USA > Louisiana > Sketches, historical and descriptive, of Louisiana > Part 24
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long habit, has become habituated to them, and they alone will steady his nerves, and keep him in an equilibrious state. .. Such reasoning as this may be heard in every part of the western country, and is considered as conclusive against all the opposite sentiments of the divine, moralist, and philosopher. It may be safely doubted, whether, on the west side of the mountains, more have not fallen vic- tims to intemperance, than to the tomahawks and scalping knives of the savages. A dangerous evil exists, calculated to destroy the morals and lives of the inhabitants ; but, .perhaps, a remedy is not within the reach of the civil power. It may be safely doubted, whether any measure calculated to remove, or even to lessen the evil, could be, carried into effect. When men become debased in prin- ciple, their passions and appetites are not easily controled, and the pursuit of " treasons, stratagems, and spoils," ex- cite no compunction or remorse in their bosoms,
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CHAPTER X.
LEARNING AND RELIGION.
THIE Spanish authorities afforded but very little en- couragement to learning. Whether it was their policy to keep men bound down in the chains of ignorance, or whe- ther poverty and other imperious obstacles intervened to obstruct the progress of education, is not easily conjectur- ed. It is certain, however, that the Spaniards were ex- tremely solicitous to maintain the catholic faith. No doubt the prevalence of knowledge had a tendency to expose the absurdity of some of their religious creeds, and to weaken the ties, which connected them with the established church. Perhaps, too, they were of opinion, that a legalized reli-
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gion, mixed with a variety of incomprehensible subtleties, was of more political advantage to a state, than the nume- rous divisions in society, occasioned by as many modes of faith.
The people of Louisiana are not to be censured for the want of more literature among them. Their natural ca- pacities are good, and they learn whatever they undertake with remarkable facility. We here speak of the French and Spaniards, who were born and educated in the coun- try ; not of those who removed into it late in life. The want of a more general diffusion of knowledge must part- ly be attributed to the inattention of the government; the public treasury advanced but little money for the support of seminaries of learning ; no law was ever made to com- pel the inhabitants to maintain schools. Even in New- Orleans, the capital of the province, two schools only were patronized by public authority. The preceptors of one of them were paid by the king, though they instructed their pupils in the Spanish language only, and in writing, and common arithmetic. 'The Ursuline Nuns also usually re- ceived six hundred dollars per annum from the public ; and this sum, together with the avails of about one thou- sand acres of land belonging to the convent, enabled them to educate twelve female orphans. In addition to these they received young ladies as boarders, and instructed them in reading, writing, and needle work. There were also some private schools in the city ; but they were of no great use. The settlements at a distance from the capital were still worse provided, and a person who could read and write was considered as a kind of prodigy among them.
In the early part of the last century, when the French in Upper Louisiana were at the apex of their glory, a col- lege of priests was established at Kaskaskia. The prac- tice of most other catholic countries obtained here ; the poor were neglected, while some of the most wealthy and considerable were permitted to quaff at this literary foun-
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tain. The liberal and useful sciences, however, were but very little cultivated in this seminary. Scholastic divinity afforded almost the only subjects of investigation ; and in- stead of the noble works of Greek and Roman authors, · their library was composed almost wholly of the huge fo- lios of the holy fathers, and the pious reveries of more modern enthusiasts. Of what salutary use was such a se- minary to the people at large? It was in this quarter as at New-Orleans, no regulations were officially made on the subject of general education. The people now and then, sensible of the advantages of information, voluntarily con- tributed to the support of common schools among them ; in which some of their children were instructed in reading,; writing, and counting-house arithmetic. But schools a- mong the poor, without any other support than voluntary contributions, and not cherished by the government, either with money, or coercive sanctions, are generally of short duration, and produce no good or lasting effects in society. Hence we find, that the native French are extremely defi- cient in education ; multitudes of them cannot either read or write their names; yet their manners are free and easy ; their conversation is pleasant, and often instructive, and many of them manifest extraordinary natural endowments. St. Louis and St. Genevieve were among the first villages to maintain private schools, and to open to the youth the treasures of knowledge. These schools, however, were only occasional ; and to obtain sufficient and speedy edu- cations, some of the more opulent sent their sons to the seminaries in Canada. Upper Louisiana can boast of se- veral native Frenchmen of education ; and also of many others of the same description from France and other countries.
