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 First pnbliBhfd in the Amfrican REPORTER of New York, of Nnveniber, lPfi5, Vol. I., Nos. r> and 
 
 following. 
 
 BATON ROUGE: 
 
 REPRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE LA. INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 
 
 1872. 
 
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LOULSLANA, 
 
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 S. WKOTNOVVSKI. 
 
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 Firbt published iu the AmeUICAK llEroUTliK of New York, of Novemlier, 18'w, Vol. I., Nos. r> and 
 
 I'ollowiiiK. 
 
 BATON KOUGE : 
 
 REI'HINTEU AT THE OFFICE OF THE LA. INSTITUTION FOR THE UEAl AND OliMHj 
 
 1872. 
 
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LOUISIANA. 
 
 ri'S 
 
 GEOGKAPIIY AND KESOrilCES. 
 
 The State of Louisiana is liomuletl on the north by the States of 
 Arkansas and Mississippi; east by the rivers Mississip[»i and IVarl, 
 which are the dividing lines between tliis State and the State of Mis- 
 sissipjii; its southern boundary is washed by tlie Gulf of ■Mexico; and on 
 the ^\ est it is separated from the State of Texas, by the River Sabine. 
 
 Its astronomical position is betM'een latitude 28^ 55' and 33^ 
 North; longitude, 11° 38' and 17° West from Washington, or 88° 40' 
 and 94° 25' West from Greenwich. Its geological position is similar 
 to that of several of the most favored regions of Northern Africa, such 
 as Algeria, northern Egypt, &c, and of Persia, Hindoostan and China 
 in Asia. 
 
 It has an area of 46,000 square miles, containing nearly 30,000,000 of 
 acres. The legal division of the State is made into 48 ^^am/^e*, which 
 title corresponds to counties in other States. 
 
 The entire area of Louisiana is Avell provided with rivers, bayous, and 
 creeks, rendering steamboat navigation feasible, and nearly every portion 
 of the State, accessible at all seasons of the year. The land along the 
 borders of the streams is of the finest quality and heavily timbered. 
 
 In order to arrive at the condition and resources of the State in as 
 concise a manner as possible, it may be proper to divide the State into 
 sections. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 We begin with Section 1st, comprising what is known as the "Florida 
 Parishes," which includes East Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, 
 Saint Helena, Livingston, Washington and Saint Tammany. This 
 section, situated south of 31° of latitude, having the Mississippi on 
 the west, the Bayou Manchae and Lakes Mawrepas and Pontchar- 
 train on the South, and Pearl river on the east, was claimed by Spain, 
 and continued under her jurisdiction until September, 1810, when it was 
 taken possession of by the Americans. 
 
 That portion of this section bordering on the Mississippi, above Port 
 Hudson, was called by the early Spanish settlers "Feliciana," or the 
 pleasant, happy hiud, by reason of the salubrity of its climate, the 
 
fertility ot" its soil, the iiKiyuiticcncc of its evciyvecu foivsts, ami its 
 fountains and streams of cool and crystal water. It was thickly settled 
 by the English one hundred years ago, and yet retains much of its origi- 
 nal bjauty and fertilit}', although no efforts have been made to renovate 
 the partially exhausted soil. The same may be said of that part of East 
 Baton Kouge from Port Hudson to Mancliac. As you pass into the 
 interior of this section from twelve to fifteen miles from the river Mis- 
 sissippi, the pine wood country commences, and constitutes the greater 
 part of the remainder of the section. The land here is of au inferior 
 quality, but compensates the laborer well for his careful tillage and a 
 little attention to manuring his land. There is a great quantity of public 
 land in this section never yet located, which n^.ay be had from twelve and 
 a half to tv/enty-iive cents per acre, with exception of land along the 
 streams, called swamp lands, which is sold at one dollar and twenty-five 
 cents per acre. 
 
