(The House of Charity was also a beneficiary from sales of confiscated liquor, and from fines on unlicensed liquor traffic).

In fact, the maritime papers alone, in the Society's collection, afford an extensive insight into the Colonial and Intercolonial commerce of New Orleans; and there occur correlated question of fluctuating and dual currency standards, with their knots of litigation.

6356-Systems of Primitive Graft. August 6, 1763.

Jean Baptiste Garic, Chief Clerk of Council, would have Mr. Augustin Chantalou brought to strict account in regard to all deposits and papers now in his hands by way of notary's receipts or consignments. The implication is that Mr. C. has been dilatory in meeting the law's requirements of an accounting public officer. The Clerk's petition is endorsed by La Fréniére's demand for full exhibition of Chantalou's accounts within a month's notice.

63 Y7-Minutes (an intermediate section, pp. 221-242) of Notary's office. April 21, October 19, 1763.

A jumbled copy of the miscellaneous business then forward. Perhaps the most significant entry is on page 222, where Mr. Chantalou acknowledges having ceded the notariate and all its appurtenances to Mr. Broutin for 1,000 francs paid down (May 21, 1763).

63Y-May 17, 1763.

Mr. Garic, Recorder, asks to be qualified for the notary's office as well. He has had fifteen years experience in administrative affairs, and protests against Mr. Chantalau's attempt to sell the official minutes. They are a trust of the office and ought not to be marketed.

63 23a-Memorial of Mr. Broutin. May 17, 1763.

He seeks to recover his note of 1,000 francs from Mr. Chantalou, former acting Recorder and notary, who was to transfer the minutes of said offices to Mr. B. for that sum. But Mr. Garic has been appointed recorder, and the minutes

(at best in irregular shape), devolve to Mr. Garic exclusively.

(Mr. B. paints Mr. C. as quite a slippery fox, but also himself as a very incautious and simple weasel.)

The same Mr. Chantalou was afterwards overruled by the Council in the following suit of claims.

64a-Flamand vs. Chantalou. May 19, 1764.

Gravenbert was to pay Chantalou 60,000 francs after the regulation of the Colonial Finances. Meanwhile C. carried his case to France and got a ruling at La Rochelle whereby G. must pay at once. This, of course, “in contempt" of the Superior Council's ruling, made contingent on the settlement of finances. In fine, the Council "sustains and confirms" yonder sentence of La Rochelle, concurrently with settlement of finances, or just what was ruled before La Rochelle interfered.

Here is an instance of shifted responsibility, frequent in the Provincial litigation, but not always marked by the flourish of rhetoric that everywhere adorns the papers of Madame De La Brosse Azemare (or her eloquent attorney). The said rhetoric is here omitted for want of area.

63X 26-Lumber Suit. April 13, 1763.

Madame De La Brosse Azemare has bought 300 pieces of lumber from Mr. Flottemanville, the wood to be obtained on plantation of Mr. La Seigne at 800 francs, covering also the item of 114 pieces on land of F., who fails to renew a strayed receipt for such transaction. Only about 200 of the 300 pieces were to be had, and these a poor lot, at La Seigne's. Full recovery desired: only 70 pieces were found of the 114 pieces.

Procedure allowed.

63X 34-May 6, 1763.

Mr. Grenon de Flottemanville cannot imagine how Madame Azemare dares to pretend that he sold her any lumber. He calls her statement false, and would have the case non

suited. She may look for the lumber to Mr. La Porte. (No action entered by Council).

6326-June 4, 1763.

Mr. G. de Flottemanville, under Court order to furnish a lot of lumber to Madame Azemare, begs to shift the contract on Mr. La Porte, who had sold the lumber to Mr. F. but failed to deliver it when due.

June 4, 1763.

Madame De La Brosse Azemare humbly beseeches that Mr. F. be bound to "deliver the said 300 pieces of lumber within 24 hours."

June 4, 1763.

Answer of Mr. La Porte to Mr. F., to the intent that the latter was to remove the wood; hence La Porte disclaims all responsibility on his own part. He would have the case arbitrated.

6343-August 1, 1763.

