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THE PANT.	11
expelled, by a decree of Clement l.'Sth, from the dominions of the Kings of France, Spain and Naples. Their property in New Orleans was confiscated and sold for about one hundred and eighty thousand dollars—property which to-day is worth many millions, embracing as it does, by far the most valuable portion of the First District.
Commerce with Great -Britain began in lit)4, during which year the first British vessel visited the .Mississippi. Coining up the river they would make fast to a tree opposite to the now beautiful and flourishing Fourth District, and there, carry on a profitable traffic with the citizens and inhabitants of the neighborhood.
In the year 1.7(55), the colony of Louisiana was, much against the wishes of the colonists, ceded to Spain, and tin* capital was taken possession of by General Alexander O’Tieilly, one of the most distinguished officers of the Spanish army. The transfer of the colony was attended .with great pomp and show of power, General O’Reilly being accompanied by a large, force, tor the purpose of overawing those who had joined in the insurrection, during the preceding year, against the authority of Spain.	'
The first appearance of that much dreaded disease, Yellow Fever, was iu the
Ilo<lr'iiiupz's House—Jackson's* SupjmuimI
summer of this year. It was imported, as all authorities agree, in a British vessel which arrived from the Coast of Africa with a cargo of slaves. Although the city has since been visited by many terrible epidemics of this scourge, it is not regarded by our native citizens or those who have lived here long enough to become acquainted with the true nature of the disease, with that dread usually entertained for it by strangers. In'fact it has often been observed that its ravages have been principally among those who either could not, ur would not take proper care of themselves. Our experienced nurses generally regard it with less apprehension than many diseases prevalent in other sections of the Union.
In the year 1770 the city was visited by an intensely cold spell, during which, the river was frozen for several yards on both sides, the only instance of the kind that we find recorded
The population of New Orleans steadily increased from this time forward, although very slowly at first. In 1770 the city had 3100 residents, and in 1785, 4080, exclusive of the surrounding settlements.
The commerce of the place was greatly retarded for several years by the restrictions and onerous exactions of the Spanish authorities, but a more liberal policy having been inaugurated in 1778, the drooping fortunes of the place revived.
In 1785, the Americans began that trade from the West to New Orleans, which has ever since been an important element in the industries of the place.