New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-20

Where the Transfer of the TERRITORY Of Louisiana Took
fgo- Reminders Of Picturesque Scenes.

The centennial of the purchase of the terri
tory Of Louisiana 10y the United states. which is
to be commemorated in II. Louis. draws the at
tention Of all Americans 10 that quaint French
and Spanish city lying beyond the line of Canal
ST which divides Ncy-OrIoans in two.
In this old town If uneven ravemcuts Of over
HANGING balconies and picturesque Spanish win
dows made beautiful. even ia decay. 10y their
wrought iron trcllises and ornaments and the
ancient grace of their architecture, took place
the transfer Of that wonderful country of the
West 10 the United States
France and Spain had struggled for its pos
session on this spot, its centre known under
Spanish dominion as the Plaza d'Arr-as, AND
latcr-uutu uow-as Jackson Square. This
ancient arsenal and government post of New
orleans lies only six city squares from the t,'u-
ing business centre Of the city. known Canal
ST Here in those days ran canal beyond
which lay swamp land travers,d 10y ridges cot
high ground, which the hated Americans
gradually encroachod-a second barrier h.tWraa
the settlements Of the Indians and thc gay for
eign capital Il a foreign possession.
Loyal hearted Spaniards and Fr'Hchuen PEE
fused so much TO cross the boundary line "i
Canal-st into the city Of those Amoricliue-."
and 10 this day there dwell III th" French guar
ter Of New Orleans descendants q royalty
long mingled with the dust who refuse TO speak
the language Of the allen intruder ana eNgaiu
N their own tongue: Ne. I nave never crossed
Caual-st 10, l Will never &c into the city Of
hose AmeTicaincs"'
The romance and the history the legends and
customs Of France and Spain crowd each other
along the narrow streets Of What is now called
the French Quarter or the 'Vieux Carrae-"
The old bell hanging IN the 81 Louis Cathc-
dral. built by that great Spaniard. Don Almon-
summons for slaves TO be In their own homes. AT
the self-same hour that its threatening tones
pealed oct IN the gray OF another century.
Then in the octoroon ballroom, long. low
building OF Spanish and French architecture
lying beyond the Allce ST. Anthony. back OF The
cathedral the notes Of the bell provoked mock
ing peals OF laughter from the liquid eyed.
dusky skinned beauties assembled there. Il was
their privilege TO bask In the smiles Of prince q
ancient empires TO clasp hands in the dance
with the whitest hands that gralcI ;he courts q
foreign capitals
Scarcely more than good stones throw be-
youd they had been bought upon tho block q
the old slave market Their beauty had been
appraised at high value. and here they In
dulged IN freedom never accorded their kin
dred Of darker skins and less beautiful features.
To-day the octoroon ballroom rcsounGs 70 the
tread Of priests, and when the bell Of the cathc-
dral chimes the hour Of the chanting Of quad
room nuns falls sweetly into silence upon its last
note
The facade Ct the cathedral is nauked either
side by great buildings % solid masonry. built
In the Moorish architecture OF Spain. and the
windows look out upon the green beauty Of the
Place d'Arrns and on the broad expause OF the
great Mississippi cleaning beyond.
Here. In the Cabildo Spain and France alike
held the reins OF government and kept its ma
chinery in motion Here General James WiIkin-
son, acting commissioner for the United
States, assisted by c. c. Claiborne afterxard
first Governor Of the State Of louisiana, re-
ceived from France that great and rich territory
OF the West
In the Place dArms a salvo Of artillery pro-
claimed the news OF the transfer and the hearts
OF Frenchmen. who had refused to believe that
such a transfer could he broke when ,ba Fl,