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diff --git a/38837.txt b/38837.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dfdcf83 --- /dev/null +++ b/38837.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6412 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Norman's New Orleans and Environs, by B. M. Norman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Norman's New Orleans and Environs + Containing a Brief Historical Sketch of the Territory and + State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, from the + Earliest Period to the Present Time + +Author: B. M. Norman + +Release Date: February 11, 2012 [EBook #38837] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NORMAN'S NEW ORLEANS AND ENVIRONS *** + + + + +Produced by Julia Miller, JoAnn Greenwood and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +[Transcriber's Note: The use of chapter, section, and page headers in +this book was inconsistent. There are two chapters titled "Public +Buildings" (starting P. 86 and P. 127). The chapters "Public Squares" +(P. 181) and "Excursions" (P. 199) switched from a titled paragraph +format used in the rest of the book to small cap beginnings for +paragraphs (retained). + +In some cases, there were changes in topics with no corresponding change +in section headings. To mark these topic changes, the transcriber placed +additional thought breaks, not present in the original, at the following +locations: P. 137 (Hotels); P. 144 (Works, Armories, Fire Department); +P. 157 (Exchanges); and P. 169 (Galleries). + +The abbreviation "do" (used primarily in the index and routing tables) +means "ditto." + +The Table of Contents at the beginning has been added by the +transcriber; it was not present in the original. + +Remaining transcriber's notes are at the end of the text.] + + + Page + + Preface v + A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE DISCOVERY AND TERRITORIAL + HISTORY OF LOUISIANA 7 + THE STATE OF LOUISIANA 28 + NEW ORLEANS 58 + PUBLIC BUILDINGS 86 + CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS 110 + HOSPITALS 117 + PUBLIC BUILDINGS 127 + MANUFACTURES 150 + AMUSEMENTS 176 + PUBLIC SQUARES 181 + THE OLDEN TIME 184 + EXCURSIONS 191 + TRAVELLING ROUTES 201 + GENERAL INDEX 207 + ADVERTISEMENTS 225 + + + + + NORMAN'S + NEW ORLEANS AND ENVIRONS: + + CONTAINING A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH + OF THE + TERRITORY AND STATE OF LOUISIANA, + AND THE + CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, + FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME: + + PRESENTING + A COMPLETE GUIDE + TO ALL SUBJECTS OF GENERAL INTEREST IN THE SOUTHERN + METROPOLIS; + + WITH A + CORRECT AND IMPROVED PLAN OF THE CITY, PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS + OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC. + + + NEW ORLEANS: + + PUBLISHED BY B. M. NORMAN. + + NEW YORK, D. APPLETON & CO.; PHILADELPHIA, GEO. S. APPLETON; + BOSTON, JAS. MUNROE & CO.; CINCINNATI, H. W. DERBY & CO.; + ST. LOUIS, HALSALL & COLLET; MOBILE, J. M. SUMWALT & CO. + + 1845. + + + * * * * * + + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by + + B. M. NORMAN, + + in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the Southern + District of New York. + + Wm. Van Norden, Printer, 39 William street. + + + * * * * * + + + DEDICATED + TO THE + + CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS, + + WITH + True Sentiments of Respect, + + BY THEIR + HUMBLE SERVANT. + + The Publisher. + + NEW ORLEANS, October, 1845. + + + * * * * * + + + + +PREFACE + + +To the stranger visiting New Orleans, and to those abroad who may feel +an interest in the metropolis of the great South-West, no apology may +be urged for the present work. Curiosity, in the one case, and +necessity, in the other, will prove a sufficient plea, and prepare the +way for that favorable reception, which it has been the aim of the +publisher it should deserve. And, judging from the interest he has +taken in compiling it, he flatters himself it will be found a +communicative and agreeable companion to both the above classes of +readers, and to the public in general. + +The tables and index have been prepared with great care, and will be +found highly convenient to those who wish to consult the work with +reference to any particular subject of which it treats. All such +subjects are there so arranged and classified, that the reader may +see, at a glance, where they are to be found. + +The engravings were executed by Messrs. Shields & Hammond, after +original drawings, made expressly for this work, by Mr. Cowell. The +plan of the city was engraved by the same artists, after an original +draught by Mr. Mullhausen. + +To several gentlemen, who have kindly aided the publisher in gathering +materials for the work, he would here express his grateful +acknowledgements. For the historical facts embodied in the volume, he +is indebted to several works on the history of Louisiana, and the +discovery and early settlement of our country. + + + + +NORMAN'S +NEW ORLEANS AND ENVIRONS. + +A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE DISCOVERY AND TERRITORIAL HISTORY OF LOUISIANA + +[Illustration: TOMOWEN. PINXT. +De Soto's discovery of the Mississippi] + + +Louisiana is the name given by the French, to all that extensive tract +of land, lying West of the Mississippi River, which was ceded by them +to the United States in 1803. The line of its western boundary follows +the Sabine River to the 32d degree of north latitude; thence, due +north to the Red River; along that stream westerly to the meridian of +100 west longitude; thence due north to the Arkansas River, ascending +that to its source; thence due north to the 42d degree of latitude; +and along that, parallel to the Pacific Ocean. Its northern boundary +is a matter of dispute between the United States and Great Britain, +and the discussion, at the present moment is somewhat exciting and +ominous. It is the only question in relation to any part of our +border, which has not been amicably adjusted by treaty. _We_ claim the +boundary formed by a line drawn from the Lake of the Woods, in the +49th degree of latitude, due west to the Rocky Mountains, thence to +the parallel of 54, and on that to the Pacific. The British, on the +other hand, claim that part, lying west of the Rocky Mountains, and +north of the 46th parallel, or the latitude of the Columbia River. Our +claim to the whole of this Territory, the part in dispute being called +the Oregon, is based upon priority of discovery, and purchase. The +British claim the northern portion by right of possession. The +question has been held in suspense for several years, under a treaty +of joint occupancy, which is now about to terminate. The question of +ownership and jurisdiction, will probably be adjusted definitely in +the course of a few years. We trust it may be done without the +necessity of an appeal to arms. + +The vast domain, included within the above named boundaries, contains +more than twelve hundred thousand square miles. It is about six times +the size of France, and nearly twice as large as the whole territory +embraced in the thirteen original States of the Union--an empire, in +itself sufficiently extensive to satisfy the ambition of any ordinary +people. + +The discoveries of Columbus, and his immediate successors, were +confined to the islands in and about the Gulf of Mexico, and a part of +the adjacent coast of the two Continents. The immense tracts that lay +inland, stretching thousands of miles towards the setting sun, were +unknown and unexplored for nearly half a century after the landing of +the Europeans on this coast. Those of North America were first visited +in 1512, by Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish adventurer in quest of the +FOUNTAIN OF IMMORTAL YOUTH, which the Indians represented as gushing +up in one of the Elysian Valleys of the West;--but, unfortunately for +him and for posterity, death overtook him before he reached the +_Fountain_, and the directions for finding it perished with him. +Having made the first land on Pascha _Florida_, or Palm Sunday, he +gave the name of Florida to all the country lying to the North and +West. + +In consequence of the premature death of Ponce de Leon, the expedition +was given up, and little more was known of these regions until 1538, +when Hernandez de Soto, having been made Governor of Cuba, and +Adelantado of Florida, undertook, with a company of six hundred men, +to explore these his western dominions. He penetrated Florida, +Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky, and struck the Mississippi not far +from the place now known as the Chickasaw Bluffs. Thence he passed +over to the Red River, and descending that, had nearly reached its +mouth, when he was seized with a sudden fever, and died. To prevent +his body from falling into the hands of the Indians, it was sunk in +the stream at the mouth of Red River, near its junction with "_the +father of waters_." + +The expedition of de Soto consumed four years, during which, his +adventures, among the various tribes and nations then teeming in these +quiet regions, were diversified and full of the most romantic +interest. He was succeeded in 1542 by Lewis de Moscoso, or Mucoso, +who, with none of the address or enterprise of de Soto, found himself +and his small company, now reduced by disease and constant warfare +with the natives, to about three hundred men, encompassed with +difficulty, and in danger of being entirely cut off. They built seven +brigantines, probably the first specimens of scientific ship building +on the Mississippi, and then dropped down the river. Pursued by +thousands of exasperated Indians in their canoes, harrassed, wounded, +and some of them slain, the miserable remnant at length found their +way out of the river, about the middle of July. + +No sooner had they put to sea, than a violent tempest arose; when +another calamity befell them, which will be feelingly understood by +many of the navigators of these waters, in our own day. I will give it +in the language of the historian, who was one of the party. "While +they were in this tempest, in great fear of being cast away, they +endured an intolerable torment of an infinite swarm of musketoes, +which fell upon them, which, as soon as they had stung the flesh, it +so infected it, as though they had been venomous. In the morning, the +sea was assuaged, and the wind slacked, but not the musketoes; for the +sails, which were white, seemed black with them in the morning. Those +which rowed, unless others kept them away, were not able to row. +Having passed the fear and danger of the storm, beholding the +deformities of their faces, and the blows which they gave themselves +to drive them away, one of them laughed at another." + +It is manifest from the narrative of de Soto's expedition, that a +dense population once covered this whole territory. It is equally +manifest that they were a race infinitely superior to the almost +exterminated tribes which still remain. In the arts of what we term +civilization, in the comforts and conveniences of social life, in the +organization of society, in works of taste, in a knowledge of the +principles, and an appreciation of the beauties of architecture, and +in the application of the various mechanical powers requisite to the +construction of buildings on a grand and magnificent scale, they may +challenge comparison with some of the proudest nations of antiquity, +in the old world. What has become of those mysterious nations, we are +at a loss to conjecture; but their works remain, though in ruins, +eternal monuments of their genius and power. As far as they have been +explored, they afford ample evidence that the appellation "New World" +is an entire misnomer. As the eloquent Mr. Wirt once said--"_This is +the old World_," and the day may come, when the antiquarian will find +as much that is attractive and interesting in the time hallowed ruins +and the almost buried cities, of America, as those of Pompeii and +Herculaneum, of Thebes and Palmyra. + +Changed as the whole country has been, in the lapse of three +centuries, in respect to most of those things which must have struck +the original discoverers with wonder, admiration, and awe--there is +one feature, as described by de Soto, that still remains, so distinct +and characteristic, that, if the brave old Adelantado should suddenly +rise from his watery grave, he would immediately recognize the place +of his burial. + +The Mississippi is still the same as when those bold adventurers first +beheld it. The historian describes it as "a river so broad, that if a +man stood still on the other side, it could not be discerned whether +he was a man or no. The channel was very deep, the current strong, the +water muddy and filled with floating trees." + +Of all the great rivers of this continent, it is a distinction which +is probably peculiar to the Mississippi, that it was discovered, not +by navigators entering it from the ocean, but by a band of adventurous +explorers, striking it in their march, at some thousand miles from its +mouth! + +For more than a century after the expedition of de Soto, these mighty +regions were suffered to remain in the quiet possession of their +original owners, undisturbed by the visits of white men. In 1654, the +adventurous Col. Woods, from the infant colony of Virginia, wandered +into these then remote regions, and crossed "the great river," after +which it lay forgotten for twenty years longer. + +In 1673, Marquette, a French monk, and Joliet, a trader, starting from +Quebec, traversed the great northern Lakes, ascended the Fox River to +its source, made a small portage west to the Wisconsin, and descended +that river to the Mississippi, where they arrived on the 7th of July. +Committing themselves to the current, the two solitary travellers +reached a village of the Illinois, near the mouth of the Missouri, +where they were kindly received and hospitably entertained. After a +brief stay, they proceeded down to a settlement of the Arkansas, near +the river of that name. They did not proceed farther at this time, but +returned to Quebec, by the same route, fully impressed with the belief +that they could reach the Gulf of Mexico, by continuing their course +on the great river. There was immense rejoicing in Quebec at the +result of this adventure. _Te deum_ was sung in the Churches, on the +occasion, and the great Western Valley set down as belonging to France +by right of discovery. They were little aware how brief their dominion +in that land would be, or how soon the fruits of all their toils would +fall into the hands of a nation then unborn, that in one little +century, should leap to independence and power, and claim an honorable +place among the hoary empires of the earth. + +Six years after the return of Marquette and Joliet, Robert, Chevalier +de la Salle, commenced operations for a further exploration of the +Mississippi. With seventeen men, he proceeded to the Little Miami, +near the mouth of which he built a fort. From thence he traversed the +country, till he came to the Falls of St. Anthony. Descending the +Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, he returned by land to Quebec +during the year 1681. He then proceeded to France, procured a vessel, +and sailed in 1685, with the intention of entering the river through +the Gulf, but was unable to find its mouth. + +In his next voyage, having met with the same disappointment, he +erected a fort in the Bay of St. Bernard, near the mouth of the +Colorado. Ascending that river, about sixteen miles, he established +another fort, which, however, he soon destroyed, and returned to the +first settlement. Here he built houses, erected another fort, which he +called St. Louis, and prepared the ground for cultivation. He made +many abortive attempts to find the entrance to the Mississippi. At +length, a conspiracy was formed among his own party, and he was +cruelly murdered by Dehault, on the 19th of March, 1687, near the +western branch of Trinity River. Thus fell, in the midst of his toils, +and in the prime of his years, by the hand of an assassin, one of the +most renowned adventurers of the 17th century--a man who may be justly +claimed as an honor to the country that gave him birth. He deserved a +better fate. In cool courage, in hardy enterprise, and in fertility of +resources, he was second only to Columbus. And in the power of +subduing the wild spirits of his men, and bending all their energies +to the one object before him, he displayed much of the sagacity and +tact of that great navigator. In vigor, decision and promptitude, he +much resembled the renowned Cortes, without any of the bigotry or +cruelty, that tarnished the reputation of the Conqueror of Mexico. + +In 1699, eighteen years after La Salle had demonstrated the connection +of the Mississippi with the Gulf of Mexico, by passing out at its +mouth, Iberville succeeded in entering it from the Gulf. Ascending as +far as the junction of Red River, he returned, and proceeded, by way +of the Gulf, into Lake Pontchartrain. He formed a settlement and +erected a fort, at Biloxi, which he left under the command of his +brother Bienville, while he returned to France, to induce others to +join the colony. Soon after he left, the new commander ascended the +Mississippi as far as the present site of New Orleans. In returning, +he met a British vessel of sixteen guns, under the command of Capt. +Bard, who enquired the bearings of the great river, intimating that it +was his intention to establish a colony upon its banks. Bienville, in +reply, directed him to go farther west, and thus induced him to turn +about; from which circumstance, the place of their meeting was called +"The English Turn," a name which it retains to this day. + +Iberville accompanied by a considerable accession of force, comprising +hardy settlers, and scientific men, soon returned to the colony. +Finding things in a promising condition, he proceeded up the river as +far as Natchez, and planted a settlement there. Leaving Bienville and +St. Denys in command, he again took leave, and sailed for France. He +was indefatigable in his exertions to establish and render permanent +his little colony. It was the first attempt in this section; and +Iberville may be well regarded as the father of Louisiana. But he did +not survive to enjoy its growth and prosperity. He died in one of the +West India Islands, a victim to the yellow fever, in 1708. About this +time, one Sauville was elected Governor. He survived the appointment, +however, but a short time. Bienville then succeeded him, and retained +the office till 1710, when he was superseded by De Muys and Diron +d'Artaquette. + +Finding that they derived no immediate advantage from this new +accession of territory, the French Government, in 1712, granted to +Antonio Crozat, a rich merchant of Paris, the monopoly of the trade of +Louisiana, which he surrendered back in 1717. What a fortune a man +might make now, out of a five years monopoly of the trade of that +luxuriant region! + +In 1717, a new charter was issued, under the style of "The Western +Company," with the exclusive privilege of the trade of Louisiana for +twenty-five years. Bienville was again chosen Governor, and in the +following year, 1718, he laid the foundation of New Orleans. Hitherto +the pursuits of agriculture had been entirely neglected. Whether this +neglect was attributable to the hostility of the Indians, compelling +them to concentrate their little force in one spot, or to the +flattering promises of trade, or to the illusive hope of discovering +mines of gold, which occupied all their time, or to all these causes +combined, we cannot now determine. We only know, that, up to this +period, they had depended almost entirely upon supplies sent from +France, for the common necessaries of life. But now, the cultivation +of the soil began to be an object of considerable attention, tobacco +and rice being the principal articles from which a profit was +expected. + +The chief personage in this "Western Company," was the notorious John +Law, a Scotch financier, one of those universal speculators, who +experiment upon every thing, human and divine, who revel only in +change, and to whom mere innovation becomes the professional business +of a life. As is usual in such cases, he managed so as to draw down +ruin upon himself and his duped associates in France, while at the +same time, he had the singular tact to place the colony in a condition +for the time. The result of his schemes, however, was ultimately +disastrous. The finances of the colony were thrown into inextricable +confusion. The French Ministry, instead of applying an efficient +remedy, or leaving the evil to cure itself, only tampered with it, by +changing the values of the coins, and thus deranging all the money +transactions of the colony. The effect was ruinous to some, and +embarrassing to all. And when was it otherwise? Never. History and +experience utter but one voice on the subject of governmental +experiments, and arbitrary legislative innovations, upon ordinary +fiscal operations, and the course of trade. And that voice is--"_hands +off_." + +In the mean time war was declared between France and Spain. The +colonists, sympathizing with the mother country, commenced offensive +operations against their neighbors in Florida, and took possession of +Pensacola; which, however, the Spaniards soon recovered. The trade of +war was never very profitable, even to conquerors. No sooner were the +different colonies of pale faces at loggerheads among themselves, than +their natural enemies, the Indians, began to take advantage of their +divisions, and to endeavor to exterminate them both. A horrible +massacre took place at Natchez, in 1729. This was but part of a plan +which had been formed among the Mississippi tribes, for a general +butchery throughout the colony. The Natchez tribe, mistaking the day +appointed for the sacrifice, commenced their work of blood too soon, +and thus gave timely warning of the plot to all the other settlements. +The war which followed was a destructive one, but the Indians were +ultimately defeated. + +Bienville, having returned to France in 1727, was succeeded by +Perrier. Under his administration, the agricultural enterprise of the +colony was considerably advanced. The cultivation of indigo was +commenced in 1728. The fig tree and the orange were introduced at the +same time. + +In 1732, ten years before the legal expiration of their monopoly, the +"Western Company" returned their charter to the King. The colony was +then scarcely more than thirty years old, yet, notwithstanding their +many and severe trials, by war and by disease, the population numbered +five thousand whites, and two thousand blacks. Bienville was, the +third time, appointed Governor, having the entire confidence both of +the government and of the people. He continued to exercise this office +till 1741, when he again resigned, carrying with him into private life +the regrets and affectionate regards of the inhabitants. He was +succeeded by the Marquis de Vaudreuil. + +In the winter of 1747-8, the orange plantations were visited by a +severe frost, such as had never been known before, which not only cut +off the crop for the season, but almost destroyed the prospects of +that branch of business in the colony. + +The cultivation of the sugar cane, now so extensive and lucrative a +branch of business, did not begin to attract the attention of +agriculturalists till 1751. It was then introduced by the Jesuits of +St. Domingo, who sent some of the plants, as a present to their +brethren in Louisiana, accompanied by negroes, well acquainted with +its cultivation, and with the process then in use for manufacturing it +into sugar. The lower part of the Fauxbourg of St. Mary was devoted to +this experiment. That it was a happy experiment for the colony, and +the country, the waving fields and princely estates on every side, and +the annually increasing supply of this great staple, bear ample +witness. + +A large accession was made to the population of the colony in 1754, by +the arrival of emigrants from Acadia, (Nova Scotia) which they were +compelled to leave, owing to the oppressive measures of the British +Government, by which that province had just been conquered. A few +years afterwards, great numbers of Canadians, fleeing from the same +oppressions, found refuge in the sunny valleys of the south, and +brought a very considerable acquisition of strength and wealth to the +colony. + +"The seven years' war" between France and England, ended in the +cession, to the latter power, of all the French possessions in North +America, except Louisiana. It was stipulated, between the two crowns, +that the boundary line of their respective dominions, in the New +World, should run along the middle of the Mississippi, from its source +as far as the Iberville, and along the middle of that river, and of +Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain. This was in 1763. In the course of +the same year, Louisiana was transferred by treaty to the crown of +Spain. The tidings of this unexpected cession, which were not +promulgated until two years after the execution of the treaty, spread +dismay through the colony. The idea of being passed over, _nolens +volens_, to the domination of Spaniards, was revolting to the +thousands of true hearted and loyal Frenchmen, who had acquired and +defended the territory, and claimed it as their own. They resolved, as +one man, to resist this unceremonious change of masters, apparently +determined, if their old mother, France, persisted in casting them +off, to set up for themselves. + +In pursuance of this resolution, they refused to receive Don Ulloa, +whom the King of Spain despatched in 1766, to take possession of the +Province, and to assume the Government, as his representative. The +point was disputed at the cannon's mouth, but the colony prevailed, +and Don Ulloa returned with his dishonored commission, to his master. +Charles was as indignant as his crest-fallen servant, at this +unexpected repulse. But he was too busy with his own troubles at +home, to pursue the matter at that moment. + +A fit instrument of Royal vengeance was at length found, in the person +of Don O'Reilly, a renegade Irishman, who, in 1769, was appointed to +subdue and rule over the refractory province. A more perfect +exemplification of the remark, that the most depraved unprincipled man +may gain the confidence and regard of Kings, can scarcely be found. In +the execution of his trust, he showed himself a very fiend incarnate. +First, by fair promises, cautiously mingled with just as much of +intimidation, as would give an air of candor and courtly conciliation +to his promises, he induced the too credulous Louisianians to abandon +their purpose of resistance, and surrender without striking a blow. +This artful guise he continued to wear, till he had obtained +possession of all the insignia of government, and the sinews of power, +and placed his own chosen tools in all the chief places of trust. Then +the mask of hypocrisy was boldly thrown off, and the cloven foot +uncovered. His fair promises were immediately shown to be only a +master stroke of policy, to gain an end. In the face of his solemn +stipulations, he caused those who had been foremost in refusing +submission to his authority, to be seized and put to death. Five of +them, principal citizens of New Orleans, he caused to be publicly +shot. Five more he consigned to the dungeons of the Moro, at Havana, +and one he procured to be assassinated. Other acts of cold-blooded +cruelty, and false-hearted tyranny followed, till he became the +execration and abhorrence of the whole colony. He introduced the +Spanish colonial system, and subjected the inhabitants to every +species of indignity and abuse. At length, the extravagance of his +measures, and his unprincipled abuse of power, wrought its own ruin. +He was recalled by his King, and disgraced--if one already so infamous +could by any means be rendered more so. His successor was Unzoga, who +was shortly after superseded by Galvez. + +The colony now enjoyed a brief season of comparative quiet. But the +war between England and Spain, which broke out in 1779, afforded an +opportunity for Governor Galvez to show his loyal zeal, and exercise +his military talents. With the troops under his command, he invaded +Florida, took possession of Baton Rouge, and Fort Charlotte, near +Mobile, and proceeded to Pensacola, which, after an obstinate +resistance, also submitted to his authority. Thus was the Spanish +dominion completely established in Florida. + +Governor Miro, who succeeded Galvez, carried into full effect the +colonial system of Spain, which was by no means relished by the French +inhabitants of the colony. + +In 1785, a new firebrand was thrown into the midst of these +combustible elements. An attempt was made to establish an office of +the Inquisition in Louisiana. It was fearlessly opposed, and +fortunately crushed without bloodshed. The agent, to whom the +obnoxious business was entrusted, was seized in his bed, conveyed +forcibly on board a vessel, and sent home to Spain. + +A census of the province, taken in 1788, just ninety years from the +date of the first settlement, showed a population of 42,611. Of these, +19,445 were whites, 21,465 slaves, and 1701 colored freemen. New +Orleans, then 70 years old, contained 5,338 inhabitants. + +The Baron de Carondelet was appointed Governor in 1792. During his +administration, in the year 1794, the first newspaper, called "Le +Moniteur," was published in Louisiana. At the same period the Canal +Carondelet was commenced; and the cultivation of indigo and the sugar +cane, which had hitherto been the great staples of the colony, was +suspended. + +In 1795, by the treaty of St. Lorenzo, the navigation of the +Mississippi was opened to the western States of the Union, and the +great impulse given to the commercial prosperity of New Orleans, which +secured forever the pre-eminence of the Crescent City. The same treaty +defined the boundaries, as they now exist, between Florida and +Mississippi. But Carondelet, being rather more tardy in yielding +possession, than suited the active, enterprising spirit of the +Americans, the territory was seized by an armed force, under Andrew +Elliott. + +Two years after this, a plan set on foot by Carondelet, to dismember +the American Union, by drawing the Western States into a separate +compact, was detected and defeated by the address of General +Wilkinson. Whether Aaron Burr was in the plot, or only took a hint +from it a few years later, does not appear of record. Carondelet was +succeeded by Gayosa de Lamor, Casa Calvo, and Salvado, who, +successively, but for a very brief period, wielded the chief +magistracy of the colony. + +In 1803, Louisiana was re-transferred to France, and immediately sold +to the United States for 15,000,000 of dollars. The treaty which +accomplished this important object was entered into on the 30th of +April. Possession was taken, in behalf of the United States, by +General Wilkinson and William C. Claiborne, amid the rejoicings of a +people attached to liberty, and eager to grasp at any opportunity to +shake off the yoke of Spain. + +The population of Louisiana, at the time of the purchase, did not +exceed fifty thousand, exclusive of the Indians, and these were +scattered over every part of its immense territory. Seven years after, +the population had nearly trebled, and her prosperity had advanced in +equal proportion. + +The year 1812 was a memorable era in the history of Louisiana, and +marked with incidents never to be forgotten by her citizens. It was in +this year, that the first Steam Boat was seen on the bosom of "the +great river," now alive with hundreds of these winged messengers, +plying to and fro. In the same year war was declared with Great +Britain, and Louisiana, as now constituted, was admitted, as an +independent State, into the great American Confederacy. + +[Illustration: The Cotton Plant] + + + + +THE STATE OF LOUISIANA + +[Illustration: Plantation House and Works] + + +The State of Louisiana is bounded on the north by the states of +Arkansas, and Mississippi; on the east by the latter and the Gulf of +Mexico; on the south by the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by Mexico +and Texas. It is a well watered garden, the soil being rich, and +intersected by the Mississippi, Red, and Wachita Rivers, and many +inferior streams, and washed, on its western limit, by the Sabine. + +The face of the country is exceedingly level, so much so, that in a +portion equal to three fourths of the State, there is scarcely a hill +to be found. Those parts that are covered with pine woods are usually +uneven, sometimes rising into fine swells, with broad table summits, +intersected with valleys from thirty to forty feet deep. They do not +lie in any particular range, but, like the ocean in a high and regular +swell, present a uniform undulated surface. The alluvial soil is, of +course level, and the swamps, which are only inundated alluvions, are +dead flats. + +A range of gentle elevations commences in Opelousas, and gradually +increasing in height as it advances, diverges toward the Sabine. In the +vicinity of Natchitoches, this range holds its way northwestwardly; +about half way between the Red and the Sabine Rivers, and continues to +increase in altitude, till it reaches the western border of the State. +Seen from the pine hills above Natchitoches, it has the blue outline +and general aspect of a range of mountains. + +Another line of hills, commencing not far from Alexandria, on the +northern side of the Red River, and separating the waters of that +stream from those of the Dudgemony, extends northwardly, till it +approaches, and runs into, the mammillae, or bluffs, that bound the +alluvions of the Wachita, diverging gradually from the line