13 8 
VIEWS OF LOUISIANA. 
striking’ difference when compared with the unconquerable per¬ 
tinacity of the Pennsylvania Germans, who adhere so rigidly to 
the customs, manners, and language of their fathers. A few 
years have effected more change with the inhabitants of this 
territory than has been brought about amongst the Germans in 
fifty years. 
The government , of the province, though a mixture of the 
civil and military, was simple. Each district had its commandant, 
or syndic. These were the judges in civil matters under a cer¬ 
tain amount, and had also command of the militia. They receiv¬ 
ed their appointment from the intendant at New Orleans, to 
whom there was an appeal, from their decisions, and where were 
also referred such matters as exceeded their jurisdiction. Arbi¬ 
trators under the direction of the commandant, in some degree 
obviated his want of authority. The mode of proceeding is sin¬ 
gular enough; the party complaining obtained a notification from 
the commandant to his adversary of the complaint, accompani¬ 
ed by a command from the commandant, to render the com¬ 
plainant justice. If this had no effect he was notified to appear 
before the commandant on a particular day, and answer the com** 
plaint; and if this last notice was neglected, a sefgeant, with a 
file of men, was sent to bring him. 
The lieut. governor, who resided at St. Louis, was the com¬ 
mander of the militia, and had a general superihtendance of the 
public works and property, but I do not know the exact extent 
of his powers. The laws of Spain were in force here : but it 
does not appear that any others had been in practice, besides 
those, which related to lands and the municipal arrangements. 
Laws regulating civil contracts, are so intimately interwoven 
with the manners of a people, that it is no easy task to separate 
them : here la continue de Paris 9 the common law of France, 
was the system by which their contracts were governed. The 
judges, in administering justice according to the American ju¬ 
risprudence, are often perplexed by the article of Session, which 
provides, that respect should be paid to the usages and customs 
of. the country. A few troops were kept up in each district, 
throughout the province, but too inconsiderable to afford much 
protection to the inhabitants. This country being so remote 
