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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
gotten. In our day it is hard to believe that any such trouble ever existed ; for the Creoles, though they like to preserve the French language, take pride in being Americans, and welcome settlers from all parts of the Union.
Banks and Speculation .- The business of New Orleans increased with the prosperity of the State. Great warehouses were built, fine residences were seen on every hand, and city property rose rapidly in value. As forty millions of dollars had been invested in sugar plantations, many banks were necessary for the large transactions that were taking place. In 1818 the Bank of Louisiana, with a capital of two mil- lions, had been incorporated. Others soon followed, and every one was eager to take stock in them. Unfortunately, however, this craze for new banks went too far. As these institutions lent money freely, the planters borrowed large sums on their lands, and, as the money seemed easy to get, they spent it lavishly. On their estates they displayed a splendid hospitality and lived like princes. The State itself took shares in the new banks, and for a time all went well. But soon there was a period of wild speculation. Property in and around New Orleans was bought at prices far exceed- ing its value ; even the swamp lands back of the city, which were useless for any purpose, were eagerly purchased by speculators.
The banks had been allowed to issue notes, which were accepted as money ; for it was supposed that there was suffi- cient specie in their vaults to exchange for these notes when- ever the holders wished to have them redeemed. Finally, however, there was what is now called a " panic." It was discovered that the banks had gone far beyond their means, and were not able to redeem their notes. In the year 1837, the crisis came, and in one day fourteen banks suspended. Of course the paper money became of no value, and many persons were ruined. Property that during these times of rash speculation had risen very high, now fell very low. But
197
PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.
this bitter experience taught every one to be more cautious in conducting business, and the general prosperity of the State was not long interrupted. As nothing could prevent the rich soil from producing fine crops of sugar and cotton, and as a ready markt ' was found for these staples, the plant- ers rapidly recovered from the " panic." *
Lafayette .- In the year 1824, the Marquis de la Fayette. the distinguished Frenchman who had fought for the inde- pendence of America in the Revolution of 1776, came over to the United States. He was received everywhere with great honor, and was invited by the people of Louisiana to visit their State. He consented, and on April 9th, 1825, he arrived at Chalmette field. Here he was met by a committee of citizens and escorted to the city. The State legislature having voted fifteen thousand dollars for his entertainment, the old Cabildo on Jackson Square was fitted up as a resi- dence. In this historic building Lafayette received the citi- zens, who came in great numbers to do him honor. Tri- umphal arches were erected ; there were many splendid ban- quets ; and the city gave itself up to enjoyment. Louisiana had not been one of the American colonies in 1776, but the Spanish governor of that day, it will be remembered, had aided the struggling colonies as much as he could ; and now, in 1825, the people of Louisiana wished to show that they joined the rest of America in their love and respect for this noble " guest of the nation." After leaving New Orleans Lafayette ascended the Mississippi river. Everywhere that he stopped he was received with the highest honors. The United States Government presented him with the sum of two hundred thousand dollars and a large tract of land in Florida.
The Capital Removed .- In the same year ( 1825) an act of the legislature was passed to remove the Capital from
* Our present State National Banks, which issue paper money secured by bonds deposited in the U. S. Treasury, and which consequently can not refuse to redeem their notes, were not established until 1863.
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
New Orleans to Donaldsonville. This was done partly be- cause the country parishes wished a more central location than New Orleans, and partly because it was thought that the legislators would do their work better in a quiet country town than in a gay city. The sum of five thousand dollars was expended on a building in Donaldsonville, and the trans- fer was made. But the legislators found the little town sc dull after the pleasant life to which they had been accus- tomed, that they longed to return. Finally, in 1831, they adjourned the house one day, and taking the steamboat, wert soon back in the Crescent City, which thus became the Cap- ital once more .*
First Railroad .- Before it left Donaldsonville, the legis. lature passed an act incorporating the Pontchartrain Railroad Company. This railroad is the oldest in Louisiana, and the second that was completed in the United States. It is still ir existence, and connects New Orleans with the pleasant little town of Milneburg. Some years passed before other rail. roads were built.