of that +stream, as it passes beyond the western limits of the State. + +That remote part of Natchitoches called Allen's settlement, is a high +rolling country. There are also hills of considerable magnitude on the +east side of the Mississippi, beyond the alluvions. But generally +speaking, Louisiana may be considered as one immense plain, divided +into pine woods, prairies, alluvions, swamps, and hickory and oak +lands. + +The pine-wood lands, as I have already said, are usually rolling. +There are some exceptions, but they are very few. They have almost +invariably a poor soil. Some of those west of Opelousas, and those +between the Wachita and Red Rivers, are even sterile, answering well +to the name by which they are called in some other parts of the +country, Pine Barrens. + +Some parts of the prairies of Opelousas are of great fertility, and +those of Attakapas are still more so. As a general feature, they are +more level than those of the upper country. An extensive belt of these +prairies, bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, is low and marshy, and +subject to be wholly inundated in any extraordinary swell of the +river. A considerable portion of them have a cold clayey soil, the +surface of which, under the influence of a warm sun, hardens into a +stiff crust. In other portions, the soil is of an inky blackness, and +often, in the hot and dry season, cracks in long fissures some inches +in width. + +The bottoms are generally rich, but in very different degrees. Those +of the Mississippi and Red Rivers, and the bayous connected with these +streams, are more fertile than those on the western border of the +State. The quality of the richer bottoms of the Mississippi, as well +as those of the Red River, is sufficiently attested by the prodigious +growth of timber in those parts, the luxuriance of the cane and the +cotton, the tangles of vines and creepers, the astonishing size of the +weeds--which, however, find it difficult to over-top the better +products of the soil--and the universal strength of the vegetation. + +The most productive district of this State, is a belt of land, called +"_the Coast_," lying along the Mississippi, in the neighborhood of New +Orleans. It consists of that part of the bottom, or alluvion, of the +Great River, which commences with the first cultivation above the +Balize, about forty miles below the capital, and extends about one +hundred and fifty miles above it. This belt on each side of the river, +is secured from an overflow by an embankment, called "_the levee_," +from six to eight feet in height, and sufficiently broad, for the most +part, to furnish an excellent highway. The river, in an ordinary rise, +would cover the greater part of these beautiful bottoms, to a depth of +from two to six feet, if they were not thus protected. This belt is +from one to two miles in width; a richer tract of land, of the same +extent, cannot probably be found on the face of the globe. + +On the east side of the river the levee extends to Baton Rouge, where +it meets the highlands; on the west side, it continues, with little +interruption, to the Arkansas line. On the east, above the levee, are +the parishes of Baton Rogue and West Feliciana. This latter received +its appropriate and expressive name from its beautifully variegated +surface of fertile hills and valleys, and its rare combination of all +the qualities that are most to be desired in a planting country. It is +a region of almost fairy beauty and wealth. The soil literally teems +with the most luxuriant productions of this favored clime. The hills +are covered with laurel, and forest trees of magnificent growth and +foliage, indicating a soil of the richest and most productive +character. Here are some of the wealthiest and most intelligent +planters, and the finest plantations in the state, the region of +princely taste and luxury, and more than patriarchal hospitality. The +mouth of Bayou Sara, which is the point of shipment for this +productive region, transmits immense quantities of cotton to New +Orleans. Some of the plantations on this bayou have from five to eight +hundred acres under cultivation. + +On the western side of the Mississippi, are the Bayous Lafourche and +Plaquemine, outlets, or arms of the Great River, and subject, of +course, to all its fluctuations. The bottoms bordering on these bayous +are of the same luxuriant soil, as those on the parent stream, and are +guarded from inundation in the same manner, by levees. In this region, +the sugar cane is exceedingly productive. It is estimated that, within +a compass of seven miles from Thibadeauxville, in the vicinity of the +Bayous Black and Terre Bonne, about one tenth of the sugar crop of +Louisiana is produced. + +A considerable part of Attakapas is also very productive, as well as +portions of Opelousas. The latter, however, is better adapted to +grazing. The Teche, which meanders through the former, and the eastern +part of the latter, of these two parishes, never overflows its banks. +The land rises from the river, in a regularly inclined plane towards +the woods, affording free courses for the streams, which discharge +themselves into the bayou. The soil, therefore, cannot be called +alluvial, though in the most essential quality of productiveness, it +is scarcely inferior to the best of them. It is a lovely region, the +most beautiful, perhaps, in the whole Union, for agricultural +purposes. But it has one great drawback, especially for the +cultivation of sugar; there is a deficiency of ordinary fire-wood; +though the live-oak abounds there to such an extent, that Judge Porter +once remarked in Congress, that "there was enough of it in Attakapas, +to supply the navies of the whole world with ship timber." + +The lands on the Atchafalaya are of an excellent quality, and would +afford a desirable opening for enterprising cultivators, if they were +not liable to frequent inundations, an evil which will doubtless be +remedied, as the population and wealth of that section advances. Those +on the Courtableau, which runs through Opelousas, are equal in point +of fertility, to any in that parish. From thence, proceeding +northward, by Bayou Boeuf, we find, on that bayou, a soil which is +regarded by many as the best in the State for the cultivation of +cotton. There is also land of an excellent quality on Bayou Rouge, +though it is, as yet, for the most part, in the state of nature. The +banks of the Bayou Robert, still further north, are of extraordinary +fertility, the cane brake, a sure evidence of a very rich soil, +flourishing with astonishing luxuriance. Bayou Rapid, which gives its +name to the parish through which it runs, intersects one of the most +beautiful tracts in the state, which is laid out, on both sides of the +bayou, through the whole length of its course, into the finest cotton +plantations. + +The bottoms of the Red River are well known for their fertility. Those +which lie about its lower courses are justly esteemed the paradise of +cotton planters. The soil is of a darkish red color, occasioned by +the presence of the red oxide of iron. It is thought to derive its +character of luxuriant productiveness from a portion of salt +intimately blended with its constituents, which, from its tendency to +effloresce in a warm sun, renders the compound peculiarly friable. +This soil is deep, and has been accumulating for unknown ages, from +the spoils of the Mexican mountains, (a species of natural annexation +which the laws of nations have no power to regulate,) and the vast +prairies which are washed by its upper courses. + +The rich valley of the Red River is of a magnificent breadth, and for +the most part, where it has not been cleared for cultivation, covered +with a dense growth of forest trees. All the bayous of this river, +which are very numerous, branching off in every direction, and +intersecting every part of this luxuriant valley, partake of the +fertilizing character of the main stream.[1] + +There are few things among the works of nature, more remarkable than +the _floating prairies_, which are found upon the lakes bordering upon +the coast of the Gulf. They seem to have been formed by the natural +aggregation of such vegetable matter as lay suspended upon the +surface of the water, supplied with a light substratum of soil, partly +by its own decay and disintegration, and partly by attracting around +its roots and fibres the alluvial treasures with which all these +waters abound. From this, various kinds of grass and weeds have sprung +up, the roots of which have become firmly interwoven with the +subjacent mass, matting it completely together, and giving it all the +appearance of a substantial island. It is often several inches in +thickness, and so nearly resembles terra firma, that not only the +sagacity of man, but even animal instinct has been deceived by it. +These floating prairies are sometimes of great extent, and are by no +means confined to waters comparatively shoal. They literally cover the +deeps in some cases, and a great deal of precaution is necessary to +avoid them, for, stable as they look at a distance, they are as +unsubstantial as shadows, so that boats may oftentimes be forced +through them. They are less trustworthy than quicksands, for the +unlucky wight who should adventure himself upon their deceitful +appearances, would find himself entangled in a net of interminable +extent, from which it would be impossible to extricate himself. + +It may not be deemed presumption, perhaps, to suggest, that the great +Raft on the Red River may be a formation upon the same principle, +though upon a more enlarged scale. The stream being sluggish, and the +alluvial deposit exceedingly heavy and rich, the accumulation of a +productive soil, and the consequent growth and entanglement of roots +would be very rapid; and a foundation would ultimately be formed +sufficiently stable and permanent, to be travelled with safety. +Floating trees from the upper courses, arrested by this obstruction, +would imbed themselves in the mass, until, by continual accretions, it +should become what it now is, an impassable and almost irremovable +barrier to navigation. + +The Delta of the Mississippi is a region of extensive marshes. For +many leagues, the lakes, inlets and sounds, which dissect and +diversify that amphibious wilderness, are connected by an inextricable +tissue of communications and passes, accessible only by small vessels +and bay craft, and impossible to be navigated except by the most +experienced pilots. It is a perfect labyrinth of waters, more +difficult to unravel than those of Crete and Lemnos. The shore is +indented by numberless small bays, or coves, few of which have +sufficient depth of water, to afford a shelter for vessels. Berwick +and Barritaria Bays are the only ones of any considerable magnitude. + +The prairies which cover so large a portion of this State, are, for +the most part, connected together, as if the waters from which they +were originally deposited had been an immense chain of lakes, all fed +from the same great source. And this was undoubtedly the fact. They +were all supplied from the Mississippi, and their wonderful fertility +is derived from the alluvial riches of those interminable regions, +which are washed by the father of rivers and his countless +tributaries. Those included under the general name of Attakapas, are +the first which occur on the west of the Mississippi. It is an almost +immeasurable plain of grass, extending from the Atchafalaya on the +north, to the Gulf of Mexico, on the south. Its contents are stated to +be about five thousand square miles. Being open to the Gulf, it is +generally fanned by its refreshing breezes. To the traveller in those +regions, who may have been toiling on his weary way through tangle, +and swamp, and forest, there is something indescribably agreeable in +this smooth and boundless sea of unrivalled fertility, whose dim +outline mingles with the blue of the far off Gulf--the whole vast +plain covered with tall grass, waving and rippling in the breeze, +sprinkled with neat white houses, the abodes of wealth, comfort and +hospitality, and dotted with innumerable cattle and horses grazing in +the fields, or reposing here and there under the shade of the wooded +points. The sudden transition from the rank cane, the annoying +nettles, the stifling air, and the pestilent mosquitoes, to this open +expanse, and the cool salubrious breath of the ocean, is as delightful +and reviving as an oasis in the desert. + +In the midst of this immense prairie, is situated the parish of +Attakapas. This word, in the language of the Aborigines, from whom it +is derived, signified "man-eater," the region having been occupied by +Cannibals. Strange indeed, that the inhabitants of a climate so bland, +and a soil so fertile, should possess the taste, or feel the necessity +for so revolting and unnatural a species of barbarism. + +Opelousas prairie is still more extensive than Attakapas, being +computed to contain nearly eight thousand square miles. It is divided +by bayous, wooded grounds, points, and bends, and other natural +boundaries, into a number of smaller prairies, which have separate +names, and characteristics more or less distinctive. Taken in its +whole extent, it is bounded by the Attakapas prairie on the east, pine +woods and hill on the north, the Sabine on the west, and the Gulf of +Mexico on the south. The soil though in many places extremely fertile, +is generally less so than that of Attakapas. It has, however, a +compensating advantage, being deemed the healthiest region in the +State. It embraces several large cotton plantations, and a +considerable region devoted to the cultivation of the sugar cane. The +parish which bears its name is one of the most populous in Louisiana. +It is the centre of the land of shepherds, the very Arcadia of those +who deal in domestic animals. To that employment, the greater part of +the inhabitants are devoted, and they number their flocks and herds by +thousands. On one estate five thousand calves were branded in the +spring of 1845. + +The people of this district are distinguished for that quiet, easy, +unostentatious hospitality, which assures the visitor of his welcome, +and makes him so much at home, that he finds it difficult to realize +that he is only a guest. + +Bellevue prairie lies partly in Opelousas, and partly in Attakapas. +Calcasieu and Sabine prairies are only parts of the great plain, those +names being given to designate some of the varied forms and openings +it assumes in its ample sweep from the Plaquemine to the Sabine. They +are, however, though but parts of a larger prairie, of immense extent. +The Sabine, seen from any point near its centre, seems, like the +mid-ocean, boundless to the view. The Calcasieu is seventy miles long, +by twenty wide. Though, for the most part, so level as to have the +aspect of a perfect plain, the surface is slightly undulated, with +such a general, though imperceptible declination towards the streams +and bayous by which it is intersected, as easily to carry off the +water, and prevent those unhealthy stagnations which are so fatal in +this climate. There is also a gentle slope towards the Gulf, along the +shore of which the vast plain terminates in low marshes often +entirely covered with the sea. These marshes are overspread with a +luxuriant growth of tall reedy cane grass. + +One of the most striking and peculiar features of these prairies is +found in the occasional patches of timbered land, with which their +monotonous surface is diversified and relieved. They are like islands +in the bosom of the ocean, but are for the most part so regular and +symmetrical in their forms, that one is with difficulty convinced that +they are not artificial, planted by the hand of man, in circles, +squares, or triangles, for mere ornament. It is impossible for one who +has not seen them, to conceive of the effect produced by them, rising +like towers of various forms, but each regular in itself, from the +midst of an ocean of grass. Wherever a bayou or a stream crosses the +prairie, its course is marked with a fringe of timber, the effect of +which upon the eye of the observer is exceedingly picturesque, making +a background to the view in many instances, like lines of trees in +landscape painting. + +All the rivers, bayous, and lakes of this State abound with +alligators. On Red River, before it was navigated by steamboats, it +was not uncommon to see hundreds in a group along the banks, or +covering the immense masses of floating and stranded timber, bellowing +like angry bulls, and huddled so closely together, that the smaller +ones were obliged to get upon the backs of the larger. At one period, +great numbers were killed for their skins, which were made into +leather for boots and shoes, but not proving sufficiently close +grained to keep out the water, the experiment was abandoned. +Alligators average from eight to twelve feet in length. Some have been +caught, measuring twenty feet. + +The fear is often entertained, and sometimes expressed, that the +levees of the Mississippi are not sufficient to resist the great body +of water that is continually bearing and wearing upon them; and these +fears have, in several cases, been realized, though never to any very +great extent. In May 1816 the river broke through, about nine miles +above New Orleans, destroyed several plantations, and inundated the +back part of the city to the depth of three or four feet. The crevasse +was finally closed, by sinking a vessel in the breach, for the +suggestion and accomplishment of which, the public was chiefly +indebted to Governor Claiborne. + +In June, 1844, the river rose higher than it had done for many years, +marking its whole course, for more than two thousand miles, with wide +spread destruction to property and life. It crept over the levee in +some places near New Orleans, but caused no actual breach in that +vicinity. At Bonnet Carre it forced a crevasse, doing considerable +damage and causing great alarm in the neighborhood; but the mischief +was not so serious as might have been anticipated, and the embankment +has been so increased and strengthened, as to leave but little +apprehension for the future. + +The interests of Education in Louisiana, though hitherto too much +neglected, are now decidedly and perceptibly advancing. In the higher +departments, are the College of Louisiana, at Jackson, in East +Feliciana; and Jefferson College in St. James parish, on the +coast--the former incorporated in 1825, the later in 1831. Both have +at various times, received generous donations from the treasury of the +state. Franklin College, in Opelousas was also incorporated in 1831, +under the same favorable auspices.[2] + +There are also several Academies acting under the legal sanction of +the State, although not endowed by it. The Ursuline Nuns' School and +that of the Sisters of Charity--the latter in the parish of St. James, +afford instruction in all the polite branches of female education. The +Convent at Grand Coteau near Opelousas, has an average of about two +hundred scholars; and efficient persons from France have the control +and direction of their education. + +The public schools, designed for the general and gratuitous +dissemination of knowledge among all classes, have not only increased +in number but have generally outstripped those of the higher order, by +seizing at once upon all the improvements which the experience of +teachers in other parts of the country, and the world, has from time +to time suggested. Mere innovations rather hinder than advance the +progress of education. But the simplest suggestion of an enlightened +experience and a sound judgment, such as are brought to bear upon this +great interest throughout the whole of the northern and eastern +States, is entitled to the profound regard of the Southern +philanthropist, whose aim and ambition it should be, to make the most +of every facility and to be no whit behind the older, but not more +wealthy sections, in any thing that can promote the moral and +intellectual power of the masses of the people. + +The climate of Louisiana is hot and moist. In the neighborhood of the +marshes, and in the summer season, it partakes of the unhealthy +character of nearly all tropical climates. Diseases of the lungs, +however, and other complaints so prevalent at the north, are scarcely +known; and to many, the quick consuming fever which finishes its work +in a few days, may be considered but a fair offset to the slow but +sure consumption, which flatters its victims with the semblance of +life and hope, while dragging them through its long and dreary +labyrinths, to the chambers of death. + +This climate is favorable to almost all the productions of the +tropics. The sugar, the cotton plant, the orange, the lemon, the +grape, the mulberry, tobacco, rice, maize, sweet potato, &c., &c., +flourish in rich abundance, and some of them attain to a luxuriance of +growth scarcely known in any other part of the world. Sugar and Cotton +are the two great staples. The former is confined chiefly to that +tract, which, by way of distinction, is called "the coast," lying +along the shores of the Gulf, and the bayous of the Mississippi. + +The average sugar crop of the whole state, is now about 180,000 +hogsheads. That of cotton, for the last year is not ascertained, but +the amount produced in the whole valley of the Mississippi, sent to +New Orleans for export in 1843, was 1,088,000 bales. Owing to the +large extension of the cotton growing districts, and excessive +competition in its manufacture, the cultivation of cotton yields less +profit than it formerly did, and there seems to be no substantial +reason why it should not, in some degree, give place to sugar, at +least until the latter can be furnished in sufficient quantity to +supply the domestic consumption. Under the ordinary increase of +population, the utmost exertions of the cane planters will hardly +arrive at such a result, in half a century to come. + +While on this subject, it will not, I trust, be deemed irrelevant or +officious, to place before the reader the suggestions of an +intelligent gentleman of New Orleans, in regard to the present mode of +cultivating and manufacturing sugar. He observes that in order to +carry on the business to advantage, and compete favorably with those +already established, a large capital is required, since in addition to +the ground to be cultivated, and the hands to be employed in the +field, expensive mills and machinery must be set up, and kept in +motion, with a large number of laborers in attendance. Consequently no +man in moderate circumstances can undertake this branch of business, +as it is now conducted. To obviate this difficulty, and extend the +cultivation and manufacture of this important staple, he proposes a +division of labor and profit, like that which prevails in the grain +growing and milling regions of the north. The farmer sells his wheat, +at a fair market value, to the miller, or pays him a stipulated +percentage for grinding and bolting. In the same manner might the +business here be divided into two distinct branches. The planter might +sell his cane to the miller, or pay him the established price for +converting it into sugar and molasses. This would enable men of +comparatively small means to undertake the cultivation of the cane, +who now confine themselves to cotton, and thus relieve the larger +cultivators of the latter staple from the dangers of over production. + +Casting our eyes back to no very distant period, and noticing the +small beginnings of our early planters of cotton, the reader will +pardon the introduction of a trifling anecdote. During the year 1784, +only sixty years since, and therefore within the memory of many now +living, an American vessel, having _eighty bales_ of cotton on board, +was seized at Liverpool, on the plea that _so large_ an amount of +cotton could not have been produced in the United States. The shipment +in 1785 amounted to 14 bales, in 1786 to 6, in 1787 to 109, 1788 to +389, in 1789 to 842. An old Carolina planter, having gathered his crop +of five acres, was so surprised and alarmed at the immense amount they +yielded, which was fifteen bales, that he exclaimed "well, well--I +have done with cotton--here is enough to make stockings for all the +people in America!" The cotton crop of the United States for 1844 was +2,300,000 bales. + +The fluctuations in the foreign cotton market, within a few years +past, have produced, among scientific agriculturalists and experienced +planters, no little speculation upon the course which a due regard to +their own interests requires them to pursue. It is not to be wondered +at, that in a country so vast, so luxuriantly fertile as ours, and +teeming with the most enterprising and industrious population on the +face of the earth, the strict relations of supply and demand should be +occasionally disturbed in some of the many abundant productions of the +soil. It is always a difficult problem to solve, especially where the +field is very large, and the producers many, and constantly +increasing. In attempting to meet it, the first question to be +answered is, does the present supply greatly overreach the present +demand? + +An intelligent writer in Hunt's Merchant's Magazine for October, 1844, +Henry Lee, Esq., has placed this subject, so far as he has there +pursued it, in a very clear light. He commences by stating that "the +consumption of cotton in Europe, other than the production of America +and India, is too insignificant to have any important bearing upon +prices." He goes on to show that the value placed upon the article at +present, is quite sufficient, and that the advantage it gives to the +manufacturer of New England, whose operations are vastly increasing, +renders him a successful competitor to those of Great Britain; and +nothing but an inflated currency, or imprudent speculations can +produce an advance. And any advance so procured must inevitably be +followed by a ruinous reaction. He shows that, through the agency of +the British manufacturers, and the exporters of their goods to +countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope, a considerable quantity of +American grown cotton had been sent to those regions, in the form of +manufactures and twist, over and above the amount of Indian grown +cotton consumed in the factories of England. This simple fact, which +is demonstrated as clearly as figures can speak, completely nullifies +the importation of cotton from that quarter. + +The proportion of raw cotton, other than the produce of the United +States and India, used in the manufactures of Great Britain, is very +small, and constantly diminishing in quantity. After producing +statistical evidence, Mr. Lee arrives at the satisfactory result that +the consumption of cotton from the United States and India, is as +ninety-four to one hundred, leaving, for all other sources of supply, +only six per cent. With such a ratio as this, and the competition +constantly declining, it is manifest that we have nothing to fear from +rival producers. + +The delicate enquiry now arises, can the American planter sustain +himself under existing prices? Or, can he, by the exercise of better +economy, make his labors more productive? It seems to me, if it will +not be presuming too far to offer the suggestion, that there should be +an understanding between the larger and more intelligent planters, in +relation to these points, and that they should, for their own +individual and collective interests, consider, whether it would not be +better partially to restrain the cultivation of this staple, rather +than permit it to increase beyond the known and certain demands of +commerce. The question increases in importance, as the cotton growing +region enlarges, by the admission of "the lone star" into the +constellation of Freedom. While it secures to the United States +forever almost the entire monopoly of production, it puts it in her +power, by a judicious combination among her great producers, to +command a fair compensating price for cotton. Without some such +combination, or, which is equivalent to the same thing, a prevailing +disposition on the part of the planters, rather to wait for a demand +than to anticipate, or endeavor to create it, there will always be a +surplus stock in the market, which, however insignificant, will affect +the price of the whole crop. + +The luxuriant soil of Louisiana is capable of of producing many +articles even more lucrative than cotton, of which there is no +immediate danger of creating an over supply. For some of them, there +is a very large and increasing home consumption, as well as an active +demand in other parts of the world that are open to our commerce. Of +sugar, I have spoken already. Madder, silk, hemp, tobacco, may also be +mentioned, as promising sure results to any who are disposed to try +them. Under the impression that, in view of what I have already +presented, the subject will be interesting to my readers, I shall +venture to add a few words in relation to some of the above-mentioned +articles. + +Madder,[3] (_rubia tinctorum_,) the roots of a plant, which consist of +several varieties. They are long and slender; varying from the +thickness of a goose quill, to that of the little finger. They are +semi-transparent, of a reddish color, have a strong smell, and a +smooth bark. Madder is very extensively used in dying red; and, though +the color which it imparts be less bright and beautiful than that of +cochineal, it has the advantage of being cheaper and more durable. It +is a native of the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; but has +long since been introduced into, and successfully cultivated in +Holland, Alsace, Provence, &c. The attempt to cultivate it in England, +like that of Indian corn, has proved a complete failure. The English, +for a long time, depended upon Holland for their supplies; but now +large quantities are imported from France and Turkey, under a duty of +two shillings sterling on the manufactured, and sixpence on the roots. +The duties, formerly, were much higher. + +The plant is raised from seed, and requires three years to come to +maturity. It is, however, often pulled in eighteen months, without +injury to the quality, the quantity only being smaller. It requires a +light vegetable mould, that retains the greatest quantity of water and +adheres the least to the tools. When the soil is impregnated with an +alkaline matter, the root acquires a red color, in other cases it is +yellow. The latter is preferred in England, from the long habit of +using Dutch madder, which is of this color; but in France, the red +sells at a higher price, being used for Turkey red die. + +The Zealand or Dutch madder is prepared for market in a manufactured +state; and is known in trade by the terms, _mull_, _gamene_, _ombro_, +and _crops_. In some other countries, the roots are packed up +promiscuously, and the article is sold by the quintal. The price of +madder, like every thing else, is affected by the quantity in market, +and ranges in France from its minimum 22, to 100 francs a quintal. It +does not deteriorate by age. The quantity used in this country is very +considerable--but nothing equal to that required in Great Britain. For +the particular manner of cultivating madder, the reader is referred to +an excellent essay upon that subject, from the pen of M. De Casparin, +which was laid before the Academy of Sciences at Paris, and a prize +awarded to its author. + +The _mulberry_ is grown with little difficulty in these latitudes, and +therefore, silk may be produced in abundance, and rendered an article +of domestic and commercial consequence. Plantations have already been +commenced in several of the parishes, which will soon test the +feasibility of the undertaking. A gentleman by the name of Vasseur, +recently from France, has purchased land and made preparations to +enter into that business, under many years of experience. In the +parish of St. James, particularly, considerable attention is being +paid to the culture of silk. It would be extremely gratifying to be +able to lay the result of these experiments before the reader; but the +necessary information is not at hand. + +_Hemp_ is raised in Missouri and Kentucky to some extent, as the +quantities annually landed on the levee in New Orleans afford ample +evidence. The demand for it will be good for many years, and the hint +should not be neglected by the citizens of Louisiana, who possess the +higher grounds, which are calculated for its production. When it is +considered that this is a raw material of vast demand, which has +heretofore been furnished from abroad, there can scarcely be any +excuse for neglecting the culture, provided the profits be equal to +those on sugar and cotton. The time may come, when even foreign +nations will look to this republic for cordage and duck; at all +events, we should not depend upon them for articles necessary for +domestic purposes, and especially for those which may with propriety +be classed "among the sinews of war." + +Specimens of _tobacco_, the produce of seed imported from Cuba, have +been exhibited in this market, which are very little, if any, inferior +to the best from that island. These samples were raised by a gentleman +who resides near Jackson, who took no extraordinary pains in the +cultivation. The segars manufactured from them would pass, among good +judges, for the best Havana. This planter is of opinion that he can +very much improve the crops, by bestowing as much care upon them as is +given to the same pursuit in Cuba, and there can be little reason to +question his assertion. + +The Natchitoches tobacco stands higher abroad, particularly for snuff, +than any other. This article is so well known in France, and many +other places, that those who are engaged in planting it, boast that +it requires no protective duties, as it will be quite able to take +care of itself. + +The only drawback upon the cultivation of tobacco, in this state, is +the worm, which begins its depredations in early summer. But much loss +by this annoyance might be avoided, by forcing the plants in their +early stage, in a hot-house, so that they might sooner be brought to +maturity, and two clippings be made before the advent of the worm. + +The thin soil on lake Pontchartrain is found to be well adapted to the +_vine_. Already, considerable progress has been made in its +cultivation in that neighborhood, and grapes are abundantly furnished +for the New Orleans market. There is no doubt that wine might be +produced in abundance. + +_Indigo_, one of the oldest products of this state, has been +superseded by the sugar cane. Whether the planter has found more +advantage in the latter than in the former cultivation, can only be +inferred from his continuing to pursue it; for the maxim, that trade +will regulate itself, is nearly as applicable to agriculture as to +commerce. + +_Grazing_, although it has been carried to a great extent in Attakapas +and Opelousas, has never proved so lucrative as might be supposed. +Many of the cattle perish there during winter, for the want of proper +nourishment. There is a grass, however, known by the name of +_muskeet_, an ever-green, which flourishes abundantly in Texas, +spreads rapidly, is exceedingly nutritious, and much sought for by +animals, and might easily be introduced into these prairies. This +improvement would make this section of country the best for grazing in +the United States. More attention is being paid to breeding cattle, +and the improvement of stock, than formerly. Sheep may be raised among +the hills, in and about Natchitoches, in almost any numbers. In +Lafourche, also, although they are of small size, they are fat and of +fine flavor. This is a business which is yet in its infancy here. The +capabilities for its extension are immense, and there is no doubt that +the enterprise of the inhabitants will soon find means to make it +profitable. The mutton of this state is already superior to any +produced in the Union; good judges in these matters have even +pronounced it to be equal to the best English. + +The minerals of Louisiana, so far as known, are very limited. Lead has +only been found in fragments; and none of these have proved to be +rich. Valuable beds of gypseous marl exist in the vicinity of the +Wachita, which admit of being worked to great advantage. Lignite coal +has been discovered in tertiary formations, which never present any +article of this kind beyond an ordinary quality, the better being +always confined to the secondary strata. On the lands north of lake +Pontchartrain, clay exists of an excellent quality and very pure, +suitable for manufacturing not only the best bricks, but pottery of +all kinds. It is to be hoped that this will remedy the great evil that +New Orleans has hitherto experienced, by the use of a bad material for +buildings. This has arisen from the employment of a substance too near +the surface of the earth; whereas, by going a little deeper, a prime +clay is obtained, that would bid defiance, when well burnt, to the +humidity peculiar to this southern atmosphere. