The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-31
gHE LATE JAMES P. FREREr.

Yesterday, just as the day was breaking
the spirit of an excellent man took its de
parture for better and brighter world
James p. Freret was born in New Orleans il
1890. His father was an English gentleman
of education, intelligence and enterprise, who
was one of the first men in the cotton growing
regions ofthe South to establish the compress
sing of cotton on scientific principle and a
comprehensive scale. His mother was mem.
Der of one Of the most ancient and respecta-
BILE families in Louisiana. At the age of twelve
| years James P. Freret was entered a student
at the Orleans College, established in 1912, at
the corner of Bayou Road and St Claude
street, in the old mansion house of the Irene
plantation. Bold, impulsive, frank and gener-
GUS as alad, James Freret was the favorite of
his companions, and was much esteemed by
his tutors, although his boyish pranks fire.
quently caused them considerable annoyance
In 1S1415, when the British forces advanced
upon the city, the college boys were dis
banded, and all the students of eighteen years
and over were sent to the lines at Chalmette
to aid in the defense of the city; whilst the
younger ones were left to run adrift. One of
these was the subject of this notice. His adj
venturous disposition led him to wander to
the lines, from which he was driven by the
provost guards. In 1916 young Freret was
sent to England by his father in order to
complete his studies. He remained in that
country four or five years; and on his return
home, entered into his fathers business as
junior partner in the pressing of cotton, at
the extensive yards on Carondelet street. in
the rear of the ground where now stands the
st. Charles Hotel
Here, father and son had most fiourishinc
range OF patronage, and for many years did
the pressing for the greater part of the cotton
region of the Mississippi Valley. But the
quality of liberality has been the character
istic Of all the members of the Freret family.
and though their revenues were almost
princely, the father and SON accumulated but
little substantial wealth.
During the bitter contest between the par
tisans of General Jackson and John Quincy
Adams in the presidential campaign of the
last generation, Mr.. Freret entered the arena
OF politics as an adherent of the Whigparty. In
his career as politician he was as bold, frank,
and fearless. as popular and as much
esteemed, as when he was at school. There
was always bluff, honest downright sturdi- |
ness in his character which excited regard |
and friendship even among those who were
bis most earnest opponents.
In 1851 Mr.. Freret was nominated for the |
'hrievalty by his party, and carried the can
Eass successfully. His administration of that
Office was marked with vigor and |
but the rigors and harassments of |
The law and its executory process were tenn
pered to the poor and the unfr1ended by the
Eind-hearted sheriff, whose hand was ever
'pen as day to melting charity. At the end
IL his term Mr.. Freret retired to private life
mo TO the management of his and his
'rofher Williams cotton presses, where he
the same probity and the same
mercy which marked his long and estimable
lie.
During Buffers proconsulship Mr.. Freret,
s one OF our staunchest and most fearless
itizens, was subjected to innumerable an
loyances and even to outrages by that tru-
ulent tyrant He was called day after day.
nd night after night from home, from
usiness, upon the street and elsewhere.
ragged before the Inverted satrap, ordered
take oaths. threatened with Ship Island
nd Fort jackson, and forced TO indure
Their indignities but his firm and dsuntless
cart always warmed superior to the military
uly, and he never took Buffers oath.
But the deplorable condition Of his beloved