USA > Louisiana > Historical collections of Louisiana : embracing translations of many rare and valuable documents relating to the natural, civil and political history of that state > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
159th. 1803, 20th Dec .- " the Moniteur," containing the Procla- mation of Wm. C. C. Claiborne, announcing the "prise de possession" of Louisiana. This paper, No. 378, gives a full account of all the events accompanying this change : the new organization and the ap- pointments made.
160th. 1709-extract of a memorial by Mr. Mandeville, ensign of the Vaubant Company in Louisiana.
161st. No date-memorial praying the King to commute the pe- nalty incurred by smugglers to transportation to Louisiana.
162d. No date -- memorial on Louisiana after the treaty of peace of 1764.
163d. Correspondence of Messrs. de Kerlerec and Foucault on the disordered state of the administration in Louisiana; complaints of the quality of the goods from France for the King's stores ; insubordination of the officers.
164th. 1752, 30th Sept .- important observation on the commerce of Louisiana, which Mr. Dubreuil takes the liberty of submitting to the King.
$
57
PORTFOLIO NO. III.
165th. 1794-An 2-16 Florcal-Paris-letter from the Ameri- can citizen Mountflorence, to the " Comité de Salut Public," handing extracts from a Boston paper, announcing that there was a revolution preparing in Louisiana to shake off the Spanish yoke, and to follow the impulsion given by North America.
166th. 1763, 10th June-Messrs. Bienville and Salmon, on the. commerce with Spain and the cultures of the colony.
167th. 1701-account by Mr. Lamothe de Cadillac respecting the destruction of the Indians on the Huron and Erie.
168th. 1761, 10th Sept .- letter from Mr. de Kerlerec complain- ing of the insubordination of certain officers, &c.
169th. 1716-memorial on Louisiana ; means to take for protect- ing Louisiana against the English and the Spaniards.
170th. No date-project of letters patent of the King, granting a concession to the West India Company, for thirty years of the com- merce of Louisiana discovered by Mr. Delasalle. This document must have been written in 1711 or 12 ; it grants great privileges to the company, and is divided by articles.
171st. No date-articles rejected from the above project of letters patent prayed for by Mr. Duche.
172d. 1708-memorial on the formation of a commercial company in Louisiana.
173d. 1733-letter of Messrs. de Bienville and Salmon respecting a Mr. Claude Jausset dit Laloire; the first born Louisianian.
174th. 1733-Messrs. Bienville and Salmon on the interdiction of the Jesuits in New Orleans; they remonstrate against such interdic- tion, and regret that virtuous men should be removed to make room for the dissolute.
175th. 1733, 6th March-letter from Mr. Perrier announcing the transfer by him of the government of Louisiana.
176th. 1733, 28th July-letter of Messrs. Bienville and Salmon advising the receipt of the classing of officers by the minister.
177th. 1733, 22d Sept .- letter from the same, relative to the mar- riage of an officer, Mr. Buissonnière, with a Miss Trudeau, in defiance of his superiors.
178th. 1733-letter from Messrs. Bienville and Salmon, relative to the " Conseil Supérieur."
179th. 1738, 30th Sept .- memorial complaining of the irredeem- able paper money left by the West India Company, and of the loss sustained by the widow of a Mr. Elias, director of the "concession of law."
58
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF LOUISIANA.
180th. 1731, April 3d-Messrs. de Bienville and Salmon, their answer to the proposal of a paper emission; are of opinion that the King's paper would enjoy a better credit than that of the West India Company, but that the inhabitants had lost so heavily by the emis- sions of that company, that much time would be required before paper currency could again obtain general circulation, and that to attain such an end it would be requisite that the contemplated issues should carry, with them undoubted guarantees.
181st. 1734, 28th April-Mr. de Bienville on the subject of a petition against him.
182d. 1734, 26th April-letter of Mr. de Bienville and Salmon, on the subject of difficulties regarding the rank of officers.
183d. No date -- necessity for a larger force in Louisiana ; pro- posal to increase the number of soldiers in the same proportion as the English, in time of peace as well as in time of war, observing that the increase- of the French navy was only a casus belli with the English.