New Orleans Lighted by Gas .- Just four years late: (1834), New Orleans was for the first time lighted by gas Up to this time, as we learn from old newspapers, the privi lege of furnishing oil and matches to light the city had been sold every year to the lowest bidder. When gas was intro duced it was soon found that the increase of light diminished very much the number of crimes committed on the streets a night. But it is only since the introduction of electricit' : within the last ten years, that it has been clearly shown tha plenty of light will do as much to free a city from criminal as will the best of laws.
* New Orleans remained the Capital till 1849, when the legislature met for th first time in Baton Rouge, which had been made the seat of government. Afte the Civil War the legislature assembled in New Orleans till ISS2 when a transfe to Baton Rouge once more took place.
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PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.
QUESTIONS.
Tell about the noiseless revolution in Louisiana. Who succeeded Claiborne as governor? What interrupted the prosperity of the State? What caused the bank failures in 1837? Who was Lafayette? How was he honored on his return to America? Why was the Capital removed from New Orleans? What was the first railroad in Louisiana?
CHAPTER XXX.
GROWTH OF THE STATE -CONTINUED.
During the period which we have been reviewing Louisi- ana was blessed with a succession of excellent governors. As there was little political strife in these times, and as the State was generally very prosperous, some modern writers have named this period the " Golden Age of Louisiana."
Public Domain .- In 1820 Governor Villeré was succeeded by Thos. B. Robertson, a distinguished lawyer, who greatly endeared himself to the people by his wise and useful ad- ministration. After nearly four years' service he retired,* and the governor's chair was occupied from 1824-28 by Henry Johnson, who had previously held a seat in the United States Senate. The messages of these governors declare that the State was then in a prosperous condition ; but they con- tain constant complaints of the United States authorities for their management of the public lands in Louisiana. In making Louisiana a State the Government at Washington had reserved for itself large tracts of land that were not then oc- cupied. As the population increased, the State Government wished to get possession of these lands, which were becoming more valuable every day ; but for some time the General Gov-
*Governor Robertson, having been appointed district judge, resigned, and his term was completed by Hon. II. S. Thibodaux, who was president of the State Senate.
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
ernment refused to surrender them. Finally, however, an arrangement was made by which Louisiana received a great part of this public domain, as it was called, and from the sale of certain portions money was obtained to build leyees, to found institutions of learning, and to pay a part of the State debt. Large areas are still owned by the State .*
Pierre Derbigny .- In 1828, Johnson was succeeded as governor by Pierre Derbigny, who had previously been a judge of the Supreme Court and secretary of state. In the follow- ing year, however, Governor Derbigny was thrown from his gig and killed. As there was no
PIERRE DERBIGNY.
lieutenant-governor under the old constitution, the president of the senate, A. Beauvais, acted as gov- ernor until the legislature met, when he was followed by a second president of PHOTO - ELECTRIC the senate, Jacques Dupré. Finally, in 1830, a regular GOVERNOR A. B. ROMAN. election was held, and the governor chosen was A. Bien- venu Roman.
* The University at Baton Rouge is partly supported by funds obtained from the sale of public domain. The United States Government still owns many thousands of acres in the upper parishes of Louisiana. This land is given away in certain quantities to settlers.
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PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.
A. B. Roman, Governor. 1831-1835 .- Governor Roman was a fine type of the Louisiana Creole, and his services to his native State were very important. He founded Jeffer- son College in St. James parish, and when the legislature made an appropriation for its support, he added a subscrip- tion from his own fortune. Professors were brought over from Europe, and many students were educated in the new college. In managing the affairs of the State, Governor Roman showed great ability. Being violently opposed to the wild speculations of his time, he did all that he could to keep the State from indulging in them. To him also, we owe the establishment of the first experimental farm to advance the study of agriculture. As we shall see he was the first gov- ernor of the State to enjoy the honor of a second term.