The English Americans in that country, who compose at least three fifths of the population, are still more defi- cient in schools ; and this necessarily arises from their dispersed situation. They migrated from various quar-
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ters, and of course partake of all the varieties of charac- ter and acquirements found in the United States. - Those from the eastern and middle states are the best educated. The remainder are from the back parts of the southern states, where less attention is paid to the diffusion of lite- rature among the people.
In contemplating the character of the French people, the old observation, "that ignorance tends to happiness," seems in a degree to be verified among them. If we ad- mit this observation to be correct, we degrade human na- ture ; but of all the people on the globe the French in Louisiana appear to be the happiest. 'Their happiness, in- deed, may be of the negative kind ; but if the occurrences' of the present moment, the reflections on the past, and the anticipations of the future, give them no painful sensations, we can hardly pronounce them miserable ; their minds are passive, except when roused by insult or imposition, and they are exempt from those dreadful pangs, which attach themselves to the victims of sensibility. Indolence is pre- valent among them ; but they are honest in their dealings, and punctual in the performance of contracts. They ob- tain bat little, and little satisfies their desires. They usu- ally live within their incomes, and are never so uneasy as when in debt. While the English Americans are hard at labor, and sweat under the burning rays of a meridian sun, they will be seated in their houses, or under some cooling shade, amusing themselves with their pipes and tobacco, in drinking of coffee, and in repeating the inci- dents of their several perambulations over distant lakes and mountains. When occasion presses, however, they are not deficient in exertion. Many of them follow boat- ing and the Indian trade ; and these require much labor, activity, and circumspection. They are very patient under fatigues, and will subsist for months on such food as the woods afford without a murmur. They enjoy what they have, and are perfectly contented with it.
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In fine, Upper Louisiana exhibits an assemblage of cha- racters, manners, and customs, of greater variety than - most other countries. Unless measures be taken to con- solidate and assimulate them, the same variety will be apt to continue, and be productive of disunion, litigation, and unfriendly feelings. The sooner this heterogeneous mass is amalgamated, and attempts made to exterminate those prejudices, and varieties of character, which disfi- gure this frontier portion of the union, the better for the United States. In the event of success, the people would . be more attached to the government, less liable to con- template a separation, or resort to such foreign standards as may possibly be unfurled on the Mississippi. Indeed, few of the French, and part of the English Americans only, were at first reconciled to the change, though they never manifested any discontent. The former did not doubt the justice of the United States ; but they seemed to feel as if they had been sold in open market, and by this means degraded; the treaty of 1762, and the change under it in 1769, rushed on their minds, and awakened . all their apprehensions. The latter anticipated taxation, . many of whom had abandoned their native country to avoid it, and voluntarily became the subjects of a govern- ment, careful not to impose any burthens on the agricul- tural part of the community. The best way to secure the affections of these people, is gradually to change their modes of thinking ; and the only way to attach them to our re- publican systems, is to enlighten their minds by a more general diffusion of knowledge among them. An acade- my, under the direction of the government, seems the best calculated to effect these important purposes. This would gradually introduce the. English language among the French, without the destruction of their own, and awaken a spirit of enquiry and investigation. 'The Eng- lish Americans would also derive great advantages from it. At present they are not sufficiently opulent to send
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their children to seminaries out of the country, and they have none in it. If a liberal endowment of lands was made to aid the purposes of such an institution, the re- mainder of the expense would probably be defrayed by the people, who, on proper occasions, are not destitute of patriotism and public spirit. This portion of the country must one day form one or more states. Such a literary institution would gradually mould the rising generation into statesmen and legislators; produce a long list of Tullies and Chathams to preside over the destinies of Empire ; give birth to useful designs, inventions, and dis- coveries ; enable genius, at present buried in obscurity, "to ascend the brightest heaven of invention," and to re- flect new rays of glory on the literary world.
