Willis J. Roussel
Published: 2015-07-17
Total Pages: 36
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Excerpt from Jottings of Louisiana: Illustrated Historical Sketch of the Most Illustrious Landmarks of New Orleans and the Only Remaining Building of Colonial Days The following quotations are taken from the History of Louisiana by Charles Gayarre, the eminent writer and historian, and will no doubt prove to be a very appropriate preface to this work, as it will admit a basis of comparison for "Louisiana as it is to-day." Alter a masterly and graceful preliminary the learned historian said: "I am willing to apply that criterion to Louisiana, considered both physically and historically; I am willing that my native State, which is but a fragrant of what Louisiana formerly was, should stand and fall by that test, and do not fear to approach with her the seat of judgment. I am prepared to show that her history is full of poetry of the highest order, and of the most varied nature. I have studied the subject "con amore," and with such reverential enthusiasm, and I may say with such filial piety, that it has grown upon my heart as well as upon my mind. To support the assertion that the history of Louisiana is eminently poetical, it will be sufficient to give you short graphical descriptions of those interesting events which constitute the annals. Bright gems they are, enriching her brow, diadem-like, and worthy of that star which has sprung from her forehead to enrich the American constellation in the firmament of Liberty." Hernando De Soto. "On the 3lst of May, 1539 the Bay of Santa Spiritu, presented a curious spectacle. Eleven vessels of quaint shape bearing the broad banner of Spain, were moored close to the shore: one thousand men of infantry and three hundred and fifty men of cavalry, fully equipped, were landing in proud array under the command of Hernando De Soto, one of the most illustrious companions of Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, and reported one of the best lancers of Spain." "Among his followers are gentlemen of the best blood of Spain and of Portugal." "Now he is encamped in the territory of the Chickesaws, the most ferocious of the Indian tribes. And lucky was it that De Soto was as prudent as he was brave, and slept equally prepared for the defence an for the attack. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.