The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1888-01-07
A LEAF FROM HISTORY.
The Natshez and Yazoo Mnssacres-
Sad Fate of the Natchez Indians.

|
The Natshez and Yazoo Mnssacres-
Sad Fate of the Natchez Indians.
Through the courtesy of the Raver.
end Father III. A. Picherit, pastor OF
st. Paul's Church In this city, the Post
is enabled to lay before its readers a
portion Of the memoirs Of Monsieur
Dargit, of whom some account will be
found elsewhere. The extracts which
follow treat c: the wars between the
French and Natchez indians and the
Anal deieato the latter. The memoirs
have never been published, but are
now being prepared for publication by
Father 'Pichesit, who has translated
| them into English. They came into
his possession at the death of his friend,
the Rev. Father Roqustie, a missions
ary among the Indians for many years,
who has left many literary relics OF
great value aud interest, ali Of which
ne bequeathed to Father Picherit.
h NJ. Dargit, the author OF the manu-
Rscript in his possession, left Paris in
R17l7. He landed in Louitiana in l7l9,
Hwith 40 laborers, 40 hogsheads of tools
land supplies, and so 900 crowns in let
| ters of credit on the Mississippi Com
pany, of which he had been Il director.
He made his first settlement on the
Ouachita river, where he built a small
fort and several houses for his white
and Negro laborers, a store aud a black
smith shop. His plantation was one
square league of the finest land, on
(which he raised two crops Of rice, corn
and tobacco in 1921 and 1922. He was
compelled to leave his plantation for
lack of proper support and protection
by the company. He removed to the
ueighborhood of New Orleans in 1928.
He took the contract for building the
fortications at Natchez and half the
Notifications at English Turn. He was
the first In the colony to construct a
water-mill to clean rice, and was one OF
the trustees of the parish church in
New Orleans in 1747 and 174s. NJ.
Dargit gives the following account of
the FIRST war with the Natchez Indians: {:
stM. Hubert, commissioner for the
King aud acting intendant, had always
since his arrival at Dauphin. Island,
March s, 17l5, the intention Of estab-
fishing the capital of the colony at
Natchez. Hence he secured for him.
self in 1920 grant Of land at that place
and opened a fine plantation there. lie
erected water.mill for grinding corp,
and planted wheat, oats, etc. Every
thing was in promising condition
when the savages, urged thereto it is
supposed by some Of his enemies, killed
his cattle and committed a thousand
other depredations on his plantations,
whereupon he sold it and returned to
France in 1872.
The savages at the same time fired
upon man of great distinction and
wealth, intl:ciing upon him wound III
the shoulder, OF which he died soon
after at New Orleans. 1t became nee.
essary 10 put stop TO these excesses
and hence sprang the first war with the
Natchez. The forces of the colony,
comprising all the whites and as many
savages as were of our party, assembled
st New Orleans, whence they proceeded
to Natchez, where they burned several
cabins and compelled the savages 10
surrender to them tbs principal offend
ers in order to cement the treaty which
they made with them.
On returning from the war the SOL
diers brought with them quantities of
fowls, coming either as presents from
the natives, or the result of bargains
with them. Hence this war was nick
named .rhe War of the IIers.'
In 172s 1t was proposed to make a
settlement at Natchez, as the place was
found very suitable for growing TO-
bacco. Several persons settled there
and constructed stores, etc. and man.
of-war anchored there was freigbted
with tobacco.
In 1929 all was going on we'll in the
colony, when it was utterly Frustrated
by an unfortunate catastrophe that in
! volved us in a war of eighteen years
duration, and put stop to all our en-
terprises, and what was still more SEN
sibiy felt, cutting off the supply of Me-
groes by causing the whites TO abandon
the country. The cause of this war
was as follows: On ST. Andrews day,
November 80 of this year, the savages
of NatcheZ, to the number of 700 or 800,
| having concocted horrible plot for .he
destruction of the whites who were set
tied in that part OF the country, divided
into several bands and scattered them
! selves through oil the plantations In