Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/149

 HISTORY OP SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 89 to take entire charge of the government of the post. This practically destro.yed ilor- gan's influence, and with its loss went all his hope of making a settlement at New Madrid. The post was continued under the govern- ment of Spanish officials. The officer whom ]Iiro sent with the com- pany of thirty soldiers to take charge of the post was Lieutenant Pierre Forcher who laid off a town between Bayou St. John and the Decyperi. The fort which he built on the bank of the river he named Fort Celeste, in honor of the wife of Governor Miro. Com- mandant Forcher was a man of energj' and administrative ability and under his rule or- der and prosperity reigned in the community. He was succeeded after about eighteen months by Thomas Portell. Portell was a man well suited to the place, governed with justice, and was able to satisfy most of the people. A letter is here inserted which was written in 1796 by Pierre Antoine La Forge to Charles DeHault De La.ssus. De Lassus had been appointed military and civil command- ment of the post and district of New Madrid. Li. Forge was a resident of the post and thor- ougiiy acquainted with the entire situation. .His i-tter cannot fail to be of interest as it PQ^'ers i^g conditions at New Madrid at that timt'- New r.iAD^ip, Dec. 31, 1796.— To Mr. Chas. Dehault DeLassus, Lieutenant-Colonel ad- mitted into the Stationary Regiment of Lou- isiana and Military and Civil Commandant of the Posts and Districts of New IMadrid — Sir, the Commandant: — Before handing you the first census of New Madrid under your commandment, I have ventured upon a sketch of the origin of the settlement of this post, and the courses which have retarded its growth and chiefly its cultivation. If former defects have kept it until this time in a spe: cies of stupefaction, your sagacious views and the zeal you exhibit to second the good will of Mr., the Governor General of this Province, towards this settlement, can in a little while efface the trouble it experienced in its birth. I was present, Mr. Commandant, when you pronounced with effusion these words, which I wish that all of the inhabitants might have heard ; words which depicted so frankly your kind intention, and the interest which Mr., the Governor, takes in us. "The Governor," said you, "is surprised at the langour exhibited by this settlement and its little advance; he desires its pros- perity. I will reflect upon its failure, ' ' added you, "and will endeavor to remedy it; I ask your a.ssistance. If the inhabitants need en- couragement, if they stand in need of help, let them inform me of their wants, and I will convey them to the Governor General. ' ' This offer was appreciated by those near you; lit- tle accustomed to hear the like, they won- dered at you, and appeared to rest content. Nevertheless different statements were .spread among those who heard you. Why so long a silence since your generous offer? Is it distrust on their part? Is it mistrust of their own misunderstanding? Is it profound reflection to better further your views? or may it be self interest that induces some to remain silent? I am ignorant of their mo- tives, and limit myself to the hope that they will eventually break their silence and make known to you their solitary reflections. If my knowledge equalled my desires, I would hasten with all my power, sir, the commandant, to tender you the homage of my services, but they fall too far short to allow me to hope that they could be of any utility to you. I will confine myself solely to com- municate to you such knowledge as I have