The Wilmingtonian., 1886-03-13
What is m CrpnIeg


What is a CreoIee
Most people have some idea of the signif-
cation of the term creole, but few are able
to give an exact definition of the word. Ii
is question that so often arises in ordinary
conversation that when at length an undoub-
ted authority speaks upon the subjectit may
be well considered worth while putting that
explanation on record.
1t should be stated beforehand that refer
ence is made to the word as used in our
Southern states and in literature by such
writer's as Gable, Tourgee, SC, Webster'S
definition, SO far as regards this country
especially in historical sense is entirely
inadequate.
Judge E. P. Poche, of the Supreme Court
of Louisiana in a recent address upon the
subject of the Creole population of the Uni
ted States said thar the children of the pio-
neers who first brought the light Of civiliza-
tion from France, Canada, Spain, and Ger
many to the wild shores of the Gulfof Mexi-
co were first called "Creoles," and theil
defendants have, with becoming pride, been
tenacious of that title But simple as this
origin appears, it is passing strange but
equally true, that it is not generally under
stood, that one of the humilations OF
the creoies is to have been at all times mis-
raproSautad as 60 their origiu, thor oharnr,
ter, their morals, and their custom. The
creole colony was founded in 1899 at Biloxi
strange enough not now in Louisiana, but
situate in the state of Mississippi. The col
ony soon extended to the river where a set
tlement was made on the spot now occup,
by the city of New Orleans, but the seat Of
government was not transferred to that city
until the year 1722.
Under the auspices of John Law OF Missi-
ssipp Bubble notoriety ne blood introdu ri
into the lnciplent colony by means of tSa
emigration of a cleoice band of German set
tiers, intelligently selected with view as to
their usefulness as cOlonists, and composed
altogether of married couples.
They at first established themselves in that
portion of the territory which is part of the
present State Of Arkansas. After the down
fall Of Law that colony was necessarily de
prived of all assistance from Europe, and
what with Indian depredatious and other ele-
ments of decentralization, the Germans be-
came discouraged and the settlement was
abandoned. On their way to the sea, float
ing down the river on such watercraft as
they were aUle to construct for the occasion,
the Germans stopped in New Orleans whence
they had expected to sail back to Europe
But here they were persuaded to remain by
the Colonial Governor, who made to them
grant OF the lands now composing the
parishes Of ST. Charles and st. John the
Baptist where they settled permanently
This occurred in the year 1921, from which
time that portion of the territory became
known under the name of German Coast ;
The Germans were indfu triOus they were
also skilIful gardeners and for a time they
supplied the markets of New. Orleans with
fresh vegetables. The settlement pruspered
the colonists multiplied and at this day a
numerous progency descending from them
isa living proof OF the sagacious toresigh.
OF the statesman who induced the dem ra.
lized Germans to settle in Louisiana.
The next accession TO the population was
through the acadiau emigration. These col
on sts settled upon the banks Of the great
EVER immediately above the German Coast
and to,med what is known in eary Louisi-
ana history as tha County Of A adia. In
17G6 Louisiana passed from the possession 0l
the + encn kiug into the hands Of Spain.
Undtn Spanish rule accessious to the colony
cam from that cOuntry and honceforward
the coiony grIer and prosperred steadily.
From the Union Of the repr, seutatiyes of
these three races issued the creoes ofL1uisi.
ana.
The novel historical point here is that a
German increment OF emigrauts formed au
equally important basis with the French
and Spanish elements in founding the creole
population,-a fact which in is historical
value is not comm only credited.
The colony was founded and supported by
France naturally the language, religion,
habits and customs of that nation impressed
itself upon the settlement. French influence
seems to have oyerborne that OF other nation
alties to such an extent that in very short
time the very Germans had been transformed
into French creoles, adopting the language,
the religion and the habits of the latter. In
two or three genration none of the descen-
dants of the German emigrants could speak
the language of their fathers. The same
transformation was experienced by the
Spaniards until at the present day there is
nothing to indicate nationality or descent
distinct from the French but the pames of
German and Spanish origin. The creoles