Part 20

Shea promises an edition of a journal by Peñalossa, which will show the mercenary motives which inspired La Salle. Margry prints some documents concerning Peñalossa’s propositions to lead a party of buccaneers from St. Domingo to unite with La Salle in an attack on the Spanish mines in New Mexico.

LA SALLE’S VOYAGE TO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND ATTEMPT TO DISCOVER THE MISSISSIPPI—1684–87

In 1683 La Salle returned to France and presented, in two memorials to the king, propositions for an expedition to colonize the Mississippi, and take possession of the Spanish mines in New Mexico. The first memorial, which gives a brief account of his previous achievements, is in Margry’s Collection, vol. iii., pp. 17–30. A translation is in French’s “Historical Collections,” part i., pp. 37–44; also in the second series, pp. 1–15, of the same publication, and in Falconer’s “Mississippi.” The second, which defines his schemes at greater length, is printed in Margry, vol. ii., pp. 359–369; in English, in French’s “Historical Collections,” part i., pp. 25–34. The accessory official documents relating to various features and stages of the expedition are included in the second and third volumes of Margry’s Collection. We have two narratives by members of this expedition, which relate its history from the time of departure from France down to and after the death of La Salle. The first to appear in print was Douay’s, which was published by Le Clercq in his “Premier Établissement de la Foy,” Paris, 1691. Shea printed a translation of it in the “Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi,” New York, 1853.[130] A comparison of Douay’s journal with Joutel’s narrative is made by Shea in his edition of Le Clercq, published at New York in 1881.

Joutel, who seems to have been next in command to La Salle, kept a journal, which is published for the first time in its integrity in Margry’s Collection, vol. iii., pp. 89–534. An abridged and modified version of this narrative was published at Paris in 1713, under the title, “Journal historique due dernier Voyage que feu M. de La Salle, fit dans le Golfe du Mexique.” Joutel complained that changes were made by the editor in retouching the work for publication. The text published by Margry is much fuller than the printed edition. An English translation of the Paris production, under the title, “Journal of the Last Voyage performed by M. de La Salle,” etc., was published at London in 1714, and in 1719 another edition was brought out as “Joutel’s Journal of his Voyage to Mexico and Canada.” An edition in Spanish was published at New York in 1831, with the title, “Dario histórico del último Viaje que M. de la Salle hijo para descubrir el desembocadero y curso del Mississipi.” Charlevoix says that Joutel was the most reliable of La Salle’s followers, and Parkman thinks that he “gives the impression of sense, intelligence, and candor throughout,” while Douay, in the latter’s opinion, did not always write honestly. Jean Cavelier, an older brother of La Salle’s, who, after the latter’s assassination, escaped to Canada in company with Joutel and Douay, is said to have drawn up a report of the expedition for M. de Seignelay, the Minister of Marine.

Parkman possesses a manuscript which he says is a portion of the first draft of this report. Dr. Shea edited Parkman’s document under the title, “Relation du voyage entrepris par feu M. Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle, pour découvrir dans le golfe du Mexique, l’embouchure du fleuve de Missisipy. Par son frère, M. Cavelier” A Manate [N. Y.] 1858, 54 pp. 16mo, and printed a translation in his collection of “Early Voyages up and down the Mississippi,” Albany, 1861.[131]

Margry gives in his Collection, vol. ii., pp. 501–509, a portion of a journal kept by Cavelier. Both these narratives from Cavalier’s pen are very imperfect, the former failing for the latter part of the expedition, and the journal stops before the landing in Texas. La Salle’s assassination, which took place in 1687, was witnessed by Douay, who gives an account in his journal. Joutel relates the event from the testimony of eye-witnesses, and Tonty states what he learned from the survivors of La Salle’s party. See also “Relation de la mort du Sr. de La Salle, suivant le rapport d’un nommé Couture à qui M. Cavelier l’apprit en passant aux Akansas,” in Margry, vol. iii., pp. 601–606.

A letter written by La Salle, March 4, 1685, erroneously dated at the mouth of the Mississippi, is in Margry, vol. ii., pp. 559–563, and a translation is appended to Shea’s “Early Voyages.” The “Procès verbal fait par La Salle avant de conduire son frère au Mississipi, 18. avril 1686,” in Margry, vol. iii., pp. 535–549. relates La Salle’s operations in Texas, including his first two journeys from the Texas colony to find the Mississippi by land.

The Spaniards, in 1689, visited the site of La Salle’s colony, and made prisoners of the survivors whom they found among the Indians. Two of these captives escaped to France, and their testimony in regard to the fate of the colony is given in Margry, vol. iii., pp. 610–621.