 This section of country is admirably adaptcid to corn, or "maize," rice, 
 all kinds of garden vegetables, fruit trees of every description, the grape 
 in all its varieties, the mulbel-ry is almost indigenous, and the 
 culture of silk could not but becoine highly valuable. The forests afford 
 good grazing all the year round, and great numbers of cattle, sheep and 
 liogs, are now raised, which, together with the fruit, ai-e brought over in 
 schooners, steamboats and railroads to the New Orleans market. A 
 railroad connects between this section and New Orleans daily. 
 
 To those fond of hunting or fishing, there is yet an abundance of deer 
 in the forests and delicious trout in the crystal streams. There are but 
 few regions in the State more conducive to health, as it was, previous to 
 the rebellion, a general resort for healtb-seekers from the Crescent city. 
 The principal streams of this section are the Amite, navigable to the 
 distance of 100 miles, the Tickftiw, Notalbany, Tangipahoa, Chefuncte, 
 Bogue Falia, Bogue Ohitto and Pearl rivers, all navigable for some 
 distance, and well timbered along their banks. 
 
 Thei*e arc numerous saw mills and brick yards, mostly worked by- 
 steam power, that have carried on an extensive and profitable trade with 
 this city. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 'IPliis section begins in latitude 33° north, the iiorthern boundary line 
 of the State, and comprises all that portion included in what may be 
 termed the '"Dclfn pro])er of the IMississijipi river," embracing the whoh- 
 
i)i' is I'.irislics. \\itli jxirtidiis of three or four ntlicrs, li;i\ iii"- ;iii ;iiva of 
 about l;2,0U0 s(iiiare miles, i-outainiiif;- .some 7, oOO, ()()() aeros. 'VUv. soil 
 is of recent alluvial foiinatioji, and as a geological eonseqneiice, is (f the 
 richest quality, extremely prolific ami jiroduotive. Nearly the entire 
 (l(^lta is sultjeet to iiiuvidation from the overflow of the hanks of the ^lis- 
 Rissip))i river and the contiguous bayous. Jn no jiart of the g-lohe can 
 there be found such a tract of first-rate aral)le land, or nmre [)rofitable 
 to the agriculturist. 
 
 This section has been heretofore protected from inundation by levees 
 or artificial eiubankments raised along- the banks of the rivers and ba\ ous 
 from three to fifteen feet in height; without such embankments the laln.r 
 of the cultivator is in vain, louring the last three or four years tie 
 parishes in the upper poition of this section have suffered from the de- 
 struction of the levees, the consequent devastation of crops, fences. &cv„ 
 by crevasses, which have Hooded the country a few feet in depth. 
 Efforts are being made, and assurances given, by the -State and (reneral 
 (ioveruuient, that a protective system will ere long be adopted, when, 
 with an industrious and enterprising population, this section, with its 
 lu-althy climate, must become one of the chief garden spots of the world. 
 The soil is rich, light and easily worked, without rock or other obstruction^ 
 easily drained, and the man of ordinary tact and energy cannot fail ta 
 reap rich rewards for his laboj-. 
 
 "We stated this section begins in latitude 3.'P north ; it extends to 20"^ 
 south, and following- the windings of the ri\-er, the arable lands alon" 
 the lianks of the Mississippi alone are not less than NoO or 90(1 miles in 
 extent. 'I he four parishes above the month of lied river are peculiarly 
 adapted to the cultivation of cotton and corn. By the last census (lS(i()) 
 these parishes stood thus in regard to population and j)roductions : 
 
 I'liohic rio.xs. 
 '^Qtuci; r. M.Ks Ml siii:i.,< 
 
 I'AUIHHi:?. MII.KS I'lll'IH.ATION. OK COTTON. (>K COKN. 
 
 Carroll ] ,()oO J 8,or>-> [i7,i7-'> 1(1 1 . l!i.'> 
 
 Madison 790 14.1 :{;! .")1,49,'J 50G,!)00 
 
 Tensas 620 l(i.07s &],::i79 ()70,40O 
 
 Concordia 700 l.'3.s().') ,').'), 71 N 'ri'ASlO 
 
 These are only the staple productions, and do not include variors oth 
 er articles too numerous to mention in a brief statistical sketch such, as 
 this is designed to be. 
 
