The untold story of Spanish Louisiana

continues

Mr. E’s

Wednesday

Jan. 7th

Louisiana History

Class

Fact # 1

When O’Reilly took control of Louisiana there were about 14,000 persons in the colony, most lived in New Orleans. The majority of the 14,000 were slaves.

Fact # 2

O’Reilly used Spanish law to rule Louisiana. He replaced the French Council with the Spanish Cabildo. O’Reilly selected the first members of the Cabildo, but as time went on positions were bought.

The building they used is also known as the Cabildo.

Fact # 3

O’Reilly visited interior Louisiana, visiting forts, set store’s food prices (which were too high), made changes in the Slave Codes, and freed Indian slaves.

He ordered a census be taken and began to survey land ownership

Fact # 4

Now Louisiana became a true Spanish colony. O’Reilly brought order to the colony. He set sail back to Spain in 1770.

Before he left he turned the colony over to its new governor, Luis de Unzaga.

Fact # 5

The illegal trade with the British in West Florida continued but Unzaga overlooked the Spanish trade laws and allowed the British to set up shops in New Orleans. The trade and money improved the colonial economy. He also handled most problems with a calm and mild manner.

Fact # 6

Unzaga became even more accepted as he married a wealthy French merchant’s daughter. He was one of the first marriages between the Spanish officials and daughters of French colonists.

Fact # 7

King Carlos III of Spain began to send new colonists to Louisiana. The new settlers came from the Canary Islands off the western coast of Africa. The called themselves “Isleños”.

They came in 1777. They were sent to join the army but low pay forced them into farming. The government gave them land, houses, cattle, and food.

Fact # 8

New Iberia or Neuva Iberia means “New Spain”. In 1779 the new town was settled on Bayou Teche. Colonists were brought from Spain to settle the region were they grew corn and raised cattle.

Fact # 9

The most famous house in New Iberia was built in 1792 by William Weeks…The house is called Shadows on the Teche. The house stands on a Spanish Land Grant.

Fact # 10

The Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia is the oldest operating rice mill in American.

Its product you know them by is Konriko.