USA > Louisiana > The province and the states, a history of the province of Louisiana under France and Spain, and of the territories and states of the United States formed therefrom, Vol. I > Part 28
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money. I drove off all the English traders and the other indi- viduals of that nation whom I found in this town, and I shall admit here none of their vessels."
The laws and regulations put in force by O'Reilly lowered the colonial expenses to one-half of what they had previously been ; but, in accomplishing this reform, he so restricted commerce that, with the large advent of settlers, there succeeded almost a famine from the shortage of provisions, flour advancing to twenty dol- lars per barrel. At this time a brig load of flour owned by Oliver Pollock was sold in New Orleans for fifteen dollars per barrel. In spite of this extremity, the inhabitants were not permitted to purchase anything from persons navigating the Mississippi or the lakes without a passport. They were permitted to sell fowls and other provisions to boats and other vessels, if delivered on the river bank for cash payment. A violation of this order subjected the offender to a fine of one hundred dollars, to the confiscation of the article thus sold, one-third of the penalty going to the informer.
No change was made in the ecclesiastical organization of the. province ; the Capuchins remained in absolute control with Father Dagobert in charge of the pastoral functions at New Orleans and in the administration of the southern part of the diocese of Que- bec. A Capuchin was placed in charge of the settlements of Upper Louisiana. The Catholic church was aided from the royal treasury in the construction of buildings, grants of land, etc. "The Catholic king, to show his regard for this religious cor- poration (the Charity Hospital of the Ursuline Nuns in New Orleans), decided that two of the nuns should be maintained at his own expense, for each of whom sixteen dollars was to be paid monthly to the convent out of his royal treasury."
By special proclamation, O'Reilly re-enacted the Black Code that had proved so beneficial for so long a time. Under his orders a body of militia was organized, called the "Regiment of Louisiana," and placed under the command of Col. Don J. Estech- eria. The Spanish law of the Indies promptly supplanted the colonial law of France in all parts of the province. That no mis- take might be made as to the change, O'Reilly issued an abridg- ment of the Law of the Indies and of Castile, which was the foundation of all actions during the term of the Spanish domina- tion. All causes begun under French procedure were ordered transferred to the Spanish tribunals instituted in the province. Although it has been disputed there is nothing to show that the acts of O'Reilly were not fully approved by the Spanish king.
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In fact, the king's council, "having carefully examined all the documents to which the king had called their attention, could dis- cover in the acts of O'Reilly nothing which did not deserve the most decided approbation, and which was not a striking proof of the extraordinary genius of that general officer."
But Spain gave no encouragement to the education of the masses. It was deemed sufficient for them to obey the laws of church and state provided, without any inquiry on their part. The bible was the word of God; the Pope was the vicegerent of God on earth; and the holy Catholic church was the interpreter of scripture. The king and his counselors prescribed and exe- cuted the laws. What more was wanted of the good people but to obey the priest and the king? Both spiritual and temporal wants were fully provided for by the supreme grace of Pope and King. A little later, when settlers were so earnestly wanted, Protestants were permitted to become subjects ; but were not per- mitted to build churches, and the second generation was expected to become Catholic. A school of general learning started in New Orleans, failed totally for want of support. The children grew to manhood and womanhood without learning to read or write. The "Holy Inquisition" endeavored to secure a foothold in the province ; but this was too much even for the intolerance of Spain. The Capuchin Father, Antonio de Sedella, became the represent- ative of the Inquisition in Louisiana : but was escorted to Cadiz against his will by Governor Miro. The latter by guaranteeing protection to the Protestants had secured a large accession of them throughout Louisiana. The supremacy of the Inquisition in Louisiana meant the death of every one of them on the charge of heresy. Such an order of affairs meant the destruction of the province and could not be permitted. Strange as it may seem, the course of Governor Miro received the sanction of the king, himself an uncompromising Catholic and the supporter of the Inquisition.
