: bristled with trees which the current incessantly dragged into it.1 After having well reconnoitred this long-sought entrance, he made known his discovery to M. Chateaumorand, who returned to St. Domingo; and Iberville, as soon as he was prepared, ascended the river as far as Bayagoulas, where a letter was sent to him by an Indian chief, which proved to be from the Chevalier Tonti, and was directed to M. De la Salle, Governor of Louisiana. The letter commenced thus: From the village of Quinipissas,2 this twentieth of April, 1685. Sir: Having found the posts on which you had set up the king's arms thrown down by the drift wood, I caused another one to be fixed on this side, about seven leagues from the sea, where I have left a letter in a tree by the side of it. All the nations have smoked the calumet with me; they are people who fear us exceedingly, since you had captured this village. I conclude in saying, that it is a great grief to me that we shall return with the ill fortune of not having found you, after we had coasted with two canoes thirty leagues on the Mexican side, and twenty-five on that of Florida." Reassured by this letter that he was on the Great River, Iberville returned to the Bay of Biloxi, situate between the Mississippi and the Mobile-built a fort there, three leagues from Pascagoulas-left M. de Sauvole in command, with Bienville as his lieutenant, and returned to France.3 Thus the possession of the newly-discovered river and adjacent country was taken by France, according to the acknowledged legal custom of nations. Charlevoix quaintly remarks that Spain had made no settlement; for although Ferdinand de Soto had crossed the Mississippi more than once, and was even cast into it after his death, yet he had made no establishment. In virtue of the discovery of Florida, Spain had claimed the whole country, from the Gulf of Mexico to the great lakes and the remote north; under the dis 1 Charlevoix, tom. iii. 377-8, 381. Idem, tom. iii. 381-4. 2 Bayagoulas and Montgoulatches. coveries of Marquette and De la Salle, the religious establishments of the missionaries, Jesuits, and Recollects, and the occupancy of a few military posts, France claimed the entire basin of the Mississippi, by the name of Louisiana, the government of which was declared, by a royal edict, to be subordinate to, and dependent on the government of New France. (NOTE E.) CHAPTER II. VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Settlement by Iberville-Progress of the French in Settlements from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi Valley-Kaskaskia, Peoria-Fathers Gravier and Marest, Montigny and Davion-Religious zeal and commercial enterprise-Views of La Salle with respect to the Illinois country-Communication between Quebec and the Gulf of Mexico-Jealousy, and claim of England-Exploring Expedition on part of England-Explorations by Bienville and Sauvole-Application of French Protestant emigrants-Bienville prevents the English from taking possession of the Mississippi-Belief still entertained of the route by water to the South Sea-Also of the existence of gold and silver mines, &c., in the countryFrench views not agricultural-Le Sueur on the Upper Mississippi.—Fallacious views as to the natural productions of the country-Baron La Hontan, his travels and discover es-Mixture of the true, and the romantic and fabulous- The Illinois country, its extent-The Five Nations, their relations to France and England-Grand Council called by De CallieresThe post and settlement of Detroit founded-Other posts growing up, in the West-Allies of the English in Wisconsin--Attempt on Detroit-Trade of the West-Armed occupation by France of the Mississippi Valley-Forts Chartres, Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher, Kaskaskia-Treaty of Utrecht, its want of effect-Unsettled questions of boundaries-Localities of the Indian tribes-The Indians of the North-West-Colony at the mouth of the Mississippi-Its neglect of agriculture and wild speculations-Le Sueur's copper mine on Blue Earth River-Louisiana made a government independent of New France-Change in the political system of the colony-Unsuccessful attempts of France to colonize-Boundaries of Louisiana-Rio del Norte -Crozat's Patent--Mississippi Scheme-Slavery authorized in Crozat's monopoly-Population of Louisiana-Ill success of Crozat-His losses; surrenders his patent-Delusive hopes of wealth, in FranceWretches state of the French Public Treasury-John Law proposes relief-Paper currency as a substitute for precious metals-Law's Bank establish -Its operations-Declared a royal bank--Becomes a commercial cony-Great powers granted to the Mississippi Company". nce associated with it--Company of the Indies-Monopolies it-The Mint, and Taxes of the nation farmed by it-Law, Bank of granted 52 Comptroller General of France-Emigrants to Louisiana, their