Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-15
IN COLONIAL TIMES.

A Leaf from the Early History of the
State of Louisiana.
/ was walking along Esplanade street
one morning, enjoying the glorious sun
shine, while every now and then l caught
glimpses OF pretty gardens, filled with
eyergreens and orange trees laden with
golden fruit, as my eyes wandered from
cheerful looking cottages to handsome
residences. When / reached Chartre
street the friend who accompanied me on
nv ramble said: ''COme this way and l
will show you one OF our landmarks"
We turned and went one block up and
then stopped in front Of a long, strongly
built, rather low house Of two stories, in
front Of which ran a deep cOlonnade, sup
ported by very heavy brick pillars.
Above might be read this sign in large
letters: industrial College OF st. Alloy
sius." Chat building" said my cicerone
-~alv. sis all that remains OF the old
When BARRACKS, and on the parade
aettled. N II hns my great-grandfather and
,---s. ,sner L0sASiana gentlemen were shot
10 death by the Spaniards." He raised
the knocker and raped sharply at a large
1-high gate, surmounted by cross. Soon
one Of the holy brotherhood opened it and
when he heard the object of our visit pO-
litely invited us to enter. We crossed a
wide yard, where about fifty little boys
were noisily playing. The Father Supe-
riOr kindly came down TO us, showed us
over the building and told us In French
many interesting things concerning the
old place. Originally this had formed a
mart of the officers quarters, which eX-
tended across the entire square up to
Hospital street. To the left, on Barracks
stree had stood the soldiers omar
tergb,. md below, towards Esplanade
--strs Clay their cemetery. As my eyes
rf. d onAsoe massive walls and the broad,
cid-tashioms& paved oolonnade a vision OF
the proud CKstilian officers and lovely
Spanish ladies, who had moved about just
here, IN the olden times, seemed to rise
up before my mind; the priest, in his
long black "soutane," and the merry
voices of the little lads appeared to fade
away and methought heard the jingle OF
heavy silver spurs and the light clankIng
of rapier hilts and aiguielettes, together
!, with the gentle rustic Of brOoaded silk
dresses sweeping the floors. At length
we babe the reverend father goodbye and
passed out into the narrow, shabby
street. eWlu you tell me about those
gentlemen who were shOtP' / asked my
friend as soon as the gate closed behind
us, alt is an interesting episode in our
history" he replied, and narrated the fol-
lowing circumstances;
By a secret article OF the treaty of Paris
the French King, Louis XIV, turned over
Louisiana to the Spanish crown. The peo-
ple Of this colony had been already
nrieyed by the cessiOn Of Canada and the
eastern part OF Louisiana to the English,
and so when Gov. 'Abadie published the
royal letter informing them of the trans
fer OF their land to the power of Spain
they were filed with indignation and
despair. A meeting Of all the influential
citizens and planters were convened, and
the Attorney General, NJ. Lafreniere, ia
an able address. advised them TO send a
petition to the King OF France imploring
him not to give them up to the hated
dominion OF Spain. Jean Millet was
chosen as envoy, and when he reached
Paris the aged Bienville, who had founded
New Orleans and named 1t after the
Regent Of Orleans, presented him TO the
Due de Choiseul, Prime Minister OF
France; but, unfortunately, de ChOiseul
had been the author of that very article OF
the treaty, and Milhet was therefore never
allowed to gam access to the King.
Two years passed by after Gov.
d,Abadie received orders to resign the
government into the hands of a Spanish
officer, who would come TO claim IL, vet
none arrived, and the LOuisianians began
to hope that the King OF Spain did not
intend to take possession OF their oOun.
try. But they were destined TO disap-
pointment, for at last Don Antonio UilOa
sailed up the Mississippi, with two COM
panies OF Spanish infantry and q CON-
mission as Governor signed by Charles
Ill.
The Inhabitants received him coldly,
and the Superior Council Of the colony de-
handed bis credentials from the Spanish
Court, but he haughtily refused 10 show
by what authority he sought TO take COM
mand. The spirit OF angry discomfort be.
gan to manifest itself amOug the people,
and an epidemic OF yellow fever, brought
here for the hrst time by the Spaniards,
helped to eXasperate their bitter hostility.
Public meetings were held In all the par.
isnes, where loud denunciations against
the Spaniards we're uttered, and 80 much
excitement prevailed that at length
the Superior Council required UllOa
70 produce his commission or else TO leave
the country within a month The AFRO
giant Spaniard preferred the latter alter.
native and embarked with all his soldiers
aboard a ship. Whilst this vessel was
still moored TO wharf at New Orleans a
party OF young men returning from "A wed.
ding, with their blood all heated by tue
wine they had drunk. amused themselves
bycutting her cables, aud when she drifted
outintO thestream they jeered and shouted
derieiye farewells to their detested span
ieh rulers.
some time after this incident the COLONY
BY learning that Major General O'Reiny,
with q force Of 1900 men, was az the Ba.
lie. CONSERVATION prevailed. Some
were for emlgrating at once, others for
meeting force by force.
EORoilly issued q proclamation an.
nOuncing that be had come 10 take DOS.
session Of Louisiana for the King OF Spain.
but would modest no one unless armed ne.
Ristance was offered his troops, and he
declared free pardon for all former
Onenses.
Toe spaniards then disembarked and
OReilly marched at their head to the
public square, IN front Of the barracks,
where Gov. Aubry. who had succeeded
qAhnlie, and the French garrison await
ca their approach. The fair, white fiag, OF
rance, embroidered with the golden
niles. noated for the last time froln IN
'ail nAg-slal, ~ tbe spapisrds drew
a..