Complex sentence: During the 1710s and 1720s, French presence and settlement in Natchez territory increased from a handful of traders and missionaries to nearly 1,000 settlers (mostly French colonists and African slaves), who cultivated several large tobacco plantations, and maintained the military post of Fort Rosalie.
Split into simpler