues \ipvvards - - -~ — ~ 1,441 First German Coast, from 6 to lo leagues upwards on both banks - 688 ^'3 1,620 2,42 t Second Do. from lo lea^v^es, and endinw at i6 do. 883 21 1,046 1,950 Catahanosc, or first Acadian Coast, commencing at i6 1 leagues above the city, and endin- at 23 on both banks 2,38a — 818 2,200 Fouchc or second Acadian Coast, from 23 to 30 leagues above town - . - . 677 — 464 1,141 Valenzula or settlements on theRason de la Fouche, run rii.^ from the west tide of the Mississippi to the sea, & called inold maps theFourche or Kivicre t'"i Chilimaches 1.797 — 267 2,064 ibeiviile parish, commencing M about 30 leagues from Orleans, and ending at the river of the fame name 658 13 386 1.057 ( 39 ) Total. 2,38s 66 1 8,ot;f> 489 i,444. 2,42 [ »9S'5 2,20O 1,141 m I.0S7 Numts and Situation of the PostL • ot Districts. Whites, ['ret* Peopk ot Colour. S laves. Totiil. Galveztuwn, ^tinted 011 the ri- ver Iberville, between the Missisbippi & ! ake iVlaure- pas, opposite the mouth ol the Amet - - - - - 213 8 26 247 Govemmeiu of Baton Rouge, including all the KCtth inents between the Ibeiviileand tht line of debarkation - - 95^' 16 539 ^5U Pointe Coupee and False River behind it, 50 iengiies from Orleans, on the west side of the Mississippi - - - 547 1,603 ft.tjo Atac-apas, on the rivers Ttche und Vermillion. &c. to the ♦ :st of tnc Misti'jsippi, and .a- the sea . - . - 859 58 53° i»447 -Opelousis, adjoining to, and to the north-east of the foie- g«i'i« 1,646 ..i. 808 2»454 Ouachita, on the river of the same name, or upper part ot the Black river, which emp- ties into the river Rouge — _— _ 3f^ Avoyelles on the Red river, a- bout leagues from the Mississippi - - . - 336 2 94 43^ Rapide, on '^0, about leagues higher up 584 — 169 7S3 Natchitocbes, on do. about 75 leagu; :V -n •.l«e Mississippi 785 346 '»%» Concor-i^ in af'nt settlement onthebjn:s jf the Missis numbers un- sippi, opponrc N.Uchez known. Arkansas, on the river of the st of the foregoing. 73*176 MEMORANDUM. All the fine furs are shipped to Canada, as well as a great juantity of deer and bear skins, where they bring a better price than in New Orleans ; and this being a contraband trade, no notice is taken of it in the above account of ex- ports, which is the official one. G ( 43 ) No. IV. CENSUS of the CITY of NEW ORLEANS. Date. Quarters. 1 Whites. I'ltePtoi)! of Colour. Shivcs. Total. 1803. First Qiiarrer - - Second ditto - - Third ditto - - Fourth ditto - - Suhurb of St. Charles Ditto of St. Lewis Wlmle pcrsnns not do- nnirihatcd - - - 745 891 722 44Q 70 -^80 207 ail; 126 546 95' 579 225 170 r^07 I»494 1,842' 2,088 884. 240 808 3.24« 70c ^>i3^ 2>773 7.35^' 700 ^.Q4' J,056 !«yVii Exclusive of Seamen and the Garrison. N. B. This Census appears to be inforrccf, ns, by some unac- countable mistake, the numl')tr of frtc people of (olour in the se- cond quarter, are nor imliu'cd; ayd on the whole the populatio]! ;.sthou<;ht to be undenated. S ( 43 ) No. V. I. The island of New Orleans with the opposite margin and settlements adja- cent, computed at ----- - 1. The west margin from Manchac, in- cluding Pointe Coupee, and extending to the Red liver - J. Atacapas, along the sea-coast l)etween the Delta of the Mississippi and the western boundary ----- 4. Opelousas, on the north of Atacapas 5. Red river, including Bayou Boeiif, Avoyell, Rapide, and Natchitoches (the two first bounding on Opelousas) 6. Ouachita river (falling into the Red river from the north) . - - - 7. Concord, a settlement on the margin of the river opposite to Natchez 8. Arkansas river - - 9. New Madrid and vicinity - - - 10. Illinois and Missouri - - - - Total • Note. — The settlements of Baton Rouge and New Feliciana, on the east side of the rivtr, lying between the line of de- marcation lat. 31" and the Iberville, in- cluding some establishments on the river Amit, &c. contain ------ Whites. 25,000 4,000 r,6oo 3.750 5,000 Ij200 200 600 J.750 4,000 Blacks. 25,000 5,000 2,000 3»SOO 3,000 100 70 50 500 47»iS0 $o*'5o 39,220 600 39,820 Miliiia. S,ooo 800 750 1,000 300 40 350 1,000 9»740 600 10,340 THE END. Pnnttd by .5. GosNRLL, Little Queen Strcct> Holl?oin, 350 7SO 4o 350 1,000 600