ORLEANS, New, the capital of the state of Louisiana in North America. It is situated on the left side of the Mississippi river, 105 miles from its mouth. This place was founded by the French in 1720; and since it was ceded to the United States with the rest of Louisiana in 1803, its growth has been rapid beyond example. In 1817 it was estimated to contain 30,000 inhabitants, about one third only of whom speak English. It is the great depot of trade for all the countries watered by the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio, and must in progress of time become one of the first trading cities in the world. The exports in 1817 amounted to 9,024,812 dollars. The low situation of the town exposes it sometimes to inundation, though it is protected by an embankment; and the extensive marshes all round render it unhealthy. The streets
Orleans are straight, wide, and run at right angles with another. The houses are generally of wood, and built low; but some of them are very handsome and splendidly furnished. The inhabitants are a mixture of all nations, but the French and Spaniards are the most numerous classes. The style of living is luxurious and expensive. About six miles below this town a battle was fought between the British and Americans, on the 8th January 1815, in which the former were defeated with great loss.