Debow's Review Article in 1851

This article appeared in DeBow's Review in 1851.HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL COLLECTIONS OF LOUISIANA

TERREBONNE  The primitive history of all countries is generally involved in obscurity; and this section of the state forms no exception to the general rule. That this parish was formerly the hunting grounds of a tribe of Indians there can be no doubt: the traces of their existence remain to this day unimpaired by the ravages of time. But of the origin, history and characteristics of these tribes we are left in perfect ignorance, except such faint conjectures as may be gathered from the monumental mounds, or other relics, that have survived after their very names have been buried in oblivion. Architecture, too, is frequently the only living witness of the historian's page; and from their ruins in hoary grandeur, we contemplate the change of ages, and draw from their silent tomes the manners and customs of the people who reared them, which, especially among savage nations, must always be vague and uncertain. This remark carries with it more regret and disappointment when applied to the North American tribes-the untutored, unenlightened children of nature, whose strange destiny forms a memorable epoch in the annals of the New World. Of architecture they knew little or nothing, consequently all information from their source is lost. Living in rude huts, of an ephemeral nature, they looked only upon the present-and, unguided by the light of science, seldom let their prophetic thoughts launch upon the unknown ocean of the future. War and pastime seem to have been the chief aims of their existence, or at least of their ambition. But to these there is an exception: I mean the Mexicans or Peruvians. The teocallis of the former are probably the greatest ancient wonders and curiosities on the Western Continent. They were very numerous, many of them, indeed, very humble in construction; others, again, reared in magnificent grandeur, resembling, in miniature, the pyramids of Egypt. The "houses of God," as they were called, were formed of solid masses of earth, walled with baked brick and cement, and of a pyramidal form. In this respect they resembled the mounds and circumvolutions in the other parts of North America; but they resemble them also in another important feature-the burial place of an extinct race, whose relics have been frequently excavated from their sleep of ages. The only material difference appears to be, that, in Mexico and Peru, where stone was abundant, it was used to strengthen and give durability to the mounds; whereas those constructed on the borders of the Mississippi, south, are built entirely of earth, there being little or none of the former material.

In the Parish of Terrebonne there are at least fifteen or twenty of these mounds, situated on the Bayous Grand and Petit Caillous, Terrebonne, and the Black, of various sizes, and from appearances, of various dates. But the most remarkable of these is at Tigerville, about twenty-five miles from Houma, on the Bayou Black. From these mounds, which are undoubtedly the work of man, several skulls and bones of a human body have been picked, whence it is generally inferred, that they are or have been a repository of the dead, as were the celebrated pyramids of Egypt, and the mausoleums and temples of antiquity. But this may be doubted. It is well known, that the Natchez, and other tribes of North America, were fire-worshippers. The Choctaw Indians called these mounds the "' Hills of God," or the "Houses of the Great Spirit." As the pyramids of Egypt and the teocallis of Mexico were dedicated to their gods, the most magnificent to the sun, which in all nations is regarded as the type of the Deity, so on an humbler scale, these mounds were doubtless constructed for worship-each tribe according to its own peculiar superstition. In further proof of this, there are many of these tuniuli, or "Houses of the Sun," terraced, and their tops ornamented with chapels, in which the idols were worshiped. Besides, on exploring these, many relics and utensils, bearing a near resemblance to those used in Mexico or Peru, have been found. Some there are, who attribute the design of these mysterious hills to a security against the annual overflows of the Mississippi; but this is absurd. As on Berwick's Bay, for instance, where stands the most remarkable one in the state, it is pitched upon the highest land, which, even with the greatest overflow ever known, has never been covered with water. We also find them on high and elevated plains, on hills and other places, which would not have been the case, as the motives were not the same. But where is the race that constructed these memorials of their existence? Ages have passed by, and no other record, nay, not even tradition, has come down through the night of time, to tell us of their existence. All is mystery of mysteries. If the semi-civilized tribes of Mexico have failed to trace their descent, or common origin, what may be expected from the ignorance and imbecility which characterize most of the aboriginal nations from the Bay of Honduras to the Gulf of Mexico? The north seems to have been the great hive of mankind, whence emanating, they hsb:e rimved over the fruitful fields of civilization, swept off' the lndsd s l of improvement, and sunk into a profound night of dark ages, till by degrees the sun of science has risen above the horizon, and the world commenced, as it were, a new life and existence. Look at the monumental remains strewed upon the shores of Yucatan, remnants of a mighty people,-but even tradition is lost in the silence of s,es! We know from history that these countries were overrun by warlike tribes from the north, who, sweeping away the vestiges of civilization, blended with the conquered race, and by degrees emerged from barl,trism and ignorance to an almost civilized state. This was the condition of the Mexicans at the time of the conquest; and though the other portions of the continent seem not to have made such strides in civilization, yet in Florida and to the north, many antiquities remain, that attest taste, workmanship and mechanical skill to a high degree. These nations, in the continual wars, may have been swept away, and their conquerors, intent only on the wild game of the forest, characteristic of their nature, neglected to profit from the past, and sunk into irremediable ignorance, superstition and oblivion.

