The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1917-02-24


The parishes of East and West fe.
lieiana, East Baton Rouge, ~. Helena,
Livingston. Tangipahoa, st. Tammany
and Washington, al nox constituted,
are collectively spoken OF n TIE
Florida Parishes" and the epithet con.
tsins q suggestion Of the early history
inseparably connected with this sec.
ton, and denotes that II was once
part Of Florida. Originally the name
Florida" vaguely indicated among the
spaniards 10 whom the country fell by
right OF discovery by Ponce Ae Leon
In 1872, tiia eastern side OF the con-
tinent 10 the north OF Mexico. Gradual
ly, however, II came TO be cireum.
scribed By the encroaehmenss OF rival
powers -- its first definite boundaries
being established with reference 10
the claims OF English Georgia and
French Louisiana. Ever with these
limits II embraced. in addition 10 the
Florida of the present day, the mari.
time borders OF Alabama and Missis.
sippi.
| In 1875 Florida had been divided into
two provincial establishments ~ East
and West Florida. the latter extending
along the Mississippi river from the
ihsryille river ,soath Of Baton Rouge)
TO the boundary OF civilization. The
enief seat OF government was at PEN
saeols, but military posts were estab-
iished at Baton Rouge and Matches.
THIS was under British rule.
During the Revolutionary war. Spain,
taxing advantage OF the breach be.
tween the great English colonies OF tho
hef'n ana the mother country, cap
'ured west FLORIDA under the noted
captain 'a''es. The spaniards took
ba'on Rouge Pensacola and oil the
'efr"ofy originally settled by the
spahmrus ana extended Their sway
over that abandoned by the French.
Ihe spanish Governor General man
oy the name OF Fo'eh' maintained the
seat OF government Tor both Florida
ana West Florida At Pensacola. under
MIN. AZ supervisor, Don Carlos De
I nau'' I've Lassus Was the chief eSecsi-
i've TOT west Fiorida. establishing his
once a. baton Rouge.
| In 1888. BY the treaty OF Madrid.
Great Britain relinqnished TO the United
States all the territory on the east side
Of the Mississippi river from Its source
To the 3ist parallel. and at the same
time she eeded TO Spain all the Floridas
comprising all the territory east OF the
Mississippi and south of the southern
limits Of the United States. This left
the territory new called ",Ae Florida
Parishes" stili par, Of Spain. Hut Il
had been settled from hatcher down
BY persons Of Anglo Saxon blood. and
having the example Of the young Amer.
lean Republic before their eyes, they
desired annexation to the United
States. They had been submissive 10
Spanish rule 80 long an I, was based
upon any semblance Of right and upon
some consideration Of their interests.
but the threat ,hs, Napoleon Bonapsr,e
claimed West Florida nersed them 20
action.
A convention was proposed by ei,i.
sens Of reliciana. and one followed,
held In the oaen air at Bahlers Plaina,
july II. 1859. The desire for annexa-
tion gave way 10 allegiance 10 Spain
~ against any effort Of France 10 take
possession. This was set forth By
formal resolutions. Committees waited
upon Gov DE I.assus piedeinx allie
glance to Ferdinand VII, but asking
for peace aud the proper sdministra-
ton OF the laws. The Governor ap.
parently acquiesced. and another con.
1 a