French Louisiana French Louisiana The term French Louisiana refers to two distinct regions: Each term has been in use for many years. Colonial French Louisiana was a part of New France. Beginning in 1682 this region, known in French as "la Louisiane française", functioned as an administrative district of New France. It extended from the Gulf of Mexico to Vincennes, now in Indiana. France ceded the region to Spain and Britain in 1763 after the French and Indian War, regained it by treaty in 1800, and sold it to the United States in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase. Greater New Orleans and
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