 All the ])arishes below the )nontli of Ked river in this 'ection are well 
 .adajited to the cultivation of sugar cane, corn, rice, cotton, tobacco. 
 

 
 indigo, tfcf. In the more snuthcii portion, tlu^ tropical frnits, orangos, 
 lonions, tigs, &c., are produced in abundance. 
 
 The entire population of the State in 18(30 was, hy the census, 708,002: 
 that of the 18 "Delta" parishes, was 382,017, or more than one-half. 
 The total number of slaves (KSGO) was 331,726 ; of the 18 Delta parishes 
 1 16,074, less than one-half bv ro;)sonofthe parish of Orleans beine; 
 included in this section, where the white po{iulation preponderated. 
 
 The total estimate of taxable property in the State, including slaves, 
 
 (I860), was 416,853.363, that of the Delta section 271,017,667, more 
 
 than half of the whole valuation ot 48 parishes, into which the State i.s 
 divided. 
 
 SEOTIO.n' III. 
 
 This Section embraces the entire southwetfsern portion of the State, 
 and is greatly diveisitied in soil and climate. It is situated between 
 29^^ 30' and 33^ north latitude, and 91° 30' and 94^ west longitude 
 from Greenwich, and comprises an area of about 19,000 square miles, 
 or 12,000,000 of acres. 
 
 Beginning at the extreme northern limit, the parishes may be enu- 
 merated in geographical order, as follows, in 1860: 
 
 Value of 
 
 Parish. Sq. Milks. Popilatiox. I^kopektv.* 
 
 Caddo 1,036 12,140 7,146,880 
 
 De Soto 828 ] 3,298 5,646,8 1 
 
 Sabine 1 .277 5,828 1 ,458,34 1 
 
 Natchitoches 2,257 16,699 7,026,500 
 
 Rapides 2,000 25,360 13,099,013 
 
 Avoyelles 1,200 13,167 5,948,712 
 
 St Landry 3,000 25,515 10,570,326 
 
 (■alcasieu 5.400 5.523 e,625,779 
 
 St Martin 1.117 ] 2,674 (),()76,800 
 
 St Mary 720 16,816 I4,540,:]2(; 
 
 Lafayette 300 9,00.'{ 3,320,905 
 
 Vermillion 1,545 4,324 1,249,812 
 
 20,690 160,447 78,140,204 
 
 It will be seen by the above statistics, that this section contains more 
 
 than one third of the area of the whole State but less than one fourth 
 
 of the population, while the value of property was less than one tiftli of 
 
 the whole. By reference to the table of square miles it will be ]t<M- 
 
 ~ I lii>: iiiclinlrs till' v:iliii' ot sitiv.'s flint win- rlii-n cstiin.it.'d iirrln- n-nsiis. 
 
ot'ivcd thai there arc jinrishes I'diitaiiiini;- a larger ansa than many nf the 
 States of the. Union, of whicli a more particiihir (l<'sorij)tii.n will he <iiven 
 hereafter. 
 
 The six parishes first named, all horder on the Tied rivei, having; a 
 front of rich alluvial soil alike adapted to the oreat staples, sugar and 
 cotton, or the cereals, wheat, corn, rye, oats «Jcc., an<l are accessihle at all 
 seasons of the year, the river being navigable for the largest class of 
 steamers a good portion of the time and for light draft steamers the; re- 
 mainder. The largest towns in the State are situated in this section, 
 and were, previous to th'i war, in a flourishing condition. 
 
 Shreveport on the right or west bank of the ri\ er, is situated on a 
 commanding eminence, and must, from its peculiar location, beconie the 
 most important place in Louisiana west of the Mississipjii river. It is 
 Avell laid oixt with broad streets, and already contains several large, com- 
 modious stores and dwellings. It is the great centre of travel, and 
 emigration into eastern and northern Texas, and will soon be connected 
 by a line of railroad from Vicksburg on one side. New ( Weans on an- 
 other, and Galveston and Houston, Texas, on a third. It is the seat of 
 justice, or shire town, of the Parish of Caddo, and has a population of 
 six or eight thousand inhabitants. 
 
