History of New Orleans, (Orleans Parish) Louisiana United States of America

NEW ORLEANS, a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Orleans parish, Louisiana, is situated on the left bank of the Mississippi river, about 100 miles from its mouth; 1663 miles S. W. from New York; 1438 S. W. from Washington; 879 S. W. by W. from Charleston; 2025 S. S. W. from Pittsburg; 1628 S. by W. from Chicago; 1200 S. from St. Louis; and about 2000 S. by E. from the Falls of St. Anthony. Lat. 29° 58' N., lon. 90° 7' W. New Orleans is built around a bend in the river, from which circumstance it has been denominated the "Crescent City." The site inclines gently from the margin of the Mississippi towards the marshy ground in the rear, and is from 2 to 5 feet below the level of the river at the usual spring freshets. To prevent inundations, an embankment or levee, about 15 feet wide and 6 feet high, has been raised, extending 120 miles above the city, and to Port Plaquemine, 43 miles below it. This forms a delightful promenade. In consequence of the change in the course of the river opposite New Orleans, large quantities of alluvion, swept from the north and held in suspension by the current, are here deposited. New formations from this cause in front of that portion of the quay most used for the purposes of commerce have been so rapid that it has been necessary within a few years to build piled wharves jutting out from 50 to 100 feet into the Mississippi. The levee here has also been gradually widened, so that an additional block of warehouses has been erected between the city and the river during the past year. The old city proper, originally laid out by the French, is in the form of a parallelogram, 1320 yards long and 700 yards wide. Above this are what were formerly the faubourgs of St. Mary, Anunciation, and La Course; below, Mariguy, Dounois, and Declouet; and in the rear, Treme and St. John's. Lafayette, till recently under a separate government, is immediately above the city. In 1836, New Orleans was divided into three municipalities by act of the assembly, each with distinct municipal powers. Again in April, 1852, these and Lafayette, with the faubourgs and other dependencies, extending from 6 to 7 miles along the river, and about 5 miles back to Lake Pontchartrain, were consolidated under one charter, the city assuming the debts. The streets of New Orleans are of convenient breadth, well paved, and usually intersect each other at right angles. Canal street is the broadest, being over 100 feet in width, with a grassplot in the centre about 25 feet wide, extending throughout its entire length. Most of the buildings are constructed of brick, and are generally low, except in the business portion, where they are usually 5 or 6 stories high. The dwellings in the suburbs, many of them, particularly in Lafayette, are surrounded with spacious yards, beautifully decorated with the orange, lemon, magnolia, and other ornamental trees. A basement about 6 feet high constitutes the only cellar, as none are sunk below the surface on account of the marshy character of the ground. In different sections of the city are several public squares, among which may be mentioned Jackson Square, formerly Place d'Armes, occupying the centre of the river front of the old town plot, now the First District. It is ornamented with shell walks, shrubbery, statuettes, &c. and is much frequented for recreation. Lafayette Square, in the Second District, is finely laid out, and adorned with a profusion of shade-trees. Congo Square, in the rear of the city, is also a handsome enclosure.

Public Buildings: The United States custom house now in process of erection at New Orleans, when completed will be the largest building in the United States, with the exception of the Capitol at Washington, covering an area of 87,333 superficial feet. Its dimensions are--Canal street front, 334 feet; Custom house street, 252 feet; New Levee street, 310 feet; Old Levee street, 297 feet ; height, 82 feet. The general business room is 116 feet by 90, and has 50 windows. The material is from the Quincy quarries of Massachusetts. The United States branch mint in New Orleans is at the corner of Esplanade and New Levee streets, near the river. It is a massive structure, 282 feet long, 108 feet deep, and 3 stories high, with 2 wings, each 81 feet by 29. The Municipal Hall, at the corner of St. Charles and Hevia streets, opposite Lafayette square, is a beautiful marble edifice in the Grecian style of architecture. It is principally occupied with public offices among which are several of the city government. The Odd Fellows' Hall, erected in 1852, on Camp street, opposite Lafayette square, and the Merchants' Exchange on Royal street, near Canal, are both extensive buildings, chiefly devoted to public uses. The latter contains the City Post Office and Merchants' Reading Room.

