USA > Missouri > A history of Missouri from the earliest explorations and settlements until the admission of the state into the union, Volume II > Part 32
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These French inhabitants of Missouri bore little resemblance to the "gay and perhaps frivolous"Frenchmen of the age of Louis XV, and still less to those who participated in and " felt the racking storm of the revolution." 11 They were principally descendants of the French-Canadian pioneers. Driven by the disasters of the revolu- tion a few families also came directly from France to find a home in
Michauxs' Travels, p. 182. Bradbury says that going down the Missis- sippi below New Madrid he passed 24 such flatboats going south in one day. Travels.
9 Bossu's Travels, vol. I, p. 24. (London, 1771.)
10 Ibid., p. 112.
11 Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana, p. 235.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI
upper Louisiana. It was observed that the French Canadians spoke the French language with a purity remarkable, considering that they were separated so long from their ancestral home and from all literary and other intercourse with it.12 But it was observed that they lengthened the sound of words and thus gave the language a languid softness, by no means disagreeable to the listener, but devoid of that animation generally possessed by the French. A few words they added to the language, but many words were in use among them which had become obsolete in France, just as English words are in use among us which have become obsolete in England, although we now travel from one end of the globe to the other in a few weeks. Volney says that the French-Canadians at Vincennes "spoke a pretty good French intermixed with military terms and phrases, all these settlements having been made by soldiers." 13 The primitive stock of the settlers of Canada belonged to the Regiment Cardi- gan. But Collot says that the people spoke a corrupt French, "espèce de jargon." 14
Removed from the great centers of population, trade and fashion, these French-Canadians dressed in a peculiar fashion, as best they could, yet plain and simple. "The men wore a blanket coat of coarse cloth or coating, with a cape behind which could be thrown over the head, from which circumstances it was called capote." 15 Both sexes wore blue handkerchiefs on their heads, but no hats. They had "a strong predeliction for the blue color" says Reynolds.16 Moccasins or Indian sandals were used. These moccasins were both neat and serviceable. The dress of the females was generally simple, and the variety of the fashions few, although in good taste, but the women were dressed neater and better then the men. The women "caught up the French fashions from New Orleans and Paris" and "adopted them to the full extent of their means and talents". Both men and women were always provided with a proper and neat
12 Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana, p. 239. See also Stoddard's Louisi- ana, p. 330.
13 Volney's Views, p. 353.
14 Collot's dans L'Amerique, vol. 2, 517.
15 In 1817 Nuttall describing the dress of the French-Canadians at Arkansas Post says, "Blanket capeaus, moccasins and overalls of the same material, are here, as in Canada, the prevailing dress; and men and women commonly wear a handkerchief on the head in place of hats and bonnets."-Nuttall's Arkansas, P. 75.
16 Reynolds' Pioneer History of Illinois, p. 51.
269
PERSONAL EFFECTS
dress for the church and ball room.17 Brackenridge, who spent three years as a boy in Ste. Genevieve, describing M. Beauvais, in whose family he lived, says that he was "dressed in the costume of the place," that is, " with a blue handkerchief on his head, one corner thereof descending behind and partly covering the eel skin which bound his hair, and a check shirt, coarse linen pantaloons on his hips, and the Indian sandal or moccasin, the only covering to the feet worn by both sexes," and M. Beauvais was then the wealthiest man, not only in Ste. Genevieve, but in upper Louisiana.
The inventory of the house-hold effects of Jacques Louis Lam- bert, dit Lafleur, a merchant and militia officer, a person of some consequence in those days, who died at Ste. Genevieve December 26, 1771, gives us a good idea of the articles of dress owned and of the personal property of the more wealthy early inhabitants. The great value in which personal property was held is indicated by the minuteness with which it is noted down. According to this inventory, Lambert died possessed of a regimental coat and vest, sword and belt, gun and powder-horn, gold watch worth 200 livres, gold button, silver snuffbox, three pairs of silver buckles, silver cross, silver spoon, silver fork, two silver rings, hunting knife, two purses, two looking glasses, one hat, and an Indian pipe. In addition he died possessed of twenty-two shirts, twelve night caps, thirty handkerchiefs, six drawers, two umbrellas, two mattresses, one feather bed, one blanket, one coverlid, one bed curtain, one pillow case, three cravats, three table cloths, eight pair of breeches, candlestick, yard stick, brush, powder bag, clock, muff, capot, curling iron, plates, tureen, bottles, basket, bowl, pots, copper kettle, barrel, bird cage, and a lot of deer skins and other property. From this inventory it is also apparent that, in 1771, real estate was considered of little value and importance in what is now Missouri. A house and lot valued at 1,000 livres, or 200 dol- lars, was all the real property one of the richest residents of upper Lousiana then owned. Nor need this surprise us, for land was granted by the government gratuitously to all who applied for it in order to improve or cultivate it, and was only valuable for cultivation and on account of improvements made on it. The wealth of the inhabitants was measured by the personal property they possessed.18
