OCR Text |
Show THE BULLETIN Recent Change in Louisiana Chief Executives Recalls Some of the Picturesque 'Governors' Who Ruled That Spanish-French-Americ- State an The first American governor af Louisiana, like some of his predecessors and some of his successors, had his troubles. And one of his worst troubles was an individual named Jean Lafitte. This first governor was William Charles Cole Claiborne, born in Sussex county, Virginia, in 1775. PresiIn 1801 his dent Thomas Jefferson, made him governor of the Territory of Mississippi and two years later ht was appointed commissioner. with Gen. James Wilkinson, tc accept the transfer of the Louisiana Purchase from the French. He was appointed governor of the province of Louisiana for three years and when it was made a territory in 1804 he resigned control of Mississippi Territory to govern the new one. In 1810 Claiborne took posses sion of Baton Rouge and Mobile, which up to that time were still held by the Spanish, despite the fact that the French had sold Louisiana to the United States. Two years later, by an act of congress, Louisiana was made a state and the people of the new state elected Claiborne as their first state governor. And then his troubles began. The source of these troubles were two brothers, Pierre La fitte, and his younger brother, Jean two Frenchmen who had come to New Orleans by way of the West Indies. At first they acted as agents for a colony of smugglers living in the Bay of Barataria. Then they became their leaders and moved their home from New Orleans to the island, Grand Terre, in the Bay HOWto SEW Work over the hand writing with heavy, bright colored embroidery thread. Chain stitch, as shown here at the upper right gives a good strong outline and may be done quickly. Use a different color for each kind of towel. Colored facings of prepared bias binding used flat as shown at the lower left fellow-Virginia- n, make a practical edge finish. If you use flour and sugar sacks for dish towels, these suggestions for - The Place d' Armes where Governor Calves made his stirring appeal for French volunteers to enlist for service arainst the British. The buildings shown are (left to rirht) the Cabildo. the St. Louis rath. dral, the Presbytery and the Pontalba apartment. In the foreground Is Jackson square and a replica of lamous roc King none siaiue oi "uio. liieaory. By ELMO SCOTT WATSON (Released by Western Newspaper Union.) recent resignation of Gov. Richard W. Leche of and the consequent installation of Earl K. Long in the executive mansion at Baton Rouge, once occupied by his brother, Huey P. Long, have added another chapter to the colorful, and frequently turbulent, history of the chief executives of the Pelican state. It began while Louisiana was a French colony, it continued under Spanish domination and it characterized the early years, as well as the more recent ones, under the Ameri can flap. If the redoubtable "King-fish- ," replaced it with the Spanish su when he was governor, preme council, or cabildo. He into practice the arbi ruled Louisiana more like the also putcolonial of THE dictator of a totalitarian trary Spain country than the duly elected head of an American commonwealth, he was only following in the footsteps of a an Irish adpredecessor venturer who, paradoxically, was the "Spanish governor" of Louisiana just 170 years ago. His name was Alexander O'Reilly. O'Reilly was born in the Em1725 and at an early age enlisted in the army of Spain. He fought in Italy during the War of the Austrian Succession and later served in the armies of France and Austria. Then he returned to the Spanish army and was made commander of a brigade. Next he was sent to Cuba to repair and improve the fortifications of Havana and for his work there he was made inspector-genera- l. He returned to Madrid in 1765, just in time to help thwart a plot against King Charles III and aid in saving the life of that monarch who soon had an opportunity to show his gratitude to the Irishman and reward him accordingly. By the Treaty of Paris of 1762-6- 3 between France, England and Spain, France was forced to surrender to England not only Canada, but also that part of old Louisiana lying east of the Mississippi, with the exception of the "island of Orleans" in which was included the city of New Orleans, the capital of the colony. Ceded to Spain. The "island of Orleans" and all of Louisiana west of the Mis sissippi was ceded to Spain, osten sibly as a free gift from France In reality, of course, France was giving this country to Spain to keep it from falling into the hands of the English and with the hope, which was later realized, of getting it back again. Although France thus ceded the principal part of Louisiana to it was not until Spain in 1762-6March, 1766, that Don Antonio de Ulloa arrived in New Orleans to supersede Aubrey, the French governor. But the inhabitants of Louisiana were not especially happy over the transfer of their country without their consent and the result was a revolution against the new rulers. In October, 1768. the superior council in New Orleans decreed the expulsion of Ulloa, who fled to Havana. When King Charles III of Spain learned of this, he determined to crush the rebels and he picked General O Redly for the task. He appointed the Irishman gover nor of Louisiana, gave him an army of 2,600 