VIEWS 
OP 
LOUISIANA. 
IN TWO BOOKS. 
CHAPTER 1 . 
DISCOVERY, AND FIRST SETTLEMENT OF LOUISIANA, 
ThE early history of nearly all the colonies planted by Eu¬ 
ropean nations, on this continent, presents us with a series of 
hardships and misfortunes, encountered by the first settlers, and 
of injudicious management by those entrusted with their super¬ 
intendence. From these Louisiana in its first settlement was by 
no means exempt, on the contrary they were all experienced 
here, m the severest manner. It was not Until after repeated 
failures, and the lapse of a century, from the first attempt, that 
a colony could take root, and not for half a century more that 
it could flourish. It is intended in this imperfect sketch, to pass 
those events in review, and as far as in the writer’s power, to de- 
velope their causes. 
The Spaniards from their establishments in Cuba, and in 
Mexico, at an early period became acquainted with the continent 
lying opposite the island before mentioned, and had given it the 
name of Florida- Under this name, they comprehended and 
claimed, east of the province of Penuco, indefinitely, north, east, 
and south ; and declared that all the French and English posses¬ 
sions in America, belonged to Florida, and were unjust Usurpa¬ 
tions on the dominions appertaining to the crown of Spain.* They 
* Kerr of Kerrslands Meitioirs, 1727-~History of European Settle* 
ments an. 1775, and Posdethwayte on Commerce, published in 1745.-~» 
Don Andres Gonzales de Boreca. 
