KEEPING ABREAST OF THE NEWS, 1804

Calendars as we know them today and use them in our homes were not available to everyone at the beginning of the last century when the Louisiana Territory became part of the United States.

The Gregorian calendar that we use today was the one in use, but they were expensive and not every household had one. The calendar had been in use since Pope Gregory XIII undertook to correct the mistake in the old Julian calendar that had Easter arrive 10-days off schedule according to the vernal equinox.

In spite of the Gregorian calendar being more accurate, it was not immediately accepted throughout the world: Alaska in 1867, after Russia sold the land to the United States, Japan in 1873, Russia in 1918, and Greece in 1923.

Calendars were hand printed and difficult to obtain; regardless, the people were kept informed when important events were taking place and public events seemed to have been well attended. There was less to do during those early 19th century years. Transportation was slow and difficult, but curiosity and interest was the same as it is today. From research, it has been discovered that public events seemed to have started early in the day.

On March 9, 1804, the day the public transfer of the Louisiana Territory was to take place in front of the Government House in Old St. Louis (then on the corner of what is now Walnut and Main), the residents and guests were assembled by 6 a.m. The morning was cool, and the night before it had rained. Buds were appearing on trees, and signs of spring were evident.

Some of the day's proceedings have been mentioned, but the part of the ceremony that was the most impressive, and left an indelible impression on the public's mind, was the flag raising accompanied by the roll of drum beats.

First the Spanish flag was raised to show that Louisiana had belonged to Spain since 1762. The ruling governor generals of all of Louisiana resided in New Orleans as did the other high Spanish officials. New Orleans was the key to transportation on the Mississippi, and the commerce of mid-America. France had ceded it to Spain, to keep it from the English when France and England fought the Seven Years War and France was defeated.

Louisiana had been French and most of the population was French. When the 1762 exchange of ownership occurred, the French were disturbed, but things had progressed with calmness and everyone adjusted very well. France released all of her American holdings eventually to Spain.

Now the people in front of the Government House in St. Louis, where Lieutenant Governor Carlos De Hault DeLassus was standing with Captain Amos Stoddard of the United States Army, saw the Spanish flag of 41 years lowered and the French flag take its place to the accompaniment of the martial beat of soldiers' drums. Tears came to the eyes of the French. It was a beautiful sight to see the colors of their native land flying against the background of an early light blue spring sky.

The flag was lowered all too soon. Napoleon had sold the land, this time to the United States. Now an American flag of red, white and blue bearing 15 stars took the place at the top of the flag pole, and remained. Lieutenant Governor DeLassus and Captain Stoddard made their speeches and explained how things in the future would be. Residents were not to worry; they would be protected and so would the land from foreign intrusion.

The day's events lasted a long time, but finally ended, and the people returned to their homes. At the time there were about 800 homes in and close to Old St. Louis.

Books and articles in the hundreds have been written about this day of March 9, 1804, when young United States was suddenly enlarged after the nation spent $15 million and bought Louisiana from Napoleon Bonaparte.

Across the Atlantic, Napoleon waited impatiently for details about the transfer. Although he was considered by most persons who knew him as a shrewd, calculating individual unaware of people's feelings, he insisted upon writing Article 3 of the Louisiana Purchase treaty-sale in which he stipulated that the people of Louisiana should be admitted into the Union as soon as possible, and all of their rights protected. He never wanted England to have control of the French in the United States.

Lorimier's son William would carry the official documents of the day's events to the commandants at the other Spanish posts, and all of them would remain in office, except the commandant at New Madrid, who was replaced.

Cape Girardeau's growth was now insured. It would become Lorimier's "Land of Promise."