17 Reynolds' Pioneer History of Illinois, p. 52.
18 Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana, p. 238.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI
One Jean B. Butand, dit Brindamour, who died in 1771 at the house of J. B. Sarpy, then a merchant at St. Louis, did not leave so extensive an estate as Lambert; but the articles of personal dress of which he died possessed, fairly indicate the value and character of the worldly possessions of most of the people at that time. Butand's effects consisted of six white shirts, two red checked cotton shirts, two blue cotton shirts, three pair of large cotton breeches, one beaufort bed sheet, two blanket capotes, a blue jacket, one pair of blue woolen stockings, four pairs of old shoes, six cot- ton handkerchiefs, one vest, one cottonade jacket, one red cloth vest, an old trunk, feather bed with skin cover, one buffalo robe, a pillow and old couch, one old gun, one hat, seven pewter spoons and a plate, two iron forks, a pair of scissors, and pair of brass buckles.
On the other hand, the inventory of the personal possessions of Denau Detailly, an Indian interpreter, married to an Indian squaw, shows how small and valueless the personal assets of the poorer classes of inhabitants of upper Louisiana would be considered now. When Detailly died, he had one old feather bed covered with skins, and another with ticking, four delf plates, a tin pan, shovel, seven pewter spoons, four iron forks, an adz and saw, an oven, table, four old chairs two sheets, two pairs of old cotton breeches, ragged at that; a shirt worn and torn, an old blanket coat, straw hat and mittens; and these assets and possessions were deemed then of sufficient importance to warrant the Lieutenant-Governor Perez, Don Antonio de Oro, officer of the garrison, and other officials to go several miles out in the country to cause an inventory to be made. In addition, Detailly had a claim for thirty-seven livres, and which was duly inventoried, against one Mongrain for the price of a pirogue.19
The stock of goods carried by the old French traders, or merchants, also gives us some idea of the manner in which these pioneers of Mis- souri were clad. From the invoices and inventories of these traders and merchants which have been preserved, we find that they had for sale, blankets, blue and red cloth, kersey jackets, blanket capotes, colimanco cloaks, double flannel cloaks, cotton and plain shirts, scarlet cloth, also ribbon, thread, pins, (each pin made by hand because this was before the days of machine pins), table cloths, cravats; and for the Indian trade, coarse white and grey Indian
19 This Mongrain was doubtless Noel Mongrain, a half breed, nephew of Chevaux Blanc, the principal chief of the Osages.
27I
CHARACTERISTICS
muslin, red cotton handkerchiefs, knit caps and striped caps.20 In 1796, however, Collot observes that about the same goods and merchandise find sale in upper Louisiana as in the Western States of the Union-although in lower Louisiana a better and finer grade of goods found a market.21
In their manners, these early French-Canadian settlers were plain and simple. In ordinary deportment they were sober, sedate and serious, and "retained the politeness and suavity of their race" with "something of the gravity of the Spaniard," but happy and hilarious like the French inhabitants on the east side of the river, when amuse- ment was the business of the hour.22 But Lieutenant Frazier, for a time stationed at Fort de Chartres, shortly after the English took possession of the country east of the river, speaking of some of these French-Canadians says, that they "are for the greatest part drunk every day when they can get drink to buy in the colony."23 Frazier, however, evidently was prejudiced against the people and contradicts himself. For instance, referring to the fact that many of the French residents had removed to the west bank of the Mississippi he says, that the country is "well quit of them," but later on inconsistently adds, that "it is to be hoped that they will see now that they have been imposed upon and that so many will come back as will be able to supply our troops plentifully."24
These old French-Canadians had little of that restlessness, nervousness and impatience that distinguished their European com- patriots. In person, men and women were well formed, agree- able and pleasant in appearance, courteous, indicating a cheerful and serene disposition, untroubled by want, care or anxiety. Nor could it well be otherwise, for the necessities of life were easily secured, and beggary was unknown. Courtesy and politeness was universal even among the humblest. The children vied with each other to show kindness to strange children.25 The gentle and easy life they led was reflected in their manners and to a certain degree in the softness and mildness of their languages.26 Kindness was manifested in all their domestic relations. "The women were