From tradition, however, we know that a tribe called the Houmas once inhabited this section. They were, doubtless, insignificant as a race, as no notice is taken of them in the report of the various tribes, published by order of Jefferson. At present, there are but few remaining, say ten or twenty-the whole number could not have exceeded one hundred. In the year 1822, by an act of the legislature, dated March 22, the Parish of Terrebonne was carved out of the Parish of La fourche Interior, a part of the old county of Lafourche, consisting of the present parishes of Assumption, Lafourche, and Terrebonne. The boundaries of these parishes have been defined by the legislature, and it is unnecessary to repeat them in this place. Terrebonne takes its name from a navigable bayou rising in the vicinity of Thibodaux, and running south and southeast, empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The original name of this bayou was, I believe, Derbene, from one of the first settlers, but afterwards assumed the more appropriate designation of Terrebonne, or good land, which for fertility cannot be surpassed by any in the world. There are other large water-courses or bayous traversing the parish, the principal of which are, the Grand and Petit Caillous, De Large, and Blue, that bounds the parish on the east. All of these rise in the northern part of the parish and run southward into the Gulf. Bayou Black, on the contrary, which is second to none in the parish in importance, rises about two miles below Thibodeaux, and after running southeast about eighteen miles in the vicinity of Houma, suddenly turns to the northwest, and after receiving the waters of the Chickahoula and the Tiger, empties into the Chene, which, uniting with the Shaver and Penchant, seeks the Gulf through the Atchafalaya River. All of these bayous are more or less inhabited, but the principal settlements are on the Caillous, Black, and Terrebonne.

The majority of these settlements consist of small creole farmers, though on the bayous Grand Caillou, Black, and Terrebonne, there are as fine plantations as may be found in the state. On the Bayou Blue there is little arable land, and not in sufficient quantities to form a plantation of moderate size. There have been several attempts by individuals and state enterprise to clean out this bayou, under the hope of redeeming vast bodies of land now covered with water and unfit for use. But all these schemes have proved abortive, from the fact that there is not sufficient fall to the gulf to draw off the waters, nor is the channel sufficiently large to drain the vast floating prairies and lakes between the Lafourche and Terrebonne. Nevertheless, the upper part of Bayou Blue is well timbered, and some part of it planted in cane and corn; but the crops are precarious, from the heavy rains and overflows of Lafourche. Bayou Penchant, which rises near the centre of the parish and runs northwestward into the Chene, is almost unknown, and very little of the country bordering on its banks has ever been explored. A few years ago there was an expedition fitted out to survey the whole extent of this bayou; and though they reported large bodies of high land discovered in the interior of the parish, their accounts were generally so contradictory and unsatisfactory, that no further attention has ever been given to the subject. On reference to the map of the state, a large number of lakes, bays, and inlets, will be discovered in the southern portion of the parish, near the coast, but these are of no great depth or size, with the exception of Cat Island Lake, but their waters abound in oysters and fish. The islands formed by this bay and sea have within the last few years become the resort of many persons, from this and the adjoining parishes. Houses, hotels, gambling shops, &c., have been erected, and these islands bid fair to become the chief watering places and summer resorts on the coast. All that section of the parish lying between the bayous, (with the exception of the arable soil and timber upon the borders,) is one vast floating prairie, or shallow lakes of water, which probably will never be brought into cultivation, and are equally unfit for grazing or rice. During the winter season these waters are alive with duck, and afford to the French their chief article of food and commerce. As we approach the coast to within fifteen or twenty miles of the sea, the whole face of the country appears as one unbounded sea-marsh or prairie, dotted here and there with small ponds of water, and sufficiently elevated for grazing purposes in dry weather, though at other times it is boggy, yet well adapted to rice, which, with a little labor, might be made a profitable article for market. On either side of the aforementioned bayous the lands in their primitive state are covered with heavy timber and canebrakes, which extend back to the prairies, a distance varying, according to the elevation, from five to forty arpents in depth, for the high lands, though the swamps extend much farther, frequently for miles in depth. Here abounds the cypress, that invaluable tree to the planter, together with the ash, elm, gum, sycamore, pecan, mulberry, live oak, and other species, in great abundance; willow, locust, maple, magnolia, elder, sassafras, persimmon, and others, common to all the southern portion of the state, and too well known to need description in these cursory observations.

