[Sidenote: M. de la Sale’s _Fort taken by the_ Spaniards.]
[Sidenote: M. de Hiberville’s _Expedition for the_ Missisipi.]
In fine it appears, by all that has been writ by those several Persons concerning that Enterprize, that the Murder committed on the Person of Monsieur _de la Sale_ was the Occasion of its miscarrying; but that which obstructed the making of some Provision in that Case was, the said Murders being conceal’d for the Space of two Years, and that the _Spaniards_ of _Mexico_ having been inform’d of all the Affair, sent Men, who carry’d off the weak Garrison Monsieur _de la Sale_ had left in the Fort built by him, near the Place of his Landing, before he penetrated into the Country, to find out the _Missisipi_. They also entirely raz’d that Fort, so that Seven or Eight Years elaps’d, till Monsieur _de Hiberville_, a Gentleman of _Canada_, and a Person of Capacity and Courage, famous for his notable Expeditions to _Hudson_’s Bay and other Parts, resolv’d to reassume and revive that Project. He came over into _France_ upon that Design, and made an Armament about the Year 1698, set out and sail’d to the Gulf of _Mexico_. Being an able Seaman, he search’d along the Coast so narrowly, that he found the Mouth of that fatal _Missisipi_ and built a Fort on it, leaving Men there, with a good Quantity of Ammunition and Provisions, and return’d to _France_, intending to go back with a Reinforcement, as he did, and having penetrated far into the Country, discover’d several Savage Nations, and join’d Friendship and Alliance with them, as also built another Fort, which he left well stor’d with Men and Necessaries, return’d into _France_; but attempting a third Voyage, he dy’d by the Way, and thus, for want of Relief and Support, that noble Enterprize miscarry’d again.
[Sidenote: M. Crozat _only to plant Colonies and Trade in_ Louisiana.]
But God has now provided for it, and it is the Concern of Heaven, for if _France_ is interested on Account of the Temporal Advantages it expects, the Church is so in like Manner, for the Conversion of the _Indians_ it hopes will follow. Accordingly, Providence has taken the Affair in Hand, having rais’d the Man, who is the fittest to revive and support so important a Project. This is _Monsieur Crozat_, Secretary to the King, a Man of singular Worth, very Intelligent, Well-meaning, and prodigiously Rich, who without going out of his Closet, has been the Occasion of many notable Voyages by Sea, and all of them successful. To him, his Majesty, by his Letters Patent, bearing Date the _14th of Septemb. 1712_, has granted the sole Power to trade and settle Colonies in the Countries describ’d in this Journal, and which are known to us by the Name of _Louisiana_ and the River _Missisipi_, from hence forward to be call’d the River of St. _Lewis_. The Grant is made to him for 15 Years, under several Conditions mention’d in the said Letters Patent, which have been made publick.