Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-24

7
and friendly.
The other nations on the MISSISSIPPI
HIGHER up, are but little known tous. The
nations of the Missouri, through cruel,
treacherous, and insolent, may doubtless
be kept in. order by the United States, if
proper regulations are adoptedwith respect
to them.
It's said that no treaties have been en-
tered into by Spain with the Indian nations
westward Of the Mississippi and that its
treaties with the Greeks, Choctaws, &c.
are IN effect superseded by our treaty with
that power Of the 9th Octocer, 1895.
OF Laals and Tlhes.
The lands are held 10 same instances By giants
from the Crown, but mostly from h. Colonial 60
vernment- Perhaps not one qaarter part Of the
lands granted ia Louisiana are held by complete
titles; and Of the remainder considerable part
depends upon a wrrtea permission Of a Command
ant. Not a small proportion is held by occupan-
cy with simple vefbai permission Of the officer
Iastmentioncd. This pta6ice has always been
ocuatepanced by the Spanish government, in or
DEL thatpoor men, when they. fauad themselves a
lrtle at ease, might at theiroyn cosvcniency ap-
ply for aud obtain complete titles. In the mean
time such imperfect rights were suffered by the
government to descend by inheritance, and even
60 fe transferred by private contract. When re-
qulslte they have been seiz ID by judicial author-
I ~ anu sold for tie payment Of debts.
Upsil WITHIN d. few years, tie governor of Up
| per Louisiana was authorised to make surveys Of
any extent. In THE ezerss- Of this discretionary
power, some abuses were committed; few small
moropoles were crested. Abous three years ago,
he was restricted in this branch of his duty ;
since Which he has been only authorised TO MIKE
surveys to enligrauts in the following manner :
Two hundred acres for each man and wife, fry
acres for each child, and twenty acres for each
slave. Hence the quantity of land allowed to
settlers depended on the number in eack family !;
AID for this qatnuty Of land they paid no more
than the exqence cfsuwey. These surveys were
necessary to ent;t.e the settlers to grants; and
the governor, ard after him the attendant at n.
Odeaus, WAS alone authorised to execute grants
or tie receipts of The sntveys from the settlers
The administration Of the land Office is at present
under rbe Gaze OF the Iptsndant OF the province
Thee ale no ffudal rights nor noblesse.
Ii is impossible TO ascertain the quantity Of
lands granted, without calling on the CLAIMANTS to
exhibit their tries; the registry being incomplete
add the maps made by the different surveyors gs-
neral having been burnt in the fires at New Or
leans Of 1888 and 1894. no estimate has been
Obtained.
Al the Funds OH both SIDES Of the Mississippi
from the distance OF sixteen leagues below New
Orleans 10 Baton Rogue, are granted to the depth
ct forty acres, Or near half league, whit i.
i the usual depta Of all yran's Some lave 8
60 BE and triple grants-li.at is to say, they
have twice or thrice forty acres in depth and
others have grants extending from tie NJ ssissipp,
10 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
front q from six to frty acres, and the grant al
most inv risbly expresses depth OF fory acres
Ali the lands grated in the island OF New
Orleans or on the opposite b9rk Of The Mississippi
are sunktn Inundated, ad at plesens u fit foi
cultivation bu may IN part be rtcalmed at
future day by efforts of the rich and entefpsiz.
ing.
calivat;oa Of Sugar.
The sugar cane may be cultivated between l
bervlle and tie city, on both sides of the river.
as Tar back as the swamps. Below the city, how
tver, the lands decline SO rapidly, that beyond
th;tsen miles the soil i; not well adapted. Abov,
the Ibervie the cane would be affected by 10
cold, and its produce therefore be uncertain
Within these limits, the best planters admir- that
On quarter of the cultivated lands of any cor
siderable plantation may BE- planted in cane, one
quarter left in pasture, and the remaining hai
employed for provisions, &c. and reserve fer Il
change Of crops One Partisan Argent Of ons
Hundred and eighty feet square may BE- expe6teo
to produce or an average twelve hundred weight
Of sugar. and fly gallons Of rum.
From the above data, admitting that both sides
of the river are nanted Cor ninety Mills Ia etens