5574 13 11 1-2)
75 1 31-2

Conscious of this difficulty, I entertain humble hopes of success, or of being able to satisfy the expectations and enquiries of the intelligent reader.--And, this more particularly, where there are no striking and prominent features, but the the trails The probable annual demand on the treasury, of an infant colony delicately marked.

1 1-2

A colony will not remain long separated from £. s. d. the parent stock, until it exhibits a peculiar and 1000 0 0 distinct character. Climate situation and country, 1000 0 although not exclusively the agents in forming this character must, nevertheless be, admitted to have great influence. Nor do the manners of the parent country continue invariable; other times, other 3000011250 0 0 men, other circumstances, produce the most sur. prising changes, while the colony beyond the sphere

=

of their influence retains its pristine customs and, and rapid decay; which was again accelerated by manners. The Spaniards of Mexico, are said to the conquest of general Clark, for the United States bear a stronger resemblance to their ancestors of in 1779. The greater number of the wealthy and the fifteenth century, than to their present brethren respectable, descended the Mississippi, and settled of Old Spain; the French inhabitants of the Mis in New-Orleans, and the lower country. Others sissippi, have little resemblance to the gay, but dis crossed the Mississippi, and established St. Louis solute, and frivolous Frenchmen of Louis the fif and St. Genevieve. Scarcely any but natives of teenth and sixteenth, and still less, to those who the country remained. The foreigners, chiefly have felt the racking storm of the revolution. returned to the countries, from whence they first

To the country on both sides of the Mississippi, emigrated. the general name of Les Illinois, was given. It was Such is the origin of the greater part of that class inhabited by a powerful nation of that name, and at of the population of this territory, which i have depresent reduced to a handful of miserable creatures. signated by the name of the ancient inhabitants.After the discovery of the Mississippi, by Mons. They are chiefly natives of the country; but few Jolliet, and the priest Marquette, from Canada, a families are immediately from France, or even number of Canadian traders, about the year 1686, from New Orleans or Canada. settled in Kaskaskia, originally a large Indian In the character of these people it must be rememtown. By degrees a number of families were in bered, they are essentially Frenchmen; but without duced to quit Canada, for a country represented as that restlessness, impatience and fire, which distinmuch more desirable. A monastery of Jesuits was guish the European. There is even in their deestablished here, which succeeded in converting a portment something of the gravity of the Spaniard; umber of the Indians to christianity. I am credi yet, extremely fond of every kind of gaiety and bly informed, that they had at one time twenty-five amusement. From the gentle and easy life which hundred catechumens. In time, these people, as it they led their manners and even language, have has ever been the case, were found to degenerate become soft and mild: the word paisible, expresses and diminish, from their intercourse with the this characteristic. In this remote country, there whites: and the French were left the possessors and were few objects to urge to enterprise, and few ocproprietors of their village. casions to call forth, and to exercise their energies. About the beginning of the last century, the The necessaries of life were easily procured, and a celebrated scheme of Law and company, was set on beggar was never heard of amongst them. Ambi foot, and supported by the high reputation for wealth tion soared far hence, for here there was no prey.— and fertility, which Louisiana had already acquir. Hospitality was exercised, because no one thought ed. To further this delusion, it was represented in of being otherwise: a tavern amongst them is but still more glowing colors, and it became the paradise a late thing. Judges, codes of law, and prisons of Frenchmen. The Illinois, were regarded as of were of little use, where the utmost simplicity of immense importance; the attention of the nation manners prevailed, and every one knew how far to was turned towards them, and notwithstanding the confide in his neighbor. In such a state of things, failure of Law's project, this remote colony flourish. to what end are learning and science? the schools ed surprisingly. Besides Kaskaskia, which be were few; they were merely taught to read and write, came a rich and considerable town, there were se- and a little arithmetic The number of those who veral large villages, a lucrative fur trade was car were lovers of knowledge, or had made any profiried on, and an extensive agriculture. These set- ciency, was small. From the habits of these people, tlements sent to New Orleans, in one year (1746) it would naturally be expected, that they would have eight hundred thousand weight of flour. But, at been little accustomed to reason on political subthis time there was not one permanent establish-jects. These inhabitants, were as remarkable for ment on the west side of the Mississippi: although their tame and peaceable disposition, as the natives resorted to by traders, and the lead mines known of France are for the reverse. and worked. Twenty five or thirty years after the Amongst their virtues, we may enumerate, honesfailure of Law's scheme, when the French govern ty and punctuality in their dealings, hospitality to ment, with something more substantial in view, strangers, friendship and affection amongst relahad formed the plan of securing the immense and tives and neighbors. Instances of abandonment on fertile valley of the Mississippi, and of connecting the female side, or of seduction are extremely rare. it with Canada, immense sums of money were ex-The women make faithful and affectionate wives, pended. Fort Chartres, which is said to have cost but will not consent to be considered secondary perthe crown nine millions of lives, was built, and sonages in the matrimonial association. The ad. the village of Fort de Chartres rose by its side.-vice of the wife, is taken on all important as well as But, such alas! are the reverses to which the on less weighty concerns, and she generally decides. affairs of men are subject, the village has disappear. In opposition to those virtues it must be said, that ed for ever, and the fort is but a noble ruin. The they were devoid of public spirit, of enterprise, or post was deemed an important one, at which there ingenuity, and were indolent and uninformed. was stationed an officer of high rank with a suitable command. Much of the elegance and refine ed or superstitious, as some travellers have said.— They are catholics, but very far from being bigotment of the officers, was communicated to the They have been more justly charged with a neglect Susceptible inhabitants. of their priests. They were however, strict obser

