The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-20
The CITY EN- FETE
Louisiana Celebrates Her
Wedding to Uncle
Sam.
(By the Associated Press.)

New Orleans, La. Dec. 18.-FaVoTed
with ideal weather. which made the naval
review on the river a brilliant function,
the series of three days celebrations in
oommemoration of the transfer OF the
Province OF Louisiana from France to the
United States was inaugurated today. 1t
was in New Orleans on December 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 Governor
Claiborn and General Wilkinson received
the transfer of the mighty territory, which
only twenty days before 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 details
of the transfers that two years ago. the
Louisiana Legislature authorized an Off
cial celebration of the transfer. TIE
Louisiana Historical Society was given
control of the ceremonies. Invitations
to participate were extended TO Congress,
the Federal government and to the Presi-
dent and through the Secretary OF State,
to Spain, as prime figures in the changes
of Louisiana sovereignty. Congress failed
TO pass the legislation necessary to send
an official delegation of Senator and Rep
resentatives, but the Navy Department
ordered Admiral Wise with four ships to
he present and the French and Spanish
governments accepted the invitation and
arranged to be represented, the former
by her Ambassador, and the cruiser jul
rien De LaGravierre, and the latter hv
her consul and one of her waships, the
Dio ID LaPlata, the latter of which, how
ev has not yet reached here. The
management OF the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition gave the enterprise its cordial
support and promptly accepted the INV:
tation to its president and directors 10
attend. Under suspicious conditions, the
carrying out of the Historical Society,"
program began at noon today with the
review OF the feet
The six warships were gaily dressed
with the flags of the nations and present
ed a fine marine spectacle when the
United States steamer Stranger put off
from Canal street carrying the Governor
and his staff in full regalia and distin-
guished guests. who had been invited to
accompany him, including President
David r. Francis, OF the Louisiana Pur-
chase Exposition. and members of his
BOARD. The Stranger. brilliant with flags
and bunting, with Governor Heard, Am
bassador Jusserand and Senior j. Tueroy
O'Donnell, the Spanish consul or the
bridge. presented picture of nautical
beauty and animation as at the head of
feet of steamers and tugs, she ran down
one side of the fleet and then up the other,
the marines and sailors manning the sides
of the warships and the bands playing ma
tional airs After the review the Stran-
ger anchored near the Minneapolis and
Admiral Wise entering cutter from the
flagship. WAS rowed over to the Cover
nor's yacht to pay his respects to the
State Executive and the representatives
of the two nations, with at different times
owned the territory.
a general reception followed Governor
Heard was accompanied on his return
calls by the Ambassador and Consul The
Minneapolis was first visited, then the
French ship and then the others, OF the
American vessels. Salutes were fred al
most continuously during the visits of the
commanders and during the return calls.
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, the COVER:
nor, mayor, state and city officials and
society leaders of New Orleans and of a
number of other cities attended. The
ball was under the direction of Miss
Grace King, the authoress, and was a "e-
production as regards costumes, decora-
lions and environment of the epoch which
marked Jefferson's purchase of the terri
tory. The musical program was divided
into three sections, the first consisting
OF music written by masters of tue
Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries. the
second Of dances of the period and thu
third OF dances and promenades by mod
ern authors. The grand entree which
opened the ball gave the effect of a bril-
liant court reception, the marche- be-
ing dressed in the costumes of colonial
days. Fifty couples danced a minuet
and govotte
An elaborate series of ceremonies has
been arranged for tomorrow.