The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-19
NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATES
LOUISIANA'S ACQUISITION.
Brilliant Carnival Marks the Cen
tenninI Anniversary of the Terri
tOriaI Transfer.

tenninI Anniversary of the Terri
tOrial Transfer.
New Orleans, Dec. 1S.-Favored with
ideal weather, which made the naval
review on the river a brilliant func-
tion, the series of three days celebra-
tions in commemoration of the trans
fer of the province of Louisiana from
France to the United States was in
augurated to-day.
1t was in New Orleans on Dec. 20,
a century ago, that the dramatic scene
was enacted which gave the American
republic an empire, and tomorrow, in
the same room Of the Cabildo, in which
Gov Claiborne and Gen. Wilkinson
received the transfer of the mighty
territory, which only twenty days be-
fore the French had accepted from
Spain, the events of that memorable
day will have a ceremonial duplication.
So indissolubly linked are Louisiana
and New Orleans with the historic de-
tails of the transfer than two years
ago the Louisiana Legislature au-
thorized an official celebration of the
transfer. The Louisiana Historical So
ciety was given control of the cere-
monies. Invitations to participate were
extended to the Congress. the federal
government and the President, and
through the Secretary of State to
France and Spain, as prime figures in
the changes of Louisiana's sovereign
ty.
Congress failed to pass the legisla-
ton necessary to send an official dele
cation of senators and representatives,
but the Navy Department ordered Ad-
| miral Wise with four ships to be pres
ent and the French and Spanish gov
| ernments accepted the invitation, and
arranged to be represented, the former
by her ambassador, and the cruiser
Juroen De La Gaviere, and the
| latter by her consul and one Of her
warships, the Rio De La Plata, the
! latter of which, however, has not yet
reached here. The management of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition gave
the enterprise it's cordial support, and
promptly accepted the invitation to
| it's president and directors to attend.
Opening of the Programme.
Under suspicious conditions, the car
rying out of the Historical Society's
programme began at noon to-day with
the review of the fleet. The six war
ships were gaily dressed with the flags
of the nations and presented a fine ma
| rine spectacle when the steam
er stranger put of from Canal
| street, carrying the Governor and his
staff in full regalia and distinguished
! guests who had been invited to ac-
company him, including President Da-
vid r. Francis of the Louisiana Pur-
chase Exposition and members of his
| hriI1iaY1f with
| flags and bunting, with Gov. Heard,
Ambassador Jusserand and Senior j.
Turoy O'Donnell, the Spanish consul on
The bridge, presented picture of nau-
tical beauty and animation as, heading
a fleet of steamers and tugs. she ran
| down one side of the fleet and then up
the other, the marines and sailors, man.
ming the sides of the warships and
the bands playing national airs.
After the review the Stranger an
chOred near the Minneapolis and Ad-
miral Wise, entering a cutter from the
flagship, was rowed over to the Gov
ernor's yacht to pay his respects to
the state executive and the representa-
tives of the two nations which, at diff
ferent times. owned the territory.
A general reception followed. Gov.
| Heard was accompanied on his return
| calls by the French ambassador and
the consul. The Minneapolis was first
visited, then the French ship and then
the others of the American vessels
Statutes were fired almost continuously
during the visits of the commanders
and during the return calls.
Gave a Great Ball.
The social event of the celebration
was the ball given tonight in the
( French Opera House, which the naval
officers. the French ambassador, the
Spanish consul, President Francis and
party. and Governor, Mayor, state ano
CITY officials and party leaders of New
Orleans and a number of cities attend
ed. The ball was under the direc-
ton of Miss Grace King, the authoress
and was a reproduction as regards
costumes, decorations and environ
ment, of the epoch which marked Jet'
ferson's purchase of the territory. The
musical programme was divided int
three sections, the first consisting o.
music written by masters of the eigh
tenth and nineteenth centuries, tint
second Of dances of the period and the
third of dances and promenades by
modern authors. The grand entret
which opened the ball gave the effec
of a brilliant court reception, thu
marchers dressed in the costumes Of
colonial days. Fifty couples danced
a minuet and gavotte.
An elebarote series of ceremonies MAJ
been arranged for tomorrow, includ'
ing a reception at the City Hall witt
orchestra accompaniment, military
parade, the opening of the colonia
museum. addresses by the Governor
and Mayor, the representatives Of
France and Spain, and President
Francis and commemorative meeting
in front of the Cabildo, near the spot
where a century ago the tri-color went
down and the Stars and Stripes as