Parkman cites the official journal of this Spanish expedition, which is inedited. It is entitled “Derrotero de la jornada que hizo el General Alonzo de Leon para el descubrimiento de la Bahia del Espíritù Santo, y problacion de Franceses.” Buckingham Smith’s “Colleccion de varios documentos para la historia de la Florida,” pp. 25–28, contains a narrative by a member of the Spanish company, entitled “Carta en que se da noticia de un viaje hecho á la Bahia de Espíritù Santo, y de la poblacion que tenian ah los Franceses,” which is also inserted in French’s “Historical Collections,” second series, pp. 293–295. Barcia, in his “Ensayo chronológico para la historia general de la Florida,” Madrid, 1723, gives an account, from an unknown source, which is translated in Shea’s “Discovery of the Mississippi.”

This closes the list of principal contemporary narratives of the first explorations by the French of western territory. Margry’s Collection contains many documents of minor interest, but important, which have not been noted. A journal by Minet, the engineer who returned to France with Beaujeu in 1686, in Margry, vol. II, pp. 589–601, and Tonty’s “Lettres sur ce qu’il a appris de La Salle, le voyage qu’il a fait pour l’aller chercher,” 1686–1689, in Margry, vol. iii., pp. 551–564, must, however, be mentioned.

SECONDARY AUTHORITIES.

Charlevoix’s “Histoire et Description générale de la Nouvelle France,” Paris, 1744, is the first historical work of value to treat of the early explorations. Charlevoix was familiar with the country traversed by Marquette and La Salle, having, in 1721, followed the latter’s route to the Mississippi. Shea published at New York, in 1866–67, an English translation of this work, and in the notes which he added, embodied the results of his extensive studies upon the early history of America, showing the latest knowledge possessed of the first travellers.

In 1844 Sparks issued his “Life of La Salle,” for the materials of which he depended upon the printed narratives of Hennepin, Joutel, Tonty, and the recitals in Le Clercq’s “Premier Établissement,” etc., being unable to obtain any of the MSS. which are now accessible. Sparks’ “Life of Marquette” appeared in 1845, and soon after Falconer’s work “On the Discovery of the Mississippi,” which contained translations of important MSS., was published at London.

In 1853, Shea’s valuable “Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi” was brought out at New York.[132] The contents of this work have been perhaps sufficiently indicated in the notices of contemporary journals, which are reproduced in it. In 1860 Thomassy published “Géologie pratique de la Louisiane,” in which he presented some important inedited documents. This writer contemplated writing a history of La Salle’s exploits from the MSS. in the French archives, and, as a preliminary, issued in separate form the documents which he had collected, under the title, “De La Salle et ses relations inédites,” Paris, 1860. In 1869 Parkman published the first edition of his “Discovery of the Great West,” forming the third volume of the series of historical narratives upon “France and England in North America.” In the latest edition, published in 1879, the title was changed to “La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West.” In the writing of the later edition the author had the use of additional documentary material, since printed by Margry, which caused a revision of some portion of the work. Gravier’s “Découvertes [etc.] de La Salle,” Paris, 1870, and the supplementary monograph published by him in 1871, add little that is not in Parkman’s work. The later publication corrects some errors and deficiencies in the first. Dr. Shea’s contributions to the history of the first explorations of the West, beside his “Discovery of the Mississippi,” New York, 1853, consist mainly of notes to the many important original narratives which he has edited, notably those of Hennepin, Le Clercq, and Charlevoix.

The following works contain among the first travellers, accounts of the country traversed by Marquette, Hennepin, and La Salle:

