Out of the genius of Italy, out of the industry of Spain, and out of the indomitable spirit of French and English men was born this new world, called America.

Out of the spirit of the Declaration, out of the serenity of Washington and the courage of his followers, and out of the wisdom nay, prescience of the Fathers of the Constitution, was created these United States. Out of the dream, audacity and policy of the French, out of the contributions to its law, government and art by the Spanish, and out of the vision, boldness and sound judgment of the, Americans was founded the State of Louisiana. \ Florida and Louisiana! From the beginning the very warp and woof of their tragic, strange and romantic histories are curiously intertwined. The tale is geographical and would naturally be prosaic, if "it were not for that extraordinary race of men who were its early protagonists.