Refining of Sugar .- During Roman's first term, and in the next few years, great progress was made by some prom- inent planters in the refining of sugar. Up to this time it
PHOTO- ELESTES
CARRYING CANE TO THE MILL.
had been often said that Louisiana sugar was not suitable for refining, and there were many complaints of its inferior quality. About the year 1830 some of the richest planters
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
determined to show that a fine grade of sugar could be pro- duced in the State. The result of their experiments was watched with the same interest that was shown when Etienne de Boré made his successful attempt to produce granulation. What is called the " vacuum process " had been introduced by two planters, Messrs. Gordon and Forstall, and was very
H. ROMANSKI, DI.
PICKING COTTON.
successful. Two other rich planters, Valcour Aime and Thos. Morgan, of St. James parish, now purchased expensive ma- chinery and the best chemicals for the refining process. Their first experiment succeeded beyond their expectations. They produced a high grade of refined sugar, several tons of which were sent to the North as a proof that Louisiana could compete with other countries in supplying the markets of the United States. It was even hoped that all the inhab- itants of America could be supplied with Louisiana sugar.
Cholera .- In 1832, Louisiana was visited by a terrible dis- ease called Asiatic Cholera. It proved to be a far worse scourge than ever the yellow fever had been. Beginning in Asia it had spread over Europe, and was then brought by a
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PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.
ship to Canada. From Canada it finally reached Louisiana. Here as many as five thousand persons died of it. The ne- groes, who generally escaped the yellow fever, died in large numbers of this new disease.
Edward D. White, Governor. 1835-39 .- In 1835, E. D. White,* who had for several years been an able representa- tive in the Congress of the United States, was elected gover- nor. During his administration there was a great increase in the amount of cotton produced. The price of sugar fell to six cents a pound, which in those days was considered too low for a profit. Every one, therefore, began to neglect sugar and cultivate cotton. In 1836 Louisiana produced 225,000 bales, which was nearly double the crop of 1834. After 1840, however, a new tariff brought up the price of sugar, which became once more the great staple of Lou- isiana. Nineteen of the southern parishes devoted them- selves to its cultivation, while Rapides, Avoyelles, Concor- dia, Catahoula, and Calcasieu, which had, before this, raised only cotton, now prepared to try the cane. The result was that in 1844 the crop was 200,000 hogsheads.
Growth of New Orleans .- New Orleans, which always prospers with the State, had grown rapidly. The city was spreading beyond its old limits of Canal and Esplanade streets ; for its population, which in ten years had more than doubled, now reached 102,000. In one year 2000 sailing vessels and 1600 steamboats arrived at its levees.
Overflow of 1840 .- In the meantime Governor White had been succeeded by A. B. Roman, whose second term lasted until 1843. During his administration there was an unusual rise in the Mississippi river. There had not been such a flood, says an old historian, since that of 1782, when the prairies of the Attakapas and Opelousas country were partly overflowed. The Mississippi now spread over the parishes of Lafourche and Concordia, while the waters of Red river covered the
*The father of E. D. White, now Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court.
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
extensive cotton lands along its banks. When the flood dis- appeared, however, it was found that the overflowed district had received a rich deposit of mud, and the next year a fine crop was produced.
QUESTIONS.
What was the trouble about public domain? Name the governors that preceded Roman. Tell the chief services of Governor Roman. Give an account of the refining of sugar. What was the change in agriculture while White was governor? Give an account of the over- flow.
CHAPTER XXXI.
INCREASE OF DEMOCRACY-TROUBLE IN TEXAS.
elected governor.
A. Mouton, Governor .- In 1843 Alexander Mouton was He had previously been a United States Senator. Open-hearted, frank, and endowed with good judgment, Mou- ton enjoyed great popularity among the people of Louisiana. He always showed himself ready to sacrifice his personal interests for the good of his State. During his administration Louisiana paid off a large portion of the debts she had contracted when she took stock in the new banks.
The New Constitution .- In IS45 a new constitution was framed for Dirti. Louisiana, which differed in some ALEXANDER MOUTON. important points from that of 1812. It was far more democratic-that is, it gave more privileges to the people than they had possessed before. Thus, under
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PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.
the old constitution no one was allowed to vote who had not a certain amount of property. Now all this was changed ; the right of suffrage was granted to any male white twenty- one years of age who had resided two years in the State.
