The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1905-09-30

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remained in that state of stagnan-
cy, with its resources undeVelOped,
until the transfer of Louisiana to
Spain.
The population of the Attaka
pas at that time, as shown by the
census taken under O'Reilly's ad
ministlatiOn, amounted to 400
persons, all told-But from that
period there dawned upon 1t an
era of prosperity, this was in 100
The Spanish government, wiser
than its predecessor, aud having
no faith in the idle dreams and
mining delusiOns of the Western
company, realized that the wealth
of the country depended not only
on the development OF Its agricnl
tural resources, but also in the
raising of stock and cattle on it's
rich pasturage grounds-The
fostering of these industries be
came the fixed policy Of the Span
lsll government which spared no
pains and neglected nothing to
make 1t success The posts
were given in charge to officers of
the army, and certain powers
wore conferred upon them for the
civil as well as for the military
administration of their respective
districts.
Their duties in civil matters
were alike to those now performed
by justice Of the peace in the
different parishes of the State
Their jurisdiction, in civil matters,
attached whenever the value of
the object in dispute did not ex-
ceed ten dollars-Jn cases Of
greater Importance, their duties
and powers were limited to receive
the petitions and answers of the
litegants; to take down their evi
dence in writing, and to transmit
the record to head quarters in the
city, for further proceedings.
They were the executive officers
of the district and as nOtaries,
their acts we're authentic; as
Judges, the settlement of estates
was one Of their attributes; as
military officers, they examined
the passports of strangers, and
allowed no one to settle within
their territorial jurisdiction with
out a ! ermit from the governor.
TO the credit of the early sett
lers, let it be said that the al
lchives show that. In those days
litigation was exceedingly rare
kThe Colonests were amply provid
ed with the necessaries Of life
and plainess and simplicity Of
manners were their characteristic
virtues Besides, the command
ants were the arbiters in all thei
differences, and their decisions
as rule, were so jus t and equi
able, that they proved satisfaction.
lis to all, and put an end to litigation
ad In certain cases, these command
nd ants in the absence of an officia
ry Ing priest, were authorized to eel
to- brate marriages which were calle'
ct. marriages peyyerba dc present.
he This custom was sanctioned by tn
rn government when spiritual ASST
of tance could not be had, with tn
MS understanding that these MARI
in ages were to be solemnized befor
ms the church on the first opportun
,pi ty, although the failure Of tn
of solemnlzation did not destro
ad their validity.
of 1t may not be amiss to mentio
by a peculiar marriage ceremon
to often times performed in thos
days-It was termed the marriag
de sunder the Spanish veil Sous
ed yoile espagnol) Four person
Of held up a white veil over the co
The tracing parties, in front Of th
by priest, while the marriage Ger
cul mony was being performed.
sed The lands of the district wer
it parceled out surveyed and granite
Ihe to the Colonlsts in quantities ST
al ficient for the malntainance
md their families, and the only co
ect, ditions imposed on the grantee
ed, were: thai within three years
in ter the granting of the land, the
ersY should make the levees necessal
rds to protect i. from overflows. CT