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Many of the preceding statements are the result of an extensive +personal observation; for others, the work is indebted to McCulloch, a +compilation of considerable value, but, unfortunately, not always to +be relied on as authority. In some points, he is glaringly incorrect. + +[2] The new constitution of Louisiana prescribes that the legislature +shall establish free schools throughout the state, appoint a +superintendent of education, and provide means for defraying the +expense by taxation. The proceeds from the sale of all public lands +granted by the United States, the estates of deceased persons +escheating to the state, as well as certain other named emoluments, +are to remain a perpetual fund, sacredly to be applied to the support +of such schools. A provision is also to be made for establishing a +college in the city of New Orleans, to be called _the University of +Louisiana_, to consist of four faculties, viz. law, medicine, the +natural sciences and letters--of which the Medical College of +Louisiana, as now organized, is to constitute the faculty of medicine. +The legislature is to be under no obligations to contribute to the +support of this institution by appropriations. + +[3] For many satisfactory particulars, see McCulloch's Commercial +Dictionary, under article _Madder_. + + + + +NEW ORLEANS + + +[Illustration: Mouth of the Mississippi] + +New Orleans, the capital of Louisiana, stands on the right side of the +Mississippi, in ascending, ninety-two miles from its mouth. The river +here makes a considerable bend to the northeast, and the city occupies +the northwestern side, although its situation is east of the general +course of the stream. It is in latitude 29 deg. 57' north, longitude 90 deg. +8' west; by the river 301 miles below Natchez; 1220 miles below St. +Louis; 1040 below Cairo, at the mouth of the Ohio; 2004 below +Pittsburgh; and 1244 south-west from Washington city. + +In 1718, Bienville, then governor of the province, explored the banks +of the Mississippi, in order to choose a spot for the chief +settlement, which had hitherto been at Biloxi. He selected the present +site, and left fifty men to clear the ground, and erect the necessary +buildings. Much opposition was made, both by the military and the +directors of the Western Company, to removing the seat of government +to this place. Another obstacle, for a while, threatened almost +insurmountable difficulties to his design. In 1719, the Mississippi +rose to an extraordinary height; and, as the company did not possess +sufficient force to protect the spot from inundation, by dykes and +levees, it was for a time abandoned. In the November of 1722, however, +in pursuance of orders, Delorme removed the principal establishment to +New Orleans. In the following year, agreeably to Charlevoix, it +consisted only of one hundred cabins, placed with little order, a +large wooden warehouse, two or three dwelling-houses, and a miserable +store-house, which had been used as a chapel, a mere shed being then +the only accommodation afforded for a house of prayer. The population +did not exceed two hundred. Thus commenced what is now called the +"Crescent City;" which, in a commercial point of view, and in +proportion to the number of its inhabitants, has not an equal upon the +face of the globe. + +During the same year, a party of German emigrants, who had been +disappointed by the financier, Law, of settling on lands granted to +him in Arkansas, descended the river to New Orleans, in the hope of +obtaining passage to France; but the government being either unwilling +or unable to grant it, small allotments of land were apportioned them, +on what is now called the German Coast. These people supplied the city +with garden stuffs; and most of their descendants, with large +accessions from the old country, still cultivate the same land, upon a +much improved scale. + +In September of this year, the capital was visited by a terrible +hurricane, which levelled to the ground the church, if such it might +be called, the hospital, and thirty houses; and three vessels that lay +in the river were driven ashore. So destructive was it to the crops +and gardens, that a scarcity of provisions was the consequence; and +such was the distress, that several of the inhabitants seriously +thought of abandoning the colony. + +In the summer of 1727, the Jesuits and Ursuline nuns arrived. The +fathers were placed on a tract of land now forming the lowest part of +the fauxbourg St. Mary. The nuns were temporarily lodged in a house in +the corner of Chartres and Bienville streets--but, soon after, the +company laid the foundation of the edifice in Conde and Ursuline +streets, to which they were removed in 1730; this place was occupied +by them until the great value of the land induced them to divide the +larger portion of it into lots. Their new convent was erected about +two miles below the city, and there they removed in 1824. At this +period, the council house and jail were built, on the upper side of +the Cathedral. + +In 1763, Clement XIII expelled the Jesuits from the dominions of the +kings of France, Spain and Naples. They were, consequently, obliged to +leave Louisiana. Their property in New Orleans was seized, and sold +for about one hundred and eighty thousand dollars. It is now estimated +to be worth upwards of fifteen millions. At the time of the expulsion +of this order, they owned the grounds which are now occupied by the +second municipality. The valuable buildings in which they dwelt, were +situated in Gravier and Magazine streets. Some of them were pulled +down to make room for the late banking house of the Canal bank, on the +corner of those streets. It is computed, that more than one half of +the real estate in this city, is derived from the confiscation of the +property of the Jesuits, under legal proceedings had by order of the +French government. The archives of the first municipality contain many +interesting and curious documents in relation to these proceedings, +that are well worth examination. + +The first visitation of the yellow fever was in 1769. Since that time +it has continued to be almost an annual scourge. It was introduced +into this continent, in the above named year, _by a British vessel_, +from the coast of Africa, _with a cargo of slaves_. In addition to +this affliction, (the yellow fever above alluded to,) the colony was, +during the year 1769, transferred to Spain, and the capital was taken +possession of by O'Reilly, with a show of military power, and an +individual disposition to oppress, that brought equal disgrace upon +himself, and upon the government that commissioned him. The commerce +of this city suffered very much from the restrictive colonial system +of Spain. This, however, was removed in 1778, (a year memorable for a +fire that burnt nine hundred houses at one time) and, in 1782, the +mercantile interest of the place was benefited by still further +extended privileges of trade. + +The census of 1785 gives to the city a population of 4,780, exclusive +of the settlements in the immediate vicinity. + +In consequence of the commercial advantages above alluded to, a number +of merchants from France established themselves here, and British +trading vessels navigated the Mississippi. They were a species of +marine pedlars, stopping to trade at any house, by making fast to a +tree, and receiving in payment for merchandise, whatever the planter +had to spare, or giving him long credits. The Americans, at that time, +commenced the establishment of that trade from the west to New +Orleans, which has been steadily increasing ever since. The idea of +this traffic was first conceived by General Wilkinson. A lucrative +business was also conducted by the Philadelphians, which the colonial +authorities winked at for a while; but the Spanish minister, finding +that he did not participate in the profits of it, as the Americans +refused to comply with his hints to consign to his friends, put a stop +to it. He procured a list of the names of the vessels, severely +reprimanded the intendant, Navarro, and so worked upon his fears that +he began to prosecute all infringements of the revenue laws, seizing +the vessels, confiscating the goods and imprisoning the owners, +captains and crews. The venal minister, perceiving that he had +rendered himself extremely unpopular by his intermeddling with the +commerce between Philadelphia and New Orleans, finally released all +the individuals he had imprisoned, restoring the confiscated property, +and discontinuing any further interference. The trade immediately +received a new impulse and was greatly increased. General Wilkinson at +the same time obtained permission to send one or more launches loaded +with tobacco, from Kentucky. + +Soon after, many Americans availed themselves of a privilege which +was granted, of settling in the country. + +The first company of French comedians arrived here in 1791. They came +from Cape Francois, whence they made their escape from the revolted +slaves. Others from the same quarter opened academies--the education +of youth having hitherto been confined to the priests and nuns. + +The baron Carondelet, in 1792, divided the city into four wards. He +recommended lighting it, and employing watchmen. The revenue did not +amount to seven thousand dollars, and to meet the charges for the +purchase of lamps and oil, and to to pay watchmen, a tax of one dollar +and an eighth was levied upon chimneys. + +He also commenced new fortifications around the capital. A fort was +erected where the mint now stands, and another at the foot of Canal +street. A strong redoubt was built in Rampart street, and at each of +the angles of the now city proper. The Baron also paid some attention +to training the militia. In the city, there were four companies of +volunteers, one of artillery, and two of riflemen, consisting of one +hundred men each, making an aggregate force of 700 men. + +A great extension was given to business in February of this year. The +inhabitants were now permitted to trade freely in Europe and America, +wherever Spain had formed treaties for the regulation of commerce. +The merchandise thus imported, was subject to a duty of fifteen per +cent; and exports to six per cent. With the Peninsula it was free. + +In 1795 permission was granted by the king to citizens of the United +States, during a period of ten years, to deposit merchandise at New +Orleans. The succeeding year, the city was visited by another +conflagration, which destroyed many houses. This reduced the tax upon +chimneys so much, that recourse was had to assessing wheat, bread and +meat, to defray the expense of the city light and watch. + +At the time of the transfer to the United States, the public property +consisted of two large brick stores, running from the levee on each +side of Main street, (which were burnt in 1822,)--a government house, +at the corner of Levee and Toulouse streets, (which also suffered a +similar fate in 1826,)--a military hospital, and a powder magazine, on +the opposite side of the river, which was abandoned a few years +since--an old frame custom house--extensive barracks below those now +remaining--five miserable redoubts, a town house, market house, +assembly room and prison, a cathedral and presbytery, and a charity +hospital. At this memorable era, the grounds which now constitute that +thriving portion of the city, known as the second municipality, were +mostly used as a plantation. It was the property of a wealthy citizen +named Gravier, after whom one of the principal streets that runs +through the property has been called. How has the scene changed? At +this moment it contains a population of nearly fifty thousand, and has +become the centre of the business, and enterprise, and beauty of the +city. + +In 1804 New Orleans was made a port of entry and delivery, and Bayou +St. John a port of delivery. The first act of incorporation was +granted to the city, by the legislative council of the territory, in +1805, under the style of "the Mayor, Aldermen and inhabitants of the +city of New Orleans." The officers were a mayor, recorder, fourteen +aldermen, and a treasurer. This year, a branch of the United States +bank was established in this capital. + +The population of the city and suburbs, in 1810, amounted to 24,552; +having been trebled in seven years, under the administration of its +new government. The prosperity of its trade increased in an equal +ratio. + +At that time, the city extended no further down than Esplanade street, +with the exception of here and there a villa scattered along the +levee; nor above, further than Canal street, unless occasionally a +house occupying a square of ground. A few dwellings had been erected +on Canal and Magazine streets, but it was considered to be getting +quite into the country, to go beyond the _Polar Star Lodge_, which was +at the corner of Camp and Gravier streets. [The progress of this +municipality has been greatly increased by the act for the division of +the city, passed by the Legislature in 1836, by which the second +municipality acquired the exclusive control of its own affairs.] + +There was not then a paved street in the city. The late Benjamin +Morgan, who, some time after, made the first attempt, was looked upon +as a visionary. The circumstance which gave an impulse to improvements +in the second municipality, was the erection of the American theatre, +on Camp street, by James H. Caldwell, Esq., the only access to which, +for long a time, was over flat-boat gunwales. This was in 1823-4. He +was ridiculed for his folly, and derided as a madman--but time proved +his foresight. He was soon followed by a crowd that gave life and +energy to that section; and, in a few years, through the enterprise of +others of a similar spirit, the suburb of St. Mary has reached to its +present advanced state of elegance and prosperity. + +The block where the Merchants' Exchange has since been built, was then +occupied by a row of frail wooden shanties; and the corner of Royal +and Custom house streets, where the bank now stands, was tenanted by +Scot, who now furnishes food for his hundreds a day directly opposite, +and who laid the foundation of his fortune, in the tenement that was +removed to make room for the present beautiful edifice. + +Some of the old Frenchmen in the city proper, who have rarely trusted +themselves three squares beyond their favorite cabaret, are very +incredulous of the reported progress and improvement in the fauxbourg +St. Mary. A few years since, a gentleman of the second municipality +asked the old cabaret keeper, who has made himself illustrious and +wealthy by vending, to the habitues of the lower market, a drink of +his own compounding, called _pig and whistle_--why he did not come up +into the fauxbourg St. Mary, and see the buildings?--at the same time +describing the St. Charles Exchange, the Theatre, the Verandah, Banks' +Arcade, the magnificent stores, &c. The old Frenchman, listened in +doubting wonder for some time; at last, however, his faith and his +gravity both gave way, and he burst into a laugh, exclaiming, "ah +Monsieur B. dat is too much! You von varry funny fellow--I no believe +vat you say--its only von grand--vot you call it--vere de mud, de +alligator, and de bull frog live?--von grand--grand--mud swamp, vere +you say is von grand city, I no believe it!" + +The city proper is bounded by Canal, Rampart, and Esplanade streets, +and on the river by the levee, on which it extended about thirteen +hundred yards, and back about seven hundred--in the form of a +parallelogram. + +This portion is traversed by twenty-two streets, forming eighty-four +principal and fourteen minor squares. The whole extent of the city, +including the incorporated fauxbourgs and Lafayette, is not less than +five miles on a line with the river, and running an average of half a +mile in width. + +The houses are chiefly constructed with bricks, except a few ancient +and dilapidated dwellings in the heart of the city, and some new ones +in the outskirts. Wooden buildings are not permitted to be built, +under present regulations, within what are denominated the fire +limits. The modern structures, particularly in the second +municipality, are generally three and four stories high, and are +embellished with handsome and substantial granite or marble fronts. +The public buildings are numerous; and many of them will vie with any +of the kind in our sister cities. A particular description of these +will be found in the ensuing pages. + +The view of New Orleans from the river, in ascending or descending, is +beautiful and imposing--seen from the dome of the St. Charles +Exchange, it presents a panorama at once magnificent and surprising. +In taking a lounge through the lower part of the city, the stranger +finds a difficulty in believing himself to be in an American city. The +older buildings are of ancient and foreign construction, and the +manners, customs and language are various--the population being +composed, in nearly equal proportions, of American, French, Creoles, +and Spaniards, together with a large portion of Germans, and a good +sprinkling from almost every other nation upon the globe. + +The Water Works constantly supply the people with water forced from +the Mississippi, by the agency of steam, into a reservoir, whence by +pipes it is sent all over the city. This water is wholesome and +palatable. + +Gas was introduced into New Orleans, through the enterprise of James +H. Caldwell, Esq., in 1834; he having lighted his theatre with it +several years previous. The dense part of the city is now lighted by +it; and the hotels, stores, shops, and many dwelling-houses within +reach, have availed themselves of the advantages it offers. + +In the summer of 1844, a fire destroyed about seven blocks of +buildings between Common and Canal streets, near the charity Hospital. +The ground has since been occupied with much better buildings, and +presents a very improved appearance. + +The population of New Orleans, after it was ceded to the United +States, increased very rapidly. At the time of the transfer, there +were not eight thousand inhabitants, and, at the present period, +there are probably one hundred and thirty thousand. During 1844 there +were more buildings erected than any previous year--notwithstanding +which, tenements are in great demand, and rents continue high. It will +not be a matter of surprise, if the number of inhabitants at the next +census, 1850, should be over one hundred and sixty thousand. + + _Blacks._ _Whites._ _Total._ + + In 1810 8001 16,551 24,552 + 1815 ---- ---- 32,947 + 1820 19,737 21,614 41,350 + 1825 ---- ---- 45,336 + 1830 21,280 28,530 49,826 + 1840 ---- ---- 102,191 + +The first ordinance for the establishment of a board of health in this +city, (so far as known,) was passed by the general council in June, of +1841.[4] The board consisted of nine members--three aldermen, three +physicians, and three private citizens. It was invested with ample +powers to adopt and enforce such sanitary regulations as were thought +conducive to the health of the city. This board performed all its +functions well during the first year of its existence. The second year +there was a falling off; but a dissolution did not take place till +1843. In 1844, the board of health having ceased to officiate, the +general council invited the medico-chirurgical society to take charge +of this duty. This proposition was accepted, and a committee of nine +members appointed, with full power to act as a board of health. If +this body do their duty, as there is no reason to doubt they will, +much benefit may be expected to result. Their advice to citizens, and +strangers who were unaclimated, on the approach of the warm weather of +1844, was certainly marked with a great degree of good sense and +seasonable caution. They will now be looked up to as the great +conservators of the health of the city; and, it is to be hoped that +public expectation will not be disappointed. + +The following abstract of a Meteorological Journal for 1844 was +obligingly furnished by D. T. Lillie, Esq., of New Orleans, a +gentleman, whose scientific acquirements are a sure guaranty for its +accuracy. The thermometer (a self registering one) used for these +observations, is not attached to the barometer, and is placed in a +fair exposure. Hours of observation, 8 A. M., 2 P. M., and 8 P. M. The +barometer is located at an elevation of 28 feet above the level of the +ocean; and is suspended clear of the wall of the building. The rain +gauge is graduated to the thousandth part of an inch, and the receiver +of it is elevated 40 feet from the ground. + + + METEOROLOGICAL TABLE. + + Thermometer. Barometer. + -------------------------- ------------------------ + 1844. Max. Min. Range, Max. Min. Range, + 0 tenths 0 tenths 0 tenths 0 hund. 0 hund. 0 hund. + Months. | | | | | | + | | | | | | + January, 79.5 36.5 43.0 30.38 29.73 0.65 + February, 81.0 40.0 41.0 30.40 29.91 0.49 + March, 83.0 38.0 45.0 30.40 29.83 0.57 + April, 85.0 40.0 45.0 30.46 29.98 0.48 + May, 88.5 66.0 22.5 30.31 29.83 0.48 + June, 91.0 69.0 22.0 30.18 30.03 0.15 + July, 92.5 73.0 19.5 30.22 30.01 0.21 + August, 92.5 69.0 23.5 30.26 29.93 0.33 + September, 91.5 61.0 30.5 30.23 29.95 0.28 + October, 85.5 46.0 39.5 30.31 29.89 0.42 + November, 74.0 40.0 34.0 30.34 29.94 0.40 + December, 74.5 32.5 42.0 30.44 29.83 0.61 + + Ann'l Mean, 84.9 50.9 33.9 30.33 29.90 0.42 + + + 1844. Rainy days. Prevailing Force of Winds, Quan. of Rain. + | Winds. ratio 1 to 10. -------------- + Months. | | | Inches. Thousands. + | | | | | + January, 11 S. E. 2.4 4 966 + February, 5 S. E. 2.4 0 879 + March, 9 N. W. 3.0 3 031 + April, 3 S. E. 2.5 1 797 + May, 9 S. W. 2.7 4 847 + June, 12 S. 2.3 5 789 + July, 16 S. W. 2.2 9 801 + August, 14 S. W. 2.4 5 199 + September, 8 E. 2.5 1 080 + October, 4 N. E. 2.5 2 180 + November, 9 N. 2.2 7 754 + December, 4 N. 2.4 1 077 + + Ann'l Mean, 104 2.5 48 400 + + Annual range of the thermometer 60 degrees 0 minutes--of the + barometer 00. degrees 73 hundreths. + +Society, as at present constituted in New Orleans, has very little +resemblance to that of any other city in the Union. It is made up of a +heterogeneous mixture of almost all nations. First, and foremost, is +the Creole population. All who are born here, come under this +designation, without reference to the birth place of their parents. +They form the foundation, on which the superstructure of what is +termed "society," is erected. They are remarkably exclusive in their +intercourse with others, and, with strangers, enter into business +arrangements with extreme caution. They were once, and very properly, +considered as the patricians of the land. But they are not more +distinguished for their exclusiveness, and pride of family, than for +their habits of punctuality, temperance, and good faith. + +Till about the commencement of the present century, the period of the +transfer of Louisiana to the United States, the Creoles were almost +entirely of French and Spanish parentage. Now, the industrious +Germans, the shrewd and persevering Irishmen, are beginning to be +quite numerous, and many of them have advanced to a condition of +wealth and respectability. + +Next come the emigrants from the sister States, from the mighty west, +from the older sections of the south, and (last not least) from the +colder regions of the north, the enterprising, calculating, hardy +Yankee. To the latter class this emporium is indebted, for many of +those vast improvements which, as if by magic, have risen to the +astonishment and confusion of those of the ancient regime, who live in +a kind of seclusion within the limits of the _city proper_--to whom +beautiful and extensive blocks of buildings have appeared in the +morning, as though they had sprung up by enchantment during the night. + +Then come the nondescript watermen. Our river steam navigation, +averaging, during half the year, some three hundred arrivals per +month, furnishes a class of ten thousand men, who have few if any +parallels in the world. The numberless flat-boats that throng the +levees for an immense distance, are peopled and managed by an +amphibious race of human beings, whose mode of living is much like +that of the alligator, with whom they ironically claim relationship, +but who carry under their rough exterior and uncouth manners, a heart +as generous and noble, as beats in any human breast. They are the +children of the Mississippi, as the Arabs are of the great desert, +and, like them, accustomed to encounter danger in every shape. +Combining all the most striking peculiarities of the common sailor, +the whaleman, the backwoodsman, and the Yankee, without imitating, or +particularly resembling any one of them, they are a class entirely by +themselves, unique, eccentric, original, a distinct and unmistakeable +feature in the floating mass that swarms on the levees, and threads +the streets, of the Crescent City. + +Among them may be found the representatives of nearly all the states. +Some are descendants of the Pilgrims, and have carried with them the +industrious habits, and the strict moral principles, of their Puritan +forefathers, into the wilds of the West. They are all active, +enterprising, fearless, shrewd, independent, and self-sufficient, and +often aspiring and ambitious, as our halls of legislation, and our +highest business circles can testify. They are just the stuff to lay +the broad foundations of freedom in a new country--able to clear the +forest, and till the soil, in time of peace, to defend it in war, and +to govern it at all times. + +Of the one hundred and thirty thousand souls, who now occupy this +capital, about twenty thousand may be estimated as migratory. These +are principally males, engaged in the various departments of business. +Some of them have families at the North, where they pass the summer. +Many are bachelors, who have no home for one half the year, and, if +the poets are to be believed, less than half a home for the remainder. +As these two classes of migratory citizens, who live at the hotels and +boarding houses, embrace nearly, if not quite, one half the business +men of the city, it may serve to some extent, to account for the +seemingly severe restrictions by which the avenues to good native +society are protected. Unexceptionable character, certified beyond +mistake, is the only passport to the domestic circle of the Creole. +With such credentials their hospitality knows no limits. The resident +Americans are less suspicious in admitting you to their hospitality, +though not more liberal than their Creole neighbors, when once their +confidence is secured. + +The restrictions thus thrown around society, and the great difficulty +which the new comer experiences in securing a share in those social +enjoyments to which he has been accustomed in other places, have had +an unfavorable effect upon the morals of the place. Having no other +resource for pastime, when the hours of business are over, he flies to +such public entertainments as the city affords. And if these are not +always what they should be, it behooves us to provide better. Public +libraries, reading rooms, galleries for the exhibition of the fine +arts, lyceums for lectures, and other kindred rational amusements, +would do much to establish a new and better order, and to break down +those artificial barriers, which separate so many refined and pure +minded men from the pleasures and advantages of general society, +condemning them to live alone and secluded, in the midst of all that +is lovely and attractive in the social relations of life. + +The character of New Orleans, in respect to health, has been much and +unjustly abused. At the north, in ratio to their population, the +consumption annually destroys more than the yellow fever of the south. +The city of New York averages about thirty a week. Patients with +pulmonary complaints, resort to these latitudes for relief, where such +diseases are otherwise rarely known. In truth, this capital shows a +more favorable bill of mortality, than any seaport town in the United +States, except Charleston and Baltimore. + +There is little to be said in favor of the morals of New Orleans, +during the first few years after its cession. Report made them much +worse than they were. As the community was composed of some of the +worst classes of society, gathered from every region under the sun, +nothing very good was to be expected. But circumstances have changed. +A system of wholesome police regulations has been introduced and +enforced, which has either brought the desperate and the lawless under +subjection, or expelled them from the community. By reference to the +statistics of crime, in other commercial cities in proportion to the +number of inhabitants, the stranger will be convinced that this City +has reason to be proud of her standing. Riots here are unknown, +robberies seldom occur. Personal security in the public streets, at +all hours, is never endangered--and females may venture out after +dark, without a protector, and be free from insult and molestation. +Foreign influence has entailed upon society here a _code of honor_ +which, in some measure, has had a tendency to injure it, but the false +notion is fast falling into disrepute. + +The new state constitution, if adopted, will put an effectual stop to +this barbarous practice. Article 130, reads, + + "Any Citizen of this State who shall, after the adoption of + this constitution, fight a duel with deadly weapons, or send + a challenge to fight a duel, either within the state, or out + of it, or who shall act as second, or knowingly aid and + assist in any manner those thus offending, shall be deprived + of holding any office of trust or profit, and of enjoying the + right of suffrage under this Constitution." + +The learned professions here, generally, stand preeminently high. The +science of medicine may boast of a talent, and a skill, that would +confer honor upon any city in the Union--and the few empirics who +disgrace the practice, are so well known, that the evil is circumscribed +within very narrow limits. The clergy are proverbial for their learning +and eloquence--and the same remarks will apply with equal force to the +members of the bar. + +This city, at the present time, possesses no public library. +Considering the population, and their ability, this must be regarded +as a blot upon the intelligence of its citizens. This is completely a +commercial community, however, and money is the universal ambition. +Thence springs that acknowledged deficiency in literature and the fine +arts, observable to the stranger. But shall it still remain? Is there +no Girard--no Astor--among our millionaires, who