There are two large Spanish grants of land in this parish: one a grant to J. Zalrado, the other to Jos. Talbo, and two or three Lowxie claims of several thousand acres, which, I believe, have never yet been confirmed, but the titles have, doubtless, become good by prescription. With these exceptions, all the lands held by individuals have been entered or floated upon; and by the union of a number of those entries, most of the plantations have been formed. During the overflow of 1828, the whole parish, with the exception of some elevated ridges, was under water. Last year, shortly after the grand levee gaye way, the southern portion, particularly those lands on the Black, were overflowed, and most of the crops destroyed. The water in the river, however, falling shortly after, no considerable loss was sustained, as the portion referred to is but thinly settled. The earliest settlements that appear to have been made in this parish, were, I believe, about the year 1810.

The first permanent settlers were the parents of the Thibodaux,* a highly respectable family of the parish, and whose history is intimately blended with this portion of the state. Their father, Henry Schuyler Thibodaux, was, I think, a Canadian, of Lower Canada, and emigrated from NewYork to Louisiana in the year 1794. On his arrival in Louisiana he settled on the " Arcadian Coast,'" where he married Miss Brigitte Bellanger, in the year 1800, and in the year succeeding moved to the present Parish of Lafourche, nearly opposite to the present town of Thibodaux, which was named after him. Here he continued to reside up to the close of the year 1810, when he moved to the parish of Terrebonne, about five miles from Thibodaux, where his present descendants still continue to reside. Mr. Thibodaux died about the year 1830. During his life he possessed an unbounded influence in this section of the state, which his descendants have had the good fortune to profit by. I could relate several anecdotes respecting which, whether prompted by envy or malevolence, show the characteristic of the man, and the superior power of mind over the superstitions of a rude, unlettered people. But this is no place for such. His history is connected with that of the state, having held sundry important offices, and he was spoken of for governor a short time before his death. His wife survived him twenty years; her death occurring on the 29th of December, 1850. She was descended, on her father's side, from the family of Jacques Cartier, the French navigator, and was born in the new Parish of West Baton Rouge, on the 4th of July, 1776, consequently at the timie of her demise had reached the age of seventy-four years. The death of this venerable lady was much lamented, for she possessed many noble qualities; among these were business-like qualifications, judgmnent, skill, and prudence, by which, from a comparative state of poverty, she was enabled to leave her descendants in opulent circuminstances, together with all the distinction and influence that wealth alone can command. Beside these, she was charitable, kind to her servants, hospitable, and liberal in donations to objects of internal irimprovmenets. She left five children: two daughters and three sons. One of the daughters was married to Lenfroy Barras, formerly parish judge of the parish for many years; the other to E. Porche, formerly probate judge for a short period. The sons have all occupied places of distinction in the councils of the state and of the nation. H. I. and 11. C. have represented this senatorial district in that capacity; while the youngest, B. G. Thibodaux, after practising law with considerable reputation for several years, was elected by a large majority to the lower house of Congress. Since the expiration of his term., he has abandoned the profession of the law, and settled down quietly in his domestic circle, more congenial to his feelings than the boisterous sea of politics. He has a fine collection of scientific and literary works, the only library of consequence in the parish. This name is sometimes spelled Thibeaudeaux, or Thibodeaux; but I believe the above is correct. 
Within the last few years the parish has been rapidly settling up with an enterprising and active American population. Among the old pioneers, I would respectfully mention Robert R. Barrow, James Cage, the late Dr. Batey, Judge Barras, and V. P. Winder; though there are others deserving great credit for energy and enterprise, whose personal biographies would probably be not onlyinteresting, but useful. But to write a correct biography is a difficult thing, and I am not one of those who delight to blazon forth a man's virtues in bold relief and keep his vices in the background. Out of these, however, I would single Robert R. Barrow, as one of the most extraordinary men, not only of the parish, but of the state. He is a man of commanding talents; and by prudence, foresight and management, has accumulated an immense property, and bids fair to become one of the richest men in the state. He is hospitable, but unpopular with all, from what cause I am unable, or rather unwilling to say. His residence is about a mile and a half below Houma, ornamented with fruit and shade trees, and one of the most beautiful ill tihe parish. Nearlyv all the large planters in the parish are American, though a majo ity of the population is Creole. The latter are at this place in general, though there are many noble exceptions, an indolent, uneducated race-oppressed by poverty, and, like all poor people, have poor ways. As soon as the young man attains the age of puberty, his paternal share is meted out to him, usually consisting of a gun and a few pounds of powder, and he is left to shift for himself. He can, however, always find a living. Free labor here is worth 81 25 per day, anld during the rolling season, he is employed in taking off the crops, by which means he is enabled to furnish his family with provisions. They generally till a few acres of land-raise corn, potatoes and rice, though few of them have slaves. During the winter they kill vast numbers of duck and other game, both for use and market. A rich planter will frequently buy out several of these small farms, and open a large plantation; and as much of the parish still remains unsettled. they open new places, which, in the course of time, must eventually in like mananer be merged into sugar estates. 