 From personal observation, we believe the pa:ish of Caddo and its 
 neighbor De Soto, which has the pleasant little town of Mansfield for its 
 .seat of justice, are favorably located as to soil and climate for the poor 
 and hardy emigrant, Avho debires to conform to that law of his existence, 
 to gain his bread by the sweat of his brow. In these two parishes tlie land 
 is well watered, for the most part high and rolling, well timbered, with 
 comparatively a limited tract of pine forest, which is generally indicative 
 of inferior soil. Nearly all of Sabine, the greater portion of Calcasieu, 
 Natchitoches and Rapides, are covered with pine woods, and, as a con- 
 sequence, the country is comparatively barren. There art; consider- 
 able tracts of good arable land found in these barrens, and as they are 
 covered -vvith grass a good portion of the year, great numbers of sheep 
 and cattle find nourishing pasture along the numerous streams which ir- 
 rigate the whole country. 
 
 During the last ten years sugar has been cultivated with great suc- 
 cess in the alluvial lands of the lied river, in the parishes of Natchi- 
 toches and Rapides. In Avoyelles it was the principal crop. Crops 
 and seasons are more forward on the Red river than on the Mississippi 
 river in the same latitude. The reason of this is quite evident. The 
 unuual rise in the Mississippi is produced by the melting snows late i\i 
 
tlic spriiij;'. at tlie very timo that th«' caue plant is most cnt'eobled l»y 
 void. 'I'lu' cold water coiitiimally percolates through the levee or em- 
 bankment and chills its growth, while at the same time the temperature 
 utthe atmosphere is greatly lowered by the cold vapors and fogs from the 
 river. This never can take place on lied river, as its sources are too far 
 U> the south, to lie in any way aft'ected from such causes. 
 
 '['here is a svst'Mn of former outlets of the Red river on the right 
 hank, called liavdus, which appear tn have all been comiected. Bayous 
 I{a|iidcs. Kilicit and Pxeiif in the parisii ot K;i[)ides, form as fine a body 
 of laud as is to lie funnd on the face of the globe. It is on these bayous 
 that we tind the largest plantations. The dwellings, sugar and gin houses, 
 on must ofthese large plantations were rlestroyed during the late war. All 
 (if this rich tract of country will probablv be hereafter cultivated again 
 by nev.' immigrants. In the parish of Avoyelles the best lands and larg- 
 est estates were located upon the bax'ous, former outlets of the Red 
 rivei-, the Deglaisu, Bayou Rouge &c. There is a large tract of land 
 in this parish called the Prairie. Its length, including the woodlands, is 
 about lo miles, by about 10 miles in breadth. The inhabitants are lo- 
 cated around the edge of the prairie, and have large stocks of horses, 
 sheep and cattle grazing upon the plain. The soil of this prairie is of 
 good (|uality, but is not of recent alluvial formation. The Red river 
 appears to have cut across an isthmus and joined Black river, leaving 
 an island and its former lit'd, or cbannel, to the south. The remaining 
 portion of this section was formerly called by the names of Opelousas, 
 and ,\ttakapas, after the appellations of certain Indian nations, or tribes 
 found in that part of the country, when the first white French settlers 
 came to Louisiana. Op<dousas signifies the "Black AA'ater," and Attak- 
 apas. "!\Ian Eater,"' 
 
 '{'he most reniark;ible feature in the geogra])hy of this section is the 
 I'r.'iiiies, seven in number, viz: (Jrand Chevreuil, Attakapas, Opelonsas, 
 (Irand Prairie. Prairie Afanum, ( 'alcasieu, and the Sabine Prairie. ( )n 
 ,some (if these prairies the soil is of excellent (piaiity, but as you go 
 westward it ijeconu^s inferior. Nevertheless the whole is covered with 
 rich pasturage, and literally did formerly swarm with "cattle upon a 
 Hiousaiid hills;" for although they are called Prairie, they are beautiful- 
 ly diversified with rising (devations in every direction W(U-thv to be 
 (dignified wi'li the name of hills. 
 
