as much as all the sugar lands in the State could accomplish to supply this demand.  Steam power for crushing the cane was introduced—­an economy of labor which enhanced the profits of the production—­and a new and national interest was developed, rendering more and more independent of foreign supply, at least that portion of the Union most difficult of access to foreign commerce—­the great and growing West.

The Americans, or those Americans speaking English alone, immigrating into these sections of Louisiana, so far as the language, manners, and customs of the people were concerned, were going into a foreign land.  The language of the entire population was French, or a patois, as the European French term it—­a provincialism which a Parisian finds it difficult to understand.  The ignorance and squalid poverty of these people put their society entirely out of the question, even if their language had been comprehensible.  They were amiable, kind, law-abiding, virtuous, and honest, beyond any population of similar character to be found in any country.  Out of some fifty thousand people, extending over five or six parishes, such a thing as a suit for slander, or an indictment for malicious mischief, or a case of bastardy was not known or heard of once in ten years.  This will seem strange when we reflect that at this time schools were unknown, and not one out of fifty of the people could read or write, and when it was common for the judge of the District Court to ask, when a grand jury was impanelled, if there was a man upon it who could write, that he might make him foreman.  And not unfrequently was he compelled to call from the court-room one who could, and trump him on the jury for a foreman, as the action was termed.  There was not upon the La Fourche, which comprised three large parishes, but one pleasure carriage, and not half a dozen ladies’ bonnets.  The females wore a colored handkerchief tastily tied about their heads, when visiting or at church; and when not, not anything but blowzed, uncombed hair.

The enterprise of the new-comers did not stimulate to emulation the action of these people.  They were content and unenvious, and when kindly received and respectfully treated, were social and generous in their intercourse with their American neighbors.  They were confiding and trustful; but once deceived, they were not to be won back, but only manifested their resentment by withdrawing from communicating with the deceiver, and ever after distrusting, and refusing him their confidence.  They were universally Catholic; consequently, sectarian disputes were unknown.  They practised eminently the Christian virtues, and were constant in their attendance at mass.  The priest was the universal arbiter in all disputes, and his decision most implicitly acquiesced in.  They had a horror of debt, and lawsuits, and would sacrifice any property they might have, to meet punctually an obligation.  Fond of amusements, their social meetings, though of most primitive character, were frequent and cordial.  They observed strictly the exactions of the Church, especially Lent; but indulged the Carnival to its wildest extent.  Out of Lent they met to dance and enjoy themselves, weekly, first at one, and then at another neighbor’s house; and with the natural taste of their race, they would appear neatly and cleanly dressed in the attire fabricated by their own hands in the loom and with the needle.