The seat of justice of this parish is Houma, a considerable village, situated on the banks of the Bayou Terrebonne, about 18 miles below Thibodaux. It consists of five stores, ten or twelve dwelling-houses, a church (Methodist) a blacksmith shop, a school-house, hotel, grogshop and billiard-loom, together with the paraphernalia of justicesuch as the court-house, Clerk's, Sheriff's and Recorder's offices, (all in one building,) and a jail. Officers here, though elective, are hereditary, and descend from father to son, or in default, to collateral relations; and here appears to be an antagonism between the American and Creole part of the population. There are also in this place sundry lawyers' and doctors' offices. Of the former there are three, whose occupants make by their profession firom two to three hundred dollars a year. There are also three whose united practice averages from five to six thousand dollars a year. The probate judges were S. M. Guyol, L. Barras, H. M. Thibodaux, and E. Porche, when the office was abolished. The district judges were B. Winchester, Debleux, Nicolls, and Randall, the present incumbent, appointed under the new constitution. From 1822 to 1846 there were 583 judgments. 0n the new docket, from 1846 up to the present time, 830. This shows a great increase of business, and in fact there are generally from 40 to 50 judgments rendered up at each sessions. There are many appeals, and owing to the manner in which suits are decided, 40 out of 50 are generally sent back reversed, or for a new trial.

I will now briefly give the natural history of the parish, and first, of Quadrapeds. -Among the domestic anilmals of this parish, the most useful is the mule. They are hardier and ca::3icr iept than the horse, and better adapted to the usages of agriculture. Yearly large droves are imported into the parish from the western states, principally from Kentucky and Missouri, and always command a good sale and large prices. Horses also are annually imported, and though less serviceable than the mule, they are in great demand, from the constant diminution of their numbers, arising from fatigue and want of acelimiation. Those that are reared here are dwarfish, and unfit for the laborious purposes of agriculture, though they are used to advantage by the Creoles in tilling their small farms. Like the mustang of Texas, they appear better adapted to a warm, stt'y climate, and for undergoing the hardy horsemanship to which they are subject. Immediately as these animal are capable of bearing a rider, they are put under whip and spur, at full gallop, and it is this premature hardship, together with the want of attention, the stunts and depreciates the race. In respect to the other domestic animals, I would briefly remark, that but little care is given to any except what are indispenable to family use, or the purposes of agriculture. The only individual who has bestowed attention to the folding and breeding of live stock, is Jamies Cage, who, on a limited scale, has attempted to unite the interest of the farmer to the wants of the planter. However, nearly every plantation in the parish is supplied with cows, oxen, hogs, but only in such numbers as are coaducie to the comfort, or necessary use of the planter - no one pretending to make them either an object of pride, or commerce.

