NP, AR 10/24/1861

From the The Attakapas Register (Franklin, La.)
 
October 24, 1861
 
Miscellaneous
New Orleans, Opelousas & G. W. Railroad Company
Land Department
New Orleans, June 1st, 1861
   The New Orleans, Opelousas & Great Western Rail Road Company, by and in virtue of an Act of the United States Congress of the 3rd June, 1856, and an act of our State Legislature of the 16th of March, 1857, have become the owners of 705,000 acres of land free from all incumbrances of mortgages.
   These lands are included within a strip of 30 miles in width, or 15 miles on each side of the railway line, extending from Algiers, opposite New Orleans, to the Sabine River, or the Eastern boundary of Texas, a distance of 258 miles. In the contemplated continuation of this road into Texas, it will traverse the most fertile grain region of that State.
   The lands lying opposite the first 125 miles of the company's road, are in the rich and heavily timbered alluvial valley of the Mississippi River, on Bayou Lafourche, Grand Lake, and elsewhere. Between the 125th and 190th miles, we have a very large amount of fertile and valuable lands in the Attakapas prairies, a region nowhere excelled for beauty, healthfulness, and fertility of soil.
   Between the 190th mile and the Sabine River, the road traverses the moderately hilly and heavily timbered pine woodlands, varied occasionally by the rich vallies of the streams. Good water, game, clear water brooks abounding in fish, are common to this entire locality. The pine woods, in quantity and quality, are unsurpassed, and it is believed that the lands will raise cotton profitably.
   Maps and plats can be seen and examined, all information as to the character and price of land obtained, applications made, and terms of sale finally agreed upon, at the Office of the company's Land Agent, at Brashear City, Parish of St. Mary, Louisiana.
   Acts of sale to be passed in New Orleans, at the expense of the purchaser.
   In the absence of the purchaser, a written power of attorney, authorizing the agent to sign the act, and the notes given in payment, and to grant a mortgage to secure the notes, will be required.
   The terms of sale are: One-third cash, remainder in notes at one and two years, payable at a bank in New Orleans, with eight per cent per annum interest after maturity with mortgage until final payment, and in default, the purchase to pay five per cent for attorney's fees.
   The company's lands are now being examined. As fast as reports are made, the price per acre will be fixed on each tract applied for, and the applicant duly notified of the same, and he will be required to accept the land, at the price designated, within a reasonable time, or in default, the land will be offered for sale to others. The Company reserves to itself the right of changing the prices and terms from time to time.
   The company desire to encourage actual settlers, and will grant priority of application to persons who are now in actual occupation and cultivation of land; but only a reasonable time will be granted them to apply for and purchase, after which it will be sold to any other applicant.
   N. B. -- Public notice is hereby given, that the lands in the parishes of St. Mary, St. Martin, Vermillion, Lafayette and St. Landry, now offered for sale, are included in and are opposite to the following three divisions, or sections of "twenty continuous miles: each, on the line of the railroad, viz: "twenty continuous miles," extending from Brashear, or the 80th mile, to a point near the town of Franklin, or the 100th mile; "twenty continuous miles," extending from a point just below the town of New Iberia, or about the 124th mile, to a point just about the town of Vermillionville, or about the 144th mile; and "twenty continuous miles," extending from the end of the last described section, to a point near the town of Opelousas, or about the 164th mile.
   These sections include the Railroad Lands in the lower half of ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 east, of township 6 south; and all in ranges 1, 2, 3, 4 5 and 6 east, of township 7 south; and  all in ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 east, of township 8 south; and all in ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east, of township 9 south; and all in ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 east, of township 10 south; and all in ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and part of 8 east of township 11 south; and all in ranges 3, 4, 5, and 6 east, of township 12 south; and all in ranges 4 and 5 east, of township 13 south; and all in ranges 10 east, of township 14 south; and all in ranges 10, 11 and 12 east, of township 15 south; and all in ranges 12 east, of township 16 south; and all in ranges 9 and 10 east, of township 17 south, and all being in the South-Western Land District.
   Maps of these sections, showing the lands for sale, can be seen on application to the Land Agent at Brashear, or at the Office of the Company in New Orleans.
   Applications an be made by letter, or through any reliable person. The tracts applied for, and the name and post-Office address of the applicant, must be clearly described and legibly written.
   There is no limit to the number of applicants for the same tract; each party applying will be duly notified by letter, when the company are ready to conclude the sale of any tract applied for.
William G. Hewes, President
G. W. R. Bayley, Land Agent
{first published August 8}

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