The war between France and England which vers of the rules and dicipline of their chruch, and broke out about the year 1754, deprived France of of all the different holy days in the calendar. Their her possessions in this part of the world. In confetes were considered as the most interesting occa sequence of this, Illinois experienced a sudden sions; they doubtless contributed much to their Perhaps the same with Quis-quisque, near social happiness. Of late, this attention to the cerewhich, a party of the unfortunate expidition of monies of their religion is much relaxed, since other Hernandes de Soto, were defeated and almost des objects of pursuit and interest have been opened to troyed, about the year 1539. A tradition prevailed their view. The catholic worship is the only one amongst the Kaskaskians, of their having destroy- yet known in the territory, excepting in private famied the first whitemen they had ever seen. lies, and in a few instances of itinerant preachers.

Amongst the ancient inhabitants, there could possessed of numerous herds, the churn was not not properly be said to have been more than two used; they made butter by beating the cream in a classes, the wealthy or intelligent, and those with bowl, or shaking it in a bottle.

out education or property. But they all associated, Their amusements, were cards, billiards and dressed alike, and frequented the same ball room. dances: this last of course the favourite. The danThey were in fact nearly all connected by the ties of ces were cotillons, reels and sometimes the minuet. affinity or consanguinity: for so extensive is this During the carnaval the balls follow in rapid succesconnection, that I have seen the carnaval, from sion. They have a variety of pretty customs, conthe death of some common relation, pass by cheer- nected with this their favorite amusement. Children less, and unheeded. The number of characters also, have their balls and are taught from infancy a excluded from society was exceedingly small,-propriety and decorum of behaviour highly pleasing. What an inducement to comfort ones self with cir. They learn a certain ease and freedom of address, cumspection and propriety? The same interest at and are taught the secret of real politeness, selfstake, the same sentiments, that in other countries denial; but which by the apes of French manners, influence the first classes of society were here felt is mistaken for an affected grimace of complaisant by all its members. Unhappily the strugglers in regard, and a profusion of bows, scrapes and prothe cause of virtue are faint, when there is no pros- fessions.

pect of a reward from our fellow men; and to yield Their language, every thing considered, is much is little dreaded when the loss is small, for we value more pure than could be expected; their manner of ourselves according to the estimation of the world. lengthening the sound of words, although languid, How many from having been unjustly despised, and without the animation which the French usu have become truly despicable, and how many from ally possess, is by no means disagreeable. It is unmerited praise have been formed into the most more soft than the European French, but is very valuable characters! different from the language of the Creoles of the

Their wealth consisted, principally, in personal islands. They have some provincialisms, and some property; lands were of a secondary value except words are in use, which in France have become when improved. Slaves were regarded in the light obsolete, but în general, the French language is of bien sonciere, or real property, and in fact, the well spoken. The ancient inhabitants are far from highest species. Plate and money, the representa- being deficient in understanding; their minds are tive of wealth, and generally considered a very quick and sprightly. good one, and merchandize occupied the next place. Lead and peltry, were frequently used in the place of a circulating medium.

