III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 519 

Recognizing the 300th anniversary and historical significance of the city 

of Natchez, Mississippi. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 29, 2016 

Mr. WICKER (for himself and Mr. COCHRAN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 300th anniversary and historical significance 

of the city of Natchez, Mississippi. 

Whereas American Indians made use of the land that is now 

Natchez, Mississippi (in this preamble referred to as 

‘‘Natchez’’) before the first European explorers reached 

the area; 

Whereas the bluff in Natchez overlooking the Mississippi 

River has served as a natural geological setting that encouraged trade and cultural development; 

Whereas Natchez was founded as Fort Rosalie by French settlers under Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne De Bienville in 

1716; 

Whereas construction of Fort Rosalie was completed on August 3, 1716; 


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•SRES 519 ATS 

Whereas Fort Rosalie was destroyed due to conflict between 

Natchez Indians and French soldiers and colonists in 

1729 and rebuilt by the French in 1731; 

Whereas Natchez came under British control in 1763 and 

under Spanish control in 1779; 

Whereas the Treaty of San Lorenzo established Natchez as 

a United States territory in 1798; 

Whereas Natchez served as the original capital of the Mississippi Territory from 1798 to 1802 and as the original 

capital of the State of Mississippi from 1817 to 1821; 

Whereas Natchez is the terminus of the historically significant Old Natchez Trace, which is now preserved by the 

United States National Park Service and known as the 

Natchez Trace Parkway; 

Whereas Natchez was the original home to Jackson State 

University, which was first known as Natchez Seminary; 

Whereas Natchez has been home to several notable individuals, including United States Senator Hiram Rhodes 

Revels, United States Representative John R. Lynch, and 

author Richard Wright; 

Whereas Natchez city events contribute to the cultural life 

and historical understanding of Mississippi, including— 

(1) the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration; 

(2) the Natchez Festival of Music; 

(3) the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race; and 

(4) the Natchez Pilgrimage; 

Whereas the city of Natchez is currently holding a year-long 

tricentennial celebration, in honor of the history of 

Natchez, that will end with a 300th birthday party on 

August 3, 2016; 


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•SRES 519 ATS 

Whereas the heritage and educational events during the tricentennial celebration will be observed by delegations 

from France and Canada; 

Whereas Natchez is signified nationally as the oldest European-built city on the lower Mississippi River; and 

Whereas it is important for the people of Mississippi and the 

United States to remember history in an inclusive way 

that honors contributions from all backgrounds: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the year 2016 as the ‘‘Natchez 

3 Tricentennial’’; and 

4 (2) honors the history and founding of Mis5 sissippi through the Natchez Tricentennial. 

Æ 


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