will leave behind +them a monument which shall make their names dearer and more honored +in all coming time, than those of heroes and conquerors? + +After several attempts to establish a library, an association of young +men, some years ago, at last succeeded in organizing one; but, for +want of proper aid and support from the rich, it lingered on for some +time, and was finally sold out by the sheriff! It then consisted of +four or five thousand volumes of well selected books. It was purchased +by a private gentleman, B. F. French, Esq. for a mere nominal sum. +Thus has a work intended for the honor of the city, become, in an evil +hour, the monument of its shame! It is soothing however, to learn +that, at length, a love of letters and the fine arts is springing up +in our midst. Under the head of Lyceums, National Gallery of +Paintings, and Public Schools, in this volume, facts illustrative of +this assertion may be seen. + +The Masonic fraternity in New Orleans appear to enjoy all their +ancient privileges. There are some ten lodges, besides a grand lodge, +and an encampment. Here is a large number of the order of Odd Fellows, +as one of Equal Fellows--a Typographical Association, and Mechanics, +Hibernian, St. Andrews, German, and Swiss societies. These are all, +more or less, of a benevolent nature; and within their own circles, +have all been extremely serviceable. + +The navigation of the Mississippi, even by steam boats, in 1818, was +extremely tedious. The Etna is recorded as arriving at Shipping port, +a few miles below Louisville, in _thirty two_ days. The Governor +Shelby in _twenty two_ days, was considered as a remarkably short +passage. An hermaphrodite brig was _seventy one_ days from New +Orleans--and a keel boat _one hundred and one_; the latter to +Louisville. Now, the time occupied is _five to six_ days. + +During the business season, which continues from the first of November +to July, the levee, for an extent of five miles, is crowded with +vessels of all sizes, but more especially ships, from every part of +the world--with hundreds of immense floating castles and palaces, +called steamboats; and barges and flat-boats innumerable. No place can +present a more busy, bustling scene. The loading and unloading of +vessels and steamboats--the transportation, by some three thousand +drays, of cotton, sugar, tobacco, and the various and extensive +produce of the great west, strikes the stranger with wonder and +admiration. The levee and piers that range along the whole length of +the city, extending back on an average of some two hundred feet, are +continually covered with moving merchandise. This was once a pleasant +promenade, where the citizen enjoyed his delightful morning and +evening walk; but now there is scarcely room, amid hogsheads, bales +and boxes, for the business man to crowd along, without a sharp look +out for his personal safety. + +The position of New Orleans, as a vast commercial emporium, is +unrivalled--as will be seen by a single glance at the map of the +United States. As the depot of the west, and the half-way-house of +foreign trade, it is almost impossible to anticipate its future +magnitude. + +Take a view, for instance, of the immense regions known under the name +of the Mississippi valley. Its boundaries on the west are the Rocky +Mountains, and Mexico; on the south, the Gulf of Mexico; on the east +the Alleghany mountains; and, on the north, the lakes and the British +possessions. It contains nearly as many square miles, and more +tillable ground, than all continental Europe, and, if peopled as +densely as England, would sustain a population of five hundred +millions--more than half of the present inhabitants of the earth. Its +surface is generally cultivable, and its soil rich, with a climate +varying to suit all products, for home consumption or a foreign +market. The Mississippi is navigable twenty one hundred miles--passing +a small portage, three thousand may be achieved. It embraces the +productions of many climates, and a mining country abounding in coal, +lead, iron and copper ore, all found in veins of wonderful richness. +The Missouri stretches thirty nine hundred miles to the Great Falls, +among the Flat Foot Indians, and five thousand from New Orleans. The +Yellow Stone, navigable for eleven hundred miles, the Platte for +sixteen hundred, and the Kanzas for twelve hundred, are only +tributaries to the latter river. The Ohio is two thousand miles to +Pittsburgh, receiving into her bosom from numerous streams, the +products of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Western Virginia, +Tennessee, Indiana and Illinois. The Arkansas, Big Black, Yazoo, Red +River, and many others, all pouring their wealth into the main artery, +the Mississippi, upon whose mighty current it floats down to the grand +reservoir, New Orleans. + +The Mississippi valley contained over eight millions of inhabitants in +1840, having gained eighty per cent., during the last ten years. The +present number cannot be less than ten millions. + +The last year, the Mississippi was navigated by four hundred and fifty +steamboats, many of which are capable of carrying 2,500 bales of +cotton, making an aggregate tonnage of ninety thousand. They cost +above seven millions of dollars; and to navigate them, required nearly +fifteen thousand persons--the estimated expense of their navigation is +over thirteen millions of dollars. The increase since, may be +calculated at fifty additional boats--which would make an advance in +all these items in a ratio of ten per cent. + +Such statements as these, large as they seem, convey to the reader but +a partial idea of the great valley, and of the wide extent of country +upon which this city leans, and which guaranties her present and +future prosperity. To form a full estimate, he must, besides all +this, see her mountains of iron, and her inexhaustible veins of lead +and copper ore, and almost boundless regions of coal. The first +article mentioned (and the phrase in which it is expressed is no +figure of speech) has been pronounced, by the most scientific assayer +of France, to be superior to the best Swedish iron. These, and a +thousand unenumerated products, beside the well known staples, +constitute its wealth; all of which by a necessity of nature, must +flow through our Crescent City, to find an outlet into the great world +of commerce. With such resources nothing short of some dreadful +convulsion of nature, or the more dreadful calamity of war, can +prevent New Orleans from becoming, if not the first, next in +commercial importance to the first city in the United States--perhaps, +in the world. The flourishing towns upon the Mississippi and her +tributaries, are merely the depositories for this great mart. In +twenty years she must, according to her present increase, contain a +population of three hundred thousand, with a trade proportionably +extended. + +With such views, it may be deemed folly to attempt to look forward to +the end of the nineteenth century, when this metropolis will in all +probability extend back to lake Pontchartrain, and to Carrolton on the +course of the river. The swamps, that now only echo to the hoarse +bellowing of the alligator, will then be densely built upon, and +rendered cheerful by the gay voices of its inhabitants, numbering at +least _a million of human beings_. If, like Rip Van Winkle, we may be +permitted to come back after the lapse of half a century, with what +surprise and astonishment shall we witness the change which the +enterprise of man will have wrought. But let us not waste a moment in +dreaming about it. Let us be up and doing, to fulfil our part of the +mighty achievement. It would not be strange, however, if the present +map, which is given to show the rapid growth of the city, by +comparison with one drawn in 1728, should then be republished with a +similar design, to exhibit the insignificance of New Orleans in 1845! +We ask the kindness of the critics of that period, should they deign +to turn over these pages, begging them to consider that our humble +work was produced as far back as the benighted age of steam! + +FOOTNOTE: + +[4] See New Orleans Medical Journal, vol. 1, part 2, July, 1844. + + + + +PUBLIC BUILDINGS + + +Having noticed, in the preceding sketch, the most prominent features +in the history of this interesting section of country, it becomes a +duty now to present to the intelligent reader, and more especially to +the inquiring traveller, a description of such of the public +institutions, buildings, and places of resort, for business and +amusement, as may be deemed worthy of his attention. In attaining this +object, it was necessary to have recourse to the most carefully +digested statements of facts now existing, as well as to collect +others from personal inspection. + + +THE UNITED STATES BARRACKS + +The buildings formerly used for the accommodation of the troops +garrisoned in New Orleans, were erected by the French about a century +since. These were directed to be sold in 1828, and ten years after +were demolished. The act was soon discovered to be an error, and in +1833, the government determined to replace them. A plan was +accordingly forwarded to the seat of government and approved. On +account of the difficulty of obtaining a suitable site within the +incorporated limits, a location was selected, by assistant quarter +master Drane, about three miles below the city. The works were begun +the 24th of February, 1834, and completed on the 1st of December, +1835, at a cost, including the enclosure of the public grounds, of +$182,000. The late Assistant quarter master J. Clark, superintended +the operation, aided by Lieutenant J. Wilkinson, who had furnished the +plans. + +The Barracks occupy a parallelogram of about three hundred feet on the +river, by nine hundred in depth. The ground in the rear belongs to the +general government, to the depth of forty arpents, and can be used for +the benefit of the troops. The garrison was intended to consist of +four companies of infantry, but ample accommodation exists for a much +larger number. The quarters of the commandant occupy the middle of the +front; those of the staff and company officers being on either flank. +The companies are quartered in a hollow square, which is thrown back +far enough to give space for a handsome parade ground. In the rear of +these quarters are the hospital, store-house, and corps des garde, and +still in rear, and beyond the walls, is the post magazine, as well as +other buildings necessary for the comfort and convenience of the +troops. In front of the whole is a commodious wharf for the landing of +supplies. + + +[Illustration] + +THE UNITED STATES BRANCH MINT + +Is situated on what was once called Jackson Square, being nearly the +former site of fort St. Charles. It is an edifice of the Ionic order, +of brick plastered to imitate granite, having a centre building +projecting, with two wings; is strongly built, with very thick walls, +and well finished. Our limits will not permit us to go into a detailed +description of its interior arrangements; which, however, may be +generally spoken of as such as not to discredit the distinguished +engineer who planned it. The total length of the edifice is 282 feet, +and the depth about 108--the wings being 29 by 81, and the whole three +stories in height. It was begun in September, 1835; and the building +was perfectly completed at a cost of $182,000. The machinery is +elegant and highly finished, and, when in operation, proves an +interesting sight to visitors; which, from the gentlemanly urbanity of +the officers of the establishment, may be easily enjoyed. The square +is surrounded by a neat iron railing on a granite basement. The +coinage of 1844--gold, $3,010,000--silver, $1,198,500--making in all +$4,208,500. + + +THE CUSTOM HOUSE + +This establishment is conducted in an old building, quite too small, +even if the United States Courts did not occupy a considerable portion +of it. The square, in the centre of which it stands, is about 300 feet +each on Old Levee, Custom-House, Front-Levee and Canal streets; and, +from its peculiarly happy location, is well calculated for public +improvement. Considering the great commercial importance of New +Orleans, as being scarcely second to any city in the Union, it is a +matter of congratulation that the government are now disposed to place +her upon a more respectable footing, in regard to offices of this +nature; which have been furnished in a princely style to some of the +sea-ports that had less need of them. The immense revenue that flows +into the treasury department here, demands a suitable edifice for the +transaction of the business it creates. The site is the most eligible +that can be imagined. The Post-Office, United States Courts, and +warehouses for the storage of bonded merchandise, can all have ample +accommodation within its limits; and a more desirable location for +them cannot be found. An appropriation of $500 was made at the last +session of Congress, to secure a suitable plan for the buildings to +cover this spot. The plan has been prepared by Mr. Gallier, and is +highly approved by those who have examined it. It is to be hoped there +will be no unnecessary delay in completing a work, in which the public +convenience and economy, as well the accommodation of the mercantile +community, is so deeply interested. If Mr. Gallier's plan is adopted, +all the above departments will be clustered together in one central +spot, with ample room for each, and in a structure that will be at the +same time a durable ornament to the city, and an honor to the nation. + + +THE POST OFFICE + +Is located in the Merchants' Exchange. It has two business fronts, +besides a passage way through the building, where letters and packages +are received for mailing. The private boxes have their delivery here, +where also the publishers of newspapers receive their exchanges and +communications. The general delivery for English letters is in +Exchange Place, those for letters in the foreign languages, and for +the ladies, are on Royal street. The edifice seems to answer the +purpose well; and, considering the extent of the establishment, the +duties of the office have been managed much to the satisfaction of the +public. But we look for something more worthy of the place, when the +new Custom House shall rear its noble front to the _father of rivers_. + + +THE STATE HOUSE + +Formerly the Charity Hospital, and purchased by the state in 1834, is +a plain structure, composed of a centre and two detached wings; and is +finely situated on the square enclosed by Canal, Baronne, Common and +Philippa streets. The main entrance to the square, which is laid off +as a pleasure ground, and well kept, is from Canal street. The +principal building is occupied by chambers for the senate, and the +house--that for the latter being recently constructed. There are also +suitable rooms for the different clerks, and offices required by the +public business. The chamber for the house of representatives is +handsome, but, like some others in more conspicuous places, badly +adapted to public speaking. + +In the right wing of the building is the office of the adjutant +general of Louisiana; it is also used as a temporary armory, until the +law for the erection of a new one is carried into execution. The left +room is occupied by offices for the governor, secretary of state, +state treasurer, and civil engineer. + +The whole was built in 1815. It is in contemplation to erect an +edifice more worthy of the state, but when this will be done, or where +located, is as yet undetermined. It will probably not be within the +precincts of our city, as the late convention provides that the +Legislature shall not hold its sessions hereafter within sixty miles +of New Orleans. It is doubtless intended that the public servants +shall do more work, and less eating, drinking and carousing, than they +have heretofore done. + + +[Illustration: THE CATHEDRAL] + +THE CATHEDRAL + +Or _Church of St. Louis_, is the principal and centre of three +buildings which stand on Chartres street, immediately opposite to the +_Place d'Armes_, or Parade Ground. This edifice forcibly strikes the +stranger by its venerable and antique appearance. There is perhaps, +none in the Union which is on this account more impressive. The +foundation of the building was laid in 1792, and it was, to a certain +extent, completed in 1794, at the expense of Don Andre Almonaster, +perpetual regidor, and Alvarez Real. + +The architecture of the Cathedral is by no means pure, but is not +wanting in effect on this account. The lower story is of the rustic +order, flanked at each of the front angles by hexagonal towers, +projecting one half of their diameter, showing below Tuscan antes at +each angle, and above pilastres of plain mason-work, in the same +style, with antique wreaths on the frieze of the entablatures. These +towers are crowned by low spires, erected after Latrobe's designs, +about 1814. + +The grand entrance to the Cathedral is in the middle of the front, +being a semi-circular arched door, with two clustered Tuscan columns +on either side. This entrance is flanked by two smaller doors, similar +to the principal one. + +The second story of the front has the same general appearance, as to +the number of columns &c. as the lower one, but is of the Roman Doric +order. Above, and corresponding to the main entrance, is a circular +window, with niches on either side, above the flanking doors below. On +the apex of the pediment of this story rises the chief turret, being +in the Tuscan style, and in two parts--the lower being square, about +twenty feet in height, with circular apertures on each side; the upper +hexagonal, having a belfry, with apertures at the sides for letting +out the sound, flanked by antes. The proportions of the order are not +observed in this belfry, which was erected about 1824, by Le Riche. + +The Cathedral has a tenure, to speak in legal phrase, of every +Saturday evening offering masses for the soul of its founder, Don +Andre. The requirement is faithfully observed, for as the day returns, +at set of sun, the mournful sound of the tolling bell recalls the +memory of the departed. This building is almost inseparably connected, +in the minds of the old residents, with the memory of the venerable +Pere Antonio de Sedella, curate of the parish for nearly fifty years. +This excellent old man, adored for his universal benevolence, came to +Louisiana, then a province, in 1779, and is supposed to have performed +nearly one half of the marriage and funeral ceremonies of its +inhabitants, until the period of his death, at the ripe age of nearly +ninety years, in 1837. This venerated relic of by gone days lies +buried at the foot of the altar. + + +[Illustration: ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH] + +ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH + +Is situated in Camp street, near Lafayette square. The design is a +triumph worthy of the genius of Gothic architecture, whether the +dimensions, or the splendor of the structure be considered. + +The measurement is 93 feet by 164 on the ground; and from the side +walk to the summit of the tower, 190. The style is taken from the +famous York Minster Cathedral, and executed agreeably to the designs +of Messrs. Dakin & Dakin, which were adopted by the trustees of the +church. It surpasses every attempt at a similar order on this side of +the Atlantic, and when completed, may proudly challenge comparison +with any modern parochial edifice in Europe. It cost about $100,000. + + +ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH + +This structure, erected in 1841, stands on St. Claude street, corner +of Bayou road. It is about 50 feet front by 90 deep. The architect, +Mr. Depouilly, has displayed an excellent taste in its construction. +The style is of a mixed order, but extremely neat--and in such good +keeping, that the interior has the appearance of being much smaller +than it actually measures. The decorations are worthy of the +sacredness of the place. The colored glass of the windows throws a +beautiful mellowed light across the aisles, producing a chastened +effect suited to the solemnity of the place. Immediately over the +altar is a full length painting of the tutelar saint, which is +executed with the bold hand of a master. At the right of this is the +Virgin Mary, little inferior to the first, but finished with much +greater delicacy of touch. Our Saviour is conspicuously represented in +the ceiling, over the centre--around which, on the gallery below, and +between the windows, are portraits of the saints, arranged in the +panel-work. Take this church altogether, it is one of the neatest +houses of devotion in this city. + + +ST. ANTOINE'S, OR THE MORTUARY CHAPEL + +On account of the great increase in the population of the city, and +consequent greater number of interments, objection was made, about the +year 1822, to the performance of services for the dead in the +Cathedral, it being in a very prominent and public situation. Under +these circumstances, the city made a grant of a piece of land at the +corner of Conti and Rampart streets, to the foundation of the Church +of St. Louis, on condition of their erecting upon the same, a chapel, +as a place for the performance of the funeral ceremonies, in +conformity to the catholic ritual. In pursuance of this intention, a +cross, marking the present site of the altar of the chapel, was placed +there with proper ceremonies, on the 10th of October, 1826, and on the +following morning the building was begun. Its erection was prosecuted +at the expense of the catholic foundation, and completed within a year +after its commencement, at a cost of about $16,000. + +It is a plain but very neat edifice, of the Gothic composite order; +and was dedicated to the most holy St. Antony of Padua, as its +guardian. All funeral ceremonies of catholics are performed there. + + +[Illustration: CHAPEL OF THE URSULINES] + +THE CHAPEL OF THE URSULINES + +An edifice strongly characteristic of our city, and well calculated to +cause reflection on the many and sudden changes of dynasty to which +New Orleans has been subjected. This building, of a quaint old style +of architecture, was erected, according to a Spanish inscription on a +marble tablet in the middle of the facade, in 1787, during the reign +of Carlos III, (Don Estevan Miro being governor of the province,) by +Don Andre Almonaster Y Roxas. It is exceedingly plain and unpretending +in its exterior, and chiefly interesting from its associations, and +extremely antiquated appearance. + + +[Illustration: CHRIST CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL.)] + +CHRIST CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL) + +A fine Ionic building, situated on Canal, at the corner of Bourbon +street, was designed by Gallier and Dakin, architects, and its +erection begun in the autumn of 1835, under the direction of Mr. D. H. +Toogood. It was completed in the summer of 1837, and consecrated +during the same year. The cost of the edifice was about $70,000. The +form of the ceiling, being a flat dome, is much admired. The Rev. Dr. +Hawkes is pastor of this church. + + +ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL) + +This is a neat frame structure, located on the corner of Camp and +Bartholomew streets. The Rev. Mr. Goodrich officiates in this church. + + +THE ANNUNCIATION CHURCH, (EPISCOPAL) + +Is to occupy a conspicuous place near Annunciation Square. The +location was selected with good taste, both in regard to the beauty of +the position, and to the great improvements of the neighborhood. The +church is to be placed under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr. +Prescot. + + +[Illustration: THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH] + +THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH + +Is an edifice of the Grecian Doric order, finely situated, fronting on +Lafayette square--the handsomest public ground in the city. The +basement story is of granite; the superstructure being brick, +plastered to imitate stone. The building was commenced in November, +1834, and opened for public worship in July, of the following year. It +was finished by subscription, at a cost of $55,000. In 1844, this +building was considerably enlarged. In the court, in front, a neat +obelisk has been erected, as a monument to the memory of the Rev. +Sylvester Larned, first Presbyterian pastor of this city, who died +31st August, 1820, at the early age of 24, much and deservedly +regretted. Rev. Mr. Scott, is the present pastor. + + +THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH + +This is a plain and unpretending structure, on the corner of Calliope +and Phytanee streets; and like its near neighbor, St. Paul's, +evidently erected more for utility than for external display. It is a +neat frame building, with only sufficient ornament to give to it the +appearance of a place of public worship. Rev. Mr. Stanton is the +pastor. + + +THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH + +Is an edifice of brick, in the plain Gothic style of architecture. It +was erected in 1817, on St. Charles street at the corner of Gravier, +where formerly stood the store-houses of the Jesuits, and upon a part +of the foundations of those buildings. Rev. Mr. Clapp, is the pastor. + + +[Illustration: THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH] + +THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH + +At the corner of Poydras and Carondelet streets, is of the Grecian +Doric order, the details of which are copied from the temple of +Theseus, at Athens. The height of the steeple is 170 feet from the +side walk. This edifice was erected in the year 1836-7, by Messrs. +Dakin, and Dakin, architects, at an expense of $50,000. Rev. Mr. +Nicholson officiating as pastor. + + +THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH + +Is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Hinton. + + +WESLEYAN CHAPEL + +This is a plain frame building, on St. Paul near Poydras street, and +is devoted to the colored portion of the community. + + +THE OLD URSULINE CONVENT + +Situated in Conde street, was completed by the French government, in +1733; and is therefore, probably, the most ancient edifice in +Louisiana. The architecture is plain, being Tuscan composite, and the +smallness of the windows, and the peculiar form of the roof and +chimneys, together with the general venerable and time worn aspect of +the building, render it, independent of its history, an object of +interest to both citizens and strangers. + +It was occupied by the Ursuline nuns for nearly a century; and only +abandoned by them, when, on account of the great rise in the value of +real estate around it, they disposed of a part of their property, and +removed, in 1824, to the new convent, two miles below the city. It was +then used by the state legislature, as a place for their sessions, +until their present accommodations were prepared for their reception, +in 1834. Since that period it has been inhabited by the Right Rev. +Bishop Blanc, and several other of the higher clergy of the diocess. +From its great solidity of construction, there is no reason to doubt +but that it may stand many years longer, as a monument of "the olden +times." + + +THE NEW CONVENT + +This richly endowed establishment was founded in 1826, and the chapel +was completed in 1829. The main building is about 100 feet long, of +brick, two stories high, and has two wings, running from the rear, at +each end. It is principally occupied as a seminary for the education +of young ladies. The average price for instruction and board is $200 +per annum. The number of scholars at present is 120. On a line with +this building is the nunnery, containing 40 sisters of the Ursuline +order. Annexed to the latter edifice is the chapel, a remarkably neat +and plain structure. Immediately in front of the latter building is +the residence of the priests. There are eighty acres of land, three of +which are enclosed and beautifully embellished. The position is +pleasant and healthy. It fronts upon the river, two miles below the +city, and embraces a charming view of the Mississippi. + + +THE CARMELITE CONVENT + +Is a frame building, which stands upon ground adjoining the church of +St. Augustine, and is occupied by the nuns of this order. They have an +excellent school under their care, divided into two apartments--one +of which is appropriated to white and the other to free colored +children, many of the latter class, have wealthy parents, and pay a +high price for their education. + + +[Illustration: THE CYPRESS GROVE CEMETERY] + +THE CYPRESS GROVE CEMETERY + +This resting place for the dead is about four miles from the centre of +the city upon the right of the upper Shell Road, that leads to lake +Pontchartrain, and occupies a ridge, which is supposed once to have +been the embankment of the Mississippi. + +The plat of ground devoted to the cemetery, measures 244 by 2700 feet. +The spot was purchased and improved at an expense of $35,000, by the +Firemen's Charitable Association. The revenue that arises from +interments is exclusively devoted to benevolent purposes--all the +business of the association being conducted by its members without any +compensation. The front wall and lodges are built in pure Egyptian +style, and cost $8,000. The grounds are divided into avenues, and +arranged and embellished with an effect appropriate to the solemn +associations of the place. + +The simple and striking motto over the entrance is selected from +Pierpont:-- + + "Here to thy bosom, mother earth, + Take back in peace, what thou hast given; + And, all that is of heavenly birth, + O God, in peace recall to heaven." + +Some of the tombs are very richly wrought--and, one in particular, +erected by a fire company, a memento to a brother who was killed in +the performance of his duty, is a specimen of superior skill and +workmanship. The nature of the soil admits graves to be sunk six feet +without approaching water. They are laid with brick and securely +cemented. The tombs above ground (here called ovens, which they +somewhat resemble) are faced with marble, built in the best manner. +There are four hundred of them, which cost an average of twenty-five +dollars each. These are sold at fifty dollars, and the surplus goes +into the funds of the society, for charitable purposes. + +A central avenue, twenty-eight feet in width, called Live Oak Avenue, +traverses the whole length of the ground. Cedar and Magnolia avenues, +on either side of this, are each twenty feet wide. Next the outer +walls, are those named Cypress and Willow, of eighteen feet each. At +a distance of every two hundred feet, are transverse avenues. The +spaces between these are reserved for the erection of tombs, and may +be purchased at a stipulated price, according to the location. These +privileges are sold in fee for ever, and the title is held sacred in +the eye of the law. + + +CATHOLIC CEMETERIES + +Of these there are two. The larger ranges between Robertson and +Claiborne, and extends from St. Louis to Canal streets, occupying four +full squares. The square on St. Louis street is principally +appropriated to natives of France and their descendants. There is a +great deal of refined sentiment and delicate fancy in some of their +memorials of the departed. Tombs are often embellished with fresh +flowers, that look as if they received daily attentions. This is a +custom not peculiar to the French, but seems to be the natural +language of that refined affection, which cherishes the memory and the +virtues of the dead, among the dearest and most sacred treasures of +the heart. The smaller of these grounds lies on Basin and St. Louis +streets. It presents, like the other, many tasteful monuments, that +show us where repose the honored and the wealthy of the land. These +necessarily attract the notice of strangers--but there is one among +them less conspicuous than the rest, the eloquence of whose simple and +touching memorial has rarely been surpassed. It is in the side wall, +near the northwest corner of the cemetery, surrounded by many more of +a similar construction. There is no display--only a simple record, +that tells it is occupied by a female fifteen years of age. Beneath +this is quite a plain stone, with the inscription "_Ma pauvre fille!_" +What an affecting history in those three brief words! It was +undoubtedly placed there by an affectionate mother, deploring the +untimely death of a beloved daughter. It contains more pathos, and +speaks to the heart with more effect, than volumes of labored eulogy, +or frantic grief. The proud mausoleum, and the turgid epitaph, sink +into insignificance beside this humble burst of maternal love--"_My +poor child!_" + +Illustrative of the false pride with which the Creole population +still, unfortunately, regard the practice of duelling, nearly opposite +is the following inscription:-- + + "_Victime de l'honneur._ + Aet. 24." + + +THE PROTESTANT CEMETERY + +This burial place fronts on St. Paul street, and occupies about two +city squares. The inscriptions do not date back beyond 1810. It is a +spot, however, where the northern and eastern traveller will often +recognize familiar names of those who have found graves far from +endeared friends and connexions. There is little of the display here +that is observed in other grounds. Tombs that, apparently, were +commenced with a resolution to show honor to the departed, have been +left without a stone to record the name of the neglected tenant. + +In one of the side walls, is a tomb stone of plain white marble, with +only the words, "MY HUSBAND!" engraven upon it. In this vault were +deposited the remains of a distinguished tragedian, who fell a victim +to the yellow fever, some years since, in this city. It is a delicate +souvenir, that bespeaks the true feeling and affection of a desolate +widow. On another is the emphatic inscription, "_Poor Caroline!