184th. 1761, Madrid Sth and 10th Dec .- letter from the Marquis d'Ossun to Mr. de Kerlerec, on the preparations to be made in case of attack by the English.
185th. Without date-memorial on the disastrous effects of the monopole granted to the West India Company.
186th. No date-pro forma expenses to be incurred by the King in taking back Louisiana.
. 187th. No date-memorial representing the increase of population of the English in Canada, and the necessity from its neighborhood to Louisiana, to take the necessary measures to prevent its loss.
188th. 1731, 23d June-retrocession by the West India Company of its privileges to the King. The concession extended to Illinois. By this document it appears that the letters patent were granted by
Edicts in August and September, 1717
May, 1719
July, 1720
and June, 1725
189th. No date-proposal by the syndics and directors of the West India Company.
190th. No date --- projeet of ordinance to accept the retrocession by the West India Company.
JO1st. Project of deliberation by the syndies and directors of the
59
PORTFOLIO NO. IV.
West India Company, for the retrocession of the privileges of the company.
192d. 1760, 7 Dec .- Mr. de Rochemore, attributing to the agio of depreciated currency the wretched condition of Louisiana.
193d. 1788, 27th March-document whereby it would appear that Mre de Villars, commissioner of Louisiana for the King, had addressed him to the following effect under date of 27th March, 1788. " That General Wilkinson, one of the largest proprietors in the new State of Kentucky, had come down to Louisiana, giving to understand to the administrators of the colony, that the adjoining United States had come to the determination of forcing a passage through the Missis- sippi, the navigation of which to remain hereafter open to both coun- tries, but that he had obtained of them to suspend their movements until his return."
On the other hand, Messrs. Vincent and Marbois observe that people are in great error if they think that Congress can entertain such ideas, that the population of the western country can only in- crease at the expense of the 13 Eastern States, these States possess- ing really only a border country of about 100 leagues on the ocean.
194th. 1772, 13th Feb .- claims of the "Fermiers Généraux" on the merchants of Louisiana for arrears of duties.
195th. 1716-instructions of the King to Messrs. l'Espinoy and Hubert, " commissaire ordonnateur," respecting Louisiana.
106th. 1723, Paris-letter of Mr. de Purry to the Duke of Bour- bon, on Louisiana. Mr. de Purry, from Neufchatel, Switzerland, had been Director-general of the West . India Company, in whose service he remained for five years ; he had come to France on the invitation of Law. This letter is full of interest, and shows great ability; he presents a plan of colonization which would have been admirable ; places great stress upon the culture of the silk worm, &c.
197th. No date-answer to the observations made on Mr. Purry's letter.
PORTFOLIO NO. IV.
198th. 1769, 1st Sept .- Statement by Aubry of the rebellion in Louisiana ; copy of his correspondence with O'Reilly, whereby it is evident that it was on his information that the following gentlemen Were arrested, to wit :---
Messrs. de Ja Frenière, Procureur-General.
60 HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF LOUISIANA.
Mr. Hardy, Assesseur au Conseil.
Mr. Mazan, a reformed captain, and Chevalier de St. Louis.
Mr. Marquis, reformed Commandant of the Swiss Company.
Mr. Noyan, reformed Captain of Cavalry.
Mr. Caresse, Captain of Militia.
Mr. Milhet, Captain of Militia.
Mr. Milhet, Lieutenant of Militia.
Mr. Poupet, Merchant.
Mr. Petit, Merchant.
Mr. Doncet, Lawyer.
Mr. Foucault, Ordonnateur.
Aubry hands to the French minister a copy of his letter to Go- vernor O'Reilly, under date 20th August, 1769, denouncing the above- named persons, as also Mr. Villere, who he states had joined the rebels on the 29th with 400 men from the Acadian coast, thereby in- creasing the force in the city to 1000 men, under the direction of La Frenière. " Mille projects," says Mr. Aubry, "se sont succédés les uns aux autres ; on a eu le dessein d'ériger le pays en Republique ; on a présenté au conseil une requête pour y établir une Banque, à l'imitation de celle d'Amsterdam et de Venise ; car ce sont les pro- pres termes dont ils se sont servis."