With respect to the essentials of religion, mankind are generally agreed. They anciently disputed and wrangled about the mere forms and ceremonies of it ; and in this dis- pute rivers of blood were spilt. Even our pious ances- tors in the reign of Elizabeth, most of whom were rigid puritans, viewed all the rites and ceremonies of the catho- · lics as badges of superstition ; many things in the worship of the reformers were equally odious to them, particular- ly the ring in marriage, and the use of the surplice ; these were considered by some as fundamental errors. At one time in some parts of Europe the real presence in the sa- crament was maintained by many as necessary to salva- tion ; while others, equally pertinacious, deemed it hete- rodox, and contended for a more liberal construction of the scriptures. This dispute, like an earthquake, shook the christian world, and served in the end to cover religi- . on and its zealous professors with odium., Much less blameable were those who worshipped tangible objects as symbols of the divinity, such as blocks of wood and mar- ble, vegetables and animals, and even the waters of rivers. Much more consistent and less culpable were those, who sacrificed to the manes of sainted impostors, and derived
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their religious creeds from the Alcaron of Mahomet, and the Vidam of Brumma. Modern professors of christi- anity differ almost as much among themselves as they do from those whom they stigmatize as pagans and infidels. Each sect has its particular notions, which must be sup- ported, right or wrong. Sectarians reciprocally enter viet armies into the vineyards of each other; a contest en- sues ; mines and counter-mines are constructed; and at last it generally happens, that all, or the greater part, are destroyed or maimed by the explosion. If the scriptures in many particulars are obscure, why quarrel about the construction of them? Some contend for immersion in baptism, and others for sprinkling, as if on a right choice depended the happiness or misery of men in another world. It is improper to censure either formality, because it is possible, that both may be correct. No one ought to denounce his neighbor for the exercise of a privilege, which he deems of importance to himself. In fine, the quarrels among professed christians about religion, and the ceremonies of it, are so many evidences of their depar- ture from the true spirit of the gospel.
Among the French and Spaniards in Louisiana, one form of religion only prevails. A variety of religious te- nets are professed among the English Americans. These have removed into the country from various quarters, and therefore it cannot be expected, that their religious opini- ons are materially different from those prevalent in the se- · veral places where they were born and educated. They exhibit a mixture of baptists, methodists, calvinists, and episcopalians. They are not formed into religious socie- ties, and the laws make no provision for the support of teachers ; nor indeed are any teachers exclusively attached to any particular village or settlement. Those who occa- sionally expatiate on the truths of revelation in a public manner, are mere itinerants; and it is unfortunate that more of them do not exercise this sacred office. 'The benefits
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of this itinerancy are partial, and only now and then enjoyed by the people to any considerable extent. Un- der the Spanish government the Roman catholic faith was the only authorised religion, nor was the exercise of any other permitted. Those of other denominations were ex- tremely embarrassed ; they could not conscientiously wor- ship in the catholic temple ; nor were they allowed to re- ceive the salutary exhortations of a public speaker of their own persuasion, or to partake of the sacramental feast in the way prescribed by their own devotional formulas. The human mind, when once liberated from the fetters of religious servitude, reflects with pleasure on the emanci- pation of itself, and views with a mixture of horror and satisfaction the prison from which it has escaped. The United States have restored the professors of all religions to liberty ; but it cannot be expected, that all the advan- tages afforded by this liberty will be immediately enjoyed. . The scattered situation of the people renders a speedy union impracticable ; though it is presumed that, as the settlements increase in number and wealth, the public du- ties of religion will become more prevalent. The rising generation stand in need of them; and how degraded must men be, who are not instructed in the great princi- ples of morality and religion ! It is pleasing to observe the catholicism of those of different opinions and sects, and with what ardor they embrace every convenient op- portunity to become acquainted with the sublime truths of revelation.