 No c(Mnitry on the glolx; of e(jual, e\t(Mit can exceed in fertility the At- 
 takapas section : especially that portioh through which flows the river, 
 or l>a\(Mi. '('('(die. iVoni the I'uselier do\\ n to its entrance into the At<dia- 
 
tnlaya river. This int-liules the Parishes of St. ]\[artin niul St. ]\[nry. 
 Tlic panorama from the hurricane deck of a steamboat upon a clear day 
 as you pass up or down this charming stream, is most agreeable and en- 
 chanting. 
 
 By the last census, of 1860, the productions of the parish of St. Mary- 
 alone, were, 41,628 hogsheads of sugar, 155,102 barrels of molasses, 60 
 l)ales of cotton, 337,800 barrels of corn, sweet potatoes and numerous 
 other things not mentioned, and all this upon 58,500 acres in cultivation, 
 whilst 402,300 acres were left uncultivated. 
 
 In various parts of this section important mineral productions are 
 found, which must soon become a source of wealth to the country. 
 Nine miles from the town of New Iberia, on an island which rises to 
 the height of nearly two hundred feet out of the sea mai"sh which snr- 
 iT)unds it, salt rock has been found of superior quality and illimitable 
 quantity. The salt from these mines contains no impurities. 
 
 In the parish of St. Landry, a few miles from the town of Washington, 
 Mack and variegated marble of an excellent quality is found, and with 
 facilities for it« removal from the quarries, would become productive. 
 
 The high hills of the pine woods in portions of Sabine, Natchitoches, 
 and Rapides, are abundantly supplied with a good quality of limestone, 
 for building and other purposes. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 IMiis Section comprises the northwestern portion of the State, and 
 includes eleven parishes, with the following area, population &c., at 
 latest authentic dates, 1 860. 
 
 PaRJSH. 8q. MfLRS. POPULATIOX. 
 
 Bienville 1,080 11,000 
 
 Bossier 1,016 11,348 
 
 Caldwell 57(i 4,8.33 
 
 ('atal'fluta 1,030 11 ,651 
 
 Claiborne 1,080 16,848 
 
 Franklin 648 <J,162 
 
 Jackson 027 9,465 
 
 lAIoj-ehouse 845 10,357 
 
 Union 1,027 10„389 
 
 Washita l')1 4.727 
 
 Winn I, (ISO 6, 870 
 
 J O.J II J 03, (;.;/* 
 
.10 
 
 The totfrt vnluo of prf»porty in IS.'jD was: 
 
 Bienville 82,994,979 
 
 Bossier 6,510,553 
 
 Caldwell 1,619,485 
 
 Catahoula 5,276,354 
 
 Claiborne 7,287,760 
 
 Franklin 
 
 Jackson 2,946,827 
 
 Morehonse 5,721,273 
 
 The valuation of taxable property is given in a few of the parishes 
 to illustrate the fact that more than one half of the estimates consisted 
 of the value of slaves, which item no longer exists as property. 
 
 The whole of this Section is situated between those latitudes which 
 have been esteemed by all expei'ienced planters, to be preeminently a- 
 dapted to the culture of cotton, and long experience has proved the 
 justice of the observation, and yet the whole ten parishes, with an area 
 of 10,000 square miles, and a population of more than 100.000 do not 
 produce annually as much as the two small parishes of Tensas and 
 Madison, with an area of 1,400 square miles, and a population of 34,000, 
 situated between the same parallels of latitude. 
 
 The number of bales of cotton raised in this section in 1S59 was 129, 
 266 ; the number raised in the two parishes before named, was, Tensas, 
 81,279, Madison 51,943, total 133,222 bales of superior quality. This 
 is a vast difference, taking area and population into consideration ; but 
 it may be accounted for by the fact, that in those two named parishes, 
 labor was systematic, intelligently and well directed. 
 