199th. August 28th, 1769-proces verbal of the arrest of Foucault by Messrs. Aubry and B. de Grand Maison ; F. E. de Mazillière and. John Trudeau; seals affixed by the Notary Garic on all effects be- longing to said Foucault ; papers relative to the conspiracy delivered to Governor O'Reilly.
200th. Proces verbal by the Notary Garic of the estate of Fou- cault.
201st. 27th August, 1769-proclamation of General O'Reilly, an- nouncing the promulgation of the Black Code or Edict of the King, for the government and administration of justice, police and discipline, and the commerce of black slaves in Louisiana. In the same procla- mation, Messrs. Fleurian and Ducros are presented as judges.
202d. 1769, 21st August-General O'Reilly announces a general pardon, save the chiefs of the rebellion, who are to undergo their trial.
203d. 1769, 19th August-copy of a letter from General O'Reilly to Governor Aubry, asking information on the rebellion; the names of the chiefs, &c. &c.
201th. 1769, 23d August-letter from the same to the same, ask- ing all information and papers of whatsoever nature in his possession, in order that the chiefs of the rebellion might be convicted.
.
PORTFOLIO NO. IV. 61
205th. 1769, 24th August-copy of the answer of Mr. Aubry to Governor O'Reilly, giving all the information required, together with the names of the leaders. The Chevalier d' Arinsbourg, commandant of the Acadian coast was among the number.
(N. B. Mr. d'Arinsbourg was saved through the intercession of Mr. Forstall, under whose uncle General O'Reilly had served in the. regiment of Ilibernia in Spain.)
206th. 1750-discovery in Louisiana of a flint mine (crystal) ; the place made a secret.
207th. 1766, 7th Sept .- ordinance of Governor Aubry in the name of Governor Ulloa, ordering all invoices of goods to be de- livered, that the value of such goods might be regulated ; and making paper money legal tender.
20Sth. 1766, 12th Sept .- protest of the merchants and inhabitants of Louisiana against the above ordinance, signed as follows : B. Du- plessis, Moulin, Jean Mercier, Jr., Petit, J. Vienne, Blache, Toutant Beauregard, Durel, Rose, J. Senilh, Duprest, Bienvenu, Goumigu, Revoil, Voix, L. Ducrest, D. Brand, Guezille, Braquier, Papion, Bra- quier Jeune, J. Boudet, Doraison, St. Anne, P. Caresse, Cavelier Frères, Hinard, P. Poupet, Broussard, Revoise, Durand, Estebe, J. Lafitte, cadet, Jean Souvaistre, A. Bodaille, Cantrelle, Astura, Brunet, Fournier and St. Pe, Dumas and Gricunnard, Rodrigue, fils aine, Louis Ransom, Testas, Moullineau, P. Segond, P. Guignam, A. Bois- doré, L. Boisdoré, G. Guignam, Chateau, Sarpy, Détouvit, Ville- franche, Salomon, P. Simon, E. Hughes, Macmara, J. Arnoult, J. Sarrou, Dubourg, Durand, Cadet, Ducarpe, B. Gaillardie, Raguet, J. Nicolas, Jh. Millet, Delapize, Brion, Bertrémieux Aine, Blandin Du- lestre, A. Reynard, Fortier, Blaignad, Bijon, L. Daubech, Langlois, M. Duralde, Bourjeaux, M. Bonnemaison, Joly, 'F. Hery, Forstall, B. Lenfant, A. Olivier. This protest, certified by Foucault, is couched in most energetic language.
200th. 10th Sept. 1766-protest of the captains of vessels against Aubry's ordinance.
210th. 28th August, 1766-memorial of Foucault to Governor Ulloa.
211th. 20th Jan. 1768-letter of Governor Aubry, giving an ac- count of his government jointly with Governor Ulloa, who for want of troops cannot take possession of the country.
212th. 1768, 20th Jan .- letter of Mr. Aubry on the same subject. 213th. 1768, 4th Jan .- copy of a letter from Mr. Aubry to his
.
.
62
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF LOUISIANA.
Excellency General Hardiman, Governor of Pensacola, for his Bri- tannic Majesty, demanding 20 Spanish deserters.
