The Selection of the Site of the Capitol of Louisiana; E. Baton Rouge Par., Louisiana

File prepared and submitted by Pam J. Rice and Joyce A. Rogers
Date: Sep 2007

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The Selection of the Site of the Capitol of Louisiana

“Baton Rouge Sept 21st 1847
	The Board of Selectmen met this day pursuant to Notice.  Present:  John R. Dufrocq, T.M.A. Matta, A. S. Herron &
	Joseph Minard.
	On motion the following Resolution was passed.
	Be it resolved by the Board of Selectmen of the Tow of Baton Rouge (illegible) John R. Dufrocq, Town Magistrate be and
	he is hereby authorized to transfer & convey in the best form of Donation, to the Commissioners appointed to
	superintend the erection of the State Buildings the following described property to wit:  A certain Lot or parcel of
	ground situated in that part of the Town of Baton Rouge laid out by the late Elias Beauregard and composed of Squares
	No. One & Fourteen, y
	Repentence Street, according to the plan of said Town, bounded on the north by the North Boulevard and South by
	America Street, East by St. Philip Street, & west by Natchez Street, measuring Four Hundred and ten feet on the
	Boulevard, Four Hundred and ten feet on America Street, Three Hundred and Sixty feet on St. Philip Street & Three
	Hundred and Sixty feet on Natchez Street, all French measure.
	A true copy of record John R. Dufrocq, T.M.C.L. Wolfe Sectry.”

“Deer Range Parish of Plaquemine
June 19th 1847

To:
	J. R. Dufrocq, Esq.
		Town Magistrate of Baton Rouge
			Sir
				At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners appointed to select a site and your communication of the
				14th inst. With the accompanying report of the Committee of the Board of Selectmen of your Town, was
				received and duly considered.  The subjoined resolutions were thereupon adopted, by which you will
				perceive that out of the several sites offered by the Town of Baton Rouge,
the “Second proposition”, which is construed to Embrace the property situated in Squares No. one and fourteen with the
public Square and Repentence Street, bounded North by the North Boulevard, East by St. Phillipe, South by America and West
by Natchez Streets, has been accepted by us as the Site for the location of the Public Buildings; and that the Board in
view of this construction have unanimously agreed to Subscribe the Sum of Five thousand dollars on behalf of the State
towards the purchase of this Site.
	As we are anxious to commence Buildings at the Earliest moment, we expect and hope that a perfect and unencumbered
	title to this property will be presented for our acceptance in the shortest delay requisite for its accomplishment,
	and with the view to facilitate the transfer to the State, we have delegated to one (Member?) Mr. D. D. Avery the
	power to accept the same in its behalf.
	In conclusion, allow us to tender to the Municipal and parochial Authorities and to the Citizens of Baton Rouge
	generally, the assurances of the gratification experienced by us, in the offer made through you of the several Sites;
	& in this renewed manifestation of their public spirit in the handsome fulfillment of the requirements of the law
	predicated on their plight faith.  Entertaining the hope that the eligible Site selected for the Public Building will
	not only give satisfaction to the inhabitants of your beautiful town, but also to our fellow citizens through the
	State, we remain
						Respect your obdt. Servt.
							Manan or Maunn C. White
							Dan’l D. Avery
							Walter Brashear”