Many of the churches are large and costly structures. The Church of St. Louis, opposite Jackson square, is a splendid edifice, adorned with a lofty tower on either side of the main entrance. The building was erected in 1850, on the site of the old church, which was pulled down. On the right and left of this edifice are two handsome buildings in the Tuscan and Doric orders, devoted to various purposes of the city government. The Jewish synagogue, formerly the Canal-street Episcopal church, is ornamented in front with a handsome colonade. The Presbyterian church, opposite Lafayette square, the new Episcopal church, on Canal street and St. Patrick's church, on Camp street, are elegant edifices, each adorned with a graceful spire. The latter is a conspicuous object to one approaching the city from the river. The erection of another Methodist church is also about to be commenced, at a proposed cost of $150,000. Of the 38 churches in the city in 1853, 12 are Roman Catholic 7 Episcopal, 6 Presbyterian, 5 Methodist, 3 Lutheran, 2 Baptist, and 3 Jewish synagogues.

The hotels of New Orleans are conducted upon a scale of magnitude scarcely equalled in any city of the Union. The St. Charles Hotel, situated on St. Charles street, was completed in the autumn of 1852, at an entire cost of upwards of $590,000. It occupies the site of the former building, destroyed by fire. The house has been leased for a term of seven years, at the rate of $30,000 per annum, till 1855, and $40,000 for each succeeding year. The annual rent of the basement is estimated at $16,000. The St. Louis Hotel, on St. Louis street, and the Verandah Hotel, on Common street, are also costly establishments. The city contains 4 or 5 theatres, the principal of which are the St. Charles, the Orleans, or French theatre, and the American. The first of them, situated on St. Charles street, is 132 feet long, by 170 deep, and cost, at the time of its erection, about $350,000. At the Orleans theatre the dramatic representations are in French. Among the most remarkable bank edifices may be mentioned the City Bank, on Toulouse street, Canal Bank, on Magazine street, and the Bank of Louisiana. Several of the market-houses are deserving of notice. St. Mary's market, in the Second District, is 480 feet long, and 42 feet wide. The meat market, on the Levee, and Washington market, in the Third District, are also extensive buildings. The cotton presses of New Orleans, about 20 in number, are objects of much interest, each of which usually occupies an entire block. The centre building of the New Orleans cotton press is three stories high, and surmounted by a dome, the summit of which commands a fine view of the city. Not less than 150,000 bales of cotton, on an average, are annually pressed at this establishment.

Institutions: The benevolent institutions of New Orleans are among the most extensive and best conducted in the United States. The Charity Hospital, situate on Common street, between St. Mary and Girond streets, is a magnificent structure, 290 feet long, and 3 stories high. It is adorned with a cupola, and enclosed by beautiful grounds. The admissions to the hospital for the year, as reported by the board of administrators, were 18,476, of which 15,989 were discharged, and 1884 died. Sixteen thousand medical cases were treated; there were also nearly 2500 surgical patients. The United States Naval Hospital is a handsome edifice, devoted to the purposes indicated by its title. It has a delightful situation on the opposite side of the river, a short distance above Algiers. Of the other medical establishments may be mentioned Stone's Hospital, in the rear of the city, on Canal street, and the Franklin Infirmary, fronting on the Pontchartrain railroad, each a fine building, affording excellent accommodations for the sick. The literary and educational institutions, many of which have been recently established, are for the most part in a highly prosperous condition. The University of Louisiana, organized in 1849, has connected with it a law school and a flourishing medical college. The buildings are situated on Common street, between Baronne and St. Philip's streets, and occupy the entire front of the block. The medical college standing in the centre is 100 feet front and 104 feet deep. More than 1200 matriculants for the coming season, September, 1853, are already enrolled on its lists. This department was founded in 1835, and has been fostered by the liberal acts of successive legislatures, among which may be mentioned an appropriation of $25,000 for the purchase of apparatus, paintings, drawings, plates, &c., illustrative of the various branches of medical science. Its museum of anatomy is very extensive. The pathological department is enriched by large collections from England and France, representing diseases of the eye and skin. The students of the college enjoy every facility for practice in the Charity Hospital, which is the largest institution in America for the reception and treatment of patients.

