The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-01-16

EARLY History OF ttto B0uth-W est
We have received from the author, pamphlet
Of about 40 pages entitled, Invasion Of the Terri
tory 81 Alabama BY one thousand Spaniards under
Ferdinand de Soto in 1902 by Albert J. Pickett
Mr.. Pickett is gentleman Of leisure, means and
literary habits, in Montgomery county, Alabama,
who has been engaged good many years. and at
great cost, in collecting materials for writing his
tory Of the State Of Alabama and preparing the work
for publication. He has sought for authorities in
all quarters Havana and at Madrid, and in all the
libraries and collections, manuscript and printed
which perseverance and zeal could reach in this
country. Living in the neighborhood where the
Greek Indians fingered longest as nation before
emigrating to Arkansas, he made himself familiar
vlh all their traditions and obtained the aid Of their
N intellgent chiefs in collecting and verifying
| Ind legends Theresult has been the accumula-
ton Of prodigious mass Of materials which, witha
Of labor Mr. Pickett has reduced into form
and has prepared from it history Of the State Of
Alabama, which is now, we learn nearly ready for
the press, in two octave volumes of 500 pages each
The pamphlet before is the Introductory chapter
Of the work. and in that view merits particular at
tention. history Of Alabama made on the COM
Prehensive plan which this chapter indicates, COW
ers up a large space of the history of the whole
southwest. De Sotos expedition commenced in
Florida, and in its wanderngs visited not only Ala
bama but Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and re-
gons stil further west. The temporary title to the
pamphlet would have given better description of
its contents II it had not limited the invasion Of De
Soto to the soil Of Alabama. The marvellous march
and exploits of that extraordinary man are facts
of wider history than that of any one State al
though they are an appropriate introduction to the
complete history ofeach Of the States through which
he passed. The story of De Soto, in its simplest
form Of severe historical narrative is as full of excl
ting interest any romantic fiction of the days of
knight-errantry. Valor, constancy, the power Of a
great intellect, the force of great WILL the endu-
rance of heroic fortitude amidst perils adven-
lures, achievements and disasters wonderful in their
number and rapid transition, are illustrated in the
history Of this great captain with irresistible atrac-
ton.
Mr.. Pickett has made copious use of his album
dant material Indeed, his greatest embarrassment
seems to grow out Of the profusion of his authori
ties and facts making the selection and compression
one of great difficulty and labor His book bears
the highest proofs Of careful and patient research
and is extremely creditable to him, not only as
man Of great public spirit but as historical writer
to whom his countrymen are indebted for work Of
high merit and great value. Mr.. Pickett does not
look for any pecuniary profit seeking only to be re-
imbursed in the mere charges incurred in his labor
and researches.
We shall look with great interest for the publca-
ton Of the History in its complete form, and safely
promise its author an extended sale, and honorable
mention among those who have contributed to the
permanent literature of their country.