20 Scharff's History of St. Louis, p. 277.
21 Collot's Voyage dans L'Amerique, vol. 2, p. 273.
22 Ford's History of Illinois, p. 36.
23 Indiana Hist. Publication, vol. 2, p. 412.
24 Ibid., p. 414.
25 Brackenridge's Recollections, p. 20.
26 Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana, p. 236.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI
remarkable," says Governor Ford, who in his youth lived among these French pioneers, "for the grace and elegance of their manners and sprightliness of their conversation." 27 The wife was not the slave but the partner of the husband, and was so considered by law ; she was consulted and usually decided all affairs relating to the common welfare. They were faithful and affectionate wives, only rarely did one abandon or desert her husband. Cases of seduction were almost unknown.
Honesty and punctuality characterised all their dealings. They spoke the truth and scrupulously carried out their bargains and those of their fathers. This is shown by the fact, that after the United States acquired Louisiana, and lands and lots had consequently in- creased wonderfully in value, they often ratified and confirmed the verbal contracts of their ancestors, although legally they could not be compelled to do so. Says Reynolds, "that sleepless, ferocious ambi- tion to acquire wealth and power which seizes on so many people of this day, never was known amongst the early settlers of Illinois,"28 and we may add Missouri. They were uneasy when in debt. They abhorred litigation. Criminal offenses were almost unknown among them. "In no country," says Stoddard, "were aggravated crimes more rare than in Louisiana." The people were educated to obey the laws and the guilty were not allowed to escape with impunity. They had great respect for law and the constituted authorities. The flippant contempt with which every law is now regarded, that does not suit the opinion, prejudice or interest of the individual, was then unknown in Missouri. "Besides, the French attached more disgrace to punishments than any other people." 29
No caste separated the people and there was scarcely any distinc- tion of classes, the wealthy and more intelligent were considered more important, but even this manifest difference was not clearly marked. It was observed in New Orleans in 1804, that "they feel cordial and equal respect for all ranks and conditions who have good man- ners and deportment. "Tis good conduct which rules with them," 30 - and this was also true in upper Louisiana. At the balls which often took place on Sunday after Mass, rich and poor mingled
27 Ford's History of Illinois, p. 37.
28 Reynolds' Pioneer History of Louisiana, p. 37.
2º Stoddard's Louisiana, p. 282. They paid great deference to "men in power," not from obsequiousness, "but from habitual respect." They yielded obedience "without a murmur to their official superiors," p. 327.
30 American Pioneer, vol. 2, p. 235.
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GRACEFUL MANNERS
on terms of equality. As a matter of fact, nearly all these early French-Canadian inhabitants were connected by ties of affinity or consanguinity. In some places so extensive was this relation- ship that on account of the death of a relative at an inopportune time, the carnival season, the greatest occasion for festivity in those days, was allowed to pass cheerless and unnoticed. Otherwise during the carnival season, balls and dances followed each other in rapid succession. The children, too, were permitted to be present at these dances, not indeed as a place of frivolity but rather as a school of good manners, and here also the children of the rich and poor were placed on a footing of perfect equality. The only difference between them was a more costly, but not a cleaner or neater dress.31 The strictest decorum prevailed on such occasions and solemnity and seriousness prevailed, as at a Sunday school. Two aged discreet persons were chosen to preserve order and decorum - called Pro- vosts-one to select the ladies for the dance, and the other the gentlemen so that all could dance at their proper turn.32 The children were required to be seated, and neither boisterous conduct, promiscuous running about, confusion or disorder was allowed. The dances were cotillions and reels, but the minuet was popular. The customs their ancestors brought from France to the New World gave that grace of manner to these French pioneers which distin- guishes the French men and women everywhere. From earliest infancy, even in the western wilderness, the importance of graceful and elegant deportment was impressed on the children. No vulgarity or rowdyism was tolerated and often the priest of the village graced by his presence these festive occasions. Such manners dis- tinguished these French pioneers from many of their American neighbors who were too often coarse and clownish in their conduct. Flint was much impressed by the amiability, the polish and refine- ment of the people of Ste. Genevieve.33 But all the writers do not give the same charming picture of the training given by the early French settlers to their children and of these French habitans. In an account of the early education of the youth of the French and French-Canadian settlers, one writer says: "The youth here are employed in hunting, fishing and pleasuring; very few learn the necessary sciences, or, at best, it is what is least attended to. The