Passing over the domestic tribe, it would not be improper in this place to notice a few of the wild animal tlt yet linger in the brakes aend wildernesses of the parish, though they are all fast disappearing. The most numerous of these are such as are found in every new count.. try of the tropic zone, such as deer, tiger, otter, wild cat, squirrel, raccoon, opossum, rabbit, mole rats, mice. The deer are becoming scarce. They are generally found along the borders and swamp-lands of the Caillous. De Large, and Lecasse. The tiger-cat was formerly very numerous, and on several occasions have attacked individuals with great ferocity. But as the parish became settled, they gradually retreated into the most uninhabitable parts, and are silently disappearing. I have omitted to mention the wolf, because, though this animal is sometimes seen here, it does not inhabit this section, and is probably astray froml some of the adjoining parishes. It would be useless in me to give a detailed account of all these animals, their habits and varieties, which are nearly the same in every part of this state of the same latitude; and besides, it would be a needless waste of time and paper in treating a subject which more properly belongs to the natural historian. I shall therefore pass over in silence the various species of turtle, shell-fish, snakes, alligator, in which the waters abound, and enumerate, 1st, the birds; 2d, the fish; and 3rdly, the insects most common to this section of country.

First, then, in respect to birds: The most numerous are the mocking birdl, black-bird, snipe, blue crane, grosbeak, duck, (several varieties,) rice-bird, wren, white crane, red-birds, hawks, buzzard, crow, owls, (several varieties,) bats, pelicans, curlew, and gulls-the three last principally seen about and inhabiting the seacoast. The following are scarcer, though occasionally met with in some localities in large numibers, viz.: bluejay, pigeon, dove, wood-peckler, lalk, sap-suckers, and king-fishers. There are other valuable birds that are frequently hunted in the vicinity of lakes and on the coast, but they are migratory. Among these I would mention the sandhill and whooping cranes, wild geese, &c. Snow-birds, sparrows and robins appear in large numbers in winter, but disappear at the openiing of spring. The martin, also, is seen here during the spring and sumimer, but migrates in winter. The habits of these birds are the same as in all other countries where they abound, or to where they migrate, and any further particular notice of them in this place is deemed unnecessary. 2d. The Fish: These are taken in any quantity by those who delight in the sport, and abound in the lakes, bayous, and along the coast-the most common of which are as follows: catfish, buffalo, sheepshead, shore pike, trout, perch, (several kinds,) besides vast quantities of sardines and red-fish, inhabiting the bayous and inlets near the sea-shore. Gar fish are very numerous, as also eels, but the irnmer are never eaten, and the latter seldom sought after. The oyster appears to be the most profitable article of commerce which the waters afford; large quantities of these are brought into market, or shipped to Orleans, and for flavor and size are not surpassed by those of the more northern climates. Fishing and hunting, however, here excite but little or no attention and with all the liberality of nature-the bounty of the air and waters-the leisure of youth is passed in more exciting amusements, usually attendant on wealth improperly directed, a luxuriant climate, or neglected education. But to this general remark there are many exceptions; and there is probably as much talent, energy and enterprise in the parish, according to its population, as any in the state. I will here conclude my observations on the natural history of animals of this section by a brief allusion to the insect tribe, which, though numerous, are of no great variety. These are the mosquito, gnat, green and black flies, very troublesome to horses-green, striped, ring, and yellow wasps, bees, locusts, (scarce,) mosquito hawks, ants, grasshoppers, and sand-fly, though this last is only found in the vicinity of the sea-coast. 

From the animal we naturally descend to the vegetable kingdom. I have already noticed some of the most important forest trees, and will here briefly confine myself to the enumeration of the few varieties of plants indigenous to this section of the state. This is no locality for a botanist, though the rains are abundant, and the soil luxuriant. The following very common species are all that I have met with, though there may be others that have escaped my observation: these are the blackberry, dewberry, iron, hog and smart weeds several varieties of vine, such as the rattan, poison, grape, and mus cadine in particular, which grows in great abundance; also the green briar, morning-glory, passion-flower, wild indigo, mullen, (scarce,) and several species of water plant-the most common of which is, the nympha odorata, or alligator-bonnet. The palmetto, which is found in all low, stiff soils in the south, grows here exuberantly, though not in such large quantities as I have seen in the adjoining parishes, and becomes more abundant as we approach the coast. The fruit trees to which this section of the state appears peculiarly adapted, are the orange, the fig, the plum and pecean. With little attention large groves of oranges might be raised, and there has been more attention given to them latterly than formerly. The principal difficulty is in rearing the small tree: and even after they have attained their growth, unless with proper care, they will be destroyed by a black worm concealed in a green envelop, and penetrating the bark. The lemon is still more difficult to raise. Frequent experiments have been tried on the apple, but they have all failed, or produce only a shriveled, dwarf fruit. The peach is more successful; and on elevated ridges, with proper care and attention, grows to a fine healthy appearance, though the trees are generally left to shift for themselves, in consequence of which the fruit is infterior. Mulberries grow wild, and in some places in great abundance. We have also the black and dewberries in immense quantities. Strawberries do not appear to do so well; whether from the improper method of cultivating them, or soil, or climate, I am unable to say. The banana has lately attracted some attention, but requires protection from the cold. Mr. R. R. Barrow has a great number of them planted out, and has succeeded in raising some of the finest fruit I ever saw. But all minor considerations are to be overlooked in the great staple production of the parish-sugar. 