 Heretofore, mention has only been made of the great staple cotton ; 
 but to the emigrant, the culture of maize, or Indian corn, desei'ves the 
 first consideration among the products of the soil of Louisiana. It is 
 adapted to every variety of soil in the state, and as experience has 
 taught the people during the last four or five years, is of the greatest 
 importance, in fact of the most absolute necessity. By raising corn, 
 cattle and poultry, which can be easily perfonned with the least skill and 
 labor, no family need be in want of healthy food and good comfortable 
 living in any portion uf the State. The quantity produced from a given 
 surface of land, of course will vary, according to soil and season. There 
 are but few spots that can be cultivated but will produce this necessary 
 staple. In new and rich bottom, or alluvial, lands, often twenty barrels 
 or sixty bushels have Itcon made t<» the acre: but in the greater portion 
 uf the section of whiih we are now treating, the general average would 
 
11 
 
 1)0 t'voni til'tv^on to twenty tivt Inislicls io tlio acit'. 'Die ([ii;iiititv tli;it 
 one liiltoior can prodiu-e, in conmion years, will not vary niiuli i'miu two 
 Imndred busliels. Hnt tlie time neeessary for this, does not exceed lonr 
 months in the year, that is, from March to July, altliough this grain may 
 be planted in all those months, and come to maturity. In former years 
 ths planters of this comitry gave too much labor and attention to the 
 cultivation of sugar j nd cotton, depending in a great measure uj)on the 
 Western States for their supplies of corn and pork. Where\er and 
 whenever a farmer lias a sufficient quantity of this grain on hand, w Inch 
 is so easy of cultivation, he need not depend upon others for his supply 
 of meat, pork and poultry. The amoimt of this article, as rejiorted 
 j»i-evious to tlie late war, in the se\eral parislies of this section, was as 
 follows: 
 
 Bienville 362,oG0 Bushels. 
 
 Bossier 47:2,179 " 
 
 Caldwell 129,408 
 
 (-atahoula 327,695 
 
 (,'laiborne 534,775 " 
 
 Franklin 200,000 
 
 Jackson 321,977 
 
 Morehouse 363,301 
 
 Ouachita 248,525 
 
 Union 425,033 
 
 AVinn 94,300 
 
 3,980,653 
 It has well been remarked that, -'Famine may rage with all its fury 
 around a magazine tilled with cotton, indigo, sugar or tobacco; but can 
 never exist near barns or storehouses replenished with corn, wheat, or 
 rice.'" 
 
 ARK A. 
 
 We have already mentioned the area of the State at 46,'H)0 square 
 miles, or little less than 30,000,000 aci-es; of this amount about one third 
 may be classed as swamp or marsh lands which, with the progress of 
 mechanical skill, may be made available, especially for the culture of 
 rice, an article of secondary inqtortance in tiie agricultural pi-or]uctioii.s 
 of L:uiisiana. 
 
I'ni'i I,AI'|(»\. 
 
 ]»v tlic cons'.is nf 1 M)() tlio total jiopulalioii was 708, 002. 'I'lic ravai^'os 
 of war liavo rediu-cd tlic i>onei-al average; Imt as slavery no longer exists, 
 and as tliere lias lieen great infinx from other states, the total population 
 will be found ahout the sanu\ 
 
 sn{l'.\( E OF 'IHI- ('Or.NItn. 
 
 'I'hat ]>ortion. east of the ^Iississipj)i, is high and undulating, only such 
 ])orti(nis as lie along the liver banks being subjeet to overtlow. 
 
 'IMie Delta jtortioa is elevated from ten to lifteen feet above the level 
 of the sen, and is liable to inundation, unless protected by levees. 
 
 The Southern portion is composed of elevated plains or {)rairies, some 
 of first rate quality of soil, others of inferior rate, but all most excellent 
 for grazing ))urposes. 
 
 In the Noith west, are foimd hills of considerable elevation all cover- 
 ed with good timber for buihl.ing ])urposes. 
 
 The Misslssi])pi uieau.lers from the noi-thern to the southern liudt of 
 the State a distance of nearly NOO miles. It is needless to speak of the 
 fertilitv of soil, the health of the climate, or of the formerly world-re- 
 nowned beauty of the numerous plantations, and Aillas along its shores. 
 As many of these vast plantations were abandoned by their former 
 oecu])aiits dtu'ing the last war, the industrious emigrant will here lind 
 ample employment, and a good recompense for his labor. 
 