characterRoutes from the St. Lawrence to the Lower Mississippi-The great bubbles burst-Consequences extend to the settlements of the Mississippi Valley-Similarity of Credit System of 1719 and 1834-Delusion as to the mineral wealth continues-Mining on the Upper Mississippi-War between France and Spain-Chain of forts established on the MississippiSite of New Orleans selected-Le Sueur's fort on St. Peter's River-He takes possession of the upper country-Fort Chartres built-Population of the Illinois country-Posts of Michillimackinac, Green Bay, Chicago, St. Joseph's, Sault St. Marie, and Detroit-English and French trade with the Indians-Influence of France unbounded over the Indians, except the Iroquois The Five Nations-Ottagamies adhere to the English-Attempt to the F to destroy Detroit-Siege of Detroit-Defeat and great loss of the Ottagamies-Their hostilities and depredations-French expedition against them under Louvigny-Stronghold at Butte des Morts-The Foxes capitulate-Hostages delivered-Treaty not complied with by the FoxesThey renew their depredations--Expedition under De Lignerie unsuccessful-Progress of settlements in the West-Villages in the Illinois country-The Natchez nation, their destruction-The "Company of the Indies" surrenders its charter-War against the Chickasaws-Artaguette and Vincennes-Their death-Situation of the Illinois country-Ambitious views of France as to the Great West-Resisted by the English coloniesGeorge Washington-His mission to the French commander-First signal of the war of the Revolution-Death of Jumonville-Washington capitulates-France in possession of the whole Valley of the Mississippi-English and French encroachments, although with the same intent, not so regarded by the Indians-Peace in Europe, but war in America-Boundaries between English and French possessions the cause-War of 1756-Braddock's defeat; Wolfe's victory; surrender of all Canada-Disaffection of the Indians-Rogers takes possession of Detroit, and other western postsPontiac-He orders Rogers to stop in his march-Protects him on condition-French power in the West forever overthrown--Feelings against the English-Henry, the English trader-His interview with an Indian chiefAttachment of the Indians to the French; its causes-State of settlements in Wisconsin-Carver's account-Prairie du Chien-No establishments west of Greenbay-Traders alone in the country-Sacs and Foxes, their depredations and chastisement-Expeditions against them-Lake Superior, settlements there-Ancient mines-Indications of ancient work. THE establishment of Iberville was the foundation of the Commonwealth of Mississippi. Although immediate prosperity was highly improbable to the infant settlement, having the Spaniards on its flank, he Indian tribes around, with an untillable sand for soil, and a burning sun that caused the emigrants to sigh for the cool breezes of Hudson's Bay,' yet gleams of light shone upon them. The whites from Carolina, allies of the Chickasaws, invaded the neighbouring tribes of Indians, making it easy for the French to establish alliances. Nearly a century had elapsed since Samuel Champlain, a bold and adventurous mariner, following in the footsteps of Jacques Cartier and La Roche de Robertval, had ascended the St. Lawrence, as far as the Isle of Orleans, and established his little colony, having founded Quebec in 1680, and Montreal in 1613. In 1615, Champlain had explored Lake Huron by way of the Ottawa River, and although France had been too much involved in war to make explorations in distant regions, yet we have seen that the zealous labours of the Jesuit fathers and other missionaries had opened to the world new fields of commerce, and were rapidly spreading civilization and religion in the valley of the Mississippi. Before the year 1700, Kaskaskia had been founded; missionary stations had been formed and had grown into parishes; the labours of Fathers Gravier and Marest, in Illinois, had established many flocks of converted Indians, particularly one near Lake Peoria. The Fathers Montigny and Davion had visited the Yazoo and Tansas; and missionaries had penetrated west of the Mississippi, and as far south as Red River; St. Comè had also established a mission among the Natchez Indians, and in fine the spirit of religious zeal, and of commercial enterprise, was effectually aroused in relation to the Mississippi Valley, at the close of the seventeenth century. Previous to the discovery of the Mississippi, the Illinois were scarcely known in Canada; Marquette and Joilet, in descending that river, had passed by some of their villages, and had been well received there; the former had projected until his death to establish himself among them. La Salle, in preparing to complete the discovery made by that missionary, thought of making settlements among the Miamis and Illinois, 'Bancroft, vol. iii. 201. |