Over Upper Louisiana was placed a lieutenant governor, who was subordinate only to the governor general and the intendent general of the whole province. Ile was a sub-delegate to the intendent, and superintended all financial operations within his jurisdiction. In this capacity he had charge of Indian affairs, commerce, the sale and grant of lands, the levy and collection of revenue ; and next to the governor was at the head of the mili- tary department, selecting the commandants and other officers of his province. Hle likewise had high judicial jurisdiction within his province, and under him the courts became models of
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promptness and efficiency. It is even stated that the administra- tion of law at St. Louis was so satisfactory that when the Amer- ican courts were instituted in 1803, with their long and vexatious delays, they were derided by the inhabitants .* With an export duty of only six per cent, the first shipments of the Missouri country-salt and timber-were profitable to the producer. The officials of Upper Louisiana were paid in the bills which they drew on the royal treasury at New Orleans. Prior to the Revolu- tion, the British had monopolized the Indian trade of the Missouri and the upper Mississippi rivers, including the Des Moines and the Minnesota : and St. Louis found it to her interest under both French and Spanish rule to send her furs to Canada and obtain there goods for the Indian trade: but found a better market for lead and provisions at New Orleans, where she purchased the most of her groceries. However, salt, lead, and other commod- ities were sent to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Pittsburg near the close of the Spanish domination.
Don Louis de Unzaga succeeded O'Reilly to the governorship of the province in October, 1770. He found commerce at the lowest ebb, owing to the restrictions of O'Reilly and his prede- cessors. Under D'Ulloa exports had been confined to the Span- ish towns of Malaga, Carthagena, Barcelona, Seville, Alicant, and Corunna, and to Spanish bottoms commanded by Spaniards. Some changes had been made in this rule, but others equally oppressive had been substituted in their place, and as a conse- quence distress and poverty were the portion of the colonists. But Unzaga instituted a revolution in this state of affairs. He almost completely overlooked the commercial and fiscal laws of Spain, and permitted British ( American) merchants. to trade pretty much as they pleased, with the result that in a short time the trade of the colony was wholly in the hands of foreigners and the condition of the colonists had changed from lethargy and intense distress to activity and prosperity. British vessels navi- gated the Mississippi in great numbers dealing in all sorts of goods and provisions, even fitting up their boats with counters for the convenience of the people of Louisiana. Ocean-going vessels from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Boston, keel-boats from up the Mississippi, traders from the interior-all flourished with the connivance of the Spanish officials, though the trade was a direct violation of the laws of the province. Here was a remarkable condition of things: Spain standing back with her
* History of Missouri: Carr.
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obsolete laws, while her officials winked at an illicit trade that was a god-send to the people of the province. A better com- mentary on the contradictory policy of that decaying monarchy could scarcely be given.
But complaint arose, owing to the diminution in the revenues of the king. The monopoly of the provincial trade by the British and the consequent prosperity of the colonists, poured the revenue into British pockets instead of into the royal exchequer. The floating stores, the warehouses at Manshac, Baton Rouge, and Natchez, the trading vessels moored in the river near New Orleans, the numerous keel-boats, deprived the Spanish monarch of the means of gratifying his vanity and profligacy. The pros- perity of the reign of Unzaga made the colonists partially forget the severity of that of O'Reilly. But as might have been expected, the prosperity led to an enormous extension of credit ; so much so that, when the restrictions began again to be enforced, many were obliged to ask for an extension of credit or were forced into involuntary assignment. One important truth is proved by these events: That the removal of the restrictions meant the unbounded prosperity of the province. But the king pressed the thumb-screw on the colonists, as the Inquisition pressed it on the quivering forms of heretics, forcing out the heart's blood in agonizing driblets and rendering the victim pale, weak, and almost lifeless.
The rebellion of the British American colonies was an impor- tant event in the history of Louisiana province. With the con- nivance of the Spanish officials arms and ammunition were sent to Pittsburg for use in the western districts upon the solicitation of Col. George Morgan and others. Unzaga reported fully to the Spanish cabinet on the defenseless condition of Louisiana, pointing out that it was vulnerable on all sides and easy of con- quest by a comparatively small force. As no assistance could be expected from Havana, he intimated that in case of attack, he would retire to Mexico after hope of saving the colony had been abandoned. About this time he was relieved of the governor- ship at his own request, and was succeeded by Don Bernardo de Galvez, colonel of the "Regiment of Louisiana." Under him the trade of the Americans was somewhat restricted in favor of France ; but in spite of his rulings American and English vessels in large numbers navigated the lower Mississippi in violation of the Spanish laws. In the spring of 1777, he ordered the seizure of cleven English vessels, and soon afterward no more British boats appeared on the river ; Spain and England were at war.