Jean La Porte has been involved in arbitraton proceedings with reference to 300 pieces of lumber sold to Mr. Flottemanville. But La Porte bought the wood of one La Saigne: consequently, let La Saigne be called to explain why he neglected to deliver the wood at river front.

Mr. F., at all events, does not shine for common sense humanity, to put it thus mildly, in the subjoined family suit.

63X 16-(Spartan Stepfather.) February 5, 1763.

Mr. Pierre Voisin, grandfather and guardian of Barbin minors, bespeaks assured provision for their support. Their stepfather, Mr. De Flottemanville, had volunteered to maintain them at 500 francs a year for each; but lately Mr. F., when refused an extra allowance, sent the two boys "quite naked, and with no bed but an old quilt," to Mr. Voisin, with orders to the negro who escorted them, not to bring them back.

The Court allows Mr. Voisin to provide, pending further

measures.

6387-Landwise. Valuation of De Noyan Estate. October

About two leagues above town at that day. Report of appraisers Jacques Philippe Bellair and Francois Siphaine (elsewhere Ziphaine). Sale shall not realize less than the total sum appraised, 204,930 francs at par in France. List of 78 shares with personal specifications. There was a fine avenue of pecan trees. Document gives a graphic synopsis of the status of a Colonial plantation in those times.

66 A56-Surveyor's Report on Boundary Line. June 13, 1766.

Surveyor General Olivier de Vezin submits a review of his labors, covering several days, and once in water and mud waist deep, to restore the true line between Mr. Hear (Herre; Herr in his own signature) and Barré land. Some of the bounds had been effaced, since original planting in September, 1746, by ravages of high water. At one spot they had to force their way through a very thick fringe of cane. Some wood was found cut inadvertently over the line and on Mr. Herre's side. Property about four leagues below town, right bank.

66A-Mine Dispute (Illinois). January 29, 1766.

Examination of Joseph Raiche, alias Catalan, who had fled from unjust imprisonment, as he describes it. He was first arrested for "trespassing" on his own property, claimed by Mr. Blouin, who added some criminal charges denied by the prisoner. (From the "easy" circumstances of his unchallenged escape, one might plausibly infer that Mr. St. Ange and other local officers held him guiltless? He broke jail to begin with, because "overwhelmed" by mosquitoes. Burst the dungeon door with a handy "rock.") 66Aa-Letter from Mr. La Bussiére, Illinois, September 7, 1765.

Posting the Council at New Orleans on the flight of aforesaid Catalan, whom the writer represents as a dan

gerous vagrant: only a squatter on the land in debate, which was Crown property. Some essential original papers in the case have not been secured for transmission.

66A85-Revision of Judgment. July 31, 1766.

Attorney General La Fréniére quashes all rulings by Judge Lefévre of Illinois in the criminal procedure against one Catalan, who shall be released accordingly. Further investigation is allowed within one year; if prosecutor Blouin fails to produce due counts, he shall bear the costs. Judge Lefévre is to observe stricter proprieties in the conduct of his office.

66A6-Verdict in Mine Dispute. April 27, 1767.

Daniel Blouin, Illinois merchant, presents an exhaustive chapter of claims between himself and Catalan over an ore vein styled "Vein of the Rock." The matter has now been legally arbitrated, and Blouin is granted clear title by positive evidence, including Catalan's own signature as witness.

Attorney General orders confirmation of B.'s possession of said vein, whilst Catalan is also to be secured in his true rights in other premises. He shall not disturb the peace of his neighbors. Parties otherwise nonsuited. Costs divided. (Document faded). There is also a large document (66A92) giving picturesque report of the arbitration journey by dugout and horseback. Judge Lefévre had to forego the horseback trip, as "the movements of the horse" caused him serious "incommodity;" rather augmented an incommodity already annoying him.

214f-Indian Slaves, Arkansas River, May 9, 1767.

Former infantry officer Despalliéres, and Claude Des Roussels, from the Arkansas River country, file record of the declared intention of the late hunter, Michel Allemand, to free certain specified Indian slaves of his; wherein he lacked formal opportunity before his death.

(Signed) WILLIAM PRICE.