The French and Spaniards are uniformly of the Roman catholic persuasion, and great sticklers for their particular modes of worship; though they discover no disposition to alter or control those of other sects. The priests un- der the Spanish government were paid by the crown, and many of them, to retain their salaries, departed from the country when the change took place. The fact is, that these people, unaccustomed to contribute to the support of
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the clergy, were unwilling to set an example, which they considered as burthensome and unprecedented ; though, from the characters and talents of some of their priests, it is unfortunate, that they did not resolve on a different line of conduct. While the French were in possession of the country, they were not only furnished with mission- aries from Europe, but were occasionally supplied with teachers from the college of priests at Kaskaskia. Of the labors of these missionaries, we may form some judg- ment from the accounts they have left us of their travels. They encountered the greatest hardships, and frequently exposed their lives to the merciless tomahawks of the sa- vages. In propagating their religion they braved death in . ten thousand shapes; they have left to their successors in the same vineyard, though few of this description now re- main, examples of suffering and patience, which alone could result from an elevated faith, and a well grounded hope.
The policy of the French cabinet, in relation to the co- lonies in general, never extended to Louisiana. In Cana- da, the priests as early as 1663, procured the establish- ment of tithes ; and these amounted to one thirteenth part of the products of labor, and of spontaneous growth. This, however, was deemed so exorbitant, and was so se- verely felt by the people, that the council of Quebec in 1667, reduced the tithes to one twenty-sixth part, and this reduction was soon after confirmed by an edict. No tithes were ever levied or claimed in Louisiana, either under the French or Spanish governments ; and the people of that country were exempted from many other burthens of a similar nature, imposed on those of the other colonies.
The clergy at New-Orleans under the Spanish govern- ment consisted of a bishop, who never entered the prov- ince, two canons, and five curates. Twenty other cu- rates were dispersed among the parishes in the country. 'The bishop was entitled to four thousand dollars per an-
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num from a certain revenue established in Mexico and Cuba. The two canons were allowed six hundred dollars each ; and each of the curates from three hundred and sixty-five to four hundred dollars per annum. These salaries were paid by the crown, as also those of the Sacristans, and some chapel expenses. Three of the curates resided in Upper Louisiana, one of whom acted as vicar. Burial and marriage fees were considerable ; and these, added to their salaries, afforded the clergy a decent support.
Perhaps the levity displayed, and the amusements pur- sued, by the French people on Sundays, may be consider- ed by some to border on licentiousness. They attend mass in the morning with great devotion; but, after the exercises of church are over, they usually collect in parties, and pass away their time in social and merry intercourse. They play at billiards and other games ; and to balls and assem- blies the Sundays are particularly devoted. To those edu- cated in regula , and pious habits, such parties and amuse- ments appear unseasonable and strange, if not odious, and seem prophetic of some signal curse on the workers of . iniquity. It must, however, be confessed, that the French people on those days avoid all intemperate and immoral excesses, and conduct themselves with apparent decorum. They are of opinion, that there is true and undefiled re- ligion in their amusements ; much more, indeed, than ex- ists in certain night conferences, and obscure meetings, in various parts among the tombs. When questioned rela- tive to their gaiety on Sundays, they will answer, that men were made for happiness, and that the more they are able to enjoy themselves, the more acceptable they are to their Creator. They are of opinion, that a sullen counte- nance, an attention to gloomy subjects, a set form of speech, and a stiff behaviour, are much more indicative of hypo- crisy than of religion ; and they have often remarked, that those who practise these singularities on Sundays will most assuredly cheat and defraud their neighbors during
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the rest of the week. Such are the religious sentiments of a people, void of superstition ; of a people prone to hospitality, urbanity of manners, and innocent recreation ; and who. present their daily orisons at the throne of grace with as much confidence of success as the most devout puritans in christendom.