picked men and a Beet of 24 ships. O'Reilly reached New Orleans on August 18, 1769, and at once issued a proclamation in which he declared that only those who had headed the movement against the Spanish would be punished All of the leaders, 12 in number. elonged to the nobility but that lid not save them. One, already iaken into custody, died on Spanish warship. The others were courtmartialed and found guilty and six ox them, including former King's AttorneyGeneral in Louisiana, and Milhet, the wealthiest merchant in New Orleans, were shot. Next O'Reilly dissolved the old Superior council of Louisiana and erald Isle in regulations and decreed a new "black code which provided the severest penalties for all kinds of offenses. For a year the people of Louisi ana suffered under his autocratic rule. Then he was recalled to Spain and in 1775 placed in command of an expedition against Algiers which was unsuccessful But he apparently did not lose the confidence of his monarch for he was subsequently made commander-general of Andalusia and governor of Cadiz. In 1794, while he was on his way to assume command of the army of the eastern Pyrenees, he died and it is probable that there was no mourning in Louisiana when news of his death reached there. Quite different was the attitude of the Louisiana citizens, both French and Spanish, toward the man who became their governor in 1777 and their American contemporaries had a special reason for remembering him gratefully. too. For he helped them win their war for freedom from England. Bernardo de Galvez was his name and he was born of a distinguished and powerful family at Malaga, Spain, in 1756. As a youth Bernardo de Galvez was ambitious to win military glory and did so on his first expe dition. Made colonel of the regi- - , 'TWERE is logic in the idea that A frlaseAff tvtfa an ft iiina WlUilH nn jlH0SID pans should have their own tow els. Here is a simple way to make that logic work. Write across the corner of each towel with a soft pencil the purpose for which it is to be used. Use a soft pencil and four best script with the tall letters at least two inches high. JTWMC tA adding color will be especially) useful. GOOD NEWS Is here for every, homemaker. SEWING BOOK No.j 3 is now ready for mailing. It, contains 32 useful homemakmg, ideas, with all directions clearly; illustrated. You will be delighted; The price of this new' with book is only 10 cents postpaid. En--! close coin with name and address! to Mrs. Spears, 210 S. Desplaines! I St., Chicago, 111. it ' REAL 1779, declared war on the Eng lish. The following July Galvez received permission from his king to seize the British forts in Ala bama, Mississippi and West of Barataria. Florida. Galvez called a meeting of the From that time on the record French inhabitants of New Or-- is not entirely clear as to the eans in the historic Place d' Armes and as a dramatic gesture announced that he would re nounce the governorship if the natives would not support him in his expedition against the Eng-ish. Since France had already oined forces with the Americans, since there were in New Orleans many Acadian refugees, who had good reason to hate the English, and since the boyish Spanish gov ernor had endeared himself to the French in many ways, the young men of that city didn't hesitate long before volunteering to ac company him. Rejecting the suggestion that he wait for reinforcements from Havana, Galvez, with 670 men, Spanish regulars, French Creoles, SAY KELLOGG'S BEFORE YOU SAY CORN FLAKES Acadia ns and American volun teers under Oliver Pollock, seized Coot. ltJ br EcDou Coapwy the British fort at Manhuac. cap tured Baton Rouge and received Greatest Want Judge Not the surrender of Natchez. The exact nature oi the Lafittes' acwe wants hope is the He to for that are in Forbear Lafitte tivities. Jean judge, always next year Fort Charlotte at Mo man alive. sisted that it was privateering sinners all. Shakespeare. bile fell. and that they preyed only upon In 1781, by a fleet and army from Havana, Galvez ships carrying enemy flags. But attacked Pensacola. When the historians are pretty generally and it attempted to cross agreed that it was piracy the bar, however, the San Roman is as "Lafitte the Pirate" that ran aground and the commander be has come down in history. The people of New Orleans of the fleet. Commodore Calbo de Irazabel, declined to risk any were inclined to view these activities leniently they enjoying more of his frigates. being able to buy all sorts of A Bold Exploit goods at a lower price than that Galvez, who realized the im by more ethical vend charged of to be ers of merchandise portance having the fleet than the La assured of arms and food on St fittes. But Governor Claiborne Rosa island, his base, resolved was not inclined to wink at such to shame the commodore into cowithin his jurisdiction. goings-o- n operating. He embarked, there on So November 24, 1813, he fore, on the brig Galveston, com manded by Rosseau, a Creole, posted his famous proclamation and raised his pennant on the offering a reward for the cap ture of "Jean Lafitte, pirate brig. Followed by a schooner Two days later Jean Lafitte, cleventwo and gunboats, he boldly tered the port and acted with erly using the same oflanguage as the state. such valor that the main squad the chief executive offering a