<P> During the late 1700s , when the area was controlled by the Spanish and French , the river served as a route for early colonists , and for land speculators such as the self - styled Baron de Bastrop . The `` Bastrop lands '' later passed into the hands of another speculator , former Vice President Aaron Burr . He saw potential for big profits in the event of a war with Spain following the Louisiana Purchase . Burr and many of his associates were arrested for treason , before their band of armed settlers reached the Ouachita . </P>
who established the first colonial settlement along the ouachita river and what was it called
Spanish and French