The number of school houses in the city, (as appears from the mayor's message,) is 40, attended by 16,885 pupils. The increase in the number of pupils for the last 12 months has been 2094, equal to 23.9 per cent. Number of teachers, 211. Of the 40 school houses 17 belong to the city, and 23 are rented. The amount appropriated for school purposes the past year was $188,020.

New Orleans is distinguished for the ability displayed in the management of its public journals. About 20 newspapers are published in the city, 9 or 10 of which are dailies. Several are printed in the French language. De Bow's Review, a work of the highest character, devoted chiefly to the interests of commerce, is issued monthly.

The following statement represents the condition of the 9 banks of New Orleans on the 26th of June. 1853: Liabilities: Aggregate circulation, of $7,933,533; deposites, $11,153,818; due to other banks, $1,276,270; other cash liabilities, $51,236: total liabilities, $21,214,859. Cash assets, specie, $7,478,438; loans on deposite, $11,977,386; foreign and domestic exchange, $5,630,633; other cash assets, $1,924,000: total assets, $27,010,373. The assessed value of real and personal property in New Orleans for 1852, amounted to $70,194,930. Of this, $56,108.475 was real estate, $10,494,755 capital, and $3,596,700 slave property. The revenue from the sale of licenses amounted to $105,181.

The deposites at the mint for the year ending December 31st, 1852, as given in Hunt's Magazine, were $7,656,909 of United States gold, and $140,352 of other gold; total, $7,797,261, against $3,585,032 the previous year.

Commerce: New Orleans possesses unrivalled natural advantages for internal trade. The Mississippi river and its tributaries afford not less than 15,000 miles of navigable waters, communicating with a vast extent of country, illimitable in its resources, exhaustless in fertility, and embracing nearly every variety of climate. Every description of craft is employed in transporting the rich products of the upper regions of the "Father of Waters" to this great southern emporium. At one portion of its levee may be seen hundreds of flat-boats grounded on the "batture," and filled, some with fat cattle, horses, mules, hogs, and sheep; others with hay, corn, potatoes, butter, cheese, apples, and cider. The quay here is piled with lumber, pork, flour, and every variety of agricultural produce, as if the Great Valley had emptied its treasures at the door of New Orleans. Farther on is the steamboat landing, a distinctive feature of this metropolis. Here all is action; the very water is covered with life. Vessels of immense size move upon its bosom, acknowledging none of the powers of air. One is rounding-to in the stream, seeking a mooring. She is covered all over, a mountain of cotton--3000 bales, worth $180,000. Twenty more, freighted with the same national commodity, are discharging their cargoes at the wharves, while huge piles, bale upon bale and story above story cover the levee. New Orleans is the greatest cotton market in the world. Immediately above and below the flat-boat and steamboat landings is the foreign and coastwise shipping extending two and three tier deep for nearly four miles. Here may be seen vessels from all parts of the world, each bearing at its masthead the ensign of the respective nation to which it belongs.

The foreign and coastwise arrivals at the port of New Orleans for the year ending August 31st, 1853, were--ships, 782; barques, 447; brigs, 295; schooners, 596; steamships, 244, and steamboats, 3253; total, 5617; being an increase of 488 vessels over the previous year. In addition to the above, there were 1044 arrivals of flat-boats, laden with cattle, lumber, and other produce, 175 of which were from Pennsylvania. The foreign arrivals for the year ending June 30th, 1852, according to the statistics furnished by the Treasury department, were 972, (tons, 423,358,) of which 573, (tons, 253,009,) were by American vessels, The clearances for foreign ports were 1115, (tons, 544,482,) of which 718, (tons, 870,741,) were by American vessels. The shipping of the district, at the above-named date, amounted to an aggregate of 81,500 77/95 tons registered, and 184,512 20/95 tons enrolled and licensed; total, 266,013 2/95 tons. Of the enrolled and licensed tonnage, 178,766 25/95 tons were employed in the coast trade, and 162,636 69/95 tons in steam navigation.