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In 1776 a royal schedule reduced the export duty of the prov- ince from four per cent to two per cent. In addition, the king agreed to buy for the present all the tobacco the colonists could raise : evidently the price had advanced in the European markets. In fact, tobacco was the staple used by the rebellious Americans to buy munitions of war from France. The king agreed to give seven livres per pound for leaf tobacco and ten livres per pound for the weed in carots. The distinct object of this agreement was to assist in populating Louisiana, and was ordered at the sugges- tion of Unzaga. The revolution of the British American colonies had been followed by a large accession to the population on the left bank of the Mississippi. Tories, cowards and many others, who felt under no obligation to assist the rebels and who desired to avoid the danger and distress farther to the east, gathered there, but refrained from crossing until they had learned how they were likely to be received on the other shore. In the end, Louisiana was thus benefited, though many persons located at Natchez.
The suggestion of Col. George Morgan to Governor Galvez that the rebels be permitted to descend the Ohio and Mississippi rivers with a large force for the purpose of attacking the British posts of Mobile and Pensacola, was properly refused by that able official and astute strategist. Ile had other important designs, as was soon shown. Already had the Americans secured too much of a foothold in Louisiana. Should they be allowed to conquer West Florida, they would have possession of the left bank of the Mississippi and have the right to navigate that river. It meant nothing less than the invasion of Louisiana by them and the creation of New Orleans as a free port. In self defense, Louisiana must prevent the aggressions of the rebels as well as of the British. Luckily for Louisiana and the cause of Spain gen- erally, Governor Galvez, though still in his twenties, possessed by nature military genius of a high order. He realized that war between Spain and Great Britain was likely to be followed by the invasion of Louisiana up the Mississippi by the British fleets. He therefore waited only until war had been actually declared by Spain before he began operations for the reduction of the British forts on the Mississippi. He determined to strike, although opposed by all his legal advisors.
Hle accordingly built four large boats, each carrying either a 24-pounder or an 18-pounder, and provided with both oars and sails, so that quick action in either shoal water or during calms was assured. Ile knew that he would thus have the advantage
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of a British fleet, which could advance neither in shallow water nor without wind. Before striking, he sent spies to Pensacola and Mobile to learn the British strength ; he also ascertained that the Creeks, Choctaws and Chickasaws were the firm friends of the British. He began operations none too soon, because the Americans under Col. George R. Clark had conquered the Brit- ish Illinois country, and a movement by them down the Missis- sippi was contemplated. Others had also crossed the mountains and taken possession of portions of what is now East Tennessee, claiming at the same time an extension to the Mississippi. Further than this, Captain Willing, an American, with a small force of about fifty men, picked up from any quarter, openly attacked the British settlements on the lower Mississippi, burn- ing farm-houses and capturing slaves and other property of Brit- ish subjects, much to the regret of Governor Galvez, who as soon as possible terminated the movement. The wisdom on the part of Spain of striking at once thus became apparent. "The course of Captain Willing was both without the sanction of Gal- vez and against the designs of Spain. That country had deter- mined to secure both banks of the Mississippi, in order to monopolize the commerce of the Gulf; and accordingly, Galvez was empowered to effect the reduction of the British posts along the Mississippi and, if possible, along the Gulf in West Florida.
Although Galvez had assisted the Americans to the extent of about seventy thousand dollars' worth of arms and aminu- nition, there was nothing to prevent him from carrying into effect the designs of Spain as to the conquest of West Florida from Great Britain. Spain, unwilling to accede to the terms of the Americans as to the navigation of the Mississippi, refused to enter into an alliance with them, as France had done, and determined to strike Great Britain, the common enemy, and if possible effect for her own benefit the conquest of the Floridas. She now saw that her interest was likely to conflict with that of the Americans, who, when they should secure their independence, might prove a dangerous neigh- bor. In order to assist the colonists, Spain removed the restric- tions on trade between Louisiana and the West Indies, but placed such operations under the control of commissioners. About this time, also, Galvez made New Orleans practically a free port 10 France and the Americans; and the king, in October, 1778, extended the exports of Louisiana to any port of Spain to which the commerce of the Indies was open. Aided from the royal treasury, several ship loads of new colonists arrived from the
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Canary Islands and settled in Louisiana. In fact, Spain granted the annual sum of forty thousand dollars "to facilitate the estab- lishment of the new colonists who may come to Louisiana." Set- tlements were thus formed at New Iberia, Terre aux Bœufs, on the river Amite, Bayou Lafourche and elsewhere.