_" + + +ST. PATRICK'S CEMETERY + +Is situated within sight of the Cypress Grove Cemetery, and having +been but recently commenced, has not yet become an object of much +attraction. + +There is quite a spacious Catholic burying ground near Bayou road, +more than a mile back of the city, that seems to have been +considerably used, but has few monuments of any interest. + +Besides these, there is a general burying ground at Lafayette. The +Jews have a place of interment, also, in that city. + + + + +CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS + + +There is probably no city in the United States that has so many +benevolent institutions as New Orleans, in proportion to its +population. Certainly it has not an equal in those voluntary +contributions, which are sometimes required to answer the immediate +calls of distress. Here are assembled a mixed multitude, composed of +almost every nation and tongue, from the frozen to the torrid zone, +and, whether it be the sympathy of strangers, or the influence of the +sunny south, their purses open and their hearts respond, like those of +brothers, to the demands of charity. To illustrate these assertions +and to carry out the plan of this work, a description of the most +prominent of these establishments is annexed. + + +THE FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM + +Stands at the intersection of Camp and Phytanee streets, on an angular +lot, widening to the rear on Erato street. It has a northerly front on +the junction of the two first named streets, and occupies all the +grounds that are contained in this irregular space--the rear, however, +being reserved as a site for a church, to be erected at some future +period. The land was a liberal donation from Madame Foucher, and her +brother, Francis Soulet. Previous to the erection of this building, +the establishment was conducted in rented tenements, under the +direction of the Sisters of Charity; in whose hands it still continues +to present a praiseworthy example of neatness and parental care. It +commenced in 1836 with _six_ children; and, in 1839, with great +exertions, it accommodated _ninety_. + +[Illustration] + +The history of this charity seems to trespass on the region of +romance. In its struggle, it received an important impulse from the +suggestions of a benevolent lady, Mrs. Pogue. In conversation with a +female friend of similar feelings, she remarked, "if a fair could be +organized for its benefit, and the opulent induced to patronise it, +money might be raised to erect the necessary buildings." That friend +told the Bishop; who, taking up the hint, announced it from the +pulpit. This led to the call of a meeting--where, instead of a small +assemblage, the rooms were crowded with the wealth and beauty of the +city. It resulted in the collection of over _sixteen thousand +dollars_! Thus, to almost a chance expression from the kind heart of +woman, New Orleans is mainly indebted for the prosperity of one of the +noblest of her humane institutions. + +From this moment, the Asylum assumed a firm standing. A suitable house +was at once commenced. The second municipality gave a thousand +dollars, and the legislature at different periods, twelve thousand +dollars. In 1840 the whole was completed, and the children, to the +number of about one hundred, took possession. Since that time they +have averaged one hundred and forty-five annually. They receive the +rudiments of a good education. At a suitable age they are apprenticed +to persons of character and responsibility; and a vigilance is +continued, that guaranties to them the kind treatment, which their +isolated position seems to demand. + +The edifice, built by D. Hayden, cost over forty-two thousand dollars. +Though conducted _with the utmost prudence_, the institution is some +twenty-five hundred dollars in debt. In a capital like this, where so +many of the citizens have princely revenues, and with them a princely +liberality, there is little doubt that arrangements will soon be made +to relieve it of this embarrassment. It has now about one hundred and +sixty children, of whom over thirty are in the nursery. + + +THE MALE ORPHAN ASYLUM + +The Society for the Relief of Destitute Orphan Boys have their +establishment in Lafayette. It went into operation in 1824, and was +incorporated the year after. By a calculation of the first sixteen +years, it appears that an average of thirty-five have annually +participated in its benefits. Although its title would seem to imply, +that orphans only are admitted, yet the board are authorized to +receive any boy, whose destitute condition requires their protection. + + +THE POYDRAS FEMALE ORPHAN ASYLUM + +This is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in New Orleans. +It was endowed by Julien Poydras, and possesses an immense revenue +from valuable improved real estate. They occupy on Julia, from St. +Charles to Carondelet streets, and extend back about two-thirds of an +immense square. It has for several years had an average of one hundred +and twenty children. The excellent system and regulations, in regard +both to instruction and health, will not be disparaged by comparison +with the best institutions in the world. Possessing so much property +and such beautiful grounds, it is to be regretted that more spacious +and comfortable buildings are not erected for the accommodation of the +inmates. + + +THE CATHOLIC MALE ORPHAN ASYLUM + +This institution is supported by an association, and by private +donations. The establishment occupies a large building fronting the +river, and a few squares above the New Convent. About one hundred and +seventy children receive the benefits of this charity. + + +LES DAMES DE LA PROVIDENCE + +This association was formed in 1839. It consists of about one hundred +ladies, who each contribute a certain sum monthly as a charitable +fund. Its object is to render aid to the sick, the poor and the +infirm. The institution was put into operation by the benevolent +French ladies of New Orleans; and, were its resources equal to the +kind feelings of its members, it would be rendered a means of +alleviating much distress among the sick and destitute. + + +THE SAMARITAN CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION + +This institution was founded during the epidemic of 1837, for the +purpose of alleviating the wants of the poor and the sick. They +established an office at that period, where some of the members, day +and night, were always in readiness to attend the bed-side of disease, +and to administer aid to the indigent. The late mayor, and many of the +most wealthy citizens are members; and, in time of need, the +association is liberally endowed by the spontaneous donations of the +generous public. + + +THE FIREMEN'S CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION + +Was incorporated in 1835, and managed by a board of directors chosen +from each company, subject to certain restrictions. The officers, (a +president, vice president, secretary and treasurer,) are elected by +the board from members of the association, on the first Monday of +January, of each year. The object of this society is the relief of its +members, who are incapacitated from attending to business from +sickness or misfortunes not arising from improper causes. It makes +provision also for the benefit of their families--particularly widows +and orphans. This is a very laudable association, and every way +deserving of the excellent fire department from which it originated. + + +YOUNG MEN'S HOWARD ASSOCIATION + +This benevolent institution was established in 1837; and its object is +the relief of the indigent and sick. Its resources depend entirely +upon public contributions--and appeals for aid have always been +responded to with alacrity. During the prevalence of the epidemic of +1841, this society collected and distributed over five thousand +dollars among the sufferers on that dreadful occasion. It is a noble +charity that waits not for calls upon its benevolence; but its members +seek for worthy objects in the hidden recesses of misery, and soothe +and administer to their wants, with a brotherly solicitude that does +honor to the name they have assumed. + + +THE HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY + +Although but a short time in existence, has accomplished much good; +diffusing charity, not in mere accordance with sectional prejudices, +but in that catholic spirit of genuine benevolence, which freely +dispenses its benefits alike upon Jew and Christian, and recognizes +but one brotherhood in the family of man. + + +THE MILNE ORPHAN ASYLUM + +This institution was endowed in 1839, by Alexander Milne, a liberal +Scotch gentleman, from whom it takes its name. It was established for +the education and protection of helpless orphan children of both +sexes. + + + + +HOSPITALS + + +No city in the United States is so well provided with establishments +of this kind as New Orleans. Here, the only passport required for +admission to the best attendance, is sickness, or an injury. No cold +formalities are thrown in the way of the suffering patient. Indeed, it +has become a subject of complaint, that access is so easy, and the +position so agreeable, that the improvident and the indolent take +undue advantage of its benefits. + + +[Illustration: THE CHARITY HOSPITAL] + +THE CHARITY HOSPITAL + +The first hospital for indigent persons erected in the city of New +Orleans, appears to have been built on the site formed by the west +side of Rampart street, between Toulouse and St. Peter streets. It was +blown down in 1779; and, being of wood, was entirely destroyed. + +In 1784, Dr. N. Y. Roxas commenced one of brick on the same position, +which he completed at an expense of $114,000 in 1786, and called it +the New Charity Hospital of St. Charles. He endowed it with a +perpetual revenue of $1500 per annum, by appropriating the rents of +the stores at the corner of St. Peter and Levee streets. It continued +under the patronage and direction of the family, until March 1811, +when it was relinquished to the city by authority of the legislature, +the edifice having been previously consumed by fire. It was now +subjected to a council of administration, appointed by the governor +and city council--(the first six, the latter three.) Since 1813 the +council has been appointed by the governor and senate. It consists of +eight members, and the governor. Its support has been derived from +several sources. A most liberal legacy was left it by that public +benefactor Julien Poydras, of real estate, valued at $35,000. Several +smaller sums have been received from other benevolent individuals. It +has also received aid from the state, directly and indirectly. +Pennsylvania made a liberal grant of $10,000, in 18--. + +In 1812, the council of administration sold to the state the square +now occupied by the state house, with the buildings, for $125,000, and +purchased the present site, and built their large and commodious +structure at the foot of Common street, at an expense of $150,000, +containing sufficient room to accommodate four or five hundred +patients. This is the building particularly referred to in the heading +of this article. Besides being under the charge of the ablest of the +medical faculty, the institution has the assistance of the Sisters of +Charity, as nurses to the sick, who cannot be excelled in kindness and +careful attention. + +The edifice itself is very imposing, from its immense size. It is +substantially built with brick. Suitable supplementary out-buildings +for lunatics, and lying-in apartments, are on the same grounds; and +the whole is encompassed by a permanent brick wall. + +To show the great usefulness of this establishment, it is only +necessary to state that, during 1844, there were five thousand eight +hundred and forty-six patients admitted, seven hundred and thirteen of +whom died, and five thousand and fifty-nine were dismissed. Of this +number, only one thousand three hundred and sixteen were natives of +the United States, and four thousand five hundred and thirty +foreigners. This year the yellow fever was not epidemic. + +The following table, taken from the New Orleans Medical Journal, shows +the number of cases of yellow fever admitted into this hospital from +Jan. 1, 1822, to Jan. 1, 1844, with the dates of the first and last +cases each year, with the discharges and deaths, constituting a term +of twenty-two years. + + TABLE. + + Year. First Case. Last Case. Adm'd. Dis'g'd. Died. + + 1822 Sept. 3. Dec. 31. 349 98 239 + 1823 Sept. 11. 1 1 + 1824 Aug. 4. Nov. 13. 167 59 108 + 1825 June 23. Dec. 19. 94 40 59 + 1826 May 18. Nov. 18. 26 19 5 + 1827 July 17. Dec. 5. 372 263 109 + 1828 June 19. Dec. 10. 290 160 130 + 1829 May 23. Nov. 29. 435 220 215 + 1830 July 24. Nov. 29. 256 139 117 + 1831 June 9. Oct. 7. 3 1 2 + 1832 Aug. 15. Oct. 25. 26 8 18 + 1833 July 17. Nov. 17. 422 212 210 + 1834 Aug. 28. Nov. 22. 150 55 95 + 1835 Aug. 24. Nov. 27. 505 221 284 + 1836 Aug. 24. Oct. 25. 6 1 5 + 1837 July 13. Nov. 28. 998 556 442 + 1838 Aug. 25. Nov. 1. 22 5 17 + 1839 July 23. Nov. 17. 1086 634 452 + 1840 July 9. 3 3 + 1841 Aug. 2. Dec. 8. 1113 520 594 + 1842 Aug. 4. Nov. 26. 410 214 211 + 1843 July 10. Dec. 31. 1053 609 487 + ---- ---- ---- + Total Number, 7787 4034 3803 + + A discrepancy of 50 4034 + ---- ---- + 7837 7837 + +"This discrepancy between the number of admittances, discharges, and +deaths," say the editors, "arises from the fact that a good many cases +of yellow fever occur, after the patients are admitted into the +hospital for other diseases--and some remain to be treated for other +diseases, long after having been cured of yellow fever; and, it may +be, that some cases are not noted upon the hospital books at all." The +proportion of deaths is accounted for by the exposed state of the +patient before admission. In private practice they do not average one +death to ten. + +The absence of quarantine regulations in New Orleans, is often +remarked by strangers. Acts of legislation have been passed at +different times, establishing laws for the protection of the city, +which proved of but little service, owing, it is generally admitted, +to their not being carried out as it is now known they should have +been to test their efficacy, consequently they soon fell into disuse. + +Much able, and it would seem unanswerable argument has been employed, +to prove that this scourge of tropical climates is not contagious; +yet, Dr. Carpenter, an eminent and learned member of the medical +profession of this city, with great research, has tracked it through +all its secret channels of communication, by which at different +periods it has been introduced. + +The recent able essay of Dr. Hort, read before the Physico-Medical +Society of this city, and the proceedings and resolutions of that +body, had in reference to it, with equal conclusiveness show it to be +endemic, or of local origin, and not an imported or contagious +disease. + +When such eminent "doctors disagree" what shall the unlearned and +uninitiated do?--we are surely in a dilemma, and hardly know on which +horn to hang our own humble judgment--but it would really appear that +with a sanitary system, commending itself to the more cautious views +of the Atlantic cities, an advantage would be gained, that would far +more than balance any diminished trade of our neighbors in the Gulf. +Are there not also, many hundreds of active, intelligent, business +making citizens, who now fly to the North on the first approach of the +sickly season, who, with such guards faithfully maintained about them, +would remain through the summer? and are there not thousands more in +various parts of the country, who, inspired with confidence by the +existence and maintenance of a system of measures which _they_ deem +essential to the preservation of the health and lives of the citizens, +would throng to our metropolis as the most inviting field of +enterprise, and thus multiply our numbers and enlarge our business far +more rapidly than it can, or will be done under the present system? + +If in making these suggestions it should be supposed that we have +"defined our position," we shall shelter ourselves under "the +generally received opinion," "the prevailing fears of the +community"--and the prudential measures of other cities. + + +[Illustration: MAISON DE SANTE] + +MAISON DE SANTE + +This noble edifice, emphatically the house of the stranger, was built +in 1839, and opened in August of the same year. The full and complete +success of the enterprise is written in the grateful memories of the +thousands of patients who have resorted to it in the hour of sickness +and danger. The prices required secure to every sick person more than +the attention and comforts of the house of his childhood. Not a doubt +need to cross his mind but that all which science, and the most +devoted care can effect, will be done for him; he only goes there to +get well, if it be possible in the nature of his case. The names of +the attending physicians, Doctors Stone, Kennedy and Carpenter, are a +sufficient guaranty for the respectability of this establishment. + + +CIRCUS STREET INFIRMARY + +This institution, situated between Poydras and Perdido streets, was +established by Doctors Campbell and Mackie, in July, 1841. It is +neatly furnished, and offers all the comforts and advantages of a +private house to the invalid. No contagious diseases are admitted, and +kind and skilful nurses are furnished. + + +THE FRANKLIN INFIRMARY + +Is situated in the Fauxbourg Franklin, in Champs Elysees street, +fronting the Pontchartrain rail-road, and about two miles from the +city. It is a private hospital, founded by Dr. C. A. Luzemburg. The +building, although not large, is accommodated with several out houses, +and the grounds are spacious and pleasant. + + +[Illustration: THE UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL] + +THE UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL + +Situated at Macdonough, opposite New Orleans, occupies a square, +measuring three hundred and fifty feet each way, which is enclosed by +a good substantial fence, intended, eventually, to give place to an +iron railing. The edifice measures, in front, one hundred and sixty +feet, by seventy eight deep--from the rear of which two adjuncts +extend fifty feet further back, leaving sufficient room between them +for a spacious court, immediately behind the centre of the main +building. + +The whole is laid off into three stories. It is fifty feet from the +ground to the eaves, and one hundred and thirty-five to the top of the +flag-staff, which surmounts the belvidere. It is built in the Gothic +style; and was designed by Mondele and Reynolds, who were the original +contractors. It was commenced in 1834, but for want of the necessary +appropriations by the government, the work was suspended, and has gone +so much to ruin, that it will require $20,000 to repair the damage. + +James H. Caldwell, Esq., has contracted for the completion of this +work. The building, when finished and furnished for receiving +patients, will cost $130,000. It will accommodate two hundred and +sixty nine persons. The grounds, tastefully laid out, are to be +embellished with shrubbery. As seen from the Mississippi, or from a +distance, this structure presents a very majestic appearance. It +stands in a healthy position, elevated and dry; and from its great +height, commands a complete view of the river, city, surrounding +country, and a whole forest of masts--affording to poor Jack at once a +delightful and a busy prospect, that must have a great tendency to +cheer the hours of his convalescence. + + + + +PUBLIC BUILDINGS + + +[Illustration: THE MUNICIPAL HALL] + +THE MUNICIPAL HALL + +This edifice, when completed, will be one of the noblest public +buildings of the Second Municipality. It is to occupy the corner of +Hevia and St. Charles streets, facing the westerly side of Lafayette +Square, a site selected particularly on account of its conspicuous and +airy position. Its grand entrance ranges along the latter thoroughfare +90 feet, running back upon the former 208, and presenting an altitude +of 54 feet to the eaves, displaying two bold stories above a basement +of 11 feet ceiling. This lower apartment is intended for the +accommodation of the military, and the police and watch departments. +It is intersected from end to end by a corridor twelve, and across, in +the centre, by one of fourteen feet wide, the latter giving room for a +double flight of stairs, which ascend to the upper story. The same +division of passage ways is observed on each floor. + +The grand entrance from St. Charles street, is by a flight of eighteen +blue Quincy-granite steps, of which material the principal front is +constructed. At the top of these, at an elevation of fourteen feet, is +a platform extending along the whole front, twenty-five feet deep, +sustaining, by a range of six pillars in front, and four in the rear, +a massy pediment, all of which is of Ionic Grecian construction, and +in good keeping with the main fabric. On entering the corridor through +this portico, on the right hand, is an apartment seventy-five by +thirty-five feet, and, like all the others on this floor, eighteen +feet in the ceiling, appropriated to the library of the School Lyceum. +In the rear of this, on the same side, are four others for public +offices and courts, as are also those on the opposite direction. + +Ascending to the third story, in front is the great hall, sixty-one by +eighty-four feet, and twenty-nine in the ceiling, set apart for the +School Lyceum. Immediately in front of this, is a central platform, +advancing between two side rooms, over which are two others, similar, +all four of which are intended for the accommodation of the apparatus, +necessary for this new institution. + +The main room is furnished with galleries on three sides, arranged in +the best manner for the convenience of scholars and spectators. The +rooms in the rear, like those in the story below, are devoted to +public offices. + +The walls of this building are to be based upon granite, and the +residue of white marble, after the Grecian Ionic order. The whole will +cost about $120,000. + + +THE CITY PRISONS + +These edifices are built of brick, and plastered to imitate granite, +they are three stories in height, occupying one hundred and twenty +three feet on Orleans and St. Ann streets, by one hundred and +thirty-eight feet nine inches between them. They are two in number, +and divided by a passage way that is closed to the public. The +principal building has its main entrance from Orleans street, through +a circular vestibule, closed by strong iron doors. The lower story +contains the offices and apartments of the jailor. The second story is +divided into large halls for such prisoners as require to be less +strictly guarded. The plan of the third story is similar. The whole is +surmounted by a belvidere, with an alarm bell. The cost is estimated +at $200,000. + + +SECOND MUNICIPALITY WORK-HOUSE + +This institution was formed in obedience to legislative enactment, +under date of the 5th of March, 1841. The buildings were completed and +occupied the same year. The site is a portion detached from the +northern extremity of the Protestant Episcopal Burying Ground, and the +centre of the front is directly facing St. Mary street. The plot is +two hundred and ninety feet, front and rear, and two hundred and +fifty-five deep--the whole being enclosed by a wall twenty-one feet +high, twenty-six inches thick at the base, and eighteen at the top, +externally supported throughout by abutments at a distance of every +fourteen feet. + +The entrance is by a strong and well secured gate, into a public +passage flanked by offices, over which are rooms assigned to the use +of the keepers, for the accommodation of the guard, and such +_materiel_ as good order, and the safety of the establishment require. +This structure is partially separated from the prison by well +constructed gates and partition walls. Within, on each side, +engrossing the residue of the immediate front of the grounds, are two +buildings. The one on the right is for white females, and that on the +left for blacks of both sexes. These tenements are divided from the +other parts of the prison by high fences of frame work. Going thence +into the principal yard, the building for the male whites is seen on +the extreme right. This is of one story, measuring eighty by thirty +feet, and is the largest one on the premises. Arranged along near the +rear wall, extending to the left, are the work shops. + +The average number of white prisoners is eighty, not one-seventh of +whom are females; and one hundred blacks, a third of these also being +females. The prison discipline seems to be of a first rate order; and +it is seldom necessary to punish for offences against the rules. +Religious service is performed on Sundays, and a physician is in +attendance every day. It is a singular fact, that only five persons +have died there since it was opened, notwithstanding their former +irregular habits. The prisoners are kept at constant labor; and their +food, though not luxurious, is of a wholesome nature, which may, when +their abstinence from intemperate habits is taken into consideration, +account for the excellent state of their health. It would not be +hazarding much to say that many here were never before accustomed to +so many of the comforts of life--"in all, save these bonds;" for they +lodge upon clean and comfortable bedding, surrounded by moscheto bars; +and, once a week, at least, can enjoy the luxury of a bath. + +This is the receptacle of that class of society, both white and black, +who are denominated vagrants. They embrace two sorts of +individuals--those who have no visible means of obtaining a +livelihood, and those who live by committing unlawful depredations +upon others. Besides these, colored seamen, while in port, not being +suffered by the laws to go at large, are accommodated, for the time +being, with an apartment in the Work-house. Slaves are placed here by +their masters, for punishment, for safe keeping, and for refusing to +perform labor, as well as for the commission of crimes. These last are +sent out in gangs, under keepers, to clean the streets, and to perform +certain other menial services within the control of the municipal +authorities. + +Nothing could render this establishment more complete, except a +classification of its inmates; so that the hardened offenders should +be prevented from drawing the young, the thoughtless, and the +incipient transgressor, into the vortex of their own viciousness. To +the philanthropist, this must be a consideration of the utmost +importance. The saying, that "evil communications corrupt good +manners," is illustrated even in this place--and here, many who seem +upon the very verge of destruction, might be saved from ultimate and +utter ruin, by the judicious care and protection of the humane and +reflecting magistrate. + + +THIRD MUNICIPALITY WORK-HOUSE + +This new establishment stands on Moreau street, running from Louisa to +Piety streets, and taking within its limits the building formerly used +as the Washington market, which has been altered to suit its present +purpose. The buildings were prepared under the superintendence of +Charles K. Wise, and are well arranged. The prisoners average about +one hundred--thirty of whom are females. The regulations are +excellent. + + +THE COURT-HOUSE + +This edifice stands on Chartres street, and to the right of the +Cathedral, as it is seen from the Place d'Armes, opposite to which it +is situated. The lower story is of the Tuscan order, with a wide +portico along the front of the edifice, supported by ten antes, +between semi-circular arches. The four in the middle are strengthened +in front by Tuscan columns, and those at the angles by two clustered +pilastres. The ascent to the second story is through the principal +entrance, which is composed of a semi-circular arched door, with antes +at the sides, and Doric entablature. It opens into a spacious lobby, +through which, by a stone stair-way, of a single flight below, and a +double one above, the second floor is reached. The front of the upper +story is of the Ionic order, but generally similar to the lower. The +entablature is surmounted by a denticulated cornice, and the pediment +is relieved by an oblong shield. + + +[Illustration] + +THE CITY HALL + +This building stands on the upper side of the Cathedral, on a line +with the Court-House described above, both of which were erected the +latter part of the preceding century, through the liberality of Don +Andre Almonaster. This edifice in all general respects, much resembles +the Court-House on the right of the Cathedral, except that the main +entrance, under the portico, is of the Tuscan order; and that the +stair within is a winding one, leading to the upper story by three +flights; also, that the pediment of the front bears the American +eagle, with cannon and piles of balls. + + * * * * * + + +MARKETS + +The markets are a prominent feature in a description of New Orleans. +They are numerous, and dispersed, to suit the convenience of the +citizens. The prices of many articles they offer are very fluctuating. +Not dearer, however, on an average, than in New York. Stall-fatted +meats are not so usual here as at the North, preference being given to +the grass-fed. The mutton has no equal in America. Poultry and fish +are fine; and vegetables, except potatoes, are abundant, and speak +well for the soil that produced them. Fruit, from the West Indies and +our own West, is not only plenty, but of the best kind. The +regulations are excellent, and are strictly enforced by officers +appointed for that purpose. + +The greatest market day is Sunday, during the morning. At break of +day the gathering commences--youth and age, beauty and the +not-so-beautiful--all colors, nations and tongues are commingled in +one heterogeneous mass of delightful confusion; and, he must be a +stranger indeed, who elbows his way through the dense crowd, without +hearing the welcome music of his own native language. The traveller, +who leaves the city without visiting one of the popular markets on +Sunday morning, has suffered a rare treat to escape him. Annexed is a +brief descriptive account of them. + + +POYDRAS STREET MARKET + +Is designed for the accommodation of the inhabitants in the rear +portion of the second municipality. It covers a space of ground in +Poydras street forty-two feet wide by four hundred and two +long--extending from near Baronne to Circus street. It was built in +1837, and cost $40,000. + + +THE VEGETABLE MARKET + +The ground plan of this building is irregular; having been constructed +at different periods. It approaches the Roman Doric order--is +supported by brick columns plastered, and covered with a wooden frame +roof tiled. It fronts on Old Levee, St. Philip and Ursuline streets, +and the river. The design was by J. Pilie, who superintended the work. +It was completed in 1830, at an expense of $25,800. + + +THE MEAT MARKET + +Built in the rusticated Doric order, was completed in 1813, after the +designs of J. Piernas, city surveyor. The building is of brick +plastered, with a wooden frame roof, covered with slate. It is +situated on the Levee, and extends from St. Ann to Main streets; and, +from its favorable location, and neat simplicity of architecture, is a +striking object to those who approach the city by water. It cost about +$30,000. + + +ST. MARY'S MARKET + +This building fronts on Tchoupitoulas street, and runs to New Levee, a +distance of four hundred and eighty-six feet by a width of forty-two +feet. It was completed in 1836, in the rusticated Doric order, at a +cost of about $48,000. In the vicinity, on the first named street, is +a vegetable market--a very neat edifice. + + * * * * * + +Besides these, there is a very respectable market at the head of +Elysian Fields street, near the Levee; and another in Orleans, between +Marais and Villere streets, near the City Prison. + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration] + +EXCHANGE HOTEL, (ST. CHARLES) + +This magnificent establishment, which, for size and architectural +beauty, stands unrivalled, was commenced in the summer of 1835, and +finished in the May of 1838, by an incorporated company. The building +was designed by, and erected under the superintendence of J. Gallier, +architect, at an expense of $600,000, including the ground it stands +on, which cost $100,000. It presents fronts on three streets. The +principal one on St. Charles street, consists of a projecting portico +of six Corinthian columns, which stand upon a granite basement +fourteen feet high, with a pediment on the top, and four similar +columns on each side of the portico, placed in a range with the front +wall; behind which is formed a recess fifteen feet wide and one +hundred and thirty-nine long, and floored over with large granite +slabs, which, supported on iron beams, serve as a ceiling to that +portion of the basement story standing under the portico; and on top +affords a delightful promenade under the shade of the portico and side +columns. The entrance to the bar room is under this; and the outside +steps, leading from the street to the portico, are placed on each side +thereof, between it and the front range of the building. In one of the +rear angles of the basement is a bathing establishment, consisting of +fourteen rooms, elegantly fitted up, with every convenience for hot or +cold bathing. On the opposite angle are placed the wine cellars, +store-house, and other domestic apartments. All the remaining parts of +the basement are divided into stores, which are rented out to various +trades-people. The bar room is in the basement, near the centre of the +edifice; and is octangular in the plan, seventy feet in diameter, and +twenty high; having an interior circular range of Ionic