* * * * * Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by B. M. NORMAN, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. Wm. Van Norden, Printer, 39 William street. * * * * * DEDICATED TO THE CITIZENS OF NEW ORLEANS, WITH True Sentiments of Respect, BY THEIR HUMBLE SERVANT. The Publisher. NEW ORLEANS, October, 1845. * * * * * PREFACE To the stranger visiting New Orleans, and to those abroad who may feel an interest in the metropolis of the great South-West, no apology may be urged for the present work. Curiosity, in the one case, and necessity, in the other, will prove a sufficient plea, and prepare the way for that favorable reception, which it has been the aim of the publisher it should deserve. And, judging from the interest he has taken in compiling it, he flatters himself it will be found a communicative and agreeable companion to both the above classes of readers, and to the public in general. The tables and index have been prepared with great care, and will be found highly convenient to those who wish to consult the work with reference to any particular subject of which it treats. All such subjects are there so arranged and classified, that the reader may see, at a glance, where they are to be found. The engravings were executed by Messrs. Shields & Hammond, after original drawings, made expressly for this work, by Mr. Cowell. The plan of the city was engraved by the same artists, after an original draught by Mr. Mullhausen. To several gentlemen, who have kindly aided the publisher in gathering materials for the work, he would here express his grateful acknowledgements. For the historical facts embodied in the volume, he is indebted to several works on the history of Louisiana, and the discovery and early settlement of our country. NORMAN'S NEW ORLEANS AND ENVIRONS. A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE DISCOVERY AND TERRITORIAL HISTORY OF LOUISIANA [Illustration: TOMOWEN. PINXT. De Soto's discovery of the Mississippi]