La Hontan, who travelled in 1689 and subsequent years, wrote “Nouveaux Voyages,” Paris, 1703. This work passed through several editions. Although adventures related by La Hontan are in many cases imaginary, yet, says Parkman, he “had seen much, and portions of his story have a substantial value.” J. Gravier, in 1700, went from the Illinois country to D’Iberville’s colony in Louisiana. See “Relation de Voyage en 1700 depuis le Ilinois jusqu’à l’embouchure du Mississipi,” New York, 1859 (_Shea’s Cramoisy Press_). The “Relation de la Mississipi en 1700, par MM. de Montigny, De St. Cosme et Thaumur de la Source,” New York, 1861 (_Shea’s Cramoisy Press_), narrates the experiences of a party of the missionaries under the guidance of Tonty. An extract from Gravier is given in French’s Historical Collections, second series, pp. 79–93. St. Cosme’s and Gravier’s narratives are also included in Shea’s collection of “Early Voyages up and down the Mississippi,” Albany, 1861, where also may be found Le Seuer’s journal of a voyage from Louisiana to the Sioux country in 1699–1700. An extract from Le Seuer is given in La Harpe’s “Journal Historique,” Paris, 1831, and in French’s Historical Collections, pt. 3. A journal by Pénicaut, who accompanied Le Seuer, is included in his “Annals of Louisiana, from 1698 to 1722,” in French’s Historical Collections, new series, pp. 33–162, New York, 1869. The memoirs of D’Iberville’s expedition to the Mississippi, in 1699–1700, contain descriptions of the lower Mississippi and throw light upon La Salle’s movements in that region. The principal documents concerning D’Iberville’s enterprises are printed in the fourth volume of Margry. A brief report by D’Iberville of his voyage on the Mississippi in 1699, is printed in French’s Historical Collection, second series, pp. 19–31. An anonymous narrative entitled, “Historical Journal; or, Narrative of the Expedition under D’Iberville, to explore the Colbert (Mississippi) River, 1698–99,” is published in French’s Historical Collection, second series, pp. 29–119. Both of these papers are included in Margry’s collection, volume iv. Sauvole was a member of D’Iberville’s company; see his “Journal Historique” in French’s Historical Collections, pt. 3, pp. 223–240.

Father Marest’s letter on his mission at the Illinois, dated 1712, published in the “Lettres édifiantes,” vol. ii., and reprinted in Kip’s “Early Jesuit Missions,” pp. 191–227, New York, 1846, describes the scenes of his labors.

In 1721, Charlevoix, the historian, made a journey from Canada across the lakes to the Illinois, and thence down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. He was requested by the King of France, to write an account of his travels. The descriptions of the country published in vol. iii. of his “Histoire et Description générale de la Nouvelle France,” Paris, 1744, afford perhaps the best views of the primitive West which we have.

The English editions of his travels are entitled “Journal of a Voyage to North America,” London, 1761, and “Letters to the Duchess of Lesdiguières,” London, 1763. See also French’s Historical Collection, pt. 3, pp. 119–196, where his journal is reprinted from the English editions.

On reaching the subject of _Maps_, we find that Harrisse’s Notes sur-la Nouvelle France contains a section upon the “Cartographie de la Nouvelle France, depuis la découverte jusqu’en 1700,” which affords an extensive list of published and inedited maps.

Parkman gives a descriptive account of “Early unpublished maps of the Mississippi and the great lakes,” in the appendix to his “Discovery of the Great West.” Thomassy’s “Géol. pr. de la Louisiane,” has an appendix upon the “Cartographie de la ancienne Louisiane, 1544–1858.” Baldwin’s “Early maps of Ohio and the West,” Cleveland, 1875, and Peet’s article, “The discovery of the Ohio, Early maps,” in Amer. Antiquarian, vol. I., pp. 21–35, Cleveland, 1878, are useful studies of some early maps in the possession of Western historical societies. Hurlbut’s “Chicago Antiquities,” Chicago, 1881, contains a chapter upon the first maps representing that place.

The following printed works contain some of the more important edited maps, bearing date in the original previous to 1700: Champlain’s “Voyages,” Paris, 1632, is accompanied by a map upon which Lake Superior is shown, and a “grande rivière qui vient du midy” is represented as flowing into the lake from the south. This map, which is reproduced in the later editions of Champlain, is of little value in a geographical sense for the western country. A map of “Nouvelle France,” showing the great lakes, is in Sanson d’Abbeville’s “L’Amérique en plusieurs cartes,” Paris, 1656. Du Creux’s “Historia Canadensis.” Parisiis, 1664, contains a map dated 1660, which shows the outlines of the great lakes. Bressani’s “Relation abrégée de quelques missions dans la Nouvelle France,” Montreal, 1852, contains a reproduction. Dollier and Gallinée’s map of 1670, showing their course in travelling to Ste. Marie, is reproduced in Faillon’s Historic de la col. fr., vol. iii., p. 305 (see Parkman’s La Salle, p. 449, for description); Claude Dablon’s “Relation de la Nouvelle France, 1670–1671,” Paris, 1672, contains a map made about 1670 (see Parkman, p. 450); a reproduction is published in Foster and Whitney’s “Report on the Geology of Lake Superior,” Washington, 1850; Marquette’s map of 1674 accompanies the various editions of his narrative. The map in Thevenot’s “Recueil” is by Liebaux, and not by Marquette. Gravier’s “Étude sur une carte inconnue” contains a fac-simile of a map by Joliet, probably in 1674. This map is the first published map showing the great lakes in connection with the Mississippi.