In their persons, they are well formed, of an agreeable, pleasant, countenance; indicating cheerfulness and serenity. Their dress was formerly There was little variety in the employments of extremely simple; the men wore a blanket coat, or the inhabitants. The more enterprising and weal of coarse cloth or coating, with a cap behind in thy, were the traders, with exclusive privilege of place of the cape, which could be drawn over the trading to a particular nation, or section of country, head; from which circumstance it was called a and at the same time kept a small stock of goods at capot: it was made something like a frock coat.their houses, for the accommodation of the inhabi- They wore a blue hankerchief on their heads; no tants, but not in open shops or stores as in the shoes, and seldom any stockings; moccasins were United States. There were no taylors or shoemak used by both sexes, and hats were rarely seen. The ers; such as pursue these occupations, are Ameri dress of the ladies was likewise simple, and the The few mechanics, principally carpenters variations of fashion were few; they were however and smiths, who exercised their trades, scarcely dressed in a much better taste than the other sex.deserved the name. The lead mines I have already Yet, these manners will soon cease to exist but in observed, engaged a considerable number. The remembrance and description: every thing has government gave employment to very few, except changed. The American costume is generally ining at St. Louis. By far the greater proportion troduced, among the more genteel. I never saw any was engaged in agriculture; in fact it was the busi- where greater elegance of dress than I have at a ball ness of all, since the surplus produce of the coun- in St. Louis. We still see a few of both sexes in try was too inconsiderable to be depended upon.-their ancient habiliments; capots, moccasins, blue A number of the young men embraced the employ-handkerchief on the head, a pipe in the mouth, and ment of boatmen, which was by no means disrepu- a long queue behind.

cans.

table. It was a desirable thing for a young fellow The condition of their slaves, when compared to have it in his power to say, that he had made a with most countries, where slavery is tolerated, is voyage in this capacity. They took ą pride in their not hard or severe. Their labor is not great, or occupation, as if it afforded a field for generous painful, they are allowed many privileges, and are ambition. They certainly possess great dexterity well clothed and fed. [Better information satisfies me that this encomium is unmerited ]

as oarsmen.

—Adductis spumant fretaversa lacertis. Infin- The government of the province, though a mixdunt pariter sulcos: totamque dehiscet convulsum ture of the civil and military, was not complicated, remis rostrisque tridentibus æquor. Each district had its commandant, and the smaller But this occupation amongst many other changes villages of settlements their syndics. They were has been reduced to the same footing as with the the judges in civil matters under a certain amount, Americans. It is true the greater part of those who and the captains of the militia. These were ap followed this employment, were little more respec pointed by the governor at New Orleans, to whom table than the same class in all countries; but the there was an appeal from their decisions, and to circumstance of their being engaged in it was not whom were referred such matters as exceeded their sufficient to exclude them from balls or respectable jurisdiction. Arbitration, under the direction of societies, and on such occasions they conducted the commandant, had in some degree the effect of themselves with the utmost propriety. obviating his want of authority. A party com

There were no domestic manufactures. The spin.plaining obtained a notification from the commanning wheel and the loom were alike unknown. So dant to his adversary, of the complaint and comdeficient were they in this respect, that, although mand to render him justice; if this had not the

desired effect, he was notified to appear before the their more gentle and amiable customs. Upon the commandant at a certain day and answer the com- whole, the American manners and even language, plaint and if this was neglected, a sergeant was begin to predominate. The young men have alreasent with a file of men to bring in the delinquent. dy been formed by our government, and those The lieutenant governor, who resided at St. Louis, growing up will have known no other. A singular was the commander of the militia, and had a general change has taken place, which, one would think, superintendance of the public works, and affairs ought not to have been brought about, by a transi of the province, but I am not informed of the exact tion from a despotic government to republicanism; extent of his powers. The laws of Spain were in luxury has increased to a considerable degree, the force here; but it does not appear that any others different classes of society have become distinctly had taken effect, besides the laws respecting lands, marked. On the other hand, more pains are taken in such as related to the municipal arrangements. in the education of youth; some have sent their Laws regulating social contracts are so intimately sons to the seminaries of the United States, and interwoven with the manners of a people, that it is all seem anxious to attain this desirable end. Se. no easy task to separate them; hence, la coutume veral of the young men have received commissions de Paris the common law of France, was the system in the army of the United States. The young la by which their contracts were governed. The dies are instructed with more care, and the sound judges, in administering justice according to the of the piano, is heard within their walls for the first American jurisprudence, are often perplexed, by time.

