The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-11-18
Immigration-East Feliciana Ahead.

The parish of East Feliciana is indeed
advancing with thu age. She goes to work
with a will to'improve her agricultural con.
dition, and develop her almost unparalleled
resources. The police jury is composed of
gentlemen Of recognized ability who are
keenly alive to the necessity of furnishing
that basis on which the prosperity and f.
nancial success of a country depend. They
have gone to work systematically, first ia.
king a surrey Of the situation, observing
the wants, and, in their capacity as legisla-
tors of the parish, %strenuously endeavoring
to meet them. Nor is the police jury alone
in its efforts. 1t is but the voice of the
whole people through their representatives.
Several mass meetings have been enthusi-
astically Endorsed, and every assistance
pledged for the successful realization of the
scheme.
The disasters attending the war and the
diversion of a large proportion of agricultu-
raj pursuits, as well as the concentration of
much Of the colored population in localities
fixed by peculiar circumstances, affecting
their tastes and feelings, have left O large
area in the parish, without the working
force required for its cultivation, and the
result has been an unnatural depression in
the price of lands. In order that this terri
tory may be occupied and cultivated, the
authorities have established a local bureau,
whose business it is to induce immigration,
and they make the following liberal propo-
sition to persons disposed to avail them
selves Of it, and to migrate to the Feliciana
country.
Extract from the minutes of police jury
proceedings of Septembe 6, 1871.
Be it further resolved, That, as an ia
ducement for Northern and Western emf
grants, skilled in agricultural labor, to settle
in the parish of East Feliciana, the police
jury offer to each male person dhe head of
a family forty acres of said land so purcha-
sed in fee simple; provided, said family set
tie upon said land, and occupy and cultivate
at least one. half of the same for five years,
on paying to the parish at the end Of these
five years one hundred dollars"
X. A. Gross, Esq, Of Clinton, Louisiana,
one OF the pioneers in the movement, has
been appointed by the parish, chief of the
bureau. Mr.. Cross is well known as a gen.
tleman of high social standing, indomitab BILE
perseverance and untiring energy, and one
eminently fitted for the position. He has,
within the short time since his appoint
ment, been diligently communicating the
proposition made by the parish to the migra-
tory population throughout the North and
West. lie states that
eff any faith can be attached to the nu-
nerous letters received by this agency, it
will probably serve merely as the organ Of
Communication In the formation ola large
Northern colony. From Vermont to Iowa
and Kansas III fact, from all the Northern,
Western and Atlantic States, there comes
one concnrring statement OF the oagerRess
with which this proposition will be accepted.
Many letters refer to colonies ready to form
for that purpose
This plan Of the police jury is a most lib
eral one, and bids fair to people the rich
lands Of East Feliciana with an intelligent
and Industrious, agricultural population.
We hope to see the example of East Felici
ana followed by many Of our parishes.--IN.
@. Republican.
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