Shea’s edition of Dablon’s “Relation de la Nouvelle France, 1673 à 1679,” New York, 1860, has a reproduction of a map made by the Jesuits in 1673, showing the missions upon Lake Michigan. Hennepin’s “Description de la Louisiane,” Paris, 1683, contains a map made upon data by Hennepin. The later editions of this work are also accompanied by a map. Parkman gives a reproduction of the portion of Franqulin’s famous map, which shows La Salle’s colony on the Illinois, and that portion showing the lower part of the Mississippi is reproduced in Thomassy’s “Géologie de la Louisiane.” A map made by Minet, the engineer of La Salle’s last expedition, which gives two separate views of the mouth of the Mississippi, is given in a reduced size in Gravier’s “La Salle,” and in Thomassy’s “Géologie de la Louisiane.” Le Clercq’s “Premier établissement de la foy,” Paris, 1691; Hennepin’s “Nouvelle découverte,” and “Nouveau Voyage;” La Hontan’s “Nouveaux Voyages dans l’Amérique,” La Haye, 1703; Coxe’s “Description of Carolana,” London, 1742, and Charlevoix’s “Histoire de la Nouvelle France,” Paris, 1744, are accompanied by maps made nearly contemporaneously with the publication of the works in question. A facsimile De Lisle’s map of 1700, which indicates the course of the early explorers, is in Gravier’s “La Salle” and in French’s Collections, pt. 2. A map by Joutel, dated 1713, accompanies the printed editions of his journal. Margry’s “Découvertes et établissements des Français,” when completed, will include a volume devoted to maps now inedited. The third volume of this collection contains an outline sketch, representing La Salle’s discoveries. A modern map, representing countries traversed by Marquette, Hennepin, and La Salle, is given in Parkman’s “La Salle.”

We next give a list of publications which treat of the explorations of the Mississippi valley, arranged in chronological order. Works which have been cited under different headings of this article are, in most cases, not included in this enumeration.

La Hontan, “Nouveaux voyages dans l’Amérique Septentrionale,” Paris, 1703. This work passed through several editions. Bacqueville de la Potherie, “Histoire de l’Amérique Septentrionale,” Paris, 1722. Editions were also published in 1723 and 1753. Has some account of La Salle’s travels in 1682. Barcia, “Ensayo cronologico para la Historia General de Florida,” Madrid, 1723. The author relied upon the memoirs of Marquette, Joutel, and Tonty for the portion of his work relating to the French explorations. Lafitau, “Mœurs des Sauvages Amériquains,” Paris, 1724. Coxe, “Description of the English province of Carolana, by the Spaniards called Florida; by the French, La Louisiane,” London, 1742. The author disparages the French discoveries, and urges the English right to the country. Dumont, “Mémoire sur la Louisiane, contenant ce qui y est arrivé de plus rémarquable depuis 1687 jusqu’à present,” Paris, 1753, 2 vols. Bellin, “Remarques sur la carte de l’Amérique Septentrionale, comprise entre le 28e et le 72e degré de latitude,” Paris, 1755, gives some account of La Salle’s establishments. Le Page du Pratz, “Histoire de la Louisiane,” Paris, 1758, 3 vols.; English translations were published in 1763 and 1774. Gayarré “Essai historique sur la Louisiane,” Nouvelle Orléans, 1830, 2 vols.; La Harpe, “Journal historique de l’établissement des Français à la Louisiane,” Paris, 1831. This work is reproduced in French’s Historical Collections, vol. iii. Conover, “Oration on the History of the First Discovery and Settlement of the New World, with especial reference to the Mississippi Valley,” Cincinnati, 1835. Perkins, “Early French Travellers in the West,” in _North American Review_, vol. xlviii., pp. 63–108. A review of Spark’s “La Salle” and “Marquette.” Colt, “The Devil’s Hole, with an account of a visit made to it by La Salle,” Lockport, N. Y., 44 pp., the third edition appeared in 1851. Gayarré, “Histoire de la Louisiane,” Nouvelle Orléans, 1846–47. Guérin, “Les navigateurs Français,” Paris, 1846. Bradford, “Notes on the Northwest,” New York, 1846. Kip, “Early Jesuit Missions in North America,” New York, 1846, contains letters by missionaries giving descriptions of the newly discovered country. Monette, “History of the Discovery and Settlement of the Mississippi,” New York, 1846. Gayarré, “Romance of the History of Louisiana,” New York, 1848. Foster and Whitney, “Report on the Geology and Topography of a Portion of the Lake Superior Land District,” Washington, 1850–51, 2 vols., contains an account of the first Jesuit missions on Lake Superior. Gayarré, “Louisiana: its Colonial History,” New York, 1851, and “Louisiana and its History as a French Colony,” New York, 1852. Hart, “History of the Discovery of the Valley of the Mississippi,” St. Louis, 1852; “History of the Valley of the Mississippi,” New York, 1853. Gayarré, “History of Louisiana,” New York, 1854. W. R. Smith, “History of Wisconsin,” Madison, 1854; only volumes one and three were published of this valuable work; volume three contains translations of the Jesuit relations, which describe the operations of the Jesuits in Wisconsin territory. Shea, “History of the Catholic Missions among the Indian Tribes of the United States, 1529–1854,” New York, 1855. E. D. Neill, “Materials for the future History of Minnesota,” St. Paul, 1856, also in the “Annals of Minnesota,” 1856, and reprinted in Minnesota Historical Society Collection, vol. i. Law, “Jesuit Missions in the Northwest,” in the Wisconsin Historical Society Collections, vol. iii., pp. 89–111, 118–121, Madison, 1857. The author of this article makes the erroneous statement that missionaries had reached the Mississippi several years before Marquette’s visit. Shea disproves this in an article entitled “Justice to Marquette,” in pp. 111–117 of the same volume of the Wisconsin collections. Shea, “Indian Tribes of Wisconsin,” in the Wisconsin Historical Society Collections, vol. iii., pp. 125–128. Ferland, “Cours d’Histoire du Canada, 1534–1759,” Québec, 1859. This author is highly esteemed as an historical writer. Shea, “Early Voyages Up and Down the Mississippi,” Albany, 1861. Ferland, “Notes sur les régistres de Notre Dame de Québec,” Québec, 1863. Neill, “Early French Forts and Footprints in the Valley of the Upper Mississippi,” in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, 1864, pp. 9–20. Faillon, “Histoire de la Colonie française en Canada,” Villemarie [Montreal], 1865, 3 vols.; this work comes down only to 1671, but is of value for period covered.