the article of cession, which provides that respect Personal property, a few articles excepted, has should be paid to the usages and customs of the fallen on an average, two hundred per cent. and real country. A few troops were kept up in each dis- property has risen nearly five hundred. The cultrict, throughout the province, but too inconsidera- tivators raised little produce, beyond what was neble to afford much protection to the inhabitants.cessary for their own subsistence, it was, therefore, This country being so remote from the main posses- held at what price they pleased; and in this they sions of Spain, it was not regarded with much at- were somewhat justified by the high rates of mertention, when we consider its natural importance. chandize. Their agriculture was so limited, that The rod of government was so light as scarcely to be there have been instances, of their being supplied, felt; the worst of the governors were content, with on the failure of their crops, from the inundation of imposing on their king, by exorbitant charges for the Mississippi, by the Spanish government. The useless fortifications and public works, or for sup plies never furnished. I have heard of some oppressions practised on strangers, but I have been inform ed by a number of Americans settled here before the change, that the Spanish government treated them with a particular attention and respect. I believe instances of individual oppression were few: I at 'tribute this, not so much to the nature of the government, as to the state of society.

low value of lands was owing to the vast quantities of it, which lay waste and unoccupied, in proportion to the extent of the population, and the consequent ease with which it could be procured. Rent was hardly known.

It may be a question whether the poorest class have been benefited by the change. Fearless of ab. solute want, they always lived in a careless, thoughtless manner; at present the greater part of them The present government appears to be operating obtain a precarious subsistence. They generally a general change; its silent, but subtle spirit, is felt possess a cart, a horse or two, a small stock of cat. in every nerve, and vein, of the body politic. The tle, and cultivate trifling garden spots. At St. Louis, United States, acting upon broad principles, cannot they have more employment than in the other vilbe influenced, by those contemptible partialities, lages; they make hay in the prairie, haul wood for that would cause distinctions between their adopted sale, and are employed in small jobs about townchildren and their own sons. The United States some are boatmen, and patrons, a kind of fresh do not want colonies; they will not hold others in water sailing masters. At St. Genevieve they purthe same state as that which they themselves so sue a little more agriculture, having portions in the nobly despised. They are in fact, both natives of great field, but this will most probably be taken the same land, and both can claim freedom as their from them by the greater industry of the American birth-right. cultivators, who can afford to give double the sum It requires many hands to work the complicated for rent; their chief dependence is in the employmachinery of our government; the object of which ment they have from the lead mines, and the Ameis to enable men, as much as possible, to govern rican merchants. A number of late have removed themselves. Each of the principal towns has its to the country and are settled on public lands, officers, its legislatures, in which, the ancient in where they cannot expect to remain long. Those habitants have the principal voice. They have been who live in the more remote villages, are less afplaced on the bench, they are jurors and magis fected by the change, but there is little prospect trates; titles are distributed, which, although of of their being better situated. But few of them have little consequence in themselves, yet, serve to make obtained riquettes or permissions from the coma man feel that he counts something; for instance, mandants to settle on lands: in fact there was no safethe commissions of general, major, colonel, captain, ty from the depredations of the Indians, in forming &c. Thus, one might suppose, that their manners establishments beyond the villages. Land was onand habits of thinking are ripening for the recep- ly valued for what it would produce, and any one tion of a free government. The Americans* have could obtain as much as he chose to cultivate. This communicated to them, their industry and spirit of uninformed class, perhaps the most numerous, have enterprise, and they in turn have given some of been so little accustomed to look before them on political subjects, that they have scarcely began to see

This name has been given exclusively to the citizens of the United States, by foreign nations. Perhaps, from their having been the first American - colony that became an independant nation. Bona parte, I hope, has involuntarily given rise to several

more.

But, it is to be observed, that produce did not bear the same proportion to merchandize that it does now; for instance, from six to ten bushels of corn, were necessary for the purchase of a common handkerchief, which now can be had for one,

their situation. But I fear they will feel, there are, ana, generally, until it came into the hands of the hundreds that do not own a foot of land. Poverty United States, is the history of this territory. By is stealing upon them with a slow but sure step. It the treaty of Ildefonso, October 1800, the country is only of late years that they have become sensible was re-ceded by Spain to France; the situation of of the advantages of ownership in land. The Ame-France at that period, not permitting her to take ricans will occupy the greater part of that which possession, she ceded it to the United States. The has been put in order for cultivation; and the ranges fears of its falling into the hands of her enemy, and for cattle with the liberty of taking wood in the the sum to be received for it, were also strong inneighborhood of most of the villages, is already ducements.

