Part 4

Amazing and incomprehensible, but at the same Time adorable Disposition of Divine Providence! We see here a vast Tract of the Earth, of an immense Extent, of a wonderful Soil for Tillage and Fertility in all Sorts of Fruit and Grain; of an admirable Temperature as to the Air, which appears by the very numerous Inhabitants being scarce subject to any Diseases, and in that the Sex, which among us is weak, is there Strong and Vigorous, bringing forth their Children with little or no Pain, and suckling them amidst Labour and Fatigues, without any of those Miseries they are liable to in our Countries. Yet that vast and beautiful Country, describ’d in this Journal, so much favour’d with Worldly Blessings, has been for so many Ages destitute of the Heavenly.

The infinite Numbers of People inhabiting it are Men, and have scarce any thing but the Shape; they are God’s Creatures, and do not so much as know, much less serve him. Those who have the Courage and Boldness to travel through the Countries of such Savages, and those who read the Relations of such Travellers, ought to take Care how they make any rash Reflections upon this Point, or pry too deeply into it; for they may chance to lose themselves in their Thoughts. The shortest and the safest Course is, in such Cases, to adore the inconceivable Profoundness of the Creator’s Wisdom; to give a Check to all our Enquiries and Curiosities, with the Apostle’s Exclamation, _O the Depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments and his Ways past finding out!_ And never ceasing to return Thanks to his Goodness, for having so abundantly supply’d us with his Light and Grace, to conjure him to impart the same to those poor distress’d _Americans_, and that he who is Almighty, will of those Stones make Children of _Abraham_. This all Christians are oblig’d incessantly to pray for, because as Brutish and Stupid as those Savages are, they are still our Brethren, since like us descended from _Adam_ and _Noah_.

How much are we then oblig’d to those bold Travellers, who undertake new Discoveries, who to the Hazard of their Lives, at their own Expence, and with such extraordinary Toils, go to find out for us, not only numerous Objects of our Curiosity and Admiration, which were before unknown to us, but who also discover to us a numerous Kindred, which is not ever the less such, for having been so long unknown to us. What if it be brutal and indocible, it will be the more Meritorious to Labour at Civilizing of and making it capable of receiving the Lights of Reason and of Faith. We can never sufficiently express our Gratitude to those who apply themselves to the making of new Discoveries; the more Difficulties that attend them, the more we are beholding to those who undertake them. Supposing that Avarice, Ambition, a restless Temper, or a desperate Fortune, are very often the Occasions of such Undertakings; yet God, who can draw Good out of Evil, makes all those Passions subservient to his Glory, and the Salvation of his Elect, and if long Travels do not commonly make Saints of the Travellers, it is their own Fault. However, they at least prepare the Way to the Sanctification of so many Barbarians, beating a Road for the Missioners, who go to instruct those People. Thus all the World is beholden to them; the Savages for the Knowledge of God that is procur’d them; and we for finding by their Means an infinite Number of People before unknown, who will join with us in Serving and Glorifying the Creator of the Universe.

Granting that the said Travellers are not sometimes exact, or agree among themselves in their Relations, their Descriptions and their Maps; this must be an unavoidable Fault in Discoverers; but even that is advantageous to the Publick, for as much as their Successors are excited to examine those Points more strictly, to correct, explain and ascertain those Mistakes.

In acknowledgment therefore of the Service done us by those Illustrious Adventurers and to make them some Sort of Amends for their Sufferings, let us transmit their Names to Posterity in our Writings; let us applaud their Actions when we read them, and let us commend their Relations. This here, most certainly deserves to be read and commended, for it is Curious, Extraordinary and Tragical. It is also, as has been said before, ingaging, at this Conjuncture, when there is a Design of making Settlements in those Countries, it mentions, the Consequence whereof may be most Honourable and Advantageous to the Nation. The Travel thro’ that Country is one of the greatest and most full of Difficulties that has been perform’d; the Relation of it being made by an Eye Witness, and in a natural, plain and particular Manner, deserves to be credited; but being only a Journal, it is not capable of admitting of Ornaments or Embellishments. The Reader will be pleas’d to excuse the Repetition of the same Words in it, on Account of the Impossibility of doing otherwise, and will think it enough that the Barrenness of the Narration is made Amends for by the Curiosity of the Subjects. I am of Opinion the small Notes I have added will not be displeasing, because they explain some Particulars, which are not very intelligible to such as are not us’d to read many Travels.