31 Brackenridge's Recollections of the West, p. 25.
Reynolds' Pioneer History of Illinois, p. 53.
33 Flint's Recollections, p. 100.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI
children,34 even of the best sort, know how to fire a musket or shoot an arrow, catch fish, draw a bow, handle an oar, swim, run, dance, or play at cards." Strange as it may seem, General Collot contra- dicts what has been observed by other early travellers. He says: "Most of the habitans are traders, adventurers, coureurs des bois, rowers or soldiers, ignorant, superstitious and stubborn, but they endure great hardship, fatigue and privations and fear no danger in their enterprises, and which they prosecute to the end; they have preserved the French virtue of courage but they are indolent, lazy and drunken and cultivate only a little land; they have even forgotten the divisions of time and the months and when asked as to certain events answer, du temps des grandes eaux, des fraises, du mais ou des pommes de terre," that they will not change their habits or usages and when asked to enlarge their commerce and expand their farming operations they simply respond that such has been their custom and they in no wise de- sire to change it. He says, however, that they love France and speak with pride of it.35 From all of which it would appear that General Collot was a disgruntled observer and perhaps did not receive as much attention as he thought he was entitled to from the residents of upper Louisiana.
Hospitality was universal and "exercised as in the first ages" 36 and none thought of being otherwise.37 The stranger was welcomed and never turned from the door. They did not believe what Palfrey, the distinguished New England historian, so dogmatically asserts, " that hospitality is the universal virtue of a lazy and unsettled people." 38 Taverns or public inns, however, were licensed by the commandants. Thus, at New Madrid Jacob Myers was licensed "to hold an inn and public tavern," and this privilege was granted him as the highest bidder "in consideration of 60 piastres payable in cash in the course of six months." 39
34 Dumont's Present State of Louisiana, p. 29. This pamphlet was written by an officer of New Orleans, London, 1744.
35 Collot's Voyage dans L'Amerique, p. 515. Bradbury also says that they are much attached to the manners of their ancestors and to their practices in husbandry and that they cannot be induced to abandon them. Travels, p. 260.
36 Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana, p. 236
37 Ist Niles Register, p. 214.
38 Palfrey's History of New England, vol. 3, p. 37.
3º This license was granted in 1795, at public outcry at Fort Celeste. Myers was the highest bidder and entered into bond with Dr. Samuel Dorsey as surety - in substance as follows: Ist to have a house sufficiently large to entertain voyageurs and other persons with "tranquility and safety"; 2nd, to have on hand
275
EDUCATION
The cause of education was not so neglected as might seem.40 There were private schools in Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, and New Madrid. The schools generally were maintained in connection with the church of the village, and afforded a modest ele- mentary instruction. To such a school in Ste. Genevieve, Bracken- ridge was sent by his father in '1793. Who the teacher was we do not now know, but the institution seems to have been under the supervision of the village priest, Father St. Pierre. Jean Baptiste Trudeau was the first teacher of a boys' school of St. Louis. He was born in 1748 in Canada and came to St. Louis in 1774 when about 26 years of age. In 1781 he married Madeline LeRoy, widow of Fran- çois Hebert in St. Louis. Under him, all the old French residents received the rudiments of an education. He was a relative of Don Zenon Trudeau, who to show his appreciation and gratitude for the education given his "numerous family" by Jean Baptiste, made him a free gift or present of $400 in due legal form, in 1799. This form was necessary, because under the Spanish law, a man could only give away a certain amount of his property although perfectly free from debt. Trudeau continued to teach school in St. Louis for 23 years after the cession, and died in 1827 at the age of 79 years. The first school for girls was established in St. Louis by Marie Josepha Pinçonneau dit Rigauche. Her maiden name was Payant. She came from New Orleans in 1777 with her husband, Ignace Pin- çonneau dit Rigauche, a trader, who died in 1788. Madame Pin- çonneau was generally known as Madame Rigauche. She opened her school for girls in St. Louis at the instance of Baron Carondelet, with whom she probably became personally acquainted in New Orleans.