 Upon the left bank of the Mississippi river, at a distance of 109 miles 
 from its entrance into the (hdf of Mexico, stands the great commercial 
 emporium of the south west, the city of New Orleans, which is now so 
 crowded Avith population that it is almost impossible to find a house of 
 any kind for rent. 'I'he consequence is, that evtM'V kind of mechanical 
 labor is in great demand, carpenters and bricklayers, getting from 
 iive to eight dollars per day, and all other trades in ])roj)orti(!nate rates. 
 
 The next river of importance in the state is Red river. It haa ;i 
 course of 2000 miles, of which loOO miles are navigable for steamboats 
 during the most part of the year. This fine stream has immense tracts 
 of arable land upon its baviks, whiidi has heretofore remaine<l a sealed 
 butjk to stran^iers. 
 
V.l 
 
 Fidiu its jum-tidii with Old river w liciv it enters \\\v Mississi|)jii, up to 
 tlie ])Mnsh of" Natchitoches, a distiince of three hundred miles, the travel- 
 er will meet with altemiate fields of sugar, cotton, corn, rice and tohaeco; 
 ahove this, durinji; the late war, were to be seen in conjunction with most 
 of the staples above mentioned, fields of good wheat, oats, and other ce- 
 reals. The same i-cmarks will apply to tlie third river of importance, as 
 well as of magnitude in the state, the Washita, which, with its several 
 tiibntaries, opens a splendid country to the enterprising farmer, mechanic 
 or merchant. It would consume too nnicli time to dwell upon all the 
 splendid navigable streams in this fState, whether called rivers or bayous, 
 which, from natural circumstances are but little known to the people of 
 the United States, or Europe. The general fear of sickness from mabi- 
 ria has been one of the great bugbears, which, the ])resence of thousands 
 of unacelimated persons during the last four or five years, enjoying good 
 health, has fully dissipated. 
 
 MLXKHALS, PKrHOI-b;! AI, SALT MINKS AM) S M, T Sl'lMNliS. 
 
 From the alluvial nature of the soil, idiaracterized popidarly allu\ial, 
 secondary and tertiary alluvion, but few minerals are found in the State 
 and those not of any considerable value. Coal has been found on the 
 Washita and Dugdemona rivers, but not in jsutficienl ([uantities to make 
 it an object of traffic. Encrinital marble is found in the northern [lart of 
 the parish of St. Landry. Limestone is found in the pine woods hills of 
 Rapides, Natichitoches, Claiboriu' and other parishes, and samlstone in 
 the Washita country, but not in sufiicient ([uantities or quality foi build- 
 ing purposes. Salt springs are abundant on the Washita and on the 
 Saline river in the parishes of liienville. and Winn, where large supplii-s 
 were obtained during the late war; but the most wondi'rful and interest- 
 ing discovery was that of the salt mine on an island in tlu^ [larish of Si, 
 Mary, where the pure rock salt is found to be of vast extent and inex- 
 haustil)le in (piantity. Similar mines will most j>roliably be found in 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 Not far from the rock salt mintis, various petmleum spiings, pouring- 
 over the surface, have been known to exist for years, but no attention 
 has thus far ever been jtaid to them. The iidjabitants have made us<' 
 of them to grease the hides of cattle and for some other domestic uses. 
 lint northern, or European, enterjuise \\ill (juickly (le\elop their re;d 
 value. Jt is well known that some of the richest oil springs ;iri' fonml 
 iu saliferoufti strata, — carbonaceous strata are not a neces.sarv concomitant-. 
 
14 
 
 EDTjCATION and hELIGlOA. 
 
 The common school system of education has been in successful opera- 
 tioti, — every perso-n between the ages of six and sixteen years to' receive 
 the benefits of this system. 'J'he Catholic is the predominating religion 
 in the State ; but all have the utmost toleration. In no state or country 
 are the people more libeial in respect tn both objects. 
 

 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 014 544 727 6 
 
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