After having said the Good and the Bad of this _North America_, mentioning the Beauty and Excellency of its Climate and the Brutality of its People, and recited the infinite Hardships, those who design to travel must resolve to undergo, I am of Opinion it will be proper to say something of the late Monsieur _de la Sale_, who is the principal Person, and as it were, the Hero of this Relation, tho’ having been murdered by his own Men, he fell the unfortunate Victim of the Discovery here treated of. It is also convenient to make known what went before that, which is contain’d in this Journal, and the present happy Consequence of that fatal Enterprize. Here follows what I have of my own particular Knowledge, and by what has been written.

[Sidenote: _Account of Monsieur_ de la Sale.]

_Robert Cavelier_, commonly call’d Monsieur _de la Sale_, a Native of _Roan_, of a good Family, having been educated in Piety and Learning, went over very young into _Canada_ and took Delight in Trade, but more in Projects of new Discoveries up the Inland of those vast Countries. Intending to settle there and make that his Country, he purchased an Habitation in the Island of _Mont-real_, where has been built the second Town of _Canada_, sixty Leagues above _Quebeck_, which is the Capital, being also a Bishoprick, and the Residence of the Governor, the Intendant and the supreme Council. There are but only those two Towns in the Country, besides some Villages. They are both seated on the great River of St. _Laurence_, which coming from the S. W. is form’d or increased by the Waters of five prodigious fresh Water Lakes, running out one into another, and through them it passes to run down to discharge itself in the Ocean, at a very spacious Mouth, making Way for the Ships that design to penetrate into _Canada_.

Many Discoveries had been made to the Northward, before Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Time; because there being Plenty of very good Furs, the Traders of _Quebeck_ and _Mont-real_, by Means of the Adventurers call’d _Wood-Men_,[28] from their traveling thro’ the Woods, had penetrated very far up the Country that Way; but none had advanc’d far towards the South or South-West, beyond Fort _Frontenac_, which is on the Lake _Ontario_, the nearest this Way of the five great Lakes. However, upon the Report of the Natives, it was supposed, that great and advantageous Discoveries might be made. There had been much Talk of the rich Mines of St. _Barbara_, in the Kingdom of _Mexico_, and some were tempted to give them a Visit.

[Sidenote: _His Character_.]

Something was known of the famous River _Missisipi_, which it was supposed might fall into the South Sea, and open a Way to it. These Conjectures working upon Monsieur _de la Sale_, who being zealous for the Honour of his Nation, designed to signalize the _French_ Name, on Account of extraordinary Discoveries, beyond all that went before him; he form’d the Design and resolv’d to put it in Execution. He was certainly very fit for it, and succeeded at the Expense of his Life; for no Man has done so much in that Way as he did for the Space of twenty Years he spent in that Employment. He was a Man of a regular Behaviour, of a large Soul, well enough learned, and understanding in the Mathematicks, designing, bold, undaunted, dexterous, insinuating, not to be discourag’d at any Thing, ready at extricating himself out of any Difficulties, no Way apprehensive of the greatest Fatigues, wonderful steady in Adversity, and what was of extraordinary Use, well enough versed in several Savage Languages. M. _de la Sale_ having such extraordinary Talents, whereof he had given sufficient Proofs upon several Occasions, gain’d the Esteem of the Governors of _Canada_; and Messieurs _de Courcelles_, _Talon_ and _de Frontenac_ successively express’d the same, by often employing him in Affairs for the Honour and Advantage of the Colony.

[Sidenote: _Is made Proprietor of Fort_ Frontenac.]