- It is a truth not to be contested, that a pure and ration- al religion, such as is contained in the sublime pages of revelation, is of infinite use to mankind in a temporal sense. It is the foundation of integrity and moral recti- tude ; the link which unites societies and nations, and the best antidote to the belligérous passions. Those who prac- tice it are more punctual in their engagements, and of course greater confidence is placed in them. In their in- tercourse with the world, whether as individuals or as nations, they enjoy many advantages and immunities, de- nied to those of an opposite character. They preserve an equanimity of temper and conduct, which gives a pe- culiar zest to their pleasures in prosperity ; and they ex- perience that inward sunshine of virtue, which enables them to sustain with fortitude the greatest calamities.
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CHAPTER XI.
CHARACTER OF THE LOUISIANIANS.
IT is the character of the Creoles, or natives of Lou- isiana only, of which we are to treat; and this embraces their manners and customs. Of these we have occasion- ally spoken in various parts of this work ; but a more co- pious illustration is necessary, particularly as several pub- lications have appeared on the subject, as different in their conclusions from each other, as from the genuine charac- ter of the people of Louisiana.
It is no easy task to place in its proper point of view the character of any people with all its discriminating fea- tures. None but those master spirits, the accurate ob-
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servers of mankind, can excel in this species of writing. , The most incurious observer may perceive a wide differ- ence between the general character, manners and customs, of different societies ; but the vast variety of minute shades, which are so arranged and combined as to produce a com- plete whole, are much less perceptible.
The Creole French are at least a century behind other civilized nations in the arts and sciences, if not in the amenities of life. Three causes have contributed to keep them stationary. The first is, that most of the original settlers were extremely illiterate; and this in some mea- sure accounts for the same condition of their posterity : Their attention was almost wholly drawn to such laborious pursuits as were calculated to yield them a subsistence, and left them no time for the acquisition of learning. The second is, the inattention of the government, or, in other words, the defect of their social institutions. These were not of a nature to encourage literature, but rather to re- press it ; and the people had no ambition to excel, especi- ally as the highest literary attainment was never consider- ed as a passport to fame, except perhaps in the religious orders. The third is, that Louisiana was in a manner. insulated from the rest of the world ; the inhabitants sel- dom mixed with strangers ; and strangers had no induce- ments to visit them ; the trade of the country was either prohibited, or the products of its soil, till a late period, too unimportant tu tempt their enterprise.
. Notwithstanding these impediments, the people appear to much more advantage than others under like circum- stances. Many of the most opulent planters along the Delta and Red River cannot either read or write ; and yet they will converse fluently, and with much seeming confidence, on a variety of subjects, where mathematical learning is necessary to a solution. They will debate on complicated machines, the utility or defects of which can- not be determined without a knowledge of mechanics, and
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- ' propose substitutes and experiments with as much appa- rent judgment as if they were complete masters of the principles of the art. This want of information cannot be imputed to all; for some of the Creoles possess real intelligence, and are well instructed in several branches of useful learning, though their number is too limited to af- ford, in this respect, a very favourable reputation to the country.
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Perhaps these defects are less apparent from the native vivacity of the Louisianians. This vivacity, indeed, is peculiar to the French, and, in no situation does it wholly forsake them. To this may be ascribed their passion for ' social intercourse, which is always gratified when oppor- tunities permit. They are particularly attached to the ex- ercise of dancing, and carry it to an incredible excess. Neither the severity of the cold, nor the oppression of the heat, ever restrains them from this amusement, which usually commences early in the evening, and is seldom sus- pended till late the next morning. They even attend the balls not unfrequently for two or three days in succession, and without the least apparent fatigue. At this exercise the females, in particular, are extremely active, and those of the United States must submit to be called their infe- riors.
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