The exports of cotton for the year ending August 31, 1852, were 772,242 bales to Great Britain; 196,254 to France; 75,950 to the N. of Europe; 134,657 to the S. of Europe and China; 128,629 to Boston; 101,938 to New York; 15,594 to Philadelphia, and 15,041 to other places in the United States; total, 1,435,815 bales, against 997,458 the previous year. The other leading exports were flour, 544,711 barrels; bacon, 50,303 hogsheads; lard, 792,543 kegs; corn, 874,774 sacks; tobacco, 93,715 hogsheads, (an increase of 39,214 hogsheads from the previous year,) of which 76,516 hogsheads were for foreign ports; sugar, 50,793 hogsheads and 6534 barrels; molasses, (up the river excepted,) 583 hogsheads and 94,107 barrels; pork, 172,748 barrels; beef, 38,207 barrels; lead, 256,939 pigs, of which 149,781 went to New York; and whiskey, 81,156 barrels. The total value of American produce exported from New Orleans during the year, according to the custom-house records, was $76,344,569, of which amount, $48,076,197 was to foreign countries, and $28,268,327 coastwise. The value of foreign merchandise exported during the same period was $44,780, making a sum total of $76,389,349. The following results have been obtained from an official statement of the exports of the growth, produce, and manufactures of the United States, and foreign merchandise from the district of New Orleans, for the year ending June 30, 1853:--Value of American produce exported to foreign countries in American vessels, $47,628,019; in foreign vessels, $20,140,607 total, $67,768,626. Coastwise, $30,695,466: exports of foreign produce to foreign countries in American vessels, $459,304; in foreign vessels, $64,630; total, $523,934 sum total, $98,988,026, against $76,389,349 for 1852, and $81,216,925 for 1851. These results, as compared with the previous year, show an increase of $19,692,429 in the exports to foreign countries, and $2,427,139 coastwise.

Notwithstanding these remarkable evidences of prosperity, the merchants and businessmen of the South, for several years past, have seriously complained that in commercial importance New Orleans was continually falling behind her sister cities at the North and West, and that her former rank could only be regained by the wisest and most liberal management. Upon this subject one of her citizens, in January, 1852, held the following language:--"What, then, must be done for New Orleans-- She must, by a wise and liberal stroke of policy, regain a part, if not the whole of the trade she has supinely lost, and open new sources of opulence and power, which are abundant all around her. She can do this by changing and modifying her laws bearing unequally and hardly upon capital and enterprise--by cheapening her system of government--by affording greater facilities and presenting less restrictions to commerce--by establishing manufactures, opening steamship lines to Europe, and conducting a foreign import trade; and finally, and what is of first importance, she should precede every effort by munificent appropriations to railroads branching to the West and the North and the East, from a terminus at her centre, or from termini on such interior streams and rivers as are necessarily tributary to her. Now is the accepted time for action. To-morrow will be too late!"

Much that is here recommended has already been accomplished. Her laws have been modified; the public debt, which in March, 1852, amounted to $7,702,329, $2,000,000 of which was past due, had, through the improved credit of the consolidated city. April 1, 1853, been reduced to $3,182,516, while $437,320 still remained in the hands of the commissioners. To the latter sum has since been added $327,043, making a sum-total, September 1, of $764,363. In addition to the several railroads communicating with various points in the state, are two extensive lines now in process of construction, one called the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western railroad, extending through Louisiana into Central Texas, and the other the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern railroad, designed to connect with the railway system of Tennessee and of the North-western States. A charter has also been granted and a company organized for constructing a road to communicate with Mobile through the Pontchartrain railroad. In all these New Orleans has a primary and paramount interest; and although the increased facilities of communication between the Western and the Northern Atlantic cities will doubtless divert a portion of the trade from its natural channel, this will probably be more than compensated by the growing wealth of the states west of the Mississippi, which will be constantly adding to the already inexhaustible resources of the vast Mississippi valley.