No doubt the inhabitants of the Missouri country assisted Gov- ernor Galvez in the conquest of West Florida. They likewise assisted Colonel Clark to reduce the British posts of Kaskaskia, Vincennes, etc. After war between Spain and Great Britain had been declared, they drove the English traders from the upper Mississippi, the Missouri, the Des Moines, but left them in pos- session of their posts in what is now Minnesota. Partly in retal- iation for this hostile course, and partly to aid a general movement of the British against the claims of the Spaniards on the Mississippi, an expedition of tories and Indians was organ- ized in Canada in 1780 to attack and reduce St. Louis and to effect the conquest of Upper Louisiana. About one hundred forty Canadians and Englishîmen and fifteen hundred Indians rendezvoused at Michillimackinac, and, while the Spanish and the English on the Gulf were struggling for the mas- tery, marched across the country and attacked St. Louis, but found it too strong to be taken with the force at their disposal. Having killed sixty persons and captured thirty, hearing that Colonel Clark was likely to attack them with a large force of Americans, and being deserted by many of their Indian allies, the British abandoned their designs and returned hurriedly to Canada. Though there is much dispute over the results of this expedition, the facts seem substantially as above narrated. The expedition of Capt. Eugenio Pierre in . 1780, with a force of Spaniards from St. Louis across the country in the dead of winter to what is now St. Joseph, Michigan, a British post, resulting in its capture, did much .to establish the subse- quent claims of Spain to the British territory north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi. It was an important counter move- ment which checked any further attempt of the British to capture St. Louis or any other post on the Upper Mississippi.
War was declared by Spain against Great Britain on the 8th of May,. 1779; and as soon as the news reached Galvez he prepared to act. Hle adroitly compelled the people of New Orleans to agree to assist him, by refusing to accept the commission as gov- ernor, which arrived with the news of the declaration of war, unless they complied with his wishes and demands. With a force of about 1,400 Spaniards, Americans and Indians and an arma-
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ment of ten pieces of cannon, he advanced up the river in Septem- ber, 1779, captured Fort Manshac with an English force of twenty-three men, reduced and captured the strong fort at Baton Rouge with five hundred men, including Lieut .- Col. Dickson, the British commander on the Mississippi, and thirteen pieces of heavy artillery, and at the same time obtained the surrender at discretion of Fort Panmure at Natchez with about eighty men. In the meantime, Captain Grandpré had captured the two small British posts on the Amite and on Thompson's creek. In the end, the Spaniards captured eight vessels, three forts and two posts, five hundred fifty regulars and many militiamen and free blacks. It was a splendid accomplishment, against great oppo- sition at New Orleans, and in spite of many obstacles, and reflected the highest credit on the courage, sagacity and genius of the young commander.
But he had now only well begun. He planned the conquest of all of West Florida, and in the spring of 1780 moved with a force of about two thousand upon Fort Charlotte, at Mobile, and having invested it and made a breach in its walls, received its sur- render on the 14th of March. The British General Campbell, who arrived before Mobile a few days later with a considerable force, was chagrined to find the place, not only in possession of the Spaniards, but too strong to be retaken, and was therefore com pelled to return to Pensacola. Galvez now determined to attack Pensacola, providing he could secure assistance from Havana. He solicited reinforcements, which were promised, but not sent. Still determined, he himself went to Havana, and succeeded in assembling a satisfactory fleet and force, all of which a little later was scattered and dispersed by a fearful storm on the Gulf. But he persevered, and in February, 1781, had at his command a larger and . stronger force than before, and a formidable fleet under the command of Admiral Irazabal. Arriving in front of Pensacola early in March, he prepared to attack; but was opposed by the admiral, owing to some trifling considerations of navigation. Receiving reinforcements from Mobile under Cap- tain D'Espeleta and from New Orleans under Captain Miro, Gal- vez determined, with the assistance of the small naval force at his command, to attempt the reduction of Fort George. Assuming all responsibility, and acting independently of Irazabal, he ordered the advance of his little fleet, and amid a severe fire from the English, successfully passed the fort and joined his land forces beyond, greatly to their delight. trazabal now perceived that lie must either co-operate or run the risk of being dishonored before