214th. 1768, 14th Nov .- remarks of Mr. Aubry on the rebellion of Louisiana.
215th. 1768, 14th Dec .- protest of Gov. Aubry against the ordi- nances of the superior council.
216th. 1738-memorial respecting marriages between Indians and whites.
217th. 1726-memorial on Louisiana, pointing out the manner of placing the colony on solid foundations. This paper signed by Messrs. Drouot and Valentin, contains valuable statistical information.
218th. 1724-memorial on the culture of tobacco.
219th. No date-memorial suggesting the establishment of a float- ing battery at the Balize, signed " Bertrand."
220th. 1719, 10th July-details of a mining expedition in the neighborhood of Kaskasias. This paper is signed "Perry."
221st. 1723-memorial on the means of upper Mississippi.
222d. 1763-correspondence between Colonel Robertson, com- manding Mobile for his Britannic Majesty, and Governor d' Abaddie. This part of Louisiana was ceded to England by the treaty of Paris, of 10th February, 1763, the seventh article of which reads thus :--
ART. 7 .- The river and the port of Mobile, and the left bank of the Mississippi, New Orleans, and the islands on which it is situated excepted, are ceded, &c. ;
223d. 20th Dec .- letter from Governor Aubry to his government . respecting the Louisiana rebellion ; he states that he cannot express himself freely, that he can trust no one, not even his own Secretary, lest he should be treated in the same manner as Ulloa.
224th. 1768, 28th Dec .- remarks of Aubry on the Louisiana rebellion.
225th. 1768, Sth March-letter of Mr. Aubry on the rebellion, enclosing copy of a letter by him addressed to Mr. Baccalary, Governor of Havana.
" 226th. 1763, 20th Oct .- proces verbal of the transfer of Mobile by the French government to the English government. This docu- ment is signed " Derville, Farende, Robert Fannar."
227th, 1763, Oct. 20th .- proclamation of Robert Fannar, on his taking possession of Mobile, and of all that part of Louisiana situated on the left hand or . castern bank of the river Mississippi, from its source down to the river d'Herville, thence across Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain to the sea.
3
63
PORTFOLIO NO. V.
PORTFOLIO NO. V.
22Sth. 1721, 5th Sept .- by-laws of the West India Company, for the government of Louisiana, approved by the King.
229th. 1721, 2d Sept .- rules by the same company to encourage the culture of tobacco, rice, and the introduction and education of silk-worms.
230th. No date-report on the Indians ; extracts from Governor de Vandreuille's correspondence, announcing a treaty of peace with the Chactas, a nation counting 4000 warriors, and occupying an ex- tent of country exceeding 40 leagues. This document must have been written about the close of 1739.
231st. 1761, 6th March-extract of a letter from Mr. de Kerlerec to the Marquis d'Ossun, complaining of the conduct of the govern- ment of Campeachy towards French vessels that had entered that port in distress, whilst on a voyage from New Orleans to Havana, for as- sistance on behalf of the colony.
232d. 1761, Oct. 3d, St. Ildephonse-letter from the Marquis d'Ossun, informing Mr. de Kerlerec of instructions given to the go- vernment of Mexico, Havana, Pensacola, and of all other Spanish pos- sessions in behalf of all French vessels; speaks of the projects of England to obtain possession of Mexico, and of the necessity of re- · taining Louisiana as the best means of defeating their plans.
233d. 1761, 10th Jan .- letter from Mr. de Kerlerec to the Mar- quis d'Ossun complaining of the silence of his Court ; proposes to use ciphers for their correspondence.
234th. 1761, 31st Oct. Escurial -- memorial from the French att- bassador respecting the impossibility to supply Louisiana with the assistance needed, all French vessels being captured by the English ; points out the common interest of Spain and France in retaining Louisiana ; suggests a depot in Havana, Campeachy, and other neigh- boring ports, of provisions, fire-arms, and munitions of war, to be within reach of New Orleans whenever required. All such provisions and other articles required, to be paid for by the French govern- ment.
235th. 1763, 9th July-decree by the " conseil supérieur de la Louisiane," forbidding the introduction of slaves from St. Domingo, poisoning being common in that island among the negroes.