Algiers, a flourishing village, or rather suburb of New Orleans, is situated opposite to the city, with which it is connected by a ferry. It has several shipyards and manufacturing establishments. At New Orleans and at these yards were built, during the year ending June 30th, 1852, 1 brig, 11 schooners, and 4 steamers, with an aggregate burthen of 1284 72/95 tons.

Gas was first employed to light the city in 1834; and during the same year water was introduced from the Mississippi. It is raised from the river by steam to an elevated reservoir, whence 5 or 6 millions of gallons are daily distributed to various parts of the city. Any description of New Orleans would be incomplete without some notice of its cemeteries, many of which are unique in plan and method of interment. "Each is inclosed with a brick wall of arched cavities, (or ovens, as they are here called,) made just large enough to admit a single coffin, and raised tier upon tier, to a height of about twelve feet, with a thickness of ten. The whole inclosure is divided into plats, with gravelled paths intersecting each other at right angles, and is densely covered with tombs. built wholly above ground, and from one to three stories high. This method of sepulture is adopted from necessity, and burial under ground is never attempted, excepting in the Potter's Field,' where the stranger without friends and the poor without money find an uncertain rest; the water with which the soil is always saturated, often forcing the coffin and its contents out of its narrow and shallow cell, to rot with no other covering than the arch of heaven."

From its low situation and warm climate, New Orleans is subject to annual visitations of the yellow fever, which have had the effect of greatly retarding the growth and prosperity of the place. Statistical tables show that of those who are born and reared in the city, as large a proportion live to old age as of the inhabitants of other places that are generally deemed healthy. But the yellow fever is particularly fatal to the unacclimated, and especially to those who have been from infancy accustomed to a northern climate. This circumstance operates as a formidable check on the influx of strangers, to which our great commercial cities owe so large a proportion of their population and activity. During the winter and spring, New Orleans may be regarded as a healthful residence for all, whether natives or strangers; and hopes were entertained that with the improvements in the sanitary regulations, there would be a gradual and steady advance in the health of the city during the warm months; but the present year has disappointed those hopes, the epidemic having appeared in a form more malignant than was ever before known. Its introduction, however, it is said, can be traced to an infected vessel from South America, where a fever of an unusually fatal character has prevailed. It is estimated that not less than 9500 persons have fallen victims to this terrible scourge during the present season. For several weeks the number of deaths have averaged near 200 per day. But at the present date, September 26th, 1853, the deaths do not average over 20 daily.

New Orleans was settled by the French in 1717. In 1723 it contained about 100 cabins, and a population not exceeding 200 souls. In 1727, the Jesuits and Ursuline nuns arrived; the former remained until the expulsion of their order from France, Spain, and Naples, in 1763, compelled them to leave Louisiana; their entire property was confiscated; their lands, which were then sold by the court for about $186,000, are now probably worth not less than $20,000,000. In 1769 occurred the first visitation of the yellow fever, which was introduced, it is said, by an English vessel with a cargo of slaves from Africa. The first regular commercial intercourse between New Orleans and the ports of the United States was commenced in 1777, by Oliver Pollock, a citizen of Baltimore. March 21, 1778, the city was visited by a fierce conflagration, which destroyed 900 houses and a vast amount of other property. In 1785, New Orleans had a population of 4700. The city militia, to the number of 700, were organized for drill in 1792. In 1794, the first newspaper, called "La Moniteur," was published. In 1762, New Orleans was conveyed to the Spanish, reconveyed to the French in 1800, and included in the purchase of Louisiana by the United States in 1803. At this time it contained a population of 8000. Its commerce extended to all the West, to the Eastern States, and to Europe. The exports of 1802 were 50,000 barrels of flour; 3000 barrels of beef and pork; 2000 hogsheads of tobacco; 34,000 bales of cotton; 4000 hogsheads of sugar, and 800 casks of molasses. New Orleans is famous in history as the place designated to become the seat of the monarchy intended to have been established by the treason of Aaron Burr. During the month of January, 1804, the citizens were in a state of continual alarm volunteer companies and other troops constantly patrolled the streets, ready to suppress the first attempt at insurrection. This year it was made a port of entry, and the next, (1805,) New Orleans was incorporated as a city. In 1810, seven years after it was received into the United States, its population had increased to 17,242. January 8, 1815, General Pakenham, commanding the English forces, made an attack on the city, approaching it through Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain, and was signally defeated by the Americans under General Jackson. The loss of the English in killed and wounded was nearly 3000; the American loss was only 7 men killed and 6 wounded. It was not till after peace was established by the Treaty of Ghent, that New Orleans began to reap the full advantages of steam navigation on the Mississippi, and to hold that proud pre-eminence she now enjoys in wealth, commerce, and population. Named in honor of the Duke of Orleans, regent of France during the minority of Louis XV. Population in 1820, 27,176; 1830, 46,310; 1840, 102,193; 1850, 126,375; and by a local census in 1853, 145,449, of which 29,174 were slaves and free colored. During the business season the population is estimated at 175,000.