columns, +distributed so as to support the weight of the floors and partitions +of the upper stories. The architecture of this room is Ionic. That of +the saloon, which is immediately over the bar room, is of the +Corinthian order, and eighteen feet ceiling. A grand spiral stair-case +commences upon the centre of the saloon floor, and is continued up to +the dome. Around this stair-case, on each side of the upper stories, a +gallery is formed, which gives access to six bedrooms within the +octagon, on each of the six upper stories. As the bar room is six feet +higher than the other parts of the basement, the entrance to the +saloon from the portico is by a flight of marble steps, twelve in +number, and thirty-five feet long. On the top of these steps is +placed a beautiful marble statue of Washington, presented to the +company by John Hagan, Esq. + +The gentlemen's dining and sitting rooms occupy the whole side of the +building on Gravier street. The dining room, with a pantry at the end, +is one hundred and twenty-nine feet long by fifty wide, and twenty-two +feet high, tastefully finished in the Corinthian order, with two +inside ranges of columns, so placed that there is abundant space for +four ranges of dining tables, sufficient to accommodate five hundred +persons. The ladies' dining room is placed over the bathing +apartments, and is fifty-two by thirty-six feet. The kitchen, +fifty-eight by twenty-nine feet, is placed in the rear wing of the +building, on the same story with, and in the centre between the two +dining rooms. The two angles of the principal front contain the +ladies' drawing room, and the gentlemen's sitting room, the former +forty by thirty-two feet, the latter thirty-eight feet square. There +are nine private parlors on the second story, to some of which are +attached adjoining bedrooms; and the same number on the upper stories. +There are four stories of elegantly furnished and well lighted +bedrooms, all around the four sides of the building, with central +passages, or corridors, which communicate with the centre and with +each other, having three stair-cases opening to the corridors, besides +the grand stair-case in the octagon. There are, in the edifice, three +hundred and fifty rooms. + +A dome, of beautiful proportions, after a plan of Dakin, forty-six +feet in diameter, surmounts the octagon building, elevated upon an +order of fluted columns, which stand eleven feet from the dome, around +the outside, and on the dome is elevated an elegant little Corinthian +turret. There is a large circular room under the dome, on the floor of +which the spiral stair-case terminates, and around the outside of +which the circular colonade forms a beautiful gallery eleven feet +wide, from whence can be seen the whole city, and all the windings of +the river for several miles in each direction. The effect of the dome +upon the sight of the visitor, as he approaches the city, is similar +to that of St. Paul's, London. + +No better evidence can be adduced--nor more flattering encomiums +presented to the architects, than the fact of the indescribable effect +of the sublime and matchless proportions of this building upon all +spectators--even the stoical Indian and the cold and strange +backwoodsman, when they first view it, are struck with wonder and +delight. The view of this structure by moonlight is a sight not easily +described. The furnishing of this establishment cost $150,000. + + +[Illustration] + +THE VERANDAH + +So called from being covered on its front toward the streets, to a +certain height, by a projecting roof and balcony, is situated at the +corner of St. Charles and Common streets, diagonally opposite the +Exchange Hotel. The building was intended for a family hotel, by its +enterprising projector and builder, the late R. O. Pritchard. + +The great dining room, is, probably, one of the most highly finished +apartments in America. The ceiling, especially, is a model; being +composed of three elliptic domes for chandeliers. This room measures +eighty-five by thirty-two feet, and twenty-seven high. The chimney +pieces of the ladies' parlors are fine specimens of sculpture, and the +rooms are otherwise handsome. The sleeping apartments are not +excelled. The whole was designed and constructed by Dakin & Dakin, +architects, in 1836-8, at a cost of $300,000, including the ground. + + +ST. LOUIS HOTEL + +This building, as a hotel, may be considered as one of the most +respectable in New Orleans. It stands nearly in the centre of the +French portion of the population; and, in the combination of its +brilliant and business-like appearance, is not an inappropriate +representative of their national character. In this establishment the +_utile et dulci_ are so happily blended, that the accomplished guest +can find no cause of complaint. A more particular description of this +superb edifice is omitted here, in consequence of its being given +under the head of the City Exchange, to which the reader is +respectfully referred. + + +HEWLETT'S HOTEL + +This is a large and well-constructed building, on the corner of Camp +and Common streets. It has been long known as a hotel, but, during the +last year, has been opened, under new auspices, by the gentleman whose +name has become associated with that of the house. The position is +airy, healthy and central, and the table is said to be unexcelled. + + * * * * * + +The Planters' Hotel, in Canal street, and the National Hotel, in +Tchoupitoulas street, are both good houses; and the prices being less, +they are sought after by those who wish to economise their expenses. +There are several other respectable establishments, of which, like +those last named, the limits of these pages will not permit a +particular description. + + * * * * * + + +THE GAS WORKS + +Occupy a square fronting on St. Mary street four hundred and +sixty-seven feet, with a depth of two hundred and thirty-five feet on +Gravier and Perdido streets; which is enclosed by a substantial brick +wall fourteen feet high. The site was selected by James H. Caldwell, +Esq., to whom New Orleans is mainly indebted for this great +undertaking, as well as for many others which stand as lasting +eulogiums to his memory. In 1834, the original works were put in +operation. Mr. Caldwell, at this time, had the exclusive privilege of +lighting the city for thirty years. His were the fourth gas works in +the Union, and the first west of the mountains. The first wrought-iron +roof in this country, was erected over the retort house by Mr. C., and +has served as a model for all since built. The largest cast iron tank +ever constructed was also put up by him. It is fifty-one feet diameter +and eighteen deep, and contains over two hundred thousand gallons of +water. In 1835 Mr. Caldwell disposed of this property to the Gas Light +and Banking Company; who, finding the buildings insufficient, +constructed them anew. The present establishment was planned and +erected under the superintendence of David John Rogers, in whose care +it still continues to prosper. The works, finished in 1837, cost +$150,000. The whole present value is $650,000. + +These consist of a retort house on Gravier street, one hundred and +seventeen by eighty feet, and parallel to which is the purifying +house, one hundred and seventeen by fifty-two feet. On the rear is the +chimney, constructed to resemble Trajan's pillar, one hundred and +seven feet high; and presents a chaste specimen of classical +architecture. There are three fifty feet gasometers, arranged along in +the centre of the premises, capable of containing thirty thousand +cubic feet each, built after the most approved workmanship, and +considered to be superior to any others in this country. On Perdido +street is a three story dwelling, thirty by seventy-five feet, for the +workmen. The coal shed is one hundred and ninety by fifty-two feet. In +addition to these are the blacksmith, carpenter, and other shops, +necessary for advantageously conducting so extensive a business. The +structures are all fire-proof, and every thing is kept in the neatest +possible condition. + +In addition to the works already described, and immediately in front +of them, embracing nearly another square, two more gasometers, of +equal dimensions, together with the accompanying buildings, have been +constructed during 1844-5. These will enable the company to transmit +the gas through a distance of one hundred and fifty miles of pipe, +sufficient for the accommodation of a half million of persons. + +The gas is extracted from Pittsburgh coal--after which the coke is +sold for fuel, at about half the price that is asked for the original +coal. + + +[Illustration] + +THE WATER WORKS + +In 1833, a company was incorporated under the title of the "Commercial +Bank of New Orleans," the principal object of which was to supply the +city with pure water from the Mississippi river. To effect this +object, an artificial mound was constructed on the square comprised +within Richard, Market, John the Baptist and Religious streets, +consisting of seventy thousand cubic yards of earth, taken from the +batture (deposit) of the river. The work was completed during 1834-5. +The reservoir is constructed on the top of this mound. It is two +hundred and fifty feet square, built of brick, and divided into four +compartments, measuring each one hundred and eighteen feet in the +clear. The walls and bottoms forming the reservoir, are built with +brick, and plastered with hydraulic cement. A pavilion of an octagonal +form has been erected on the intersection of the partition walls, +supported by eight pillars. It is about fifteen feet wide and ten +high, and affords quite a commanding and pleasant prospect. + +The reservoir is supplied with water from the Mississippi river, by +plunge pumps, worked by a condensing engine, acting expansively on +Bolton and Watt's plan. These pumps were adopted as the most +efficacious, on account of the great quantity of matter held in +suspension by the water. They are connected to a suction pipe sixteen +inches in diameter, and about eight hundred feet long; and to the +main, descending into the reservoir, sixteen inches in diameter and +six hundred feet long. The cylinder is twenty-five inches in diameter +and six feet stroke, and is calculated to raise three millions gallons +of water in twenty-four hours. The engine and pump houses are built of +brick, and are situated on the lot forming the corner of Tchoupitoulas +and Richard streets. + +The water is distributed through cast iron pipes, capable of +sustaining a pressure of water of three hundred feet head. They vary +from eighteen to six inches in diameter for the mains--but the +greater part of them consist of the larger sizes, which have numerous +ramifications of less dimensions. There are two mains from the +reservoir; one of eighteen, the other of twelve inches bore, which are +gradually reduced in size as the distance becomes greater from the +source, or as circumstances may require. In 1836, water was first +pumped into the reservoir. It can be delivered in the upper part of +the city twenty-one feet, and in the lower sections, twenty-seven feet +above the level of the soil. + +The daily average consumption of water, during the year 1844, was one +million gallons; and, from the comparative great capacity of the +reservoir, sufficient time is allowed for the water to settle, in one +of the four compartments, before it is drawn for the use of the city. + +Much good might be achieved by a more enlarged operation of these +works. The water is capable of being made fit for all domestic +purposes, thus obviating the necessity for cisterns, the birthplace of +millions of moschetoes, and, possibly the source of much sickness. For +the purposes of bathing it is almost indispensable; and, for forming +fountains, to cleanse the streets and to purify and cool the air, it +may be rendered equally a convenience, a luxury, and an +embellishment. + + +ARMORIES + +A room has been fitted up in Camp street, for which the substantial +and well constructed walls of the old Camp street Theatre have been +used--a building erected by James H. Caldwell, Esq., in 1822. This +apartment, used as an armory for the Washington Battalion, is sixty by +one hundred and twenty feet, and twenty-two feet high, and is +decidedly one of the largest in New Orleans. + +Another armory is located at the corner of Perdido and Baronne +streets, in the upper part of the Carrolton Rail-Road depot. Both of +these armories are the depositories of arms, all kept in the best +order, and disposed in various tasteful forms. + + +THE FIRE DEPARTMENT + +There are in New Orleans, fifteen engine, three hose, and one hook and +ladder--in all nineteen companies. The city may justly boast of the +energy and efficiency of this arm of safety. The members are exempt +from military and jury duty; and, after a certain term, are enrolled +as honorary members, who are free from the performance of further +service. The expenses of the department are defrayed by appropriations +from the municipalities, and from fines imposed upon delinquent +members. + +The courage and bearing of these companies during a conflagration, are +much to be admired. They proceed with that cool and determined spirit +that shows a consciousness of their power in subduing the destructive +element. An excellent and convenient supply of water, which is always +at command, enables them promptly to extinguish the most dangerous +fire. + + + + +MANUFACTURES + + +In New Orleans, have, until recently been but little known. There are +now however, several actively employed and well patronised branches of +the manufacturing business; which, if not calculated to compete with +those in other markets, answer a very good purpose for its own. + + +THE IRON FOUNDRY + +Of Messrs. Leeds & Co. produces every variety of machinery, that +steamboats and manufactories require for extensive operations. It has +been established many years, at the corner of Foucher and Delord +streets, occupies nearly a whole square, and is on as extensive a +scale as any in the country. The business-like and prompt system +practiced by the conductors, is known to all who require their aid +upon the whole line of the Mississippi and its tributaries. + + +STEAM PLANING MILL + +Upon Carondelet Walk, has been in successful operation over four +years. Lumber is landed from Carondelet Canal, which passes in front +of the building. + + +STEAM SAW MILLS + +Of these there are two; one located in the third municipality, the +other five miles below the city, and both upon the banks of the river. +They can furnish lumber of almost any description in abundance. + + +ROPE WALKS + +There are several of these, in different parts of the city, where +cordage may be manufactured, to any extent, demanded by the business +of the place. + +Besides these there are several Flour Mills, a Paper Mill, Sugar +Refinery, Cotton Factories, &c., all in successful operation. + + * * * * * + + +THE COTTON PRESSES + +This is the place of all others, for these extensive buildings, which, +generally, occupy a square, and sometimes more. They are numerous and +extensive establishments. A brief description of two of the most +prominent, will serve for the whole, as they very much resemble each +other in their construction. + + +THE LEVEE COTTON PRESS + +Erected by a company under that name, was completed in 1832, at a cost +of $500,000. No architectural effect was aimed at in the facade, which +is, however, neat and plain. This establishment can press about +200,000 bales per annum. + + +[Illustration] + +THE ORLEANS COTTON PRESS + +This vast establishment fronts on the Mississippi, running back on +Roffignac and New Levee streets. The ground occupied is six hundred +and thirty-two by three hundred and eight feet, and is nearly covered +by the buildings. The whole was built according to designs made by +Charles F. Zimpel, begun in 1833, and completed in 1835, at a cost, +including the site, of $753,558. The front on the river, although +having no pretensions to architectural effect, is still, from its +location and extent, quite impressive. This press can store +twenty-five thousand bales of cotton; and compresses, on an average, +one hundred and fifty thousand bales per annum; but its capacity is +much greater. + + * * * * * + + +BANKS + +LOUISIANA STATE BANK + +This building was erected in 1822, at a cost, including the ground, of +$55,000. The plan was from Latrobe, and Benjamin Fox the architect. It +stands on the corner of Royal and Bienville streets, and presents +rather a plain but neat external appearance. It is most substantially +built; the lower story is heavily arched, and the banking apartments +are completely fire-proof. Capital, $2,000,000. + + +THE MECHANICS' AND TRADERS' BANK + +Is situated on Canal street, occupying only an ordinary house, +compared to some others, and requires no particular description. +Capital, $2,000,000. + + +[Illustration] + +THE CITY BANK + +Is a building of the Ionic order, situated in Camp, near Canal street, +and designed by W. L. Atkinson, architect. Its construction was +commenced in 1837, and finished in 1838, under the superintendence of +J. Gallier, at a cost of about $50,000. The banking room is admired +for its elegant simplicity. Capital, $2,000,000. + + +THE GAS BANK + +This building, in St. Charles street, between Canal and Common +streets, is so closely squeezed in among others, that it has little +opportunity to show off the beauty it possesses. It was erected in +1839, under the superintendence of Sidel & Stewart, at an expense of +about $25,000, ground $25,000, making $50,000, and is every way well +calculated for a banking house. The original capital was $4,000,000, +but it was reduced to $180,000, and by request of the stockholders, +the banking privileges have been withdrawn by an act of the +Legislature of 1845. + + +THE CANAL BANK + +Has its entrance in the centre of the front on Magazine street, of a +substantial granite building which stands on that and the corner of +Gravier street. That portion of the edifice is very tastefully +arranged after the designs of Dakin, the architect. It was erected in +1845. The residue of the structure is used for stores. Capital, +$4,000,000. + + +[Illustration] + +THE BANK OF LOUISIANA + +Is a fine Ionic building at the south-west corner of Royal and Conti +streets, surrounded by a handsome court. The whole edifice is well +arranged, the banking room in particular, is admired for its good +architectural effect, being 60 feet square, and of a proportionate +height, with a fine gallery above. It was commenced by Bickle, Hamlet +and Fox, builders, in 1826, and finished the following year, at a +cost of $80,000. Capital, $4,000,000. + + +BANKS' ARCADE + +Occupies the front of a square on Magazine street, between Gravier and +Natchez streets, having a main entrance, from each of those last +named, to the Arcade, which divides the building through the whole +length--being three stories high, and covered in with glass, to +exclude rain and admit the light. In the lower and second stories, are +offices of almost all descriptions--and the third is appropriated +mostly to sleeping rooms. + +The bar room, opening on Magazine street, is 100 by 60 feet, and 35 in +height. It is handsomely embellished, has a gallery surrounding the +upper story, and is a popular place for public meetings. It will +accommodate 5,000 people on such occasions. This building stands in +the centre of business, and, consequently, is a place of great resort +for merchants and others. Erected by Thomas Banks in 1833, Charles +Zimple, architect. + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration] + +CITY EXCHANGE + +This magnificent edifice, which is one of the greatest ornaments of +the city, fronts on three streets--about 300 feet on St. Louis, and +120 each on Royal and Chartres street--the building being intended by +the projectors to combine the convenience of a city exchange, hotel, +bank, large ball rooms, and private stores. + +The principal facade, on St. Louis street, may be generally described +as being composed of the Tuscan and Doric orders. The main entrance is +formed by six columns of the composite Doric order. Through this +portico, access is had to the vestibule of the Exchange, a handsome, +though simple hall, 127 by 40 feet. This room is appropriated to +general business, and constantly open during waking hours. You pass +through this into one of the most beautiful rotundas in America, which +is devoted exclusively to business, and is open from noon to three +o'clock P. M. This fine room is surrounded by arcades and galleries, +always open to the public, (Sundays excepted,) and its general +appearance cannot fail to impress upon the mind a most favorable idea +of its grandeur and beauty. The dome is most tastefully laid off in +compartments, within which the magic pencils of Canova and Pinoli have +portrayed allegorical scenes and the busts of eminent Americans, in +rich fresco--a style of painting comparatively new in the United +States. The floors of the gallery which engird the rotunda, and the +winding stairs leading to them, are of iron. + +By a side entrance on St. Louis street, access is obtained to the +second story; the front of which, on this street, is occupied by a +suite of ball rooms and their dependencies. The great ball room is +magnificent in its size and decorations. The building also has a +capacious entrance on Royal street, as a hotel that can accommodate +200 persons. At the corner of Chartres street are the public baths. In +the spring of 1840 this building was nearly burnt down--but, in less +than two years, it was completely restored to its original splendor. + + +[Illustration] + +THE COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE + +This edifice is now being erected upon the south west corner of St. +Charles and Perdido streets, fronting one hundred and three feet upon +the former, and running one hundred upon the latter. The main part of +the building is to be constructed of brick and stuccoed; the upper +portion is purely Corinthian the lower entirely Tuscan. The principal +entrance on St. Charles street, is by a portico supported by two Ionic +pillars, and the same number of pilastres, composed of granite. The +vestibule is eleven feet deep, which admits visitors by three separate +doors into the exchange saloon, the most spacious apartment of the +kind in the United States; it being seventy by one hundred feet, and +twenty seven to the ceiling, which is supported by twelve well +arranged and substantial pillars. At the rear of this public room are +two others, intended for the accommodation of auctioneers, leaving +only sufficient space on the left for the necessary offices and access +to the second floor. + +The structure shows three stories in front--on the second of which is +the news room, expressly arranged for the occupation of the New +Orleans Reading Room. This apartment is fifty-five by eighty-three +feet, and thirty-seven to the ceiling; and is lighted by thirty-six +windows. A portico, with a recess of eleven feet, occupies the +immediate front, supporting the pediment by two Corinthian pillars, +and an equal number of pilastres. Two rooms are set apart in +connection with this establishment, one for the accommodation of +captains of vessels, and one for that of sugar-brokers. On each side +of the news-room are ranges of offices, to which admission is obtained +by corridors on the inner side. Immediately over these, the third +floor is arranged in the same manner. The intention of the company, +under whose auspices this exchange is building, is, to furnish to the +mercantile community a place solely for the transaction of business, +similar to Lloyd's of London. There are to be no liquors sold on the +premises. Mr. Gallier is the architect, and builder, and the building +and land cost $90,000. + + +[Illustration] + +THE MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE + +Fronting on Royal street and Exchange Place, was erected by a joint +stock company in 1835-6, from the designs and under the +superintendence of Mr. Dakin, architect. Both fronts are of marble, in +a plain and bold style. The cost of the erection was $100,000. + + +THE MERCHANTS' READING ROOM + +Entrance from Royal street and Exchange Place. This reading room +occupied a spacious apartment in the second story of the Merchants' +Exchange, and is under the patronage and control of the company +interested in that building. It is generally supplied with most of the +newspapers of the country, and has received a patronage quite equal to +the extent of its accommodations. + + +THE NEW ORLEANS READING ROOMS + +Occupy the second story of a spacious building on the corner of Common +and St. Charles streets, opposite the Exchange and Verandah hotels. +This is an enterprise started upon the plan of Galignani's, in Paris, +and Lloyd's, in London--professing to supply the earliest commercial +and general information. The fixtures are arranged with a degree of +neatness and convenience that is extremely gratifying to the stranger, +who has a spare hour to devote to reading. Here he can peruse the +latest papers, not only from almost every section of the United +States, but English, French, German, Mexican, Irish, Scotch, and +Colonial, together with all the periodicals, to his heart's content. +The merchant can see the prices current from nearly every part of the +world; arrivals and departures of vessels and of travellers--sales of +the great staples and merchandise and their prices, and many such +matters of interest to the business man. + + * * * * * + + +THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS + +In each parish, have heretofore been placed under the management of a +board of five administrators, who reported annually to the secretary +of state the condition of those under their direction. This system has +been adhered to, till very recently, in the first and third +municipalities. In the second a change took place in 1841, which has +proved to be so complete a revolution, is attended with such important +results to this large portion of the city, and so extended its +influence even to the neighboring parishes, that it is referred to +with a degree of pleasure which can only be surpassed by our pride in +its success. + +In accordance with an act of the legislature, approved the 14th of +February, 1841, authorizing the municipalities of New Orleans to +establish public schools, the authorities of the second municipality +set themselves at work with a will. They selected twelve of their +fellow-citizens as a board of directors for public schools, together +with a standing committee on public education, to whom were granted +almost unlimited powers. + +Zealous of acquitting themselves with honor, they at once looked to +the fountain head, to New England, where the best schools in the +country existed, and secured the aid of Mr. J. A. Shaw, who was +perfectly conversant with all the improvements, and placed this +efficient gentleman at the head of the department as superintendent. +From a despairing beginning, in less than one year, the prospect +seemed to be most cheering. Commencing with only thirteen children of +each sex, it increased, in two years, to ten hundred and sixty-one in +actual attendance--and nearly double that number enrolled. + +Thus far these schools occupied rooms under the Methodist church in +Poydras street, and a new building, called the Washington school, on +Magazine, at the corner of Basin street; but since that, the +undertaking has been continually extending, until it was found +necessary to erect another structure, the Franklin school, on St. +Charles street--all of which are now scarcely sufficient to answer the +increasing demand for admission. + +That, which at first was tested as an experiment, has proved to be a +successful enterprise, producing an example which promises to have a +beneficial influence over the southern method of education. It found +strong opposition and prejudice to contend against, but these have +subsided--and the children of the rich and the poor are seated side by +side, sharing advantages and striving intellectually--the only +distinction recognized among them--"teaching one, as well as informing +the other, that adventitious wealth confers no superiority over the +fortunate competitor, when engaged in a contest of the mind." + +The third municipality school is under the charge of Mr. Geo. W. +Harby. All the branches of a good education are taught here in the +English, French and Spanish languages. Although this school is under +excellent discipline, and has all the advantages of a classical and +gentlemanly teacher, it still has labored under the old regime, and +could have educated double the number that have attended it. That +nothing stands still is as applicable to the intellectual as to the +physical world. Already the spirit of improvement, that has done so +much for the second municipality, is busy in the first and third--and +though slowly, it is as sure, eventually, to push its way into them as +water is to find its own level. Beside the public schools, there are +many private seminaries of a high order, and conducted by teachers of +ability, where the wealthy, who have objections to those above +designated, may send their children for instruction. + +The education of youth is of the utmost importance to a +country--especially to one like this, that should be governed by the +intelligence of its citizens. The portals to learning should be thrown +wide open, equally to all--for upon knowledge is based the beautiful +temple of liberty. Tear away this foundation and the fair edifice must +fall. Cherish and support it, and freedom will become as permanent as +our rocks, as ever-lasting as our hills. + + +PUBLIC SCHOOL LYCEUM AND SOCIETY LIBRARY + +The intention of this undertaking, is to establish a library for the +benefit of the juvenile class of the second municipality, by the +voluntary subscriptions and contributions of the scholars attached to +the public schools, and by private donations. To advance this +important object, the common council passed an ordinance organizing +the establishment, regulating and directing its proceedings, and +tendering liberal advantages to encourage success in its operations. +When $5000 are subscribed they are pledged to furnish rooms to +accommodate the library--and, as soon as it amounts to $15,000, to +purchase ground and erect suitable buildings. It also provides that, +at a certain period, a chemical and philosophical apparatus shall be +purchased, and lectures delivered once a week, during eight months of +the year, by the most competent men in the country, on astronomy, +geology, chemistry, natural and moral philosophy, navigation, +book-keeping, engineering, civil architecture and design, and such +other useful branches as may be determined by the directors--who are +the same as those of the public schools, with the mayor, recorder and +aldermen as _ex-officio_ members. The scholar paying twenty-five +cents a month, or three dollars a year, for three years, is +constituted a life member, and for ever after may have access to this +excellent institution. Such has been the success of this undertaking +that a building will soon be provided, and very little time will +transpire before it will realize all the advantages that its beginning +promised. To Samuel J. Peters, Esq., particularly, is this city +indebted for introducing and maturing this measure--and for generous +presents, to many other citizens and strangers, who have not permitted +their names to come before the world. + + * * * * * + +The growing popularity of the "_People's Lyceum_," and of the "_Young +Men's Literary Association_," is noticed with no ordinary feelings of +gratification. These, commenced and continued by the young, fostered +and cherished by all--have become a cheering sight to the eye of the +christian, the patriot, and the philanthropist. Established upon +judicious principles, tending to give a wholesome direction and +salutary stimulus to the mind of their members, the moral influence +may be deemed of incalculable consequence to this growing metropolis. +History and science are the leading objects of their inquiry, +facilitated and encouraged by the delivery of lectures, affording not +only instruction but recreation--creating a taste for the rapid +acquirement of knowledge--giving a new impulse to the intellectual +powers, and to the advancement of literature--all nobly contributing +to the refinement and happiness of mankind. These, and others in the +course of being established under the auspices of our most eloquent +and learned literati, the city may class among the brightest of her +jewels. + + +[Illustration] + +MEDICAL COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA + +This building is erected on a fine lot of ground, on the corner of +Common and Philippa streets, granted to the college by a recent act of +the legislature. It was designed by, and completed under the direction +of Mr. Dakin, architect, whose reputation is a guaranty for its taste +and elegance. The location is retired, and yet near all the public +buildings and thoroughfares. The faculty of this institution are +gentlemen of superior qualifications, enthusiastic in their zeal to +give it the first place among the kindred establishments of the +country. The advantages of New Orleans, for acquiring a practical +knowledge of medicine and surgery, are superior to any city in the +United States, especially for the study of all diseases peculiar to a +southern climate. The facilities for prosecuting the study of anatomy +and surgery are unrivalled. The school is well furnished with models, +plates, casts, and every thing necessary for illustrations. The +requisitions for graduation are those adopted by the best colleges. +With these advantages presented to southern students, they will see +the benefits resulting from an institution built up