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the enemy, and accordingly, the next day, he passed the fort as Galvez had done, amid a severe fire. The gallant feat of Galvez, in advancing in an open boat amid shots that fell all around him, to meet the fleet of the admiral, aroused the admiration even of the enemy. The fort and the marine redoubt near it, were imme- diately invested, the English commander having refused to sur- render as had been demanded of him. Early in April, the attack was begun with all the force at the command of the Spaniards, but was met by a continuous and heavy fire from the English. The latter were well supplied with ammunition and provisions, were aware that their works could not be carried by assault; and thus accordingly held out for about a month. Early in May, a shell having set fire to the magazine in one of the English redoubts, a terrific explosion made a breach in the walls, through which the Spaniards poured, taking possession and turning the guns on the English. This decided the contest. Terms of capit- ulation were agreed on, and over eight hundred men were surren- dered prisoners of war. In fact, Governor Chester, of West Flor- ida, being among the prisoners, surrendered without further ado the whole of West Florida. This magnificent victory completed the heroic work of the gallant young Galvez. He was appointed a lieutenant-general, was made a count, was commissioned cap- tain-general of the provinces of Louisiana and Florida, and was decorated with the cross of knight pensioner of the Royal and Dis- tinguished Order of Charles III. In the meantime, an English force under General Lyman had retaken Fort Panmure, at Natchez, but now abandoned it upon learning of the capture of Pensacola and the surrender of West Florida. Thus the con- quest of that province was complete, solely through the determi- nation, daring and generalship of Galvez. That the army of Galvez contained men from Upper Louisiana cannot be doubted, though how many seems never to have been recorded.
The importance of this conquest to Spain can scarcely be over- estimated and is often overlooked. At the conclusion of peace in 1783, by which the British-American colonies gained their inde- pendence and all the territory on the left bank of the Mississippi north of the thirty-first degree of latitude, Spain also, by reason of the conquest of Galvez, secured all of West Florida south of that line, and at the same time was ceded East Florida as well. Had Galvez permitted the Americans to make this conquest, as they desired to do, or had he not effected it himself, the conchi- sion of the peace of 1783 would doubtless have been followed by the transfer of West Florida to the triumphant rebels. Owing to
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the determination of the Americans at a later day to possess West Florida in any event, the result made little difference either to Spain or to the United States. However, judging by ordinary standards, the conquest of Galvez was not only brilliant, but a measure of extreme wisdom.
The movements of the armies on the lower Mississippi caused an almost complete abandonment of commerce; to such an extent in fact that as early as January, 1780, provisions in New Orleans were very scarce, and commanded almost fabulous prices. In this emergency all restrictions were abandoned, and even the king came to the relief of the colonists with liberal measures. But as time passed the situation became graver instead of better. Galvez recommended free trade with all countries, but, not being in harmony with Spanish policy, his suggestions were not adopted. The peace of 1783 was followed by the greatest prosperity Lonisi- ana ever enjoyed. An immense trade sprung up at New Orleans, and was largely in the hands of the Americans. Soon the old trouble arose-complaint of the encroachments of the Americans ; and the restrictions, which had never been repealed, were again enforced to check their advance from all commercial quarters. As a bar to the advancement of the Americans, Spain, at great expense, concluded a permanent treaty of friendship and alliance with the Talabouches, Creeks, Apalaches, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Alibamous, and took care that those powerful nations were afterward hostile to the Americans. 'The half-breed chief, McGillivray, was promptly granted a pension of six hundred dol- lars per annum by Spain, owing to his strong influence over all the southern tribes. Strange as it may seem, he even hinted as early as January 1, 1784, at the separation of the west- ern territory from the United States, his language being, "This expedient (the levying of duties and taxes by the United States) has produced so unfavorable an impression, that a good many of their citizens, in order to escape from the burden of taxa- tion, have abandoned their dwellings for the woods, and have marched toward the Mississippi, in order to unite with a certain number of disbanded soldiers, who are anxious to possess them- selves of a considerable portion of the territory watered by this river ; and they propose establishing what they call The Western Independence, and throwing aside the authority of the American Congress. The emigrants are so numerons that, in a short time, it is possible that they may find themselves strong enough to carry into execution their scheme of separation ; and, if they once form . settlements on the Mississippi, it will require much time, trouble
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