Biographies:

Albert Gallatin Blanchard, soldier, was born in Charlestown, Mass., in 1810. He was graduated from West Point in 1829. After serving on frontier duty and in recruiting service he resigned with the rank of 1st lieutenant in 1840, and entered into business at New Orleans. In the Mexican war he again entered the army as captain of a regiment of Louisiana volunteers, which he commanded at the battle of Monterey and the siege of Vera Cruz. He was admitted to the regular army with the rank of major, May 27, 1847, and served as superintendent of recruiting service at New Orleans, in addition to his duties as commander of his regiment, until the disbanding of the troops in 1848. After the war he taught school for a time in New Orleans, and later became connected with the surveying departments of several cities and railroads. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army with the rank of brigadier-general. Returning to New Orleans after the war he engaged as a civil engineer and surveyor. He died at New Orleans, La., June 21, 1891.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Lovell Harrison Rousseau, soldier, was born in Stanford, Lincoln county, Ky., Aug. 4, 1818. He studied law; removed to Bloomfield, Ind.; was admitted to the bar in 1841, and was a representative in the state legislature, 1844?45. During the Mexican war, he raised a company of which he was commissioned captain, June 22, 1846, and distinguished himself for bravery at Buena Vista. He was mustered out, June 23, 1847; was an Indiana state senator, 1847?49; removed to Louisville, Ky., in 1849, and was a Kentucky state senator, 1860?61. He recruited a brigade; was commissioned colonel of the 5th Kentucky volunteers, Sept. 9, 1861, and crossing into Kentucky joined Sherman's army. A few days later, he was ordered to advance to Nolin and select a position for a large force, and this induced Johnston to move from Columbus to Bowling Green. Rousseau was promoted brigadier-general, Oct. 1, 1861, and at Shiloh commanded the 4th brigade of McCook's division, General Buell's Army of the Ohio. He arrived by transport at daylight the second day (April 7, 1862), and rendered valuable service in supporting McClernand's division at a critical moment, moving down the Corinth road and sweeping everything before him. At Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, he commanded the 3d division, 1st corps, under General McCook, and that same day was promoted major-general, and transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, having command of the 1st division of Thomas's corps. At Stone's river Rousseau was left in reserve in the rear, where at daybreak of December 30, he gallantly repulsed General Wheeler. When in the course of the battle, Sheridan was compelled to fall back, Rousseau brough up his reserves and maintained the old line until, for lack of support on his flank, he was obliged to fall back to where the Union line was re-forming. Here he held his own until night, when Bragg withdrew. He subsequently took part in the manoeuvres that forced Bragg out of Tennessee, and was given command, November, 1863, of the Department of Tennessee. After Sherman had started for Atlanta, Rousseau was stationed at Nashville, to protect his rear, and succeeded in keeping the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad intact, despite the raids of Gen. Joseph Wheeler. On July 10, 1864, he was ordered to leave Decatur, Ala., and with two brigades of cavalry traveled 300 miles in nine days, came within 100 miles of Johnston's rear, destroyed the railroad and supplies, and joined Sherman near Atlanta. He resigned his commission in the army, Nov. 3, 1865, to become a Republican representative from Kentucky in the 30th congress, serving from Dec. 4, 1865, to July 12, 1866, when he resigned his seat because of a censure passed upon him by the house for assaulting Josiah B. Grinnell of Iowa. He returned to his state, was re-elected and served to the end of the term. He was a member of the committee on military affairs, and was an official representative at the funeral of General Scott. He was commissioned brigadier-general, U.S.A., March 28, 1867, and was sent to Alaska to receive that territory from Russia, and to assume control of it. Some indiscreet actions on his part at New Orleans, led General Sheridan to complain of him, but he was not prevented from going to Alaska, whence he was shortly recalled to testify in the impeachment trial of President Johnson. He succeeded Gen. Sheridan in command of the Department of the Gulf, and died at New Orleans, La., Jan. 7, 1869.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Henry Adams Bullard, jurist, was born in Groton, Mass., Sept. 9, 1781. He was graduated at Harvard in 1807, studied for the bar in Boston and Philadelphia, and while in the latter city met General Toledo who was organizing an expedition to revolutionize New Mexico. Bullard's knowledge of the Spanish language secured for him the position of secretary and aide to General Toledo, and as such he accompanied the expedition. After its disastrous failure, he established himself in the profession of law at Nachitoches, La. In 1822 he was appointed judge of the district court of Louisiana, in 1830 was elected a representative to the 22nd Congress, and was re-elected in 1832 to the 23rd Congress. In 1834 he was made judge of the supreme court of Louisiana, an office which he held until 1846, with an interregnum in 1839, when he served as secretary of state for Louisiana. In 1847 he was chosen professor of civil law in the law school of Louisiana. He was elected a representative to the 31st Congress in 1850 to fill an unexpired term, and served one session. He died in New Orleans, La., April 17, 1851.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