Formerly the governor was obliged to own a landed estate worth five thousand dollars; but now the poorest man in Louisiana could be elected to the highest office. Moreover, a change was made in the method of electing the governor- a change which is found in all the subsequent constitutions. By the constitution of 1812, the general assembly was per- mitted to choose the governor by ballot from the two candi- dates that had received the highest number of popular votes. Thus it was in the power of this assembly, if it wished, to choose the candidate that had received a smaller number of popular votes than his opponent ; though such a disregard of the people's wishes never occurred. The new constitution, however, provided that the general assembly must declare the candidate receiving the highest number of popular votes to be the duly elected governor.
It was under this constitution, also, that the offices of lieu- tenant-governor and superintendent of education were created. The first superintendent, Alexander Dimitry, did noble work for the schools.
During this early period duelling had been very common in Louisiana, and the framers of the constitution determined to try to check it. Hence we find a provision that no State officer could enter upon his duties unless he swore that, since the adoption of the constitution, he had not engaged in a duel. A still severer article is found in the later constitution of 1852, which declared that no one who had been engaged in a duel should be allowed to vote. In our latest constitu- tions, those of 1868 and 1879, all provisions in regard to duelling have been dropped ; and the practice itself seems to be disappearing.
Isaac Johnson, Governor. 1846-50. The Mexican War. -Under the new constitution. Isaac Johnson, who had held
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
the office of district judge, was elected governor. Scarcely had he begun his duties when a serious war began between the United States and Mexico. The cause of the war was this: When Louisiana was pur- chased, Texas remained a part of Mexico. As many American set- tlers, however, had moved into this territory, the United States Govern- ment tried to purchase it, but Mex- ico would not sell: In 1835 Texas boldly took the matter into her own hands. Throwing off her allegiance to Mexico, she.'declared herself . a free republic, and asked to be admitted into the Union as a GOVERNOR ISAAC JOHNSON. State. At first Congress would not consent, for there was a party in the North who wished to abolish slavery, and who opposed the admission of Texas because she would be admitted as a slave State. In spite, however, of this and other objections, Texas was finally made a State in 1845. It was a fine thing for the United States to acquire this splendid piece of territory ; but Mexico was very angry at the interference of the American Govern- ment, and before a year had passed war was declared be- tween the two countries.
General Zachary Taylor, who owned an estate near Baton Rouge, was sent with a small army to defend the border of the new State. As the Mexicans threatened him with a superior force, he called upon Governor Johnson for addi- tional troops. When the governor brought the matter before the legislature, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars was immediately voted for the purpose of sending help. New Orleans was wild with enthusiasm. The military companies seemed as anxious to fight as they had been some thirty years before at Chalmette. " In a few days," says General Owen,
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PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT.
in his account of the Mexican War, " the Washington Regi- " ment, of New Orleans, 1000 strong, was on its way on " transports down the Mississippi." Other troops followed until Louisiana had sent a considerable force to aid her sister State against the Mexicans. The details of the war that fol- lowed can not be given here. It is sufficient to say that the Mexicans were defeated on every side, and that finally the American army under General Scott fought its way to the City of Mexico and captured it. The last defence of the city was the fortress of Chapultepec, which was taken by storm. In this portion of the campaign as well as in the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista, the Louisiana troops served with splendid courage. General G. T. Beauregard (then major), distinguished himself, and was twice wounded. As we look over the list of officers from Louisiana we see such well known names as Dessommes, Musson, Blanchard, Bourgeois, Soniat, and Hunt.
With the surrender of the Mexican capital the war ended, and the Mexicans were glad to make peace. It was agreed that Texas should take as her southern boundary the Rio Grande river-a boundary which Mexico had not been will- ing to grant before the war.
General Joseph Walker, Governor. 1850-53 .- The suc- cessor of Isaac Johnson was General Joseph Walker, who had previously held high offices in the State. During his administration, the people, having already become dissatis- fied with the constitution of 1845, decided to have another framed. The result was the constitution of IS52, which was still more democratic than the previous one. Among other things it declared that the judges of the State Supreme Court instead of being appointed by the governor, as they are at the present day, should be elected by the vote of the people. The object of this measure was to limit the power of the governor, but it was not a wise step. Moreover, the privilege of creating nev debts for the State, which had
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
been denied the legislature by the constitution of 1845, was now once more granted.
