STATE CAPITOL.

The State Capitol is located at Baton Rouge, La., the third city in size in the State, and beautifully situated on the first bluff of the Missiasippi river.

The Capitol Building was erected in 1847, during the term of office of Governor Isaac Johnson. The architect was J. H. Dakin, and builder Newton Richards. The Building Commissioners were Maunsell White, Walter Brashear, and Daniel D. Avery.

It was destroyed by fire while occupied by troops of the United States army, December 28th, 1862. It was rebuilt in 1880-1881, in pursuance of the Constitution of 1879, and Act 86 of 1880, during the term of Governor Louis A. Wiltz. The seat of government was re-established at Baton Rouge, March 1st, 1882.

"THE STATE FLOWER.”

The "Magnolia" was designated as the "State Flower," by Act No. 156 of 1900, adopted July 12th, 1900.

THE FLAG OF LOUISIANA.

There is no legal authority for the "Blue Flag" now in use and commonly known as the "Flag of Louisiana." This was the flag of the State prior to 1861. Since 1877 it has again come into use, but no authority for it can be found of record.

SEAL OF THE STATE.

The Seal of the State of Louisiana, as it has existed up to the 30th of April, 1902, had no absolute authority of record for its exist

ence.

The first Seal was chosen, supposedly, by Governor Claiborne, and was supposed to represent a Pelican with a nest full of young. There was no change in this Seal and no enactment providing for any Seal until 1864. When Governor Allen became Governor of the Confederate portion of the State, and Governor Hahn of the Federal portion, each had his seal; both Seals were a Pelican-one with the head on the left, the other with the head on the right; one with a uest full of young, the other with four young. Up to that time the inscription on the Seal was "Justice, Union and Confidence"; subsequently, without any apparent authority, the inscription upon the Seal was changed to " Union, Justice and Confidence."

In order to establish uniformity in the State Seal and its use amongst the various departments of the government, on the 30th of April, 1902, Governor Heard, acting under the authority of Section 3471 of the Revised Statutes, directed the Secretary of State to use a Seal, the description of which is given below, and this is the first directing order that has come from the chief magistrate and that stands of record legitimizing the Seal for the State:

"A Pelican, with its head turned to the left, in a nest with three young; the Pelican, following the tradition, in act of tearing its breast to feed its young; around the edge of the Seal to be inscribed 'State of Louisiana.' Over the head of the Pelican to be inscribed Union, Justice,' etc.; under the nest of the Pelican to be inscribed • Confidence.'

"The above, as described, and as shown by the accompanying impression thereof, shall, hereafter, be the State Seal to be in use on all commissions and on all official documents."