French, “Biographical Sketch of La Salle,” in Historical Collections of Louisiana, new series, pp. 4–7, New York, 1869. Gallaud, “Mississippi: a Brief History of its Discovery,” in “Annals of Iowa,” vol. vii., pp. 194–201, Davenport, 1869. Van Fleet, “Old and New Mackinac; with copious extracts from Marquette, Hennepin, La Hontan, and others,” Ann Arbor, 1870; Brodhead, “History of New York,” New York, 1871; the author gives briefly the latest knowledge upon the first explorations. The _Revue Maritime et Coloniale_, Paris, 1872, contains controversial articles by Harrisse and Margry, both with the title “Histoire critique de la découverte du Mississippi.” Harrisse, “Notes pour servir à l’Histoire [etc.] de la Nouvelle France, 1545–72,” Paris, 1872. In addition to the bibliographical matter in this work there is a brief historical summary of the early explorations. Neill, “French Voyageurs to Minnesota,” in the Annals of Minnesota, 1850, pp. 10–28, reprinted in Minnesota Historical Society Collections, vol. i., pp-17–36. Durrie, “Early Outposts of Wisconsin,” Madison, 1873, contains notices of the visits of Perrot, Alloüez, Marquette, and others. “Laval université, Québec, 200e anniversaire de la découverte du Mississipi par Joliet et le P. Marquette, Soirée littéraire et musicale, 17 Juin, 1873,” Québec, 1873, 54 pp., contains a discourse by the Abbé Verreau. Parry, “Historical Address on the Early Exploration of the Mississippi Valley,” Davenport, Iowa, 1873, 36 pp. Salter, “Address commemorative of the 200th Anniversary of the Discovery of Iowa by Marquette and Joliet,” in the “Annals of Iowa,” vol. ii., pp. 501–515. Shea, “Address on Discovery of the Mississippi, read on the bi-centennial of said Discovery, June 17, 1873,” published in Wisconsin Historical Society Collections, vol. vii., pp. 111–122. Marshall, “The First Visit of La Salle to the Senecas in 1669,” Buffalo, 1874, 45 pp. Baldwin, “Early maps of Ohio and the West,” Cleveland, 1875, 25 pp.; this forms one of the Western Reserve Historical Society tracts. French, “Biographical Sketch of L. Joliet,” in his Historical Collections, second series, pp. 139, 140.