ron followed the next day and posted aofproclamation reward $1,000 for the delivery safely crossed the bar. of Governor Claiborne at Grand Alter several months' siege, Thereupon New Orleans Fort George and Fort Red Cliff Terre with shook laughter. But not were taken and the way to the Claiborne. Governor main defenses of Pensacola He saw to it that all of the opened. A terrific bombardment was continued until an explosion Baratarians were indicted for pi made a great breach in the walls, racy and when Pierre Lafitte was Then a storming party rushed in caught in New Orleans, he was and compelled the surrender of held without bail. When he came Use Add-fre- e Quaker State Motor Oil General Campbell with his garri to trial, however, two famous at lufcltn iSuIuIll torneys whom Jean Lafitte had regularly. Your car will run farther before son of 800 regulars. need to add a quart . . . you save on As a reward for Galvez s bril hired for a fee of $20,000 suc you liant success, the king made him ceeded in getting him acquitted. repair bills. These results are assured belieutenant-genera- l of Louisiana, Soon afterwards, however, pubh ReuUprict I cause every drop of Quaker State is add-frethe Floridas, East and West and lic opinion changed and plans You get only pure, rich, Cuba. He was also given the roy were made to wipe out the nest lubricant specifically refined to give you al permission to place upon his of pirates in the Bay of Barata coat of arms a figure of the brig, ria. Pierre Lafitte was again are driving. Quaker State Oil RefinGalveston, with the motto "Yo rested and this time he was kept ing Corporation, Oil Gty, Pennsylvania. Solo" (I Alone). In 1785 he was in Jail. of the invasion the came Then made viceroy of Mexico to suc ceed his father. He died there in British army, Jean Lafitte's of 1786 after having been viceroy for fer of his services and those of his men to the American cause, , only a year. The name of Don Bernardo de the effort of British officers to Galvez lives today in the great enlist the services of the BaraON YOUR VACATION city or Galveston, Texas, but tarians and Jean Lafitte's clever TRIPS USE THE g of them. He Americans have other reasons bit of for remembering him. Not only sent Governor Claiborne news of did he provide the patriot army the British proposition and re with munitions at a time when newed his offer to serve the they were most needed, but his Americans. As a result Pierre conquests of the British posts in Lafitte was allowed to escape the Southeast prevented their us- from jail and the Lafittes and y ing them as bases of attack on their Baratarians served In SALT LAKE CITY in Jackson's army which the Americans in the old Northwest in Georgia and the Carolina. whipped Pakenham's redcoats at Thousands of rspsat guests year after ysar attest the popularity of When the Revolution ended, the historic Battle of New Or this fine hotel. had England held the Mississippi leans on January 8, 1815. As of this service result patriotic well as the St. Lawrence as the ROOMS-4- 0O BATHS boundaries of the new nation, as Jean Lafitte and his followers well as its future destiny, might were legally forgiven by the fedRates: to Singh $2.00 have been far different from eral government and reinstated what they became. Spain later to American citizenship. CAFETERIA DINING ROOM BUFFET ceded Louisiana back to France Presumably they were forgiv and Napoleon Bonaparte sold it en by Governor Claiborne, too. All Located off Main Lobby to the United States. England At least he was troubled no more made one more effort to gain a by the Lafittes who established a DINING DANCING Entmrtainmmnt foothold on the Gulf of Mexico pirate colony near ualveston, EVERT FRIDAY and SATURDAY MIGHT when, toward the end of the War Texas, then ruled by the Spanof 1812, she landed an army near ish. In 1816 Governor Claiborne New Orleans. What happened to was elected United States senait when it attacked Gen. Andrew tor but died in New Orleans on Jackson's army on January 8, November 23, 1817, before he was Mis. J. H. WATERS, Ptm. J. HOLMAN WATERS MS W. IOSS SUTTON, Mgrs. able to take office. 1313, is history. BREAKFAST! ed men-of-w- 6 ar 1 - B BfjMi IjESwy k e. 3, - pCir" heat-resista- nt care-fre- DON BERNARDO DE GALVEZ ment of Louisiana, he went to the colony in America in 1776 and when Don Louis Unzaga. who had succeeded O'Reilly as governor, asked to be recalled, Galvez, through his family's influence, was appointed to that post, although he was then barely 24 years of age. The young governor promptly restored to the French colonials the right to trade with France, thereby winning their gratitude, His predecessor had followed policy of "benevolent neutrality" toward the American colonies who were then in revolt against England. Galvez not only contin ued that policy but went farther, In 1778 the continental Congress sent a Captain Willing to New Or leans to get munitions which the Patriot army so sorely needed and Galvez not only permitted the sale of arms and ammunition to Willing but contributed $70,000 to the American rause. The king of Spain iiaJ ottered to mediate in the dispute between England and her American colonies and when the ofTer was spurned, Spain followed the m ample of France and on May 8, double-crossin- fotel NEW HOUSE -- valor-ousl- 400 $4.00 MOUSE |