St. Landry Democrat

A correspondent of the N. O. Democrat, writing from New Iberia, furnishes that paper with some interesting items in regard to the western parishes of Louisiana, from which we glean the following paragraphs:

'I conversed with a number of planters on the subject of white labor to till their fields. All seemed in favor of the project; would most willingly take them if brought to their plantations by other parties free of charge, but seemed unwilling to sell any of their lands to these people, or contribute any funds to bringing them to the country. They seem bound to their present hands, as it were, with a fear that if white men came amongst them they would soon own the country, which they will eventually do, as not one-half of the land from Franklin to New Iberia is under cultivation, nor can it be bought at less than from $25 to $50 per arpent, one-third cash, without improvements.

'These prices no emigrant can pay; nor will Louisiana ever prosper unless this mode of selling land is changed to that of long time, say ten years; or an emigration society formed in New Orleans, with a capital of $50,000, for the purpose of purchasing unimproved lands in the prairie country, where it is equally as good as on this bayou, and can be had at much less cost. On a capital of this amount the parties can rest assured of a dividend of at least twenty per cent on their investment. A large body of land purchased at a low figure and divided up in lots of 50 or 100 acres each, with a house and fence, would sell immediately to parties, on ten years' time, at fair prices without interest.

'This project is worthy of the consideration of our large land owners and capitalists. They will find it is the only means whereby our rich lands can be put under cultivation, and were one company started in twelve months there would be a dozen in operation. The thousands of emigrants now coming to New York would find their way to New Orleans, each one adding to our production, for Louisiana is an agricultural State. We are not a manufacturing one yet, and there is no knowing when we shall be, even with all the advantages offered. We seem to be asleep to the benefits to be derived therefrom. We prefer sending our money to other parts for what we require rather than making it at home. So long as this continues we will not be prosperous. We should learn to live at home, as it were, and keep all we make amongst us, then we will know prosperity.

'A gentleman related to me yesterday an incident of two parties from a northern parish of the State, who came here to purchase land and settle in this neighborhood. They had money, but the proprietors asked them $50 per acre for unimproved land. It is useless to say they did not invest. One went home, the other to a western parish, where he settled, and I learn is now doing well. This is the great drawback to emigrants coming to our State, this land monopoly, which I think is even greater than that complained of in Ireland.'