the necessary eatables and provisions; 3rd, to keep a supply of drink and strong liquor, not only for consumption and use in his house, but enough "that the village may not be in need of it," and this was an "essential condition," and failure to have such a supply on hand of "drink and strong liquor," for- feited the license; 4th, that he would not sell to any Indian savage, or to any slave of color, any liquor or strong drink, and in case of violation of this provision of the bond he forfeits 30 piastres as fine, and all "his liquor" and in addition, was liable to go 30 days to prison; 5th, he binds himself not to sell liquor on holidays and Sunday during divine service, nor in the evening after the beating of the retraite - under a penalty of 6 piastres, and 12 days imprisonment; 6th, agrees not to present any claim or legal demand to the commandant for any unpaid liquor bill, on penalty "of his demand being rejected;" 7th, agrees not to take pay or surety for any unpaid liquor bill from any soldier, or sailor, or from the son of a family under 18 years of age, nor from a slave or to accept payment for such a bill in any garment "from foot to head," or shoes or clothing belonging to either children or slaves, on penalty of a fine of 15 piastres and imprisonment of 15 days. This bond was entered into Aug. 24, 1795.
40 Stoddard's Louisiana, p. 309.
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HISTORY OF MISSOURI
The Baron promised her a monthly salary of fifteen dollars, but this amount was never paid, and in lieu, thereof, she received from DeLassus a grant of land of 1,600 arpens.41 Madame Rigauche died at St. Ferdinand in 1823, aged 95 years. To her, doubtless belongs the honor of having first established a school for the education of girls, west of the Mississippi - in upper Louisiana at least. In New Madrid in 1793, Thomas Jacob was authorized to teach school. Charles Chartres in 1802, had a private school there, where English instruction was given. His terms were two dollars a quarter, school beginning in March and ending in No- vember. Other teachers in New Madrid were Louis Baby and Philip Duncomb.
All the French settlers were strict and exemplary Catholics. Thus Madame Beauvais had some "little compunction at putting him, (Brackenridge) a little heretic, in the same bed with her own chil- dren." However, the inhabitants were far from being bigoted or superstitious, but as a rule they observed the discipline of their church strictly, as well as the holy days of the calendar.42 Says Reynolds: "I do not believe that there was a more devout people than these primitive French."43 Some of the more intelligent and influential inhabitants of these villages, it was observed in 1818 by Peck, were French liberalists and infidels.44 Yet he remarks that the French universally treated all ministers of the gospel who came to the country, on the acquisition of Louisiana, with great courtesy.
One thing, however, deeply disturbed the religious feelings of Peck, because with them the "Sabbath was a day of hilarity." Mass was attended in the morning, but in the afternoon the people assembled for social amusement. Brackenridge says that the Sunday balls of Ste. Genevieve were comparatively innocent and advises us particularly that M. and Mm. Beauvais were "rigid Sabbatarians." Even Stoddard, coming from New England, and witnessing these universal festivities says: "They play at billiards and other games ; and to balls and assemblies the Sundays are particularly devoted. To those educated in regular and pious habits, such parties and amuse- ments appear unseasonable and strange, if not odious, and seem
41 American State Papers, 2 Public Land, p. 466.
42 Brackenridge's Views of Louisiana, p. 237. " Obstinately attached to the Catholic religion," says Stoddard, p. 330.
43 Reynolds' Pioneers of Illinois, p. 52.
" Life of Peck, p. 88. But Stoddard says, "when apprehensive of death they cling to it as the only anchor of their hope," p. 330.
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COOKING
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 unde- filed religion in their amusements; much more, indeed, than exists in certain night conferences, and obscure meetings, in various parts among the tombs. When questioned relative 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 behavior, are much more indicative of hypocrisy than of religion ; and they have often remarked that those who practice these singular- ities on Sundays will most assuredly cheat and defraud their neighbors during the rest of the week. At the time we now describe, the greatest interest in religious festivals and processions was always manifest." 45
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