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]
Advertisement, _to the British Gentry_.
Whereas all Gentlemen ought to fit themselves betimes for those
Employments which naturally fall to their Share, preferable to their
Fellow Subjects; and that they who design in particular to serve
their Prince Abroad, are obliged to understand the Interests and
Pretentions of Foreign States, as well as the Laws and Constitution of
their own Country: It has been judg’d very serviceable, by Persons of
great Experience, to have the most celebrated Monsieur Wicquefort’s
Ambassador translated into the English Tongue, as being the only Book
that perfectly exhausts this Matter, little being written on the
Subject by other Nations in Comparison of the Italians, whose Books
are too defective and abstracted for common Practice. Proposals will
shortly be published, for printing the said Book by Subscription, by
the Undertaker Bernard Lintott between the two Temple-Gates.
The Tragedy of Jane Shore, written in Shakespear’s Style, by Nicholas
Row Esq; as it is acted at the Queen’s Theatre in the Hay-Market. pr. 1
s. 6 d.
The Rape of the Lock, an heroick comical Poem, in 5 Canto’s, with 6
Copper Plates, by Mr. Pope. pr. 1 s.
The Works of Monsieur de Moliere, translated, in 6 Vols. 12s. printed
on fine Paper and new Elziver Letter.
The Clergy-man’s Recreation, shewing the Pleasure and Profit of the
Art of Gard’ning. By John Lawrence. A. M. Rector of Yelvertost in
Northamptonshire, and sometime Fellow of Clare-Hall in Cambridge.
Miscellaneous Poems and Translations by several Hands, particularly,
the first Book of Statius his Thebais translated. The Fable of
Vertumnus and Pomoua, from the 14th Book of Ovid’s Metamorphosis. To
a young Lady; with the Works of Voiture. On Silence. To the Author of
a Poem entitled Successio. The Rape of the Lock. An Ode for Musick on
St. Cecilia’s Day. Windsor Forest. To the Right Honourable George Ld.
Lansdown. An Essay on Criticism. An Epigram upon Two or Three. All
written by Mr. Pope.
AN
HISTORICAL JOURNAL
OF THE
Late Monsieur _de la Sale’s_
LAST
VOYAGE
INTO
North America
To Discover the
River _MISSISIPI_.
[Sidenote: _It is Mr._ Joutel _that speaks in this Journal_.]
At the Time when Monsieur _de la Sale_ was preparing for his last
Voyage into _North America_, I happen’d to be at _Roan_, the Place
where he and I were both born, being return’d from the Army, where I
had serv’d sixteen or seventeen Years.
The Reputation gain’d by Monsieur _de la Sale_, the Greatness of
his Undertaking, the Natural Curiosity which all men are possess’d
with, and my Acquaintance with his Kindred, and with several of the
Inhabitants of that City, who were to bear him Company, easily
prevail’d with me to make one of the Number, and I was admitted as a
volunteer.
[Sidenote: _July 1684_]
Our Rendezvous was appointed at _Rochel_, where we were to imbark.
Messieurs _Cavelier_, the one Brother, the other Nephew to Monsieur _de
la Sale_,[29] Messieurs _Chedeville_, _Planteroze_, _Thibault_, _Ory_,
some others and I, repair’d thither in _July 1684_.
[Sidenote: _Departure from_ Rochel.]
Monsieur _de la Sale_ having provided all Things necessary for his
Voyage, surmounted all the Difficulties laid in his Way by several
ill-minded Persons, and receiv’d his Orders from Monsieur _Arnoult_,
the Intendant at _Rochel_, pursuant to those he had receiv’d from the
King, we sail’d on the _24th of July, 1684_,[30] being twenty four
Vessels, four of them for our Voyage, and the others for the Islands
and _Canada_.
[Sidenote: _Persons that went._]
The four Vessels appointed for Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Enterprize, had
on Board about two hundred and eighty persons, including the Crews; of
which Number there were one hundred Soldiers, with their Officers, one
_Talon_, with his _Canada_ Family, about thirty Volunteers, some young
Women, and the rest hired People and Workmen of all Sorts, requisite
for making of a Settlement.
[Sidenote: _Ships._]
The first of the four Vessels was a Man of War, call’d _le Joly_, of
about thirty six or forty Guns, commanded by Monsieur _de Beaujeu_,
on which Monsieur _de la Sale_, his Brother the Priest, two Recolet
Fryars, Messieurs _Dainmaville_ and _Chedeville_, Priests, and I
imbark’d. The next was a little Frigate, carrying six Guns, which the
King had given to Monsieur _de la Sale_, commanded by two Masters; a
Flyboat of about three hundred Tuns Burden, belonging to the Sieur
_Massiot_, Merchant at _Rochel_, commanded by the Sieur _Aigron_, and
laden with all the Effects Monsieur _de la Sale_ had thought necessary
for his Settlement, and a small Ketch, on which Monsieur _de la Sale_
had imbark’d thirty Tuns of Ammunition, and some Commodities design’d
for _Santo Domingo_.[31]
[Sidenote: _Boltsprit lost._]
All the Fleet, being under the Command of Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, was
order’d to keep together as far as _Cape Finisterre_, whence each was
to follow his own Course; but this was prevented by an unexpected
Accident. We were come into 45 Degrees 23 Minutes of North Latitude,
and about 50 Leagues from _Rochel_, when the Boltsprit of our Ship, the
_Joly_, on a sudden, broke short, which oblig’d us to strike all our
other Sails, and cut all the Rigging the broken Boltsprit hung by.