Paul Hebert, Governor. 1853-56 .*- Under the new con- stitution Paul Hebert was elected governor. He had pre- viously occupied, says Gayarré, the position of State engi- neer, and had been president of the late constitutional con- vention. During his administration there occurred one of the most terrible yellow fever epidemics that Louisiana had ever seen. Formerly the disease had generally confined itself to New Orleans, but now it spread over every part of the State, and thousands of the inhabitants died. Never since the coming of the cholera had such sorrow and dismay been felt throughout the State. When the fever was over, however, trade was resumed and the State began once more
to prosper. Among the signs of this prosperity it may be mentioned that during this period the public school system, which thus far had not been very successful, was aided by State funds and put upon a better basis. A few years before (1847) the University of Louisiana (now Tulane) had been established in New Orleans. The State now made appro- priations to complete the University buildings and to aid other institutions of learning.
R. C. Wickliffe .- In 1856 Governor Hebert was suc- ceeded by Robert C. Wickliffe, a native of Kentucky, who had settled in West Feliciana. Here Mr. Wickliffe had won prominence as a lawyer, and had afterwards been elected a State senator. During his administration there was much po- litical excitement in Louisiana, in which the leading lawyers took an active part. Among these, three of the most promi- nent were Pierre Soule, John Slidell, and Judah P. Benjamin. Before the war all three served in the United States Senate, where they courageously defended the Southern Cause in the discussions that arose.
* Ilebert was installed as governor in January, 1853, but by a special article of the new constitution the terms of all officers were regarded as beginning in January, 1852.
GOV THOS. B. ROBERTSON GOV. HENRY JOHNSON. GOV. E. D WHITE. GOV. JOSEPH WALKER. Gov. P O. HEBERT. Gov. R. C. WICKLIFFE.
GOV. THOS. O. MOORE.
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THE CIVIL WAR-1861-65.
QUESTIONS.
What was the character of Governor Mouton? Tell about the changes made by the new constitution. What important event oc- curred during the administration of Governor Johnson? Give an ac- count of the Mexican War. What changes were made by the consti- tution of 1852? Tell about the yellow fever in Hebert's administration. Who was the successor of Governor Hebert?
THE CIVIL WAR-1861-65.
CHAPTER XXXII.
BEGINNING OF THE WAR.
The Approach of War .- The annual messages of Hebert and Wickliffe show that the great topics of discussion in Louisiana were slavery and secession. The war was not far off, and these messages, full of fiery sentiments, were like the low thunder that announces the coming of a storm.
The party opposed to slavery, known as the Republican party, had been rapidly growing at the North, and seemed likely at an early day to gain control of the National Govern- ment at Washington. Louisiana and the other Southern States thought that, if this happened, an attack would be made upon the institution of slavery; perhaps a law would be passed to do away with it altogether. At this period the North no longer had any slaves; while the South depended upon them for the cultivation of her plantations, which, it was believed, could not be worked by white labor.
The Causes of the War .- From the beginning of the nineteenth century there had been some jealousy between
T
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HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.
the Northern and the Southern States ; and this feeling, un- fortunately, increased as the differences between the two sec- tions became more marked. Slavery never flourished in the cold North as it did in the warm South. Moreover, the Northern people had no large plantations, and generally pre- ferred manufactures to agriculture. In the South the slaves were suited both to the climate and to the occupation of the people. Now it was very difficult to make satisfactory tariff laws for two portions of a large country, which depended for their support upon different kinds of products. A tariff, for instance, that protected the manufacturer of the North often threatened to ruin the planter of the South. Whichever sec- tion of the country, therefore, had the majority in Congress was able, if it wished, to pass laws very injurious to the other. Thus we have seen that, in 1811, Josiah Quincy, of Massachusetts, declared in Congress that if Louisiana were admitted as a State, the older States would be justified in breaking up the Union; for, as he argued, Louisiana could not have the same interests as the Northern and Eastern States.
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