Chapter III: Preface: Of the First Edition

The discovery of the "Great West," or the valleys of the Mississippi and the Lakes, is a portion of our history hitherto very obscure. Those magnificent regions were revealed to the world through a series of daring enterprises, of which the motives and even the incidents have been but partially and superficially known. The chief actor in them wrote much, but printed nothing; and the published writings of his associates stand wofully in need of interpretation from the unpublished documents which exist, but which have not heretofore been used as material for history.

This volume attempts to supply the defect. Of the large amount of wholly new material employed in it, by far the greater part is drawn from the various public archives of France, and the rest from private sources. The discovery of many of these documents is due to the indefatigable research of M. Pierre Margry, assistant director of the Archives of the Marine and Colonies at Paris, whose labors as an investigator of the maritime and colonial history of France can be appreciated only by those who have seen their results. In the department of American colonial history, these results have been invaluable; for, besides several private collections made by him, he rendered important service in the collection of the French portion of the Brodhead documents, selected and arranged the two great series of colonial papers ordered by the Canadian government, and prepared with vast labor analytical indexes of these and of supplementary documents in the French archives, as well as a copious index of the mass of papers relating to Louisiana. It is to be hoped that the valuable publications on the maritime history of France which have appeared from his pen are an earnest of more extended contributions in future.

The late President Sparks, some time after the publication of his Life of La Salle, caused a collection to be made of documents relating to that explorer, with the intention of incorporating them in a future edition. This intention was never carried into effect, and the documents were never used. With the liberality which always distinguished him, he placed them at my disposal, and this privilege has been kindly continued by Mrs. Sparks.

Abbé Faillon, the learned author of "La Colonie Française en Canada," has sent me copies of various documents found by him, including family papers of La Salle. Among others who in various ways have aided my inquiries are Dr. John Paul, of Ottawa, Ill.; Count Adolphe de Circourt, and M. Jules Marcou, of Paris; M. A. Gérin Lajoie, Assistant Librarian of the Canadian Parliament; M. J. M. Le Moine, of Quebec; General Dix, Minister of the United States at the Court of France; O. H. Marshall, of Buffalo; J. G. Shea, of New York; Buckingham Smith, of St. Augustine; and Colonel Thomas Aspinwall, of Boston.

The smaller map contained in the book is a portion of the manuscript map of Franquelin, of which an account will be found in the Appendix.

The next volume of the series will be devoted to the efforts of Monarchy and Feudalism under Louis XIV. to establish a permanent power on this continent, and to the stormy career of Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac.

Boston, 16 September, 1869.

CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTION 3

CHAPTER I.

1643-1669.

CAVELIER DE LA SALLE.

The Youth of La Salle: his Connection with the Jesuits; he goes to
Canada; his Character; his Schemes; his Seigniory at La Chine; his
Expedition in Search of a Western Passage to India. 7

CHAPTER II.

1669-1671.

LA SALLE AND THE SULPITIANS.

The French in Western New York.--Louis Joliet.--The Sulpitians on Lake
Erie; at Detroit; at Saut Ste. Marie.--The Mystery of La Salle: he
discovers the Ohio; he descends the Illinois; did he reach the 19
Mississippi?

CHAPTER III.

1670-1672.

THE JESUITS ON THE LAKES.

The Old Missions and the New.--A Change of Spirit.--Lake Superior and
the Copper-mines.--Ste. Marie.--La Pointe.--Michilimackinac.--Jesuits
on Lake Michigan.--Allouez and Dablon.--The Jesuit Fur-trade. 36

CHAPTER IV.

1667-1672.

FRANCE TAKES POSSESSION OF THE WEST.

Talon.--Saint-Lusson.--Perrot.--The Ceremony at Saut Ste. Marie.--The
Speech of Allouez.--Count Frontenac. 48

CHAPTER V.

1672-1675.

THE DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

Joliet sent to find the Mississippi.--Jacques
Marquette.--Departure.--Green Bay.--The Wisconsin.--The
Mississippi.--Indians.--Manitous.--The Arkansas.--The
Illinois.--Joliet's Misfortune.--Marquette at Chicago: his Illness;
his Death. 57

CHAPTER VI.

1673-1678.

LA SALLE AND FRONTENAC.