among them, +conducted by gentlemen acquainted by experience with the wants of the +country. + + * * * * * + + +THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF PAINTINGS + +This establishment occupies rooms, expressly built for its +accommodation, at 13 St. Charles street, and was opened in 1844, under +the personal inspection of the proprietor, Mr. G. Cooke, who is +himself an artist of taste, and well known among the profession. The +principal object was, to form a rallying point for the exhibition of +the works of celebrated artists, both of foreign and American origin, +and to dispose of such as might please the fancy of the public, at a +certain fixed price. Here, visitors will have an opportunity of +selecting copies and originals from a quarter that may be relied +upon, works both of the old masters, and of the best of the modern +schools. + +The proprietor is under obligations to a number of the gentlemen of +this city, connoisseurs of painting, for the exhibition of some of the +most prominent pieces. From R. D. Shepherd, Esq., he has a picture by +Rothmel, representing De Soto discovering the Mississippi. If this +artist should leave no other work, his reputation, as a genius of no +ordinary ability, will remain as durable as the canvas on which he has +portrayed the Spaniard and the "Father of Waters." + +From James Robb, Esq., whose magnificent collection of modern +paintings is better known in other cities than our own, the gallery +has received its richest treasures, and most valuable contributions. +The chef d'oeuvre is from the pencil of a native artist now at Rome, +Leutze; and illustrates this sentence in our Lord's prayer--"deliver +us from evil." To speak of this gem in terms equal to its merits, +would place it immeasurably above the estimation of the age in which +we live. Aware that it may be considered presumption to compare living +genius with the justly venerated names of the immortal dead, whose +works, on account of their antiquity and intrinsic worth, are doubly +valued--yet, at the risk of losing our little reputation in such +matters, we venture the assertion that this picture of Leutze's will +compare with the most beautiful of the Italian school, and is +excelled by none in America, not excepting those of our lamented and +talented Alston. This picture alone would make any gallery in Europe +attractive, and the public are greatly indebted to Mr. Robb for the +opportunity he has afforded them of seeing not only this, but many +other brilliant productions. + +Here, also, is a landscape of no ordinary excellence, by Boddington, +an English artist, who has most successfully represented one of his +native scenes, in a style of handling peculiarly true and free. Here +may be seen four of Doughty's best landscapes, and several fine +specimens from the pencils of Cole and Chapman. The portrait of Col. +David Crocket, as large as life, in his forest costume, by Chapman, +and two large altar pieces, copied from celebrated works in the +Vatican--The Entombing of Christ, after Corregio--and The Crucifixion +of St. Peter, after Guido--comprise a portion of the more recent +additions to the gallery. + +Among the most attractive performances, are The Wreck of the Medusa, +The Roman Forum, and a Sketch of Rome--from the pencil of the +proprietor. The first of these is very much admired--but, to the +classical visitor, the last two are far more fascinating; calling up, +as they do, with all their endearing associations, our happy +school-day remembrances. + +Much more might be said respecting this establishment, but the brevity +of these pages will not permit an indulgence of our wishes in a more +minute detail. + + * * * * * + +It is probably the general impression of strangers, suggested by the +limited number and extent of the public galleries of paintings in this +city, that there is, among us, an entire deficiency of a proper taste +for the fine arts. And we may, ourselves, inadvertently have +contributed to such an impression, by representing our citizens as +exclusively absorbed in commercial pursuits. It must be received, +however, with many abatements. We have our artists, and not a few of +them, who are highly talented, and deservedly patronised. + +There are choice collections of paintings in the possession of several +private gentlemen, other than those already alluded to; among which +are many valuable productions, not only of the modern but ancient +masters, purchased at enormous prices. + +Among others, those owned by our highly esteemed fellow-citizens, +Glendy Burke, H. R. W. Hill, and Joseph M. Kennedy, Esqs., are well +worth a visit of the connoisseur and admirer of fine specimens of the +arts, to which the known courtesy of the proprietors will cheerfully +afford ready access. The only original painting of the famous Wilkie +in this country, is in the splendid collection of Mr. Burke. + +Several fine specimens of original statues are in the possession of +James Dick, and John Hagan, Esqs., which are not excelled by any +collection in this country. + + * * * * * + + +THE PRESS + + "What is it but a map of busy life, + Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns?" + +The diurnal press of this country, is not only a mighty political +engine, but one of the utmost importance in a commercial and literary +point of view. Its increase, within a few years past, like its +extending liberty, is without a parallel, and almost beyond belief. +Junius, in his peculiar manner, observes, that "they who conceive that +our newspapers are no restraint upon bad men, or impediment to the +execution of bad measures, know nothing of this country." The force of +this remark applies nowhere better than to the Press of the United +States. + +Every enlightened American, who loves the constitution of his country, +and correctly estimates its lofty principles, will lend his aid to +preserve these invaluable privileges from the violation of power on +the one hand, and the equally injurious outrages of popular +licentiousness on the other. + +The press of this city comes in for a portion of the credit that is +attached to that of the country--more particularly for its elaborate +commercial details and general literature. To embody the spirit of the +age; to relieve the grave by the gay; and to embellish the useful by +the amusing, is its daily task. The choicest of home and foreign +literature is found in the leading issues from the New Orleans press. +It is equally interesting to the merchant and the general reader; and +it preserves, above all its cotemporaries of other cities, a +self-respect that does infinite credit to the gentlemen to whose hands +the important trust is confided. + +There are eight daily papers published in New Orleans--three of which +may be rated as of the "mammoth" size; the other five are smaller, but +of sufficient dimensions to furnish the ordinary news of the day. They +are as follows: + +The Louisiana Courier is the only evening paper of the city, and is +published in French and English. This is the pioneer, before referred +to in this work, under the name of "La Moniteur." The Bee, also in +French and English, and the Commercial Bulletin, in English, make up +the three mammoth sheets. The Picayune, the Tropic, the Jeffersonian +Republican, the Native American, and the New Orleans Times, are all +in English. The New Orleans Price Current is a very useful +publication, issued twice a week. + +In addition to these, the Catholics and Protestants each have their +weekly Journals, and the Medical faculty their bi-monthly Periodicals, +edited by the most prominent members of the profession, and devoted to +Medicine, and Collateral Sciences. They are intended to bring forth +the industry and talents of the profession in the South, and to +furnish the most recent information of its progress generally. + +The subject of Organic Chemistry is that to which, at the present day, +the eyes of all thinking members of the profession are directed, and +upon which their hope of progress mainly depends,--the relations of +chemical action to the functions of organized matter, the application +of chemistry to physiology and pathology, are to be treated of as +fully as present knowledge extends. + +Such contributions to the noble science, in which these gentlemen have +long been successful laborers, cannot fail to be properly estimated +throughout the scientific world. + + + + +AMUSEMENTS + + +At the commencement of the holidays, the city begins to put on a gay +aspect. Visitors, from all parts of the habitable globe, have arrived, +either on business or pleasure. A general round of balls, masquerades, +soirees and parties begin, and are continued without intermission +during the season. Theatres and operas, with their _stars_ and _prima +donnas_, circuses and menageries, bell-ringers and serenaders, are in +full success--and New Orleans, filled with every description of +amusement, from the top of the drama down to Judy and Punch. Strangers +are surprised and delighted at the splendor that is carried out in +these circles of pleasure. Our present object, however, is merely to +describe the most conspicuous places of public resort. + + +ORLEANS THEATRE + +The site of this building was occupied by an edifice erected for +dramatic performances in 1813, somewhat on the plan of the one now +existing. This, which was built by a joint stock company, was burnt to +the ground in 1816. Mr. John Davis afterwards became the sole +proprietor, and began the erection of the present theatre. + +[Illustration] + +The building was opened by the first dramatic corps, ever in Louisiana +directly from France, in November, 1819. The total cost of the edifice +was about $180,000. The lower story is of the Roman Doric order, +certainly not a pure specimen. The upper is what may be called the +Corinthian composite. The interior and scenic arrangements of the +house are excellent for seeing and hearing, having a pit, or +parquette, quite elevated and commodious, with grated boxes at the +side for persons in mourning; two tiers of boxes, and one of galleries +above; the whole being of such a form as to afford the greatest +accommodation to the spectators. + +Nothing can exceed the decorum of the audience, except the brilliancy +of the dress circle, which, on certain occasions, is completely +filled with the beautiful ladies of our city, in full evening +costume. The performances are in the French language, and the stock +company always respectable. The orchestra is excellent. Melodramas and +operas are perfectly got up at this house. The strict adherence to +nature and history, in costume and manners, will never fail to please +the man of taste who visits the Orleans theatre. + + +THE NEW ST. CHARLES THEATRE + +Like the phoenix, literally arose from the ashes of its predecessor. +The first house was erected by the sole exertions of James H. +Caldwell, Esq., in 1835, at the cost of $250,000, exclusive of the +ground. It occupied one hundred and twenty-nine feet front by one +hundred and eighty-six deep, and was seventy-six high. It held four +thousand people, and was the fourth in size in the world--one at St. +Petersburg, in Russia, another at Pescala, in Milan, and the third at +San Carlos, in Naples, were those only which excelled it in size. It +was destroyed by fire in 1842. That structure was styled "the Temple +of the Drama," and the city had good reason to be proud of such an +ornament. + +The present building has a front of seventy-nine feet on St. Charles +street, extends back one hundred and forty-nine, and is fifty-three +high. The main entrance and front wall are remains of the former +establishment; which, from the substantial workmanship, resisted the +conflagration so effectually as to be made available the second time. +Passing this memento, the spectator finds himself in the vestibule, +thirty-four by twenty-three feet, from which a double flight of +geometrically formed stairs ascend to the first tier. Here the pit is +seen in a semi-circular shape. The centre box is but fifty-one feet +from the foot lights, which brings the audience within a convenient +distance of the stage. The depth of the front boxes to the rear is +twenty-one feet. The proscenium presents an elevation of thirty-nine +feet in the clear, by fifty in width. The upper circles of boxes +possess the like advantage of the first, in respect to a distinct view +of the performances. + +The fronts of the boxes consist of an open balustrade, producing a +novel, and agreeable effect. The dome is ornamented with sunken +panels, suitably embellished with emblematic devices. A golden-fringed +national drapery falls from the proscenium, displaying an ingeniously +contrived allegory in the centre. Four columns sustain an ornamented +entablature above, composed of a mixed style of architecture, and +copied after those of the celebrated temple of Benares. + + +THE AMERICAN THEATRE + +Burnt on the 30th of July, 1842, was rebuilt and reopened on the 5th +of December following, at a cost of $28,000. The building is ninety by +one hundred and fifty feet, and sufficiently elevated for all the +purposes of the drama, but irregular in its altitude. The depth of the +stage is sixty feet, and the width of the proscenium thirty-eight. The +house will accommodate over fifteen hundred persons. It stands near +Lafayette square, on Poydras street; and, from its isolated position, +presents quite an imposing appearance. + + +THE CIRCUS + +The company have fitted up the old depot of the Carrolton rail-road, +situated on the corner of Poydras and Baronne streets, as a place for +exhibiting feats of horsemanship. As the buildings possess no especial +interest beyond these performances, they require no particular +description--but as this amusement has an attraction for almost every +class of visitors, not to have referred to it might have been deemed +an inexcusable oversight. There is a stage attached to this +establishment; and farces and the ballet relieve the monotony of the +sports of the ring. + + + + +THE PUBLIC SQUARES + + +Although the public squares in New Orleans are neither numerous, nor +upon a very extended scale, they are located with good taste, and are +exceedingly convenient. The centres of Canal, Esplanade, Rampart and +Basin streets have a very considerable space set apart for +embellishments. Shrubbery, and other ornaments, are in progress, and +they already begin to assume a beauty that does much credit to the +city authorities. Nothing is more conducive to health than these +pleasant resorts for wholesome exercise. Here the toil-worn citizen, +the wearied scholar, and the confined artizan, may breathe the fresh +air, enjoy a delightful morning or evening promenade, and catch an +imaginary enjoyment, in miniature, of the blessed country. + +WASHINGTON SQUARE is in the third municipality; is bounded by the +Elysian Fields, Great-Men's, Casa Calvo and Frenchmen streets.--Though +admirably situated, owing to the distance it stands from the denser +portion of the city, it has not yet received those attentions which, +at some future day, will render it a beautiful promenade. + +PLACE D'ARMES, or _Parade Square_, is still more prominent, and is +embellished with fine trees; but, as it is in the centre of the first +municipality, with the public buildings on one front and the levee on +the other, it is a matter of surprise that it has not been improved in +a style worthy of the inhabitants; who, certainly are capable of +appreciating the advantages of such delightful grounds. + +CIRCUS PLACE is below Rampart street, with St. Claude on the rear, and +St. Ann and St. Peter streets on its sides. This is the square once +known as _Congo Park_; and is the place where the negroes, in olden +times, were accustomed to meet to while away the cares of servitude. +Many an old inhabitant can remember when he beheld these thoughtless +beings dancing "Old Virginia never tire," or some other favorite air, +with such a hearty gusto, upon the green sward, that the very ground +trembled beneath their feet. Though the loud laugh, and the +unsophisticated break-down, and double-shuffle of these primitive days +have ceased, the spot yet remains, with all its reminiscences, as +original as ever, with its capabilities of improvement still +unimpaired. + +LAFAYETTE SQUARE is decidedly the handsomest in the city. It is in the +second municipality, and has St. Charles and Camp streets in front +and rear, and several public buildings in its immediate neighborhood. +It has a handsome and substantial iron railing around it, based upon +well laid blocks of granite; is well laid off in regular walks, and is +ornamented with beautiful and rare shrubbery, set out with geometrical +accuracy on a raised surface, calculated to make it dry and pleasant. + +ANNUNCIATION SQUARE, in the same municipality, is the largest, and, +consequently, may some day become the most elegant in the city. Orange +and Race streets are on its front and rear--and facing are some very +tasteful private residences. + +TIVOLI CIRCLE, as its name would imply, is a circular piece of land +laid off as a public ground in Nyade, at the head of St. Charles +street, and is intended to be ornamented. + + + + +THE OLDEN TIME + + +Antiquity! the olden time! the hoary, venerable past! there is +something sacred and soul subduing in the very sound of the words. +Like the dying echo of the last tones of the departed, it is full of +hallowed memories, and cherished associations, that haunt the inner +chambers of the imagination, and linger with a mournful tenderness +about the better feelings of the heart. + +But what have _we_ to do with Antiquity! They of the old World, who +were grey with time and tottering with decay when, but yesterday, they +saw us spring into being, laugh at our sometime boast of Antiquity; +and well they may, for it is hardly as well substantiated as that of +the simple boy who conceived himself the oldest person in the world, +because he could not remember when he was born. Yet even we, in the +New World, we, of its second or third generation, whose fathers were +present at its birth and baptism, even _we_ begin to talk gravely of +the olden time, and to sigh and look sad over the melancholy grandeur +of the past! + +[Illustration: New Orleans in 1728] + +Well, be it so. In these stirring times, an age is shorter, and sooner +achieved, than in those of "the sluggish eld." Time is measured by +events, and not by revolutions of the sun--by the progress of the +mind, not by the slow sifting sands of the hour glass, and the amazing +precocity of these latter days makes many ages out of a single +century. + +But what a vandal spirit is innovation! what a ruthless destroyer is +this boasted modern improvement! It sweeps over the land with the +energy of a new creation, demolishing and scattering whatever lies in +its way, for the mere pleasure of reproducing it in a new and better +form. It removes the ancient land marks, obliterates the last traces +of ancient power and grandeur, levels mountains, fills up valleys, +turns the courses of rivers, and makes all things bend to its iron +will. + +It works such rapid and magical changes in its headlong career, that +few of us are able to point out what _has been_, or to predict with +certainty what _will be_ to morrow. Let us cherish then, with deeper +veneration, the few relics that remain of the days of our fathers. Let +us reverence Antiquity such as it is. Let the street commissioner, and +the _improver_ of old estates-- + + Spare that ancient house, + Touch not a single brick-- + +It is almost alone in its sombre dignity, in the midst of younger and +gayer edifices, that have swept New Orleans _as it was_, into the +shade of oblivion. Antiquity--I mean, if I may be allowed the Irish +figure of speech--modern Antiquity, her countenance grave with sorrow, +with here and there a furrow upon her yet ample brow, protests against +the desecration of all that _was_ dear and sacred. Standing on the +verge of annihilation, with "one foot in the grave," and conscious +that her days are numbered, her dissolution nigh at hand, she +commands, she implores us to save one memento of the past, one legible +souvenir of "the days of auld lang syne." And here it is. + + +[Illustration] + +THE OLD SPANISH BUILDING + +At the corner of Royal and St. Anne streets, is delineated in the +above engraving as it now stands--and long may it remain as a memorial +of other times. + +Thirty years ago--which, comparatively would take us back three +centuries in any European city--thirty years ago, one might have seen +from that spot, then the centre of the city, long perspective +street-scenes of a similar character. INNOVATION has now done her +work--has absolutely trodden the city of the last century under her +feet. + +The Casa Blanca, at the corner of Bienville and Old Levee Streets, has +also escaped the general demolition. It was once the courtly residence +of Bienville, the first governor of Louisiana--the seat of power, and +the centre of wealth, beauty and fashion in the province. It is still +on its old foundation, standing "alone in its glory," and the spirit +of innovation has so far respected its ancient uses, that it is still +a treasury of wealth, and a conservatory of the _sweetness_ of our +favored clime--a store house of sugar and molasses! + + + + +[Illustration: Environs of New Orleans] + + + + +EXCURSIONS + + +In consequence of the level surface of the country in the environs of +New Orleans, a great variety of scenery cannot be expected--yet, on +the northern shore of lake Pontchartrain, the ground is somewhat +higher and rolling, and affords very pleasant positions. Although not +formed like the prolific north and west, in hill and dale, cliffs and +cascades, alternately varying and beautifying the landscape, yet there +are charming rides and rambles in the neighborhood of this city, of +which a more minute account will be given under their respective +heads, which follow. + +CARROLTON, a distance of six miles by the rail-road, is an exceedingly +pleasant resort. The line, for nearly a third of the way, passes +through the suburbs of the city, and is dotted on either side with +beautiful residences--the remainder passes through cultivated fields, +pleasant pastures, and delightful wood-lands. The road, like the +country, is perfectly level, and kept in the finest condition. At the +end of the route is situated the village; which is principally +composed of tastefully built cottages, constructed in every variety +of architecture that suited the individual fancy of the owner. +Opposite the rail-road depot, is one of the handsomest and most +extensive public gardens, that is to be found in the vicinity of New +Orleans. A race course is near by; and the strolls around are quite +cheering to those who fly from the turmoil and dust of the metropolis. + +THE SHELL ROAD of the Canal and Banking Company, affords an agreeable +ride to lake Pontchartrain, also a distance of six miles. The highway +runs on the margin of the canal, and is not excelled by any road in +the United States. It is the great resort for every species of +pleasure vehicle that the city furnishes; and here may be seen, on an +afternoon, all grades of society, from the gay sportsman, mounted on +his fast trotter, to the sober citizen, who sallies forth on his +ambling poney, all of whom appear to realize an equal share of +enjoyment. A line of comfortably arranged barges also ply on the canal +from the lake, at which place a convenient hotel is established. Half +way on this road, between the city and the lake, is the highly +celebrated Metairie race track. + +THE PONTCHARTRAIN RAIL-ROAD, runs to the lake from which it derives +its name, from the head of Elysian Fields street, a distance of five +miles. It is a very pretty ride. This route communicates with the +great northern mail line, which goes by the way of Mobile--and all the +steamboats, that traverse the lakes to the various villages and +landings that surround it, make this their general starting point. +From here, a passage is obtained to Biloxi, which, the reader will +recollect, was the first spot settled by the French in this portion of +the world; and, from that circumstance, will naturally excite the +curiosity of the intelligent wayfarer. At the termination of this +rail-road is a first-rate hotel for the accommodation of visitors. +Here is good bathing, fishing and shooting; and, beneath the shade of +the trees, the breeze from the water is delightfully refreshing. + +THE MEXICAN GULF RAIL-ROAD, runs from Elysian Fields street, on Good +Children street, towards Lake Borgne. There are twenty eight miles of +this road now in operation. When finished, it will afford considerable +facilities to commerce, besides great benefit to the citizens, +conveying them, in about one and a half hours, to the refreshing +breeze of the ocean--where fish, oysters and game may be found in +abundance. No doubt it will compete with the most favored watering +places of Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Biloxi, &c. It will also be a +great accommodation to the planters in the neighborhood--who already, +so far as it goes, have given it good encouragement. This road has +recently been purchased of the State, by A. Gordon and Co., who, +availing themselves of about 22 miles of the Nashville rail-road +iron, are bringing this work to a rapid completion. + +THE ROAD OF BAYOU ST. JOHN, which follows the sinuosities of that +stream, and reaches lake Pontchartrain at the site of the old fort St. +John, after travelling the distance of about six miles, presents a +very pleasant drive. Returning by the new Shell road before mentioned, +it varies the route without adding much to the distance. + +MACDONOUGH stands on the banks of the river opposite to New Orleans; +and the crossing, in the hottest weather, is generally accompanied by +a slight breeze, rendered cool and pleasant by the mighty current of +the river, which comes from the icy springs of the Alleghanies and the +Rocky mountains. The village, of itself, possesses no great +beauty--but the country, the beautiful country is all around--and the +noise and confusion of the city no longer annoy you. The great +attraction at this spot is in visiting the United States marine +hospital, one of the handsomest structures in Louisiana, which stands +a little above. + +ALGIERS adjoins, and seems a part of Macdonough. This is the great +work-shop of New Orleans, for the building and repairing of vessels. +It has its dry docks, and other facilities for the most extensive +operations. In business times, it presents a scene of activity that is +seldom observed in any other part of these regions, and reminds one +of the bustling and enterprise of the North. The period has been when +Algiers prescribed the law, _vi et armis_, to the city itself--but the +day and the disposition, have happily long since passed away. + +GRETNA, on the same shore, is nearly two miles further up the river, +and stands opposite Lafayette. The whole distance is spotted with +comfortable residences, principally inhabited by the owners of the +adjoining grounds, and the walk from Algiers to this village is very +gratifying to one partial to such exercise. There is a steamboat +constantly plying from here to the city, which affords a desirable +excursion of nearly three miles, touching at Lafayette in its passage +each way. The village has a rural appearance, is regularly laid out, +and exhibits some neat tenements. The forest approaches quite near; +and, the idea that one may so easily lose himself in the neighboring +woods, gives to the place a touch of romance which only the denizens +of a crowded city know how to appreciate. From the great number of +cattle observed along the shore, it would seem as if there was no +necessity of diluting the milk for the New Orleans market, unless the +milkmen be tea-total temperance men, and take this method to introduce +the inhabitants gradually to a taste for water. + +THE RACE COURSES. There are three of these in the vicinity of this +city. The _Louisiana_, near lake Pontchartrain; the _Metairie_, near +the Shell road; and the one at Carrolton. These are as well patronised +as any in the country, and, in the racing season, the inhabitants of +the neighboring states, from a great distance, flock hither to +participate in the sports of the turf. Much praise has been bestowed +upon the arrangements on these occasions. Even here, as in many other +countries, the ladies, by their presence, have given them countenance +and encouragement--and the course usually is "gemmed by the rich +beauty of the sunny south." + +THE BATTLE GROUND, (formerly known as "the Plains of Chalmette,") the +very naming of which causes the bosom of an American to swell with +patriotic pride, lies five miles below the city. It may be approached +either by the Grand Gulf rail-road, or by a good highway along the +levee, the new Convent and United States barracks being within full +view. But first it may be necessary to look briefly at the historical +facts which give celebrity to the spot. + +Early in December, 1814, the British approached New Orleans, about +8000 strong, by the way of the lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain. Their +passage into the lake was opposed by a squadron of gun-boats under +Lieut. Jones. After a spirited conflict, in which the killed (500) +and the wounded of the enemy exceeded the whole American force, he +was compelled to surrender to superior numbers. + +On the 21st of Dec. four thousand militia arrived from Kentucky and +Tennessee, under General Jackson. On the 22nd, the enemy having +previously landed, took a position near the Mississippi, eight miles +below the city. On the evening of the 23d, the Americans made a +furious attack upon their camp, and threw them into disorder, with +five hundred of their men killed. The enemy rallied; and Gen. Jackson +withdrew his troops, and fortified a strong position six miles below +the city, supported by batteries on the west side of the river. Here +he was unsuccessfully assailed on the 28th of Dec. and 1st of Jan., +the enemy losing two hundred to three hundred men. In the mean time +both armies received reinforcements. + +The decisive battle was fought on the 8th day of Jan. 1815. The +American right was on the river, running in a right angle to the wood. +A redoubt was raised (which is still visible) strengthened by bales of +cotton along the whole line. The enemy were about a half mile lower +down, on a parallel line, their head quarters resting on the river, +near three large oaks which still mark the spot. The scene is +distinct, and this is _the battle ground_. + +The British commenced the assault at day light. As they approached +the works, sixty deep, many were killed by grape shot; but, when they +came within musket range, a destructive stream of fire burst forth +from the American lines. Our troops were placed in two ranks, the rear +loading while the front fired, thus pouring an incessant peal--which, +from Kentucky and Tennessee riflemen, was most deadly. While leading +on the troops of the enemy, Gen. Pakenham, the chief in command, was +killed; Gen. Gibbs, the second in command, was wounded mortally; and +Gen. Keene severely. Without officers to direct them, the troops +halted, fell back, and soon fled in confusion to their camp. In a +little over an hour, two thousand out of eight thousand veterans lay +dead upon the field, while the Americans had but seven killed and six +wounded--a disproportion unparalleled in the history of warfare. Gen. +Lambert, upon whom the command then devolved, after one more +unsuccessful attempt to assault, availed himself of a truce of +twenty-four hours to bury the dead, made good his retreat--which Gen. +Jackson felt no disposition to molest, as he was resolved to hazard +none of his advantages. Thus was New Orleans saved from the hands of +an invading enemy whose War cry was--"Beauty and Booty." + +The British lost during the month they were in Louisiana, more than +three thousand three hundred and fifty in killed, while the loss of +the Americans was not two hundred. The wounded of the enemy must have +been much less, on account of the sure aim of the backwoodsmen. The +greater portion of our army were plain honest farmers--who knew +nothing of battle--they heard that their country was in danger--the +country which gave a home to them, and their children, and they flew +to its defence,--drove the invaders from their shores, and then +returned to their homes to till the ground. + +It is not a matter of surprise--though the battle is without a +parallel in the history of the world--that even "invincibles," were so +dreadfully routed by undisciplined backwoodsmen defending their native +soil, with their wives and children behind them. + +A jaunt to these grounds is a sort of pilgrimage, that no stranger +will, that no citizen can neglect. Not to have seen the field of this +great victory, would be a reflection upon the taste, not to say the +patriotism of any who should visit our city. The ground it is true, +presents few memorials to remind the patriotic visitor of the deadly +strife. There is no proud monument, towering to the sky, to mark the +place where the great victory was won. But he beholds the consequences +wherever he turns his eye, and he feels them--deeply feels them in +every throb of his heart. Those born upon the soil, and those who +participated in the struggle, have reason to be proud of the spot, +and to cherish the memory of that eventful day. If there is no lofty +structure of granite or marble, to perpetuate the glorious +achievement, it has a holier, a more enduring memorial in the heart of +every true American, which thrills with lofty pride at every allusion +to it, as did the ancient Greek at the name of Marathon, or the +Spartan at that of Thermopylae. + + + + +TRAVELLING ROUTES + + +The facilities which this metropolis affords for reaching any +accessible portion of the world, particularly all sections of the +union, are not excelled. Steam and sailing ships of the first class, +hold commercial intercourse with almost every nation. Steamboats, with +accommodations equal to the best regulated hotels, are plying through +every river and bayou. Four to five thousand miles can be achieved, in +those floating palaces, with perfect ease, and comparative safety. + +The principal routes between the north and the south are here given, +as also the intermediate places, together with those inland most +frequented by the traveller and the man of business, and the distances +carefully noted as they diverge, in their various directions. Beside +the four annexed routes to New York, there are several that lead to +favorite watering places, and other points attractive to travellers of +leisure, which it would be quite impracticable to lay down in a work +of this kind. They can always obtain information of these resorts, +from intelligent companions on the road, that will prevent their +deviating much from the point they wish to attain. The distances on +the river have been corrected agreeably to the latest survey. The +other routes conform to the most approved authorities; and, +frequently, have been corrected by personal observation, with the +utmost care and attention. + + +ROUTE 1.