The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-21

prises the southern part of the extensive country
which was purchased by the United States Of France,
in 1903, for the sum of fifteen millions Of dollars.
That part of the country now forming the State OF
Louisiana was separated from the rest in 1904, and
called the Territory Of Orleans and by act Of Con-
gress Of April 8, 1872, admitted into the Union
az State. The State constitution was framed by
convention composed of delegates, majority Of
whom were French Creoes or natives of Louisiana,
at New Orleans, January %, 1872 In 1910 the
population of Orleans Territory was 1856, of whom
34,3ll were whites, and "a $50 were slaves. Free
blacks, the remainder, 1856.
There was considerable opposition to The admis
sion Of Louisiana State, both in Congress and in
some Of the Northern States, principally on the
ground Of the unconstitutionality of the admission
The federal party were generally opposed to the
measure. In the United States Senate, however,
there were but FIVE or six negatives, and in the
House of the act Of admission passed
70 to %. In the Legislature of Massachusetts,, i'm
mediately afterwards the act was condemned as IN
constitutional and in June, 1912, committee of
that body, Of which Josiah Quincy (who is still liv
ing) was chairman, made a report on the subject,
concluding with sundry resolutions, two Of which
are as follows, and interesting, as showing the
question Of annexation
mission into the Union Of States not with
in the original limits of the United States is author
lied by the letter or spirit Of the federal constitution
Resolved That the act of Congress passed the 9Th day
Of April 1872 entitled can act for the admission OF the
State of Louisiana into the Union, &C. is violation Of
the constitution of the United States
The report Of this committee declares chat the
power assumed by Congress in passing this act for
A. T
ly power to admit new States into this Union at
their discretion, without limit Of place or country
Not only new States may be carved at will out Of
the boundless regions of Louisiana, but the whole
extent of South America, indeed of the globe, is
sphere within which it may operate, without check
or control, and with no other limit than such as
Congress may choose to impose, in its own dis
cretiOn"
The senators and representatives from Massachu-
sets were instructed and requested to use their ut
most endeavors to obtain repeal of the act of Con.
gress admitting Louisiana into the Union but the
measure soon became to be considered as wise one,
and indeed an act of political necessity, and was
finally acquiesced in by men Of all parties.
The political character of the new State was deci.
dedy democratic, or republican, there being no or
ganization OF federal party. On the first ele :ton
for Governor, in 1872, William G. G. Claiborne, who
Governor Of the territory by appointment Of the
President from 1904 to that time, was now elected
by the people. The votes stood thus Claiborne, 2750
Jacques Where, 945 which election was confirmed
by the Legislature, as then required by the State
constitution, 80 to 6. The Creole population, al
though in majority, it seems did not rally on Mr..
Where one Of their own number, but preferred Gov.
Claiborne Thomas B. Robertson was chosen to the
House Of Representatives in Congress.
At the first election by the Legislature of Uni
ted States Senators Allan b. Magruder and
John Noel Destrehan were chosen. Mr.. Magruder
had been leading member of the State Con-
venton which framed the constitution. As he
drew the short term, he was only in the se-
nate one session, and was not reelected. Mr..
Destrehan was also member of the State Convcn.
ton, and declined the appointment Of Senator.
Thereupon the Governor appointed Thomas Posey;
but the Legislature refused to continue him in the
Senate. In December, 1872 they elected James
Brown, by &c votes against l6 for Posey. The same
body elected presidential electors in favor Of James
Madison, by rs to 49, the latter having probably
been In favor Of Dewitt Clinton, who was at that
time candidate against Mr.. Madison, for President
James Brown was born In Virginia, In October,
1885, After studying law he settled first in Tennes
see, then in Natchez, and was appointed by Presi.
dent jefferson Secretary Of the Territory Of Louis
ana. This led him to New Orleans, which subse.
quently became his home. He was appointed U. 8.
District Attorney for Louisiana, and rose to high
rank. He was elected to represent Louisiana in the
U. s. Senate, as we have mentioned, in December,
1912, and was again chosen Senator in 1872 Being
appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France by
President Monroe, in 1923, he resigned his seat in
the Senate. At the French court he was highly es-
teemed as the diplomatic representative of the
United States; and his wealth and hospitality
during his five years residence in Paris
rendered him extremely popular with his coun-
trymcn who visited that capital. After an alb
sence Of five years he requested leave to return to
the United States and subsequently selected Phila-
delphia his place Of residence where he died, Of
apoplexy, in his seventythrd year, April 7, 1884.
He was brother-in-law Of Henry Clay.