Objects of La Salle.--Frontenac favors him.--Projects of
Frontenac.--Cataraqui.--Frontenac on Lake Ontario.--Fort
Frontenac.--La Salle and Fénelon.--Success of La Salle:
his Enemies. 83

CHAPTER VII.

1678.

PARTY STRIFE.

La Salle and his Reporter.--Jesuit Ascendency.--The Missions and the
Fur-trade.--Female Inquisitors.--Plots against La Salle: his Brother
the Priest.--Intrigues of the Jesuits.--La Salle poisoned: he
exculpates the Jesuits.--Renewed Intrigues. 106

CHAPTER VIII.

1677, 1678.

THE GRAND ENTERPRISE.

La Salle at Fort Frontenac.--La Salle at Court: his
Memorial.--Approval of the King.--Money and Means.--Henri de
Tonty.--Return to Canada. 120

CHAPTER IX.

1678-1679.

LA SALLE AT NIAGARA.

Father Louis Hennepin: his Past Life; his
Character.--Embarkation.--Niagara Falls.--Indian Jealousy.--La Motte
and the Senecas.--A Disaster.--La Salle and his Followers. 131

CHAPTER X.

1679.

THE LAUNCH OF THE "GRIFFIN."

The Niagara Portage.--A Vessel on the Stocks.--Suffering and
Discontent.--La Salle's Winter Journey.--The Vessel launched.--Fresh
Disasters. 144

CHAPTER XI.

1679.

LA SALLE ON THE UPPER LAKES.

The Voyage of the "Griffin."--Detroit.--A Storm.--St. Ignace of
Michilimackinac.--Rivals and Enemies.--Lake Michigan.--Hardships.--A
Threatened Fight.--Fort Miami.--Tonty's Misfortunes.--Forebodings. 151

CHAPTER XII.

1679, 1680.

LA SALLE ON THE ILLINOIS.

The St. Joseph.--Adventure of La Salle.--The Prairies.--Famine.--The
Great Town of the Illinois.--Indians.--Intrigues.--Difficulties.--
Policy of La Salle.--Desertion.--Another Attempt to poison
La Salle. 164

CHAPTER XIII.

1680.

FORT CRÈVECOE]UR.

Building of the Fort.--Loss of the "Griffin."--A Bold
Resolution.--Another Vessel.--Hennepin sent to the
Mississippi.--Departure of La Salle. 180

CHAPTER XIV.

1680.

HARDIHOOD OF LA SALLE.

The Winter Journey.--The Deserted Town.--Starved Rock.--Lake
Michigan.--The Wilderness.--War Parties.--La Salle's Men give
out.--Ill Tidings.--Mutiny.--Chastisement of the Mutineers. 189

CHAPTER XV.

1680.

INDIAN CONQUERORS.

The Enterprise renewed.--Attempt to rescue Tonty.--Buffalo.--A
Frightful Discovery.--Iroquois Fury.--The Ruined Town.--A Night
of Horror.--Traces of the Invaders.--No News of Tonty. 202

CHAPTER XVI.

1680.

TONTY AND THE IROQUOIS.

The Deserters.--The Iroquois War.--The Great Town of the
Illinois.--The Alarm.--Onset of the Iroquois.--Peril of
Tonty.--A Treacherous Truce.--Intrepidity of Tonty.--Murder
of Ribourde.--War upon the Dead. 216

CHAPTER XVII.

1680.

THE ADVENTURES OF HENNEPIN.

Hennepin an Impostor: his Pretended Discovery; his Actual Discovery;
captured by the Sioux.--The Upper Mississippi. 242

CHAPTER XVIII.

1680, 1681.

HENNEPIN AMONG THE SIOUX.

Signs of Danger.--Adoption.--Hennepin and his Indian Relatives.--The
Hunting Party.--The Sioux Camp.--Falls of St. Anthony.--A Vagabond
Friar: his Adventures on the Mississippi.--Greysolon Du Lhut.--Return
to Civilization. 259

CHAPTER XIX.

1681.

LA SALLE BEGINS ANEW.

His Constancy; his Plans; his Savage Allies; he becomes
Snow-blind.--Negotiations.--Grand Council.--La Salle's
Oratory.--Meeting with Tonty.--Preparation.--Departure. 283

CHAPTER XX.

