Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-19
The First American Revolution
Bold Stroke for Liberty in Louisiana Prior to Spanish OCCUPATION.

consequences Of the establishment
Of an independent American republic.
What he says. as 1t is recorded in the
state papers Of Spain, may be taken as a
suficient vindication OF the revolutionists
and as the most authentic oficial definition
Of theif motives. In the written statement
which he submitted to the royal council on
March %, 1859, Count Amanda says, after
reviewing the treaty Of cession from France
to Spain and commenting on the value Of
Louisiana as a colony:
THE insurrection at New Orleans seems
to be an object OF the greatest Importance.
not only for the reasons which have been
expressed above. but on account OF it's con-
sequences. Its situation in the Gulf Of Mex
leo: its being already as II were. a European
own by its population and it's being con-
verted into a free port, which no doubt
would be the case. would attract thither
large numbers from Europe; and consider
ing that a republic In Louisiana would be
independent from all European powers, It
would then become the interest OF all 70
keep on terms Of amity with her, and to
support her existence. The favorable posi-
tion In which Louisiana would then be
placed. would not only increase her popula-
ton, but also enlarge her limits, and trans
form her into a rich. flourishing and free
state In sight OF our provinces, which would
present the melancholy contrast Of ex-
haustion and want OF cultivation. From the
example under their eyes, the Inhabitants
Of our vast Mexican domains would be led
to consider their utter want of commerce.
the extortlons Of their different governors,
the little esteem in which they are held.
the few Offices which they are permitted
to fill would weight the great inducements
which they would have to hate still more
the Spanish domination and to think they
can brave 1t with more security, when they
shall see that a province. weak when COM
pared with their extensive and populous
country, can make good her position with
impunity and secure her prosperity"
After this remarkable and prophetic dec
~laration, that the superior prosperity and
happiness of the people OF Louisiana under
republican government would result in the
loss to Spain Of It's crown colonies in Amer
lea, Count Amanda recommended that the
full military power Of Spain be exerted to
crush the revolutionists and prevent the
establishment of the contemplated republic.
No higher tribute has been paid to the mo-
tives Of Lafreniere and his associates, I'M
less indeed. It was the fusillade from Span
ish muskets. with which Count O'Reilly at
tempted to make impossible forever the re-
publican prosperity and happiness which
Count Amanda had prophesied as the cause
OF the future loss of Mexico.
The story Of Lafreniere as a revolution
list and republican conspirator, which ended
for the time being with his execution under
O'Reilly, began when as attorney general
Of the colony under Louis XIV, (the well
Beloved he read the letter In which the
king announced to Governor L'Abbadie that
France had abandoned North America to
England and Spain. After telling the gov
ernor Of the private act passed at Fon-
tainbleau on November 3rd, 1892" the king
continued that Of his own free will, he had
'ceded to his very dear and we'll beloved
cousin, the king Of Spain, and to his sue
cessors and heirs, In full property COM
pletely and without reserve or restriction
all the country known as louisiana, and
also New Orleans, with the island on which
1T is situated" He commanded Governor
L'Abbadie to put Spain in. full possession,
but the governor. after living long enough
to witness the grief Of the scolonists at the
abandonment by France of it's magnificent
empire In America, and to feel the indignn-
ton they felt lat being bartered away as
marketable objects" died on February 4th,
1765. FIVE months after he had published
the royal letter,