The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-11-22
= " ~ 49,
HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.
BY MISS IRENE FLETCHER.
Tread before the Nineteenth Century Club of Koscnsko

issippl soil.
In 1779 England was at war
with France, because of the assist
ance the latter had rendered the
| thirteen colonies of America, then
struggling in their death grapple
with England.
The king of Spain, cousin to the
king France, interposed in behalf
Of France, and his overtures being
rejected, at once prepared for war
with the mistress of the sea on the
"point of honor As a result of
this war West Florida-Mlssissip-
pi-passed from under the "Crim-
son Crosse of England to the
"Broad Banner" of Spain.
Now indeed do we find the great
prosperity OF the colonists. AL
though the impetus was given to
immigration during English rule,
yet the mildness of the Spanish
governors added greatly to the in
hux of population. Grants Of land
were easily obtained, no taxes
were required and debts were east.
ly collected.
The people continued the pro-
duction of tobacco for expectation,
but in addition to this the cultiva-
ton of cotton was begun. Here a
new difficulty confronted the peo.
pie, that of producing sufficient
supply of seed. The Mexican seed
were introduced thus: Mr.. Bur.
ling, a citizen of Natchez, was Wis
iting in the City of Mexico and
while dining with the Viceroy, re-
quested that he might be allowed
to carry a quantity of their cotton
seed to Mississippi, which was
promptly refused as being contrary
to Spanish directions; he, however,
gave Mr.. Burling permission to
carry with him as many dolls as
he desired, it being understood
that they be stuffed with cotton
seed.
After much persistency on the
parts OF Georgia and tho United
States for the former claims which
included part Of the present State
of Mississippi, Spain agreed to rec
ognize the boundaries established
by Treaty of Paris, and in March
1898 Natchez, slot of Spanish gov
eminent, was surrendered to Mai.
Guion and Mississippi came under
the rule of the Stars and Stripes.
Now we find Mississippi organ.
lied as territory with Sargent as
Government. Sargent, although a
man, known for his intellect, in.
tegrity and courage, was morose.
suspicious, and of repellent man
ners; he was continually having
difficulties with the best men Of
the State, and after spending two
years as executive Of the State vol.
unfairly retired. During his ad-
ministration only three counties
Adams, Pickering and Washing.
ton were formed. In noticing the
boundaries Of these we are forced
to acknowledge that his views in
forming counties were broad and
comprehensive. Adams included
the present counties of Adams.
Wilkinson. Amite and Franklin.
Pickering embraced Jefferson and
Claiborne, while Washington ex-
tended across the State of Alabama
between the 31st par. and the old
Choctaw line.
Gov. Sargent and three terrific.
rial judges appointed by Adams,
were empowered to form code OF
laws for the territory. This thew
did without reference to the laws
Of other states and repugnant to
the common law of England. OF
these three judges only one was a
lawyer.
Passing over the period follow.
ing Sargent's administration to the
year 1917, we find changes CON
SANITY taking + lace which we are
unable notice. In 1877 we find
our territory preparing to be re.
ceived into the sisterhood of States
By the first of March the enabling
act had been passed and approved
Mississippi territory was divided
into the State of Mississippi and
Territory Of Alabama. The con.
stitution now formed divided the
powers OF government into three
departments, Executive, Legisla.
live, and Judicial.
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