-
.
64
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF LOUISIANA.
236th. 1752, 12th Sept .- letter from Mr. Michel " Ordonnateur" to the minister, complaining of the want of proper officers for the " conseil supérieur," and begging the government to supply the colony with two young engineers and one surveyor.
237th. 1752, Feb .- letter from Mr. de Vaudreuil to the minister advising the capture by a Spanish "Garde Cote," of the French ves- sel " l'Etoile," and demanding her restitution.
238th. 1754, 4th July-letter from Mr. de Kerlerec and d' Auber- ville, announcing the arrival of families from Lorraine, sent by go- vernment ; speaks favorably of those families whom they advise having placed in the parish " des Allemands."
239th. 1754, 9th July-Mr. d' Auberville to the minister with the budget of the colony for 1754, and a list of all officers employed.
240th. 1754, 21st Sept .- Messrs. de Kerlerec and d' Auberville to the minister, requesting the government to send two miners to work the mines discovered in Illinois, lead and copper.
241st. 1652, 22d Sept .- Mr. Michel to the minister with full re- ports on the condition of the country; gives interesting details on the culture of cotton; the difficulties to separate the seed from the wool; of a gin invented by Mr. Dubreuil ; the culture of tobacco, rice, indigo and the commerce of peltries; the advantages that might be obtained by irrigation of the land, in dry seasons, and the renova- tion of the fields by introducing the water of the Mississippi on old lands, &c. &c.
242d. 1753, 9th March-Mr. d' Auberville to the minister, show- ing the necessity of rebuilding the government house ; announcing the death of Mr. Michel, and the situation of the treasury on that day.
243d. 1735, 31st August-Messrs. Bienville and Salmon, im- provement in the management of the militia hospital since placed under the care of the Ursulines ; complains of medicines furnished by government.
244th. 1731, 10th Jan .- letter from Mr. Dirou d'Artaguette to the minister defending himself against charges brought by Governor Perrier ; interesting details of his wars with the Indians.
245th. 1728, Sth Dec .- Mr. Dirou to the minister, on the situa- tion of the country of Mobile.
246th. 1739-Chicachas war ; details of the forces sent from France.
247th. 1736, 28th June-Messrs. de Bienville and Salmon, in- teresting details on the Chicachas campaign; the retreat of Mr. de Bienville with 544 men under his command.
65
PORTFOLIO NO. V.
248th. 1751, 12th Jan .- Mr. de Vaudreuil to the minister, an- nouncing the termination of the war with the Chactas; begs for the cross of St. Louis for Captain de Grandpré, as a reward for the ser- vices rendered by him during the last campaign.
249th. 1729, 22d Sept .- Chicachas war; expedition from France, 500 men ; detail on the projected campaign.
250th. 1731, 5th Dec .- Messrs. Perrier and Salmon, announcing the recording in the minutes of the " conseil superieur," of the letters patent of the King respecting the retrocession by the West India Company of all their privileges in Louisiana; interesting statistical statements and other documents, showing the true condition of the colony at that epoch.
251st. 1736, 9th June-Mr. Dirou d' Artaguette, announcing the failure of the expedition of Mr. de Bienville, at the head of 1500 men including his allies, against the Chicachas.
252d. 1731, 20th April-Mr. Dirou d'Artaguette, details on the Indian war ; calls for aid.
253d. 1762, Jan .-- letter from the King of France to Mr. de Ker- lerec, in which he states " by the preliminaries of peace agreed upon at Fontainbleau on the 3d Nov. last, having ceded part of the pro- vince of Louisiana to the King of England, I have resolved upon ceding the other part to my cousin, the King of Spain." Then fol- lows an order for the delivery to England and Spain of the whole of the province, in accordance with the limits fixed upon in the said preliminaries.
254th. 1762-instructions of the King to Mr. d'Abbadie regard- ing the delivery of Louisiana to England and Spain.
255th. 1731, 24th June-Dirou d'Artaguette, announcing new disorders among the Natchez; the murder of two officers near the Arkansas ; destruction of the Tunicas by the Natchez ; calls for as- sistance.
