The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-06-04

The DATE TREE IN New ORLEASs.--In q lot
situated at the corner of Orleans and and Dau-
phin streets, in the city of New Orleans, there
is a tree which nobody looks at without curios-
ity, and without wondering how it came there.
Fora long time, it was the only one OF its KIND
known in the State and from its isolated posi-
ton, it has always been cursed with steriiity.
It reminds one of the warm cline of Africa or
or Asia, and wears the aspect of a stranger OF
distinction driven from his native country. In
deed with its sharp. thin foliage, sighing
mournfully under the blast of one of our Novem-
ber northern winds, it looks as sorrowful as an
exile Its enormous trunk is nothing but an ag-
glomeration of knots and bumps, which each
passing year seemed to have deposited there as
mark of age, and as a protection against the
blows of time and Of the world. Enquire for its
origin, and every one will tell you that it has
stood there from time immemorial. A sort Q:
vague but impressive mystery it attached to 1t,
and it is as superstitiousiy respected as one Of
the old oaks of Dodona. Bold would be the axe
that would strike the first blow at that foreign
patriarch; and lift were Frustrated to the ground
by profane hand whatnatiye of the city would
not mourn over its fail, and brand the act as an
unnatural and criminal deed? So, long live
the uatC Ul biledHS
ored descendant Of Asatc ancestors!
In the beginning Of 1877, a French vessel Of
war landed at New Orleans, a man of naughty
micn, who wore Turkish drese, and whose
whole attendance was single servant. He was
received by the gove.nor with the highest dis
tinction, and WAS conducted by him to a small
but comfortable house with pretty garden,
then existing at the corner Of Orleans and
IN ! Il, ~,
stances Of its being so distant from other dwcl-.
lings might have been called Il rural retreat,
although situated in the limits ofthe city. There
the stranger, who was understood to be prison
er of state, lived in the greatest seclusioE, and
although neither he nor his attendant could be
guilty of indiscreton, because none understood
their language, and although governor Pcr!er
severely rebuked the slightest inquiry. yet it
seemed to be the settled conviction in LouSia-
ma, that the mysterious stranger was brother
of the sultan, or some great parsonage OF the
Ottoman empire, who had fled from the anger
of the vicegerent of Mohammed, and who
had taken refuge in France. The sultan had
peremptory dcmarded the fugitive, and the
French government thinking tderogatory tolts
dignity to comply with that request, but at the
same time, not wishing to expose its friendly
relations with the MoSlem monarch and per
haps desiring, for political purpose, to keep in
hostage the important guest it had in its hands.
had recourse to the expedent Of answering that
he had fed to Louisiana, which was so distant
country, thai it might be looked upon as the
grave, where, as it was suggested, the fugitive
might be suffered TO wait in peace for actual
death, without danger or offense to the sultan.
Whether this story be true OF not is a matter Of
SO little consequence that it would not repay the
trouble Of a strict historical investigation
The year 1877 was drawing to a close, when
on a dark and stormy night, the bowling and
barking of the numerous dogs in the streets OF
New Orleans were observed to be fercer than
usual, and some of shat class of individuals who
pretend to know everything, declared that by
the vivid flashes Of lightning, they had seen,
swiftly and stealihily gliding towards the house
of the unknown body Of men who wore the
scowling appearance of malefactors and minis
ters of blood. There afterward came also re-
port that piraticas looking Turkish vessel had
been lowering few days previous in the bay
Of Barataria. Be it as it may, on the next morn
ing, the house Of the stranger was Deserted
There were no traces of mortal Struggle to be
seen; but in the garden. the earth had been
dug, and there was the unmistakable indication
of a recent grave. Soon, however, all doubts
were removed by an inscription, in Arabic char
acters, which was affixed to post, and which
was sent TO Fran>c to be dcciphered. It ran
thus: "The justice of heaven is satisfied, and
the date-trte shall grow on the traitors tomb
The sublime emperor of the faithful, the sup
porter OF the faith, the omni potent master and
sultan Of the world has redeemed his VOW
God is great, and Mahomed is his prophet
A!lah!' Some time after this event foreign
looking tree was seen to peep out of the spot
where the corpse r1ust have been deposited in
that stormy night, when the rage of the e!e-
mcnts yielded 10 TIE pitiess fury of man, and
thus it explained in some degree this part ofthe
inscription. ''ihe date-tree shall grow on the
traitors grave"
"Wlo was lie, or what had he done, who
had provoked such relentless and far-seckng
revenge? Ask Nemesis---or, at that hour when
evil spirits were allowed to roam over the earth.
and magical invocalions are made-go and in
temogale 'the tree Of the death!'" ."
The history OF the valley Of the Mississippi is
full Of the elements Of poetry and romance Mr.
Irving has faithfully recorded the portion con-
nected with De Soto's expedition. Mr.. GayaE-
res work aims TO sketch both the history and
romance of the early settlement Of Louisiana
Let our western press gather, and let western
historians record, and western authors faithfully
work the rich store Of the historical legends OF
the west We need De sotos, Marquettes and
La Sales in literature, to explore the almost
trackiess wilderness of western romance, and
open to us its wonderful resources. ...
~s~~~~0~~-~--~->-
The STARS and Stripes" we know, are re-
garded as a protection to American citizens
abroad, but have heard of but one case in
which they have been held as comforting ex-
ampton from legal enactments at home. II is
recorded in the Savannah Journal, in the no.
ices of the arrival of the steamship Key Stone
State at that port: On her arrival, very in
eresling ceremony took place on board. We
aliude to the marriage Of Joseph K. Blvler,
ormerly Of Philadelphia, nov of savannah,to
Miss Jennie E. Wright, of Philadelphia The
ceremony was performed BY rev: dl. Coleman,
of Trinity church, Philadelphia who came
In the absence Of license from