--_From New Orleans to New York, via Pittsburgh, Pa., by +Steamboat._ + + Miles. + New Orleans to Carrolton, 6 | + Red Church, 20 | 26 + Bonne Carre Church, 16 | 42 + Jefferson College, 22 | 64 + Donaldsonsville, 19 | 83 + Louisiana Institute, 12 | 95 + St. Gabriel Church, 12 | 107 + Plaquemine, 10 | 117 + Baton Rouge, 23 | 140 + Port Hudson, 25 | 165 + Bayou Sara, 11 | 176 + Tunica Bend, 27 | 203 + Red River, cut off, 33 | 236 + Fort Adams, Miss., 11 | 247 + Homo Chitta River, Miss., 10 | 257 + Ellise Cliffs, Miss., 26 | 283 + Natchez, Miss., 18 | 301 + Rodney, Miss., 31 | 332 + Bruinsburg, Miss., 12 | 344 + Grand Gulf, (big black) Miss., 10 | 354 + Carthage, Miss., 25 | 379 + Warrenton, Miss., 19 | 398 + Vicksburg, Miss., 10 | 408 + Old River, (Yazoo,) Miss., 12 | 420 + Tompkins' Bend, 46 | 466 + Providence, La., 15 | 481 + Bunch Bend, 19 | 500 + Princeton, Miss., 10 | 510 + Columbia, Ark., 45 | 555 + Bolivar, Miss., 53 | 608 + Napoleon, (Arkansas,) 12 | 620 + Victoria, 20 | 640 + Delta, 66 | 706 + Helena, 10 | 716 + Sterling, 10 | 726 + Peyton, Miss., 12 | 738 + Commerce, 33 | 771 + Buck Island, 6 | 777 + Memphis, Tenn., 21 | 798 + Devil's Race Ground, 34 | 832 + Randolph, Tenn., 33 | 865 + Fulton, Tenn., 11 | 876 + Plumb Point, 10 | 886 + Ashport, 12 | 898 + Needham's Cut-off, 8 | 906 + Walker's Bend, 31 | 937 + Riddel's Point, 18 | 955 + New Madrid, Mo., 10 | 965 + Mills' Point, 42 | 1007 + Columbus, K., 15 | 1022 + Cairo, (Mo'th Ohio R'r.) Il., 18 | 1040 + Trinity, 6 | 1046 + America, Il., 5 | 1051 + Caledonia, Il., 3 | 1054 + Fort Massac, Il., 23 | 1077 + Paducah, (M. Tenn R'r) K., 8 | 1085 + Smithfield, (M. Cum'd) K., 1 | 1097 + Golconda, Il., 18 | 1115 + Tower Rock, 15 | 1130 + Cave in the Rock, 5 | 1135 + Battery Rock, 9 | 1144 + Shawneetown, Il., 12 | 1156 + Raleigh, K., 6 | 1162 + Wabash River, 6 | 1168 + Carthage, K., 7 | 1175 + Mount Vernon, Ia., 13 | 1188 + Henderson, K., 28 | 1216 + Evanville, Ia., 12 | 1228 + Owensboro, K., 36 | 1264 + Rockport, 12 | 1276 + Troy, Ia., 16 | 1292 + Cloverport, 21 | 1313 + Stephensport, K., and Rome, Ia., 10 | 1323 + Fredonia, 34 | 1357 + Leavenworth, 2 | 1359 + Mauckport, Ia., 14 | 1373 + Brandenburg, 3 | 1376 + West Point, K., 18 | 1394 + Portland, K., and New Albany, Ia., 20 | 1414 + Shippingport, 1 | 1415 + Louisville, K., 3 | 1418 + Jeffersonville, Ia., 1 | 1419 + Westport, K., 19 | 1438 + Bethlehem, 6 | 1444 + New London, 6 | 1450 + Madison, Ia., 7 | 1457 + Port William, K., 14 | 1471 + Vevay, Ia., and Ghent K., 8 | 1479 + Warsaw, K., 11 | 1490 + Rising Sun, Ia., 20 | 1510 + Bellevue, 2 | 1512 + Petersburg, 7 | 1519 + Aurora, 2 | 1521 + Lawrenceburg, 3 | 1524 + North Bend, 7 | 1531 + Cincinnati, O., and Covington and Newport, K., 17 | 1548 + Columbia, 8 | 1556 + Richmond, 13 | 1569 + Point Pleasant, 4 | 1573 + Macon, 4 | 1577 + Neville, 3 | 1580 + Mechanicsburg, O., 3 | 1583 + Augusta, 7 | 1590 + Levana, O., and Dover, K., 2 | 1592 + Ripley, O., 3 | 1595 + Charleston, K., 5 | 1600 + Maysville, K., and Aberdeen, O., 7 | 1607 + Manchester, O., 11 | 1618 + Vanceburg, K., 16 | 1634 + Alexandria, 18 | 1652 + Portsmouth, O., 2 | 1654 + Concord, O., 8 | 1662 + Greenupsburg, K., 13 | 1674 + Burlington, O., 23 | 1697 + Guyandot, Va., 7 | 1704 + Galliopolis, O., 35 | 1739 + Point Pleasant, 3 | 1742 + Letart's Rapids, 30 | 1772 + Belleville, Va., 28 | 1800 + Troy, O., 5 | 1805 + Belpie and Blennerhassett's Island, 12 | 1817 + Parkersburg, Va., 2 | 1819 + Vienna, Va., 5 | 1824 + Marietta, O., 6 | 1830 + Newport, O., 15 | 1845 + Sistersville, 27 | 1872 + Wheeling, Va., 40 | 1912 + Warren, 9 | 1921 + Wellsburg, Va., 6 | 1927 + Steubenville, 7 | 1934 + Welleville, O., 20 | 1954 + Georgetown, 7 | 1962 + Beaver, 13 | 1974 + Economy, 12 | 1986 + Middletown, Pa., 8 | 1994 + Pittsburgh, Pa., 10 | 2004 + Warrenton, by Canal, 47 | 2051 + Blairsville, do 28 | 2079 + Johnstown, do 29 | 2108 + Hollidaysburg, by rail-road, 37 | 2145 + Alexandria, by Canal, 26 | 2171 + Lewiston, do 57 | 2228 + Newport, do 36 | 2264 + Harrisburg, do 26 | 2290 + Philadelphia, by rail-road, 101 | 2391 + Trenton, do 28 | 2419 + Brunswick, do 27 | 2446 + Jersey City, do 31 | 2477 + New York, by steamboat, 1 | 2478 + + +ROUTE 2.--_New Orleans to New York, via St. Louis, Chicago and Buffalo, +(see route 1.) to Mouth of the Ohio, Steamboat to St. Joseph._ + + Miles. + Mouth of Ohio, | 1040 + Elk Island, 8 | 1048 + Dogtooth Island, 8 | 1056 + English Island, 15 | 1071 + Cape Girardeau, Mo., 12 | 1083 + Bainbridge, Mo., and Hamburg, Il., 10 | 1093 + Lacouse's Island, 31 | 1124 + Kaskaskia River, 15 | 1139 + River au Vases, 10 | 1149 + St. Genevieve, Mo., 9 | 1158 + Fort Chartres Island, 10 | 1168 + Rush Island, 10 | 1178 + Herculaneum, Mo., 10 | 1188 + Harrison, Il., 1 | 1189 + Merrimack River, 11 | 1200 + Carondelet, Mo., 13 | 1213 + St. Louis, Mo., 7 | 1220 + Alton, Il., 22 | 1242 + Illinois River, 15 | 1257 + Monroe, 5 | 1262 + Guilford, 10 | 1272 + Montezuma, 20 | 1292 + Augusta, 15 | 1307 + Meridosia, 23 | 1330 + Beardstown, 16 | 1346 + Havana, 27 | 1373 + Pekin, 34 | 1407 + Peoria, 7 | 1414 + Henry, 10 | 1424 + Columbia, 10 | 1434 + Lacon, 4 | 1438 + Hennepin, 18 | 1456 + Chippeway, 16 | 1472 + Shippingport, 2 | 1474 + Dresden, 46 | 1520 + Mount Joliet, 15 | 1535 + Lockport, 6 | 1541 + Chicago, Il., 29 | 1570 + Michigan City, Ind., 52 | 1622 + New Buffalo, M., 12 | 1634 + St. Joseph, M., 28 | 1662 + Detroit, by rail-road, 200 | 1862 + Fighting Island, by steamboat 12 | 1874 + Amhurstsburg, U. C., do 6 | 1880 + Middle Sister Island, do 20 | 1900 + North Bass Island, do 10 | 1910 + Cunningham's Island, do 10 | 1920 + Sandusky, O., do 12 | 1932 + Cleaveland, O., do 54 | 1986 + Fairport, O., do 30 | 2016 + Ashtabula, O., do 32 | 2048 + Fairview, Pa., do 28 | 2076 + Erie, Pa., do 11 | 2087 + Bugett's Town, Pa., do 17 | 2104 + Portland, N. Y., do 18 | 2122 + Dunkirk, N. Y., do 18 | 2140 + Cattaraugus, N. Y., do 13 | 2153 + Sturgeon Point, N. Y., do 10 | 2163 + Buffalo, N. Y., do 16 | 2179 + Williamsville, by rail-road, 10 | 2189 + Pembroke, do 16 | 2205 + Batavia, do 14 | 2219 + Rochester, do 25 | 2244 + Canandagua, do 25 | 2269 + Geneva, do 16 | 2285 + Waterloo, do 7 | 2292 + Seneca Falls, do 4 | 2296 + Cayuga, do 3 | 2299 + Auburn, do 9 | 2308 + Skaneatelas do 7 | 2315 + Marcellus, do 6 | 2321 + Onondaga, do 8 | 2329 + Manlius, do 12 | 2341 + Oneida, do 18 | 2359 + Utica, do 22 | 2381 + Herkimer, do 16 | 2397 + Little Falls, do 7 | 2404 + Caughnawaga, do 33 | 2437 + Amsterdam, do 10 | 2447 + Schenectady, do 15 | 2462 + Albany, do 15 | 2477 + New Baltimore, steamboat, 15 | 2492 + Kinderhook Landing, do 4 | 2496 + Hudson, do 9 | 2505 + Catskill, do 5 | 2510 + Clermont, do 9 | 2519 + Redhook, upper landing, 2 | 2521 + Redhook, lower do 3 | 2524 + Rhinebeck, do 7 | 2531 + Esopus, do 1 | 2532 + Hyde Park, do 9 | 2541 + Poughkeepsie, do 5 | 2546 + New Hamburg, do 8 | 2554 + Newburg, do 7 | 2561 + Fishkill, do 1 | 2562 + New Windsor, do 1 | 2563 + Cold Spring, by steamboat, 3 | 2566 + West Point, do 3 | 2569 + St. Anthony's Nose, do 7 | 2576 + Fort Fayette, do 5 | 2581 + Stony Point, do 1 | 2582 + Haverstraw, do 4 | 2586 + Sing Sing, do 3 | 2589 + Tarrytown, do 6 | 2595 + Phillipstown, do 10 | 2605 + Fort Independence, do 4 | 2609 + Fort Washington, do 2 | 2611 + Fort Lee, do 1 | 2612 + Manhattanville, do 2 | 2614 + New York, do 8 | 2622 + + +ROUTE 3.--_New Orleans to New York, via Wheeling and Baltimore._ + + Miles. + To Wheeling, by steamboat, (see route 1.) | 1912 + Cumberland, by stage, 131 | 2043 + Hancocktown, Md., rail-road 39 | 2082 + Williamsport, Md., do 27 | 2109 + Frederickstown, Md., do 27 | 2136 + Poplar, Md., do 20 | 2156 + Ellicott's, Md., do 17 | 2173 + Baltimore, Md., do 10 | 2183 + Havre de Grace, Del., do 31 | 2214 + Wilmington, Del., do 36 | 2250 + Philadelphia, Pa., do 26 | 2276 + New York, (see route 2.) 88 | 2364 + + +ROUTE 4.--_New Orleans to New York, Mail line._ + + Miles. + Point Pontchartrain, by rail-road, 5 | + Fort Pike, by steamboat 21 | 26 + Bay St. Louis, do 33 | 59 + Biloxi, do 31 | 90 + Pascagoula, Miss., do 20 | 110 + Cedar Point, Al., do 26 | 136 + Mobile, Al., do 28 | 164 + Junction of Alabama and Tombigbee river, do 65 | 229 + Claiborne, do 72 | 301 + Black Bluff, do 46 | 347 + Dale Town, do 35 | 382 + Canton, do 14 | 396 + Portland, do 29 | 425 + Cahaba, do 21 | 446 + Selma, do 18 | 464 + Benton, do 35 | 499 + Vernon, do 39 | 538 + Loch Ranza, do 6 | 544 + Washington, do 16 | 560 + Montgomery, do 12 | 572 + Chehaw, Al., by rail-road, 40 | 612 + Covington, Ga., by stage, 155 | 767 + Augusta, Ga., by rail-road, 121 | 888 + Charleston, S. C., do 136 | 1024 + Wilmington, N. C., by steamboat, 220 | 1244 + Weldon, N. C., rail-road, 170 | 1414 + Richmond, Va., do 124 | 1538 + Washington City, do 122 | 1660 + Baltimore, Md., do 40 | 1700 + New York, (see route 3.) 181 | 1881 + + +ROUTE 5.--_New Orleans to Fort Gibson by steamboat._ + + Miles. + Arkansas river, (see route 1.) 620 | + Arkansas, 62 | 682 + New Gascony, 71 | 753 + Pine Bluff, 25 | 778 + Little Rock, 150 | 928 + Lewisburg, 66 | 994 + Scotia, 50 | 1044 + Morrison's Bluff, 33 | 1077 + Van Buren, 72 | 1149 + Fort Smith, 8 | 1157 + Fort Coffee, Mo., 10 | 1167 + Fort Gibson, 84 | 1251 + + +ROUTE 6.--_New Orleans to Balize, and Gulf of Mexico, by Steamboat._ + + Miles. + Battle Ground, 5 | + English Turn, 6 | 11 + Fort St. Leon, 5 | 16 + Poverty Point, 18 | 34 + Grand Prairie, 27 | 61 + Fort St. Philip, 9 | 70 + South West Pass, 9 | 79 + South Pass, 2 | 81 + Pass a' l'Outre, 2 | 83 + Balize, 4 | 87 + Gulf, 5 | 92 + + +ROUTE 7.--_New Orleans to the Raft on Red River, by Steamboat._ + + Miles. + Mouth of Red River, 236 | + Black River, 28 | 264 + Bayou Saline, 20 | 284 + Alexandria, 56 | 340 + Regolet de Bondieu, 18 | 358 + Bayou Cane, 36 | 394 + Natchitoches, 24 | 418 + Bastian's Landing, 40 | 458 + The Raft, 40 | 498 + + +ROUTE 8.--_New Orleans to Pittsburg, Miss., by Steamboat._ + + Miles. + Mouth of Yazoo River, Miss., 420 | + Satartia, 66 | 486 + Liverpool, 5 | 491 + Manchester, 25 | 516 + Tchula, 88 | 604 + Marion, 37 | 641 + Mouth of Yalo Busha river, 33 | 674 + Cochuma, 38 | 712 + Pittsburg, 27 | 739 + + +ROUTE 9.--_New Orleans to Nashville, Tenn., by Steamboat._ + + Miles. + Cumberland river, 1097 | + Eddyville, K., 56 | 1153 + Canton, 20 | 1173 + Dover, Tenn., 30 | 1203 + Palmyra, 31 | 1234 + Red River, 6 | 1240 + Harpeth River, 20 | 1260 + Nashville, 40 | 1300 + + +ROUTE 10.--_New Orleans to Florence, Al., by Steamboat._ + + Miles. + Tennessee River, 1085 | + Petersville, Tenn., 71 | 1156 + Reynoldsburg, 36 | 1192 + Perryville, 42 | 1234 + Carrollville, 27 | 1261 + Coffee, 26 | 1287 + Savannah, 9 | 1296 + Waterloo, 25 | 1321 + Bear Creek, 12 | 1333 + Colbert's Ferry, Tenn., 14 | 1347 + Florence, Al., 24 | 1371 + + + + +GENERAL INDEX + + + Academies for Females, 44 + + Algiers, a description of, 194 + + Alligators, killed for their skins, 42 + + American Theatre, erected in 1823, 67 + description of, 180 + + Amusements, 176 + + Ancient Settlements supposed to have existed, 11 + + Anecdote of an old Frenchman, 68 + early cotton growing, 47 + + Annunciation Square, 183 + Church, 100 + + Armories, 149 + + Association, Young Men's Howard, 115 + + Associations for charitable and other purposes, 110 + + Asylums of New Orleans, their excellence, ib. + + Asylum, Catholic Male Orphan, 114 + Female do, 110 + Male do, 113 + Milne do, 116 + Poydras Female do, 113 + Les dames de la Providence, 114 + + Attakapas Prairie, 38 + Parish, 39 + produces abundance of live oak, 33 + + Atchafalaya lands, 34 + + + Bank of Louisiana, 155 + Louisiana State, 153 + Canal, 155 + City, 154 + Mechanics' and Traders', 153 + Gas, 154 + + Banks' Arcade, 156 + + Bard, Captain, Return of, 16 + + Bar of New Orleans, 79 + + Barracks, the United States, 86 + + Baton Rouge taken, 24 + + Battle Ground, 196 + + Bayou St. John Road, 194 + + Beautiful land bordering the Teche, 33 + + Bellevue Prairie, 40 + + Benevolent Society, Hebrew, 116 + + Best lands, 31 + + Bienville, made governor, 17 + is superseded in 1710, ib. + deceives the English captain, 16 + is reappointed governor in 1717, 17 + founds New Orleans, 1718, 18 + sails for France in 1727, 20 + is succeeded by Perrier, ib. + governor for the third time, ib. + resigns in 1741, ib. + + Biloxi settled by Iberville, 16 + + Board of Health established in 1841, 71 + + Boatmen of the Mississippi, 75 + + Bottom lands, their luxuriance, 30 + + Boundaries of the State of Louisiana, 28 + Territory of Louisiana, 7 + + Branch Mint of the United States, 88 + + Branch Bank of the United States, established 1805, 66 + + Breed of cattle improving, 56 + + Bricks, why they are not well made, 57 + + Buildings, the public, 86 + + Burr, Aaron, 26 + + Business season, appearance of the levee in the, 81 + + + Calcasieu prairie, 40 + + Caldwell, James H., his great enterprise, 67 + + Carmelite Convent, 104 + + Carondelet appointed governor in 1792, 25 + fortifies New Orleans in 1792, 64 + his schemes defeated by Gen. Wilkinson, 26 + + Casa Blanca, 189 + + Carrolton, 191 + + Casa Calvo succeeds governor Gayosa de Lemor, 26 + is succeeded by Salado, ib. + + Catholic Cemeteries, 107 + + Cathedral, 92 + + Cattle, improvement in the breed, 56 + + Ceded to the United States, Louisiana, 26 + + Cemetery, Cypress Grove, 105 + Catholic, 107 + Protestant, 108 + St. Patrick's, 109 + + Chapel of the Ursulines, 98 + St. Antoine's, or the Mortuary, 97 + Wesleyan, 103 + + Charitable Association, the Samaritan, 114 + the Firemen's, 115 + + Charitable institutions, 110 + + Charity Hospital, 117 + + Church, Annunciation, 100 + St. Augustine, 96 + Christ, 99 + St. Paul's, 95 + St. Patrick's, 95 + First Presbyterian, 100 + Second do, 101 + First Congregational, ib. + Methodist Episcopal, 102 + First Baptist, ib. + + Circus, the, 180 + + Circus Place, 182 + + Circus street Infirmity, 124 + + City Exchange, (St. Louis,) 157 + Bank, 154 + Hall, 134 + Improvements, an anecdote, 68 + Proper, its extent, ib. + Prisons, 129 + + Clay, of a very pure kind, 57 + + Clergy, of New Orleans, 79 + + Climate of Louisiana, 45 + + College of Louisiana, 43 + Jefferson, ib. + Franklin, ib. + Medical, 168 + + Colonial system introduced, 17 + carried out, 21 + + Colony transferred to France in 1803, 24 + + Colorado ascended by La Salle, 15 + + Comedians first arrived in 1791, 64 + become teachers, ib. + + Commercial advantages of New Orleans, 81 + + Commercial exchange, 159 + prosperity commences in 1795, 25 + + Comparative speed of navigating the Mississippi, 80 + + Congregational Church, first, 101 + + Convent of Ursuline nuns, erected in 1730, 61 + its description, 103 + + Convent, new one erected in 1824, 61 + its description, 104 + + Coast, the, 31 + + Convent, the Carmelite, 104 + at Grand Coteau, 44 + + Cotton, when first exported, an anecdote, 47 + the quantity estimated for 1844, 45 + opinions on the fluctuating price of, 48 + its consumption in New England, 49 + in England, ib. + will present prices sustain the planter? 50 + the produce of Texas, ib. + lands, where the best, 34 + Factories, 151 + Presses, 152 + + Court-house, 133 + + Creoles their character, 73 + + Crevasse, in 1816, 42 + in 1844, at Bonne Carre, ib. + + Crozat, Antonio, obtains an exclusive privilege, 17 + + Cuba tobacco seed does well in Louisiana, 54 + + Cultivation of sugar, 21 + of Cotton, 47 + of madder, 51 + of silk, 53 + of hemp, ib. + of the vine, 55 + of tobacco, 54 + of indigo, 55 + of orange and fig do, 20 + + Currency, evil of its depreciation, 19 + + Custom house, description of it, 89 + + Custom House, a new one contemplated, 90 + + Cypress Grove Cemetery, 105 + + + Death of Iberville, 17 + de Soto, 10 + + Delta of the Mississippi, 37 + + Deposit of red river, 34 + + Description of United States Barracks, 86 + Branch Mint, 88 + + Description of the Custom House, 89 + Post Office, 90 + State House, 91 + Cathedral, 92 + St. Patrick's Church, 95 + St. Augustine do, 96 + Mortuary Chapel, 97 + Annunciation Church, 100 + Chapel of the Ursulines, 98 + Christ Church, 99 + St. Paul's do, ib. + First Presbyterian do, 100 + Second do do, 101 + Methodist Episcopal do, 102 + Wesleyan Chapel, 103 + old Ursuline Convent, ib. + new do, 104 + Court-House, 133 + City Hall, 134 + St. Charles Exchange, 137 + Verandah, 141 + City Exchange, (St. Louis,) 157 + + Discovery of the Mississippi, 7 + + Disputed Territory, 8 + + Division of the city in 1836, 67 + + Don Ulloa driven away, 22 + + Don O'Reilly takes possession, 23 + + Duelling punished by disfranchise, 78 + + + Education in Louisiana, 43 + + Elliot, Andrew, 26 + + "English Turn," whence derived, 16 + + Exchange Hotel, (St. Charles,) 137 + Merchants', 161 + (St. Louis,) City, 157 + Commercial, 159 + + Excursions, 191 + + Extent of the territory of Louisiana, 9 + New Orleans, in 1810, 66 + the City Proper, 68 + + + Feliciana, West, parish of, 32 + + Female Orphan Asylum, 110 + + Fig trees introduced, 20 + + Fire consumes nine hundred houses in 1778, 62 + many buildings in 1796, 65 + seven blocks of houses in 1844, 70 + + Fire department, 149 + + Firemen's Charitable Association, 115 + + First steamboat arrives at New Orleans, 27 + + First Presbyterian Church, 100 + Congregational do, 101 + + Florida invaded by Gov. Galvez, in 1779, 24 + + Floating Prairies, a great natural curiosity, 35 + + Flour mill, 151 + + Fort Charlotte taken, 24 + + Fountain of Health, 9 + + Franklin College, 43 + Infirmary, 124 + + + Gas Works, a description of them, 144 + the city lighted with it in 1834, 70 + + Gayosa de Lemor made governor, 26 + + Gayosa de Lemor succeeded by Casa Calvo, 26 + + German emigrants settle along the coast in 1723, 60 + supply the city with vegetables, ib. + + Grape vines, where to be cultivated, 55 + + Grazing, the very best lands for it, ib. + + Gretna, 195 + + Gypsum, valuable beds found, 56 + + + Health of New Orleans, 77 + + Hebrew Benevolent Society, 116 + + Hemp suited to the higher grounds, 53 + an immense article of consumption, ib. + necessary in time of war, 54 + + Hernandez de Soto, first discovery of Louisiana, 7 + his death, 10 + + Historical Sketch of New Orleans, 58 + + Hospitality of the inhabitants of Opelousas, 40 + + Hospitals, easy access to them, 117 + the Charity, ib. + + Hotel, Exchange, (St. Charles,) 137 + the Verandah, 141 + St. Louis Exchange, 143 + Hewlett's, ib. + Planters', ib. + National, ib. + + Hall of Second Municipality, 127 + + Hurricane devastates New Orleans 1723, 60 + + Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, article, 48 + + + Iberville enters the Mississippi, 16 + establishes the first settlement at Biloxi, ib. + founds Natchez, 17 + his death, ib. + + Improvement in New Orleans in 1824, 66 + + Incorporation of New Orleans in 1805, ib. + + Indian massacre of the whites at Natchez, 19 + + Indigo cultivated in 1728, 20 + cultivation now much neglected, 55 + + Infirmary, Circus street, 124 + Franklin, ib. + + Inquisition, its establishment frustrated in 1785, 25 + + Iron foundry, 150 + + + Jefferson College, 43 + + Jesuits and Ursuline Nuns arrived in 1727, 60 + expelled by Clement XIII., in 1763, 61 + their property confiscated, ib. + their immense wealth, ib. + curious documents of them in archives of first municipality, ib. + + + La Dames de la Providence, 114 + + Lafayette Square, 182 + + Lafourche, Bayou, 32 + + Lakes, inlets, and sounds, 37 + + La Salle descends the Mississippi to the Gulf, 14 + builds a fort at the mouth of Little Miami, ib. + sails for France, 15 + goes into the bay of St. Bernard, ib. + ascends the Colorado, ib. + forms a settlement on St. Bernard's bay, ib. + is murdered by Dehault, ib. + his character and enterprise, ib. + + Law, John, the Scotch financier, 18 + + Learned professions, divinity, law, and medicine, 79 + + Le Moniteur, first paper published in New Orleans, 25 + + Levee, its extent, 31 + crevasse in 1816 and 1844, 42 + its appearance in the business season, 81 + Cotton Press, 152 + + Literary Association, Young Men's, 167 + + Live oak of Attakapas, its abundance, 33 + + Louisiana, territory of, its discovery, 7 + its boundaries, ib. + transferred to Spain, 22 + retransferred to France in 1803, 26 + sold to the United States in 1803, ib. + the State of, admitted to the union in 1812, 27 + its boundaries, surface and soil, 28 + its vast prairies, 30 + its improvement in education, 43 + College of, ib. + mutton unsurpassed, 56 + the climate of, 45 + State Bank, 153 + Medical College, 168 + + Luxuriance of the bottom lands, 34 + + Lyceum, Public School, 166 + the People's, 167 + + + Madder described, how cultivated, 51 + price, duties, and demand for it, ib. + + Maison de Sante, 123 + + Male Orphan Asylum, 113 + + Manufactures, 150 + + Marine Hospital, United States, 125 + + Markets of New Orleans, 135 + + Market, Poydras street, 136 + the Vegetable, ib. + the Meat, ib. + + Market, St. Mary's, 137 + + Marquette descends the Mississippi, 13 + + Marshes, extensive near the ocean, 38 + + Masonic Fraternities, 80 + + Massacre at Natchez, 19 + + Meat Market, 136 + + Mechanics' and Traders' Bank, 153 + + Medical Science, 79 + + Medical College of Louisiana, 168 + + Merchants' Exchange, 161 + Reading Room, ib. + + Meteorological Journal, an abstract from the, 72 + + Methodist Episcopal Church, 102 + + Mexican Gulf Rail-road, 193 + + Military strength of New Orleans in 1792, 64 + + Milne Orphan Asylum, 116 + + Minerals of Louisiana, 56 + + Mint, Branch of the United States, 88 + + Miro succeeds Galvez as governor, 25 + carries the colonial system into effect, ib. + + Mississippi River discovered by De Soto, 10 + River made free in 1795, 25 + Valley, its vast extent, 83 + boatmen, description of them, 74 + immensity of its produce, 82-84 + Delta of, 37 + + Moral character of New Orleans, 78 + + Moscoso's Adventures, 10 + + Mulberry trees prolific in Louisiana, 53 + + Municipal Hall, 127 + + Muskeet grass, excellent for cattle, 55 + + Mutton, 56 + + + Natchez massacre of the whites, 19 + tribe defeated, ib. + founded by Iberville, 17 + + National Hotel, 143 + Gallery of Paintings, 169 + + Natchitoches tobacco, very superior, 54 + + Nature of the soil of Louisiana, 29 + + New Orleans founded by Bienville in 1718, 59 + a historical sketch of, 58 + + New Orleans, view of, 58 + inundated and abandoned in 1719, 59 + again occupied in 1722, ib. + visited by a hurricane in 1723, 60 + by yellow fever in 1769, 62 + divided into wards and lighted in 1792, 64 + fortified by Carondelet, ib. + its military strength, ib. + opened to the United States in 1795, 65 + a port of entry and delivery in 1804, 66 + incorporated in 1805, ib. + its extent in 1810, ib. + its appearance from various points, 69 + lighted with gas in 1834, 70 + state of its morals, 78 + its commercial advantages, 81 + its anticipated greatness, 84 + Reading Rooms, 161-2 + Police, 78 + travelling routes, 201 + + Newspaper Press, 173 + first published in 1794, 25 + + + Olden Time, 184 + + Old Ursuline Convent, 103 + + Opelousas Prairie, 39 + hospitality of the inhabitants, 40 + + Opposition to founding New Orleans, 59 + + Orange trees introduced, 20 + destroyed by frost in 1748, ib. + + O'Reilly, the Spanish governor, 23 + his tyrannical conduct, ib. + succeeded by Unzoga, 24 + + Orleans Cotton Press, 152 + Theatre, 176 + + Orphan Asylums, their excellence, 110 + + + Paintings, National Gallery of, 169 + individual collections of, 170 + + Paving of streets first began, 67 + + Pensacola taken by the French, 19 + + People's Lyceum, 167 + + Physic, Law and Divinity, their progress, 79 + + Pine woodlands, 30 + + Place d'Armes, 182 + + Planing Mill, steam, 151 + + Plaquemine, 32 + + Planters' Hotel, 143 + + Ponce de Leon, 9 + + Pontchartrain Rail-road, 192 + + Population in 1732, 20 + in 1788, 25 + in 1803, 26 + of New Orleans in 1723, 59 + in 1785, 62 + in 1803, 70 + in 1810, 66 + in 1844, 71 + comparative, ib. + + Police of New Orleans, 78 + + Post Office, 90 + + Pottery may be made of Louisiana clay, 57 + + Poydras Female Orphan Asylum, 113 + street Market, 136 + + Prairies of the State, 30 + particularly described, ib. + + Prairie, Attakapas, 33 38 + Opelousas, 39 + Bellevue, 40 + + Prairie, Calcasieu, 40 + + Prairie, Sabine, 40 + + Press of New Orleans, 173 + + Presbyterian Church, First, 100 + Second, 101 + + Project of supplying wholesome water, 148 + + Prospects of New Orleans, 82 + + Prosperity of trade in 1810, 66 + + Protestant Cemetery, 108 + + Public buildings, 86 + libraries much wanted, 79 + property transferred to the United States, 65 + + Public School system, 163 + how introduced, ib. + + Public School Lyceum, 166 + Squares, 181 + + + Race Courses, 195 + + Raft in Red River, 36 + + Rail-road, Pontchartrain, 192 + Carrolton, 191 + Mexican Gulf, 193 + + Reading Room, Merchants', 161 + New Orleans, 162 + + Red River deposit, its nature, 34 + raft, 36 + + Residence of Governor Bienville, 189 + + Road of Bayou St. John, 194 + + Rope Walks, 151 + + + Sabine Prairies, 40 + + Salvado, last Spanish governor, 26 + + Samaritan Charitable Association, 114 + + Sauville, the Governor, dies, 17 + + Saw Mills, steam, 151 + + School, Convent, 44 + Sisters of Charity, ib. + + School, Ursuline Nuns', 44 + + Schools, the Public, ib. + + Second Presbyterian Church, 101 + Municipality Work-House, 130 + Hall, 127 + + Sheep of Louisiana, very superior, 56 + Lafourche, ib. + + Shell Road, 192 + + Silk may be produced in abundance, 53 + + Society in New Orleans, 73 + + Soil of Louisiana, 29 + + State of Louisiana described, 28 + + State Legislature to be removed, 92 + House, 91 + + Steamboat first arrives from Pittsburgh, 27 + + Steamboats, early, their trips, 80 + extent of present navigation, 83 + + Steam Planing Mill, 151 + Saw Mills, ib. + + Streets and sidewalks first paved, 67 + + St. Augustine Church, 96 + + St. Patrick's do, 95 + Cemetery, 109 + + St. Paul's Church, 99 + + St. Antoine's, or Mortuary Chapel, 97 + + St. Charles Exchange Hotel, 137 + + St. Louis Exchange Hotel, 143 + + St. Mary's Market, 137 + + (St. Louis,) City Exchange, 157 + + St. Charles Theatre, 178 + + St. Lorenzo, treaty of, 25 + + St. Bernard bay occupied by La Salle, 15 + + Sugar introduced by the Jesuits in 1751, 21 + crops their present average, ib. + + Sugar lands, 46 + refinery, 151 + + Suggestion to sugar planters, 46 + + Surface of Louisiana, 29 + + + Tax upon chimneys to light New Orleans, 64 + + Teche, excellent lands upon its borders, 33 + + Territory of Louisiana, its boundaries, 7 + its discovery by de Soto, 10 + its immense extent, 8 + transferred to Spain in 1763, 22 + + Theatre American 1823, 67 + Orleans, 176 + St. Charles, 178 + + "The Coast," its extent and luxuriance, 31 + + Third Municipality Work-house, 133 + + Tobacco Cuba, cultivated, 54 + from Cuba, fine specimens of seed, ib. + raised at Natchitoches, ib. + worm how to prevent it, 55 + + Transfer of Louisiana to Spain, 22 + + Transfer of Louisiana to the United States in 1803, 26 + + Travelling Routes, 201 + + Tyrannical conduct of O'Reilly, 23 + + + United States Marine Hospital, 125 + Barracks, 86 + Branch Bank, established in 1805, 66 + Mint, 88 + + University of Louisiana, see note, 43 + + Unzoga succeeds O'Reilly as governor, 24 + succeeded by Galvez, ib. + + Ursuline Convent, the old, 103 + + Ursuline Chapel, 98 + nuns arrived in 1730, 60 + erect a new convent in 1824, 104 + + + Vaudreuil marquis de, 20 + + Variety of the population of New Orleans, 73 + + Vegetable Market, 136 + + Verandah, 141 + + View of New Orleans from various points, 69 + + Vine, cultivation of the, 55 + + + War between France and Spain, 19 + England and France, in 1756, 21 + do and Spain, in 1779, 24 + do and the United States, 27 + + Watchmen first established in 1792, 64 + + Water, a project to supply it without charge, 148 + + Water Works, supply water from the Mississippi, 70 + a description of them, 146 + + Washington Square, 181 + + Wesleyan Chapel, 103 + + Western Company, chartered in 1717, 17 + fail, in 1732, 20 + + West Feliciana, its excellent soil, 32 + + Wilkinson, Gen., 26 + + Woods, Col. crosses the Mississippi, 13 + + Work-house of the Second Municipality, 130 + Third do, 133 + + + Yellow fever first introduced in 1769, 62 + + Yellow Fever, opinions of its transmissibility, 121 + No. of cases in Hospital from 1822, to 1844, 120 + + Young Men's, Howard Association, 115 + Literary do, 167 + + + + +ADVERTISEMENTS. + + + JUST PUBLISHED, + BY + B. M. NORMAN, + 16 CAMP STREET, NEW ORLEANS. + + NORMAN'S + PLAN OF NEW ORLEANS AND ENVIRONS, + A COMPLETE MAP OF THE CITY AND VICINITY, IN POCKET FORM. ALSO, ON + CARDS, FOR COUNTING ROOMS AND PUBLIC OFFICES. + + * * * * * + + NORMAN'S + NEW ORLEANS BUSINESS DIRECTORY, + For 1845-6. + + Containing the names, residences and occupations of Merchants and + Bankers, Mechanics and Professional men. Classed and arranged + alphabetically. + + * * * * * + + NEW AND IMPROVED STOCK, + PRICES REDUCED. + + * * * * * + + NORMAN'S + BOOK, STATIONERY, PRINTING + AND + BINDING-ESTABLISHMENT, + No. 16 + CAMP STREET, NEW ORLEANS. + + * * * * * + + BOOKS, + Comprising the works of the best standard authors in the various + departments of literature, + ANCIENT AND MODERN. + + CHEAP PUBLICATIONS, + AT PUBLISHERS' PRICES. + + SCHOOL BOOKS. + + Bibles, Prayer Books, Psalm and Hymn Books. + + ANNUALS, + PICTORIAL AND EMBELLISHED WORKS. + + CHILDREN'S BOOKS. + + MAPS, GUIDE BOOKS, + AND OTHER WORKS FOR TRAVELLERS. + + CITY AND COUNTRY DEALERS SUPPLIED, + Also Public and Private Libraries, at Publishers' Prices. + + LITERARY GENTLEMEN, TEACHERS AND THE PUBLIC ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY + INVITED TO VISIT THIS ESTABLISHMENT. + + * * * * * + + STATIONERY, + Consisting of the most approved kinds; adapted to the use of + COUNTING ROOMS AND PUBLIC OFFICES. + + BLANK BOOKS, + OF THE MOST APPROVED MANUFACTURE, WITH RECENT IMPROVEMENTS, AND + REDUCTION OF PRICES. + WARRANTED SUPERIOR. + + All descriptions of ACCOUNT BOOKS made to order. + + PAPER AND CARDS. + + Custom House and Commercial Blanks. + + ARTIST'S MATERIALS. + + MERCHANTS', STEAMBOATS' and other CLERKS, ARE RESPECTFULLY INVITED TO + CALL AND EXAMINE THE COMPLETE ASSORTMENT. + + + * * * * * + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Typographical errors in spelling and punctuation repaired; variant +spellings changed when there was a clear majority. + +The following variant spellings were retained: "depot" (used for New +Orleans) and "depot" (used for rail-road); "moschetoes" and +"mosquitoes"; "enquir" and "inquir" roots (used equally); +"Pittsburg" (Miss.) and "Pittsburgh" (Pa.); "Cleaveland" (Ohio) (per +Columbia Gazetteer of the World, this was the original name, after its +founder Moses Cleaveland); "Zimple" and "Zimpel"; "regime" and +"regime." + +Hyphenation variants changed to majority use (with priority on usage +in headings and text, over usage in index or tables); retained when +equal (wood-lands and woodlands, re-transferred and retransferred, +pre-eminence and preeminently). "steam-boat" and "steam boat" changed +to "steamboat" except on p. 27, where "Steam Boat" is used for the +first appearance of a new technology. + +Punctuation after chapter and section headings, and illustration +captions (periods, commas, no punctuation) was inconsistent; +standardized to no punctuation. Brackets around "see Route" references +changed to more frequent parentheses. + +P. 20, "Vandreuil" corrected to "Vaudreuil." + +P. 73, Meteorological table has been split for better displaying (text +only). + +P. 84, "inexaustible" changed to "inexhaustible." + +P. 103, "Diocess" retained; per Oxford English Dictionary (OED) correct +for time period. + +P. 147, "Tchapitoulas" corrected to "Tchoupitoulas." + +P. 174, "cotemporaries" retained; per OED, this was a common period +variant for contemporaries. + +P. 205, Route 4; "Tombigkbe" changed to "Tombigbee." + +P. 206, Savannah. Original shows cumulative miles 2196. Transposition +repaired. + +P. 206, Route 10 heading, "Ala." changed to more frequent "Al." + +P. 213, index; originally left justified "Seven blocks" now indented +under "Fire consumes." + +P. 222, index; originally left justified "Branch Bank" now indented +under "United States." + +The following discrepancies in route tables were retained as shown in +the original: + +P. 202, Smithfield, "1" in original would add up to 1086 cumulative +(11 mile discrepancy). + +P. 203, Greenupsburg, "13" in original would add up to 1675 cumulative +(1 mile discrepancy). Georgetown "7" and Beaver "13" appear to be +averaged, since each addition does not add up, but their cumulative +addition (20 miles from Welleville to Beaver) does add up. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Norman's New Orleans and Environs, by B. M. 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