1681-1682.

SUCCESS OF LA SALLE.

His Followers.--The Chicago Portage.--Descent of the Mississippi.--The
Lost Hunter.--The Arkansas.--The Taensas.--The Natchez.--Hostility.--The
Mouth of the Mississippi.--Louis XIV. proclaimed Sovereign of the Great
West. 295

CHAPTER XXI.

1682, 1683.

ST. LOUIS OF THE ILLINOIS.

Louisiana.--Illness of La Salle: his Colony on the Illinois.--Fort
St. Louis.--Recall of Frontenac.--Le Febvre de la Barre.--Critical
Position of La Salle.--Hostility of the New Governor.--Triumph of
the Adverse Faction.--La Salle sails for France. 309

CHAPTER XXII.

1680-1683.

LA SALLE PAINTED BY HIMSELF.

Difficulty of knowing him; his Detractors; his Letters; vexations of
his Position; his Unfitness for Trade; risks of Correspondence; his
Reported Marriage; alleged Ostentation; motives of Action; charges
of Harshness; intrigues against him; unpopular Manners; a Strange
Confession; his Strength and his Weakness; contrasts of his
Character. 328

CHAPTER XXIII.

1684.

A NEW ENTERPRISE.

La Salle at Court: his Proposals.--Occupation of Louisiana.--Invasion
of Mexico.--Royal Favor.--Preparation.--A Divided Command.--Beaujeu
and La Salle.--Mental Condition of La Salle: his Farewell to his
Mother. 343

CHAPTER XXIV.

1684, 1685.

THE VOYAGE.

Disputes with Beaujeu.--St. Domingo.--La Salle attacked with
Fever: his Desperate Condition.--The Gulf of Mexico.--A Vain Search
and a Fatal Error. 366

CHAPTER XXV.

1685.

LA SALLE IN TEXAS.

A Party of Exploration.--Wreck of the "Aimable."--Landing of the
Colonists.--A Forlorn Position.--Indian Neighbors.--Friendly Advances
of Beaujeu: his Departure.--A Fatal Discovery. 378

CHAPTER XXVI.

1685-1687.

ST. LOUIS OF TEXAS.

The Fort.--Misery and Dejection.--Energy of La Salle: his Journey of
Exploration.--Adventures and Accidents.--The Buffalo.--Duhaut.--Indian
Massacre.--Return of La Salle.--A New Calamity.--A Desperate
Resolution.--Departure for Canada.--Wreck of the
"Belle."--Marriage.--Sedition.--Adventures of La Salle's Party.--The
Cenis.--The Camanches.--The Only Hope.--The Last Farewell. 391

CHAPTER XXVII.

1687.

ASSASSINATION OF LA SALLE.

His Followers.--Prairie Travelling.--A Hunters' Quarrel.--The Murder
of Moranget.--The Conspiracy.--Death of La Salle: his Character. 420

CHAPTER XXVIII.

1687, 1688.

THE INNOCENT AND THE GUILTY.

Triumph of the Murderers.--Danger of Joutel.--Joutel among the
Cenis.--White Savages.--Insolence of Duhaut and his
Accomplices.--Murder of Duhaut and Liotot.--Hiens, the
Buccaneer.--Joutel and his Party: their Escape; they reach the
Arkansas.--Bravery and Devotion of Tonty.--The Fugitives reach
the Illinois.--Unworthy Conduct of Cavelier.--He and his Companions
return to France. 435

CHAPTER XXIX.

1688-1689.

FATE OF THE TEXAN COLONY.

Tonty attempts to rescue the Colonists: his Difficulties and
Hardships.--Spanish Hostility.--Expedition of Alonzo de Leon: he
reaches Fort St. Louis.--A Scene of Havoc.--Destruction of the
French.--The End. 464

APPENDIX.

I. Early Unpublished Maps of the Mississippi and the Great
Lakes 475

II. The Eldorado of Mathieu Sâgean 485

INDEX 491

COUNTRIES traversed by MARQUETTE, HENNEPIN AND LA SALLE.

G.W. Boynton, Sc.]

LA SALLE AND THE DISCOVERY OF THE GREAT WEST.