If one must in a few words offer a summation of all that has passed before.... Then. This tiny spot, in Louisiana’s vast domain, High on a hill-top, a memory to remain. Redbuds and Dogwood, bring spring’s tender smile, To a land so fertile, it rivals that of the Nile. Yonder, the Red’s mighty currents roll. Gleaming, sparkling, rivaling Hidalgo’s Gold. In a grove, where the stately Pine trees tower, Blending with the Oak, the Ash and wild Flower, Quickly, their lips meet and arms entwine, Secluded they are, by the Rattan-vine, This love doesn’t any boundary know. The Savage speaks, ’tis time to go. They match wits, the Hidalgo and the Fleur de Lys. Fiesta and Fandangero, invited, they all come to see. This Wilderness Road, which both Friend and Enemy Travel This intricate-mess, shall two men unravel From Crescent-City to Natchitoches and on to Mexico, Past Los Adais and Presidios, must Saint and Sinner go. This Land—’tis Mine, ’tis Yours, ’tis Mine. To the Stars and Stripes the Savage states, ’twas Mine. To his God, Ayandt Daddi, in a blanketed-blue sky, He looks and he questions, “Whither goest I?” To his people, his eyes reflect his fears, Caddo generosity paid, with “A Trail of Tears.” ADDENDA LAND GRANTS In 1816 the United States Land Office sent representatives to Natchitoches, although previously representatives had been in Natchitoches in 1806 to register land claims within the Neutral Strip area. Proof was demanded of people settling land in the Neutral Strip, referring to either French or Spanish grants. In 1730 Zavallez, then Governor of Los Adais, granted three square leagues of land to Manuel Sanchez on Los Pedro Creek (Bayou Pierre), the grant was listed as La Nana de Los Rio Pedro. (Note: The wife of St. Denis was a Sanchez, her mother being Maria Esperrillo Sanchez before her marriage to Don Diago Ramone). The Sanchez Grant is also referred to as Los Tres Llanos (Three Plains) was approved again in 1742 by Governor Larros in the name of Governor Winthusin. The son of Manuel Sanchez was eighty two years of age when in 1832 a clear title was issued by the United States Land Office. The Sanchez family had lived on the land 102 years before they obtained a clear title to it. Juan de Mora was granted one league square of land on Bayou Dupont at Los Adais by Zavallez which is the land located in an area known today as “Fish Pond Bottom.” Testimony of Gregoria Mora before the land office officials shows: “This is a receipt of tithes I collected on land west of the Calcasieu River, West of Bayou Kisachey and west of Arroyo Hondo. Also west of Bayou Pedro (Bayou Pierre) dated in Nacogdoches, Feb. 27, 1797, and signed by Jose Maria Guadiana (Rubric) Owner of Land _Location_