The Government of the Fort of _Frontenac_, which is the Place farthest advanc’d among the Savages, was committed to him, and he going over into _France_, in the Year 1675, the King made him Proprietor of it, upon Condition he should put it into a better Condition than it was, which he did, as soon as return’d to _Canada_. Then came back again to _Paris_, full of the new Informations he had gain’d touching the River _Missisipi_, the Country runs through, the Mines, especially those of Lead and Copper, the navigable Rivers, and the Trade that might be carried on of Furs and the fine Wooll of those wild Bullocks, whereof there are infinite Numbers in the Forests. Being also furnish’d with better Accounts of that Country, than the Fables that were then publish’d, by the Name of a Voyage of the Sieur _Joliet_, he was well receiv’d at Court, and dispatch’d with the necessary Orders for proceeding on his Discoveries.

[Sidenote: _His Reputation makes Enemies._]

The great Reputation Monsieur _de la Sale_ had gain’d, and his mighty Projects, occasion’d a Jealousy in some and Envy in others. His own Countrymen thwarted his Designs; but he surmounted all those Obstacles and return’d into _Canada_, about the Year 1678, with the Chevalier _Tonty_, an _Italian_ Gentleman, a Person of Worth and that had serv’d, whom he gain’d to his Enterprize. He also pick’d up in the Country forty or fifty Persons fit for that Expedition, and among them were three Recolets, whom he carry’d over to try what might be done as to Christianity among the Savages; he was well acquainted with, and had a just Esteem for the Virtue, the Capacity and the Zeal of those good, religious Men, who alone first undertook the Mission into that new World, and who being seconded by others, have carry’d it on there, with so much Edification.

[Sidenote: _Source of the_ Missisipi.]

[Sidenote: Islinois _River_.]

Monsieur _de la Sale_ having spent two Years in going and coming, still thwarted by those who envy’d him in the Country, to such a Degree, that had it not been for an Antidote, he must have dy’d of Poison given him by some Villains, could not order his Affairs and begin his Expedition till the Year 1682. He set out at length, and to the End his Discovery of the _Missisipi_ might be compleat, he caus’d Father _Hennepin_, a Recolet, with some others, to travel to the Northward, that they might find out the Source of that River, and they found it, about the 50th Degree of North Latitude. For his own Part, he proceeded to the Westward and found the River of the _Islinois_, which he call’d the River of _Seignelay_, and following its Course, came into the _Missisipi_, where the other discharges it self. He then concluded he had no more to do, but to run down to its Mouth, whether in the South Sea or the Gulph of _Mexico_. All along its Banks he found many Savage Nations, with whom, by Means of his Presents, he enter’d into Alliances, and gave the Country the Name of _Louisiana_, to honour the Name and Memory of our August Monarch, in whose Reign those Discoveries were made. At length, the Course of the _Missisipi_ convey’d Monsieur _de la Sale_ to its Mouths, as falling into the Gulph of _Mexico_ in two Streams, and he arriv’d there in the Month of _April_ 1682 or 1683, for the Dates of those who have writ concerning it, make either of those Years. He stay’d there some Days, to take Observations and place some Marks which he might know again, when he return’d. Being satisfied with having found some Part of what he sought, he return’d the same Way he had gone, and came again to _Quebeck_ in _Canada_, in order to go over to _France_, and thence to make a Tryal to find that Mouth of the _Missisipi_ by the Gulph of _Mexico_, which he had already discover’d by the Way of _Canada_, and to secure it; for he thought it much more advantageous to know it by the Way of the Sea, than to go thither by Land, because the Voyage through _Canada_ is much longer and more troublesome, and can be perform’d but once a Year, whereas by the Way of the Bay of _Mexico_ it is not longer, but is much more commodious, and may be perform’d in all Seasons, either going or coming. He was also sensible that the said Mouth being once discover’d by Sea, afforded an easier and safer Communication with _Canada_, running up that noble River, the Navigation whereof is not interrupted by Falls, nor Torrents for above sixty Leagues towards its Source.

These Considerations mov’d Monsieur _de la Sale_ to take another Voyage into _France_, where his Expedition having been commended and his new Project approv’d of, the King order’d him Vessels to return and carry on his Enterprize, the Particulars whereof are to be found in this Journal. That Affair, so well begun, seem’d to promise very advantageous Consequences; but it miscarried through the Perfidiousness and Villany of that noble Adventurer’s own People.