abridged. Something ought to be done for them by On the part of the United States, possession was the government: it would be a well placed genero- taken of this territory in 1804, by captain [now sity. It would be doing nothing more than acting major] Stoddard, who was the first civil comman consistently with the principles upon which these dant. According to the act of congress which people have been brought into the bosom of the divided it from the district of Orleans, with the American family;" not to augment the number of name of the district of Louisiana, it was placed for subjects, and extend our territory, but to encrease the moment under the government of the territory the sum of human happiness. Could it ever have of Indiana. Governor Harrison of that terrritory been supposed that the consequence of a change accordingly organized the government and put it in from the Spanish government to that of the United motion. In 1805 it was erected into a territory States would be destructive of their happiness and by the name of the Territory of Louisiana.--For prosperity these things I must refer the reader to the diffe

Until possession of the country was taken by us, rent acts of congress.--Two important treaties there was no safety from the robberies of the Osage were made with the Indians, one with the Sacs Indians. That impolitic tenderness and lenity and Foxes and the other with the great and little which the Spanish and even the French govern Osages.

ment have manifested towards them, instead of a If I am asked whether the ancient inhabitants are firm though just course, gave rise to the most in more contented and happy under the new order of solent deportment on their part. I have been in-things, or have reason to be so? I should consider formed by the people of St. Genevieve, who suf- the question a difficult one, and answer it with hefered infinitely the most, that they were once left sitation. It is not easy to know the secret sentiwithout a horse to turn a mill. The Osages were ments of men, and happiness is a relative term. It never followed to` any great distance, or overtaken. is true I have heard murmurings against the preThis cowardly and despicable conduct only served sent government, and sorrowing after that of Spain to encourage them. They generally entered the-which I have attributed rather to the chagrin of neighborhood of the villages, divided into similar the moment than to real and sincere sentiment.parties, and in the night stole in, and carried away But I have not seen any of those signs which uneevery thing they could find, frequently breaking quivocally mark a suffering and unhappy people. open stables, and taking out the horses.-After The principal source of uneasiness arises from the uniting at some place of rendezvous, they marched difficulties in settling the land titles between the leisurely home, driving the stolen horses before United States and the ancient inhabitants. Nearly them, and without the least dread of being pursu-all the larger claims still remain unsettled, while ed. They have not dared to act in this manner the claimants still continue in a state of vexatious under the present government; there have been a doubt and uncertainty, whether they are to be few solitary instances of robberies by them, within rich or restricted to circumstances, perhaps, more these three or four years, but they are sufficiently moderate than under the Spanish government-for acquainted with the American character to know, these persons have, in a great measure, lost their that they will be instantly pursued and compelled influence, and are superceded in trade and lucra to restore. The following well attested fact will tive occupations by strangers; their claims are serve to shew the insolence of the Osages under consequently their chief dependance. But this subthe former government. A young couple were on ject embraces such a variety of considerations, that their way from Big River to St. Genevieve, with it is not possible to do justice to it by a few remarks. their company, to have the matrimonial knot fixed It is a subject upon which the claimants, are feelby the priest; they were met by sixty of them, robingly alive. There is no doubt but that the United bed of their horses, and stripped entirely naked!-States will do them justice. This anxiety is a tacit It must be said however, that they have been rarely compliment to our government, for under the known to take away the lives of such as may have former the lands would not have been worth it. chanced to fall into their hands. The insolence of Completed titles carry with them their own proof, the other nations, who came openly into villages, and there is no doubt, but that the United States the Piorias, Loups, Kickapoos, Chacktaws, Che will feel bound to perfect, an inchoate or incomrokees, &c. is inconceivable. They appeared to be plete title, which would, in all probability, have masters of the towns, and excited general terror.-been perfected by Spain. I think further, that The houses have on some occasions, been closed equitable circumstances should be considered, and up, and the doors barred by the terrified inhabi-rigid, or strict proof not required; and a title resting tants; they were not always safe even there. It is even upon slender grounds, with respect to Spain, strange how these people have disappeared within and doubtful whether it would have been confirmed these few years: there are at present scarcely by her, should be taken into view where there is no enough to supply the towns with game. evidence of fraud. It would not be for the honor of

The historical epocha of this territory are few the United States, that rigid and niggard'y justice and simple. Shortly after the first formation of should be done to a people who came into their the settlement by the treaty of '63 it was ceded to power, without their own choice, and without be Spain-the secret treaties between this power and ing consulted. It is dificult to comprehend how France of 1762, were not known and perhaps nev-six years should have transpired, without an apparent er would have been if France had proved successful approach to this final adjustment. It is not any in her contests with Britain. The history of Louisi-wonder there should be heart burnings and discon