256th .- No date-instructions of the King to Mr. d'Abbadie, re- garding the artillery and munitions of war at Mobile. This letter must have been written in 1762.
257th. 1721, 13th Sept .- instructions from the West India Com- pany to the directors and sub-directors in Louisiana, for their guidance in the management of the affairs of the Company.
258th. 1719, 28th Oct .- report of Mr. Hubert on Pensacola ; Dauphin Island; Ship Island and l'Ozage; recommends Ship Island 'is the best harbor for men-of-war.
259th, 1721, 31st Sept .- instructions by the West India Company G
1
.
66
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF LOUISIANA.
to the directors and sub-directors in Louisiana, signed in Paris by " Demachault and Dedune."
260th. 1713, 15th July-interesting memorial by Mr. Duclos on Louisiana, including the country of Mobile, addressed to Count Pont- chartrain.
261st. 1718, 21st June, Paris-memorial on Louisiana, signed " L. A. de Bourbon, le Maréchal d'Estrées," par le conseil " Lacha- pelle."
This memorial is full of interest. France had then in view the possession of the whole of North America; to attain such an end Louisiana was considered as the basis of the whole plan, and a colo- nization upon a large plan was recommended. A naval depot was suggested on Ship Island ; a general plan of fortifications was proposed from Pensacola to the "Baie St. Bernard." The English plan of colonization was strongly recommended, to wit : 500 to 600 families at a time provided by government with all the necessary utensils, cat- tle, &c. &c., and provisions for one year. The whole to be returned by the parties when in a situation to do so; none but good peasants to be sent ; the plan comprehending the Wabash, the Illinois, the Yazoo, the Missouri and Natchitoches; the working of the mines of Missouri proposed ; the memorial is thus concluded :
" A large commerce can be carried on between Mexico and Mis- souri. Missouri has another branch nearly as important; its source is said to be from the same mountain ; it is believed that this branch empties itself in the South Sea. The Canadians invited in those parts would soon create establishments for a commerce with Japan and China. Such would be the importance of such a trade that the truth of these reports is worthy the attention of government."
262d. No date -- report from la Rochelle, announcing the depart- ure of the frigates " la Victoire et la Duchesse de Noailles," with 570 men for Louisiana.
263d. 1718, 21st July-incomplete memoranda concerning Mr. de St. Denis' journey through the Red River to Mexico.
264th. 1713-Mr. Crozat informs the government of the efforts of the British to seduce the Indians on the upper Mississippi and in the Natchez country ; applies for two officers and 40 men for Illinois.
265th. 1716, 7th Sept .- incomplete memoranda on certain changes proposed for Dauphin Island, and the Fort St. Louis of Mobile ; in- structions to be given to the military posts in Louisiana, and parti- cularly to that of Alibamons.
á
67
1
PORTFOLIO NO. V.
266th. 1714, 27th Dec .- military establishments (posts) in Louis- iana ordered by the King in a letter under this date.
267th. 1716, 21st July -- memorandum on the morus tobacco, and a leaf named Appalachine, considered a specific for the gout and for the stone, and other diseases, by the Indians of Appalache. These memorandas are by Mr. Lamothe, who strongly recommends the in- troduction of silk worms.
268th. 1716-instructions to Mr. de la Mothe, respecting the works on Dauphin Island, &c. &c.
269th. 1716, 21st Feb .- Mr. de la Mothe on the discovery of cer- tain mines.
270th. 1718, March Ist-inventory of the public stores, &c. &c., - in the King's warehouses in Dauphin Island and in Mobile.
271st. 1721, 2d Sept .-- appointment by the King of the Chevalier Le Blond de la Tour, as Lieutenant-general of the province of Louisiana.
272d. Petition of the West India Company to the King, praying that by letters patent of the 15th January, 1724, Mr. Delachaise having been made a member of the supreme council, although de- puted by the King with extraordinary powers to investigate the affairs of the company in Louisiana, by decree of his Majesty's council of 8th December, 1722, that the said Delachaise be permitted to act as honorary counsellor in the " Conseil de Regie Generale," and in that capacity to serve the company in the furtherance of the welfare of the colony. This petition is signed by the directors of the West India Company in Paris.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.