[Sidenote: _The other Part here mention’d is at the End of the Journal_.]

This is what I have judg’d might serve as an Introduction to your Journal, if it shall not be thought to dishonour it, you may place it before the said Journal, and that which follows at the End of it, which will shew how far that great Enterprize of the Discovery of the _Missisipi_ has been carried.

THE PREFACE. Written by Sieur _de MITCHELL_, Who Methodiz’d this Journal.

_Notwithstanding the late Monsieur_ de la Sale’s _Voyage had a most unfortunate End, as to his own Person, yet that will not hinder Posterity, from ever allowing him the Title of a most renowned Traveller_.

_The History of his Enterprize will be acceptable to future Ages, for laying before them, the extraordinary Genius, the invincible Courage, and the undaunted Resolution of such a Man, who could contrive and execute the Means for discovering the remaining Part of the World._

_And in regard that the Particulars of the Discovery of those large and immense Provinces, will always be the Object of curious and understanding Persons, it is not to be wonder’d, that after what has been writ by Father_ Hennepin, _a Recolet, the Chevalier_ Tonty _and some others, we here now publish an Historical Journal of the last Voyage Monsieur_ de la Sale _undertook into the Gulf of_ Mexico, _to the Country of_ Louisiana, _to finish what he had projected at his former Voyage, had not the Treachery of his own Men cut him off_.

_This Journal of Monsieur_ Joutel, _whereof Monsieur_ Tonty _makes mention in the Book that has been printed of the last Discoveries in_ America, _Folio 319, has this peculiar, that it exactly contains what hap’ned to Monsieur_ de la Sale, _Day by Day, in that fatal Voyage, since his Departure from_ Rochelle _to his death, and till the Return of his Brother Monsieur_ Cavelier _the Priest, Monsieur_ Cavelier _his Nephew, the Reverend Father_ Anastasius, _the Recolet, and the said Sieur_ Joutel, _who in Order to return to_ France, _took that long Journey by Land, from the Gulf of_ Mexico _to_ Canada, _being a Tract of above 800 Leagues_.

_Many Adventures of all Sorts, most of which are Tragical, will please the curious Reader; and above all he will admire the Protection of Divine Providence, in Conducting and Preserving that small Company throughout those vast Regions, and among so many barbarous Nations._

_We do not here pretend to Criticise upon the Work of Father_ Hennepin, _or that of Monsieur_ Tonty; _but even their own Favourers cannot take it ill, that this Author does not sometimes say as they do; that he plainly delivers what he saw, and that he exposes to publick View all the Truths he was an Eye Witness to, without magnifying or inventing_.

_It is nevertheless true, that they may be all excus’d as to some Particulars; Father_ Hennepin _and Monsieur_ Tonty _may have seen some Things, that did not come to the Knowledge of Monsieur_ Joutel; _but there is a Fact of great Consequence in the History of Monsieur_ de la Sale, _which must not be pass’d over in Silence_.

_It is, that Monsieur_ Tonty, _in his Book affirms, that Monsieur_ de la Sale _at length found the Mouth of the_ Missisipi, _and Monsieur_ Joutel _asserts the contrary, and says, that is so far from being true, that during his last Progress towards the_ Cenis, _when the said Sieur_ Joutel _was with him, and had never been parted, Monsieur_ de la Sale’s _principal Care was to enquire of all the Nations they pass’d through, where the_ Missisipi _was, and could never hear any thing of it; that this is evidently made out, because if Monsieur_ de la Sale _had found the Mouth of that River, he would infallibly have taken another Way, and other Measures, and all the Appearances are on this Side, as may be seen in this Relation_.

_However, this must be said in Behalf of Monsieur_ Tonty, _that he deliver’d it upon the Report of Monsieur_ Cavelier _the Priest, and Brother to Monsieur_ de la Sale; _which Monsieur_ Cavelier _might have Reasons to give out they had discover’d the_ Missisipi, _upon the same Views as oblig’d him to conceal his Brother’s Death_.

