Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama Biloxi became the second capital of Louisiana, and also celebrated French customs. Due to fear of tides and hurricanes, in 1723, the capital was moved to New Orleans, founded in 1718. That city also later started a Mardi Gras celebration. In 1763, Mobile came under British control. Its restrictions on free blacks and racial segregation caused many Creoles to leave Mobile and move west towards New Orleans. In 1780, Spain took control of the Mobile area in the aftermath of the American Revolution. The Carnival celebration incorporated the Spanish custom of torch-lit parades on Twelfth Night (January 6, also known
French schooner Découverte (1800) French schooner Découverte (1800) The French schooner "Découverte" was a French Navy vessel launched in 1800. The British captured her at Santo Domingo in 1803 and took her into service as HMS "Decouverte". She was decommissioned in January 1806 and sold in 1808. Between March and November 1800, "Découverte" was under the command of "lieutenant de vaisseau" Passart, carrying despatches between Brest and Ferrol. Still under Passart's command, she was at Ferrol between end-January and end-February 1802. "Découverte" was present at Saint Domingue (Haiti) in November 1803 during the revolt of slaves against the French, while the British blockade of