There are one hundred and ten planters, eighty sugar houses, forty-three steam power, and thirty-seven driven by horse. The ordinary yield is from 12 to 13,000 hhds., of from 13 to 14,000 lbs. net, and about 20,000 barrels of molasses. The average cost of sending sugar to the New-Orleans market is, for freight, $3; insurance, 40 cents; for cooperage, tarpaulins, and watching, 30 cents, or about $3 70 per hogshead. On molasses-for freight, $1 25; insurance, cooperage and watching, 20 cents, or $1 45 per barrel. The whole cost of the sugar imay be put at 445,000, and that of the molasses at $30,000, and these, together with the back freights, make an annual charge of $100,000. The principal reason why freights are so high, is owing to the transportation by the Terrebonne Navigation Company, who, since their separation from the Barrataria Canal, have built a boat at the cost of $5,000, to run between Houma and Thibodaux. The water heretofore has been let in from Lafourche, but this, by depositing a large amount of sediment and filling up the Terreboinne, has been abandoned, and it is now contemplated to carry on the navigation by the construction of locks. By reference to a report on the condition of this canal and the manner in vhich it has been constructed, it will be seen that both companies have been badly managed, and thousands of dollars have been recklessly squandered on a work which still remains incomplete, and is fast going to ruin and dilapidation for want of funds to complete it. 

The Barrataria Canal is partially finished as far as Bayou Black, and a considerable quantity of sugar, molasses and freights are shipped by it from the Terrebonne through lakes Long and Field to Bayou Lafourche. The completion of this canal would doubtless be of great benefit to this section; but the project is now nearly forgotten in the all-absorbing topic of the New-Orleans and Opelousas Railway, which must eventually be completed, as the advantages are boundless, and the inducements opened to capitalists cannot but remain obvious to the humblest individual. But a proper discussion of those objects would require a lengthy article of themselves. I will therefore close this article with a short reply to your fifth and sixth queries.

There are no levees in this parish except in the rear of a few plantations to keep off the back water fiom occasional crevasses on the Bayou Lafourche. The drainage is either into the bayous or the swamps, according to circumstances. The roads at present in the parish are remarkably good, though a few years ago they were almost itnpassable. I have frequently traveled from Houma to Thibodaux with two feet water on the roads. Since then, the fences have been thrown back, the roads elevated and ditched, and in most instances well bridged, so that traveling has become as much a pleasure as a duty. Most of the plantations are fenced with what is called picket fences, always on the front facing the bayou, and frequently on the side boundaries, but seldom in the rear, which is protected by the swamps. 

The parish is healthy, (though its lands are low and moist,) and there have been several instances of longevity from eighty to ninety years. The principal disease is intermitting fever, brought on by exposure and intemperance. The books of marriages, births and deaths, as kept by Lefroy Barras, Parish Judge, show 200 mnarriages from 1822 to 1847; births from 1825 to 1845, 60; deaths firom 1822 to 1846, 60. I cannot vouch for their correctness, as all such datas must be very imperfect in every parish of the state, owing to the carelessness in which business was transacted under the old probate system. The number of voters in the parish is 540; public schools 13; value of lands, 82,651,700; value of negroes, $2,001,500. Total value of taxable property, $4,986,092. There is no college in the parish, but an excellent free-school, at Houma, and well patronized. 

In respect to religion, it is rather below par; however, there is a half-finished brick Catholic church at Houma, generally well at tended, (nearly all the Creoles being Catholics;) also a Methodist church, the general rendezvous for all denominations. The circuit preachers have heretofore been very regular in holding church at this place, but latterly they seem to meet with but little encouragement, and are frequently starved out. There is also another small Methodist church at Tigerville, in pretty much the same condition as that at Houma. Notwithstanding this, the march of the parish is onward. Blessed with as rich a soil as any in the world, it needs but energy, enterprise and labor, to make it the wealthiest parish in the state. Yearly men of capital and means are opening large plantations - lands have risen in price-and those who but a few years ago were in ordinary circumstances, have become rich and independent.