_Now in regard we shall see Monsieur_ de la Sale, _for some time ranging along the Coasts of North America, to find out the Mouth of that River, it will be proper to inform those who have not seen his first Voyage, and shew them how it hap’ned that his Search prov’d in vain, and he was oblig’d to land in another Place_.

_After Monsieur_ de la Sale _had discover’d that vast Continent, which is a Part of_ North America, _from_ Canada, _by the Way of_ Montreal, _going up the River of St._ Laurence, _then through the Country of the_ Iroquois, _the_ Islinois _and others, all which he call’d_ Louisiana, _his Design was to find a shorter and a safer Way, than that he had Travell’d by Land_.

_For this Reason it was, that having upon his first Discovery found the great River, call’d by the Barbarians_ Missisipi _or_ Mechasipi, _according to Father_ Hennepin, _and to which he gave the Name of_ Colbert, _guessing by its Course that it fell into the Bay of_ Mexico, _he resolved with himself to find out the Mouth of it_.

_In short, he ran down that River, with more Danger and Toil than can be imagin’d, found it parted into two Streams and follow’d that which was most to the Northward, to the Place where it is lost in the Sea. He took the Latitude that Mouth lay in, and found it was between 28 and 29 Degrees North, as Monsieur_ Joutel _affirms he heard him say. He left Marks there, return’d the same Way to_ Canada _and thence into_ France, _well pleased with his Discovery, which would have been very glorious, had he succeeded in his second Voyage_.

_But whether he did not take his Measures right, when he made his Observations ashore, or whether that River disgorges it self at a flat Coast, and only leaves some inconsiderable Mark of its Channel for such as come by Sea; it is most certain, that when he came into the Bay of_ Mexico, _he sought for the same Mouth in Vain, during the Space of three Weeks, and was oblig’d to go ashore to the S. W. of the Place, where it really was_.

_Monsieur_ Tonty, _in his Book, Fol. 192, tells us, that he was present when Monsieur_ de la Sale _took the Latitude of the Mouth of the_ Missisipi, _at his first Voyage, and says it was between twenty two and twenty three Degrees North; but that is a Mistake, which must be assigned either to the Printer, or Transcriber, for in the Map the said Monsieur_ Tonty _has added to his Book, he places the said Mouth in about twenty six Degrees and a Half of North Latitude, and there is Reason to believe he errs in that too_.

_Monsieur_ Joutel _and some others are of Opinion, that the Mouth of that Branch Monsieur_ de la Sale _went down, is in the Bay of the_ Holy Ghost, _and actually between the twenty eighth and twenty ninth Degrees of North Latitude, as Monsieur_ de la Sale _found it. As for the other Channel, the same Sieur_ Joutel _believes it is farther towards the S. W. and about the Shoals they met with about the 6th of_ January, 1685, _between the twenty seventh and twenty eighth Degrees of North Latitude, when they were sailing along the Coast of the Bay of_ Mexico, _and that those Shoals were the Marks of a River discharging it self there, which they neglected to inquire into. If that be so, Monsieur_ de la Sale _was very near it, and even pass’d along before both the Mouths, but unfortunately, without perceiving them, which was the main Cause of his Death and the Ruin of his Enterprize_.

_To conclude, it must be granted, that as the Return of that small Number of Persons from a Country so remote and through so many Dangers, is a visible Effect of the Divine Protection; so it is also an Effect of Heavenly Justice to have preserv’d those Witnesses, and to have brought them Home into Monsieur_ de la Sale’s _Country, to retrieve his Reputation, which had been sully’d by his Enemies_.

_Monsieur_ de la Sale _would have been taken for a Dreamer, and even for an Impostor; his Enterprize had been condemn’d, and his Memory blasted; but God would not permit the Honour of a Man of such singular Merit to suffer; it pleas’d him to preserve and bring Home unquestionable Witnesses, who, by Word of Mouth and other undoubted Proofs of the notable Discoveries made by Monsieur_ de la Sale, _have stopp’d the Mouths of his Enemies, and made out the Truth of what has been asserted at the Beginning of this Discourse_, viz. _that Monsieur_ de la Sale _only wanted good Fortune to secure him the Title of a great Man and a renowned Traveller_.

[Decoration]

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