James Biddle Eustis, senator, was born in New Orleans. La., Aug. 27, 1834; son of Chief Justice George and Clarissa (Allain) Eustis; grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth (May) Eustis; great-grandson of Dr. Benjamin Eustis of Boston, Mass., and grandnephew of Dr. William Eustis, secretary of war in President Madison's cabinet, 1809-13. He was liberally educated in his native city and was graduated in law at Harvard college in 1854. He practised at the New Orleans bar from 1856 to the outbreak of the civil war in 1861, when he joined the Confederate army as judge-advocate on the staff of General Magruder. In 1862 he was transferred to the staff of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and served under that officer until his surrender in 1865. Returning to New Orleans he resumed the practice of law and was a representative in the state legislature, 1872-74, and a state senator, 1874-77. Prior to 1872 he was elected to the state legislature but was not seated. He took part in the reconstruction of the state, visiting President Johnson at Washington as a member of a committee sent to represent the interests of the white residents of the state, asking for protection from "carpet-baggers" and ignorant blacks then in political power through the operation of military rule. The legislature of the state in January, 1876, elected him a U.S. senator to fill the term to which P.B.S. Pinchback claimed to have been elected in 1873, but had been refused the seat. At this election the Republican party was represented by only three legislators, the remainder claiming that no vacancy existed and therefore refusing to act. The matter was not decided in the U.S. senate until Dec. 10, 1877, when Mr. Eustis was accorded the vacant seat and served to the close of the term, March 3, 1879. He was then elected to the professorship of civil law in the University of Louisiana, serving until 1884 when he was again elected a U.S. senator. At the close of his second term, March 3, 1891, he engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C. He severely and openly criticized President Cleveland's first administration, but supported him in the campaigns of 1888 and 1892; and when Mr. Cleveland was elected in 1892 he appointed Mr. Eustis U.S. ambassador to France. The most noteworthy diplomatic act of his ambassadorship, was the obtaining of a pardon and release in February, 1896, for John L. Waller, ex-U.S. consul, sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment, as an act of comity on the part of the French government toward that of the United States. On returning to America in 1897 he established himself in the practice of law in New York city, making his summer home at Newport, R.I., where he died Sept. 9, 1899.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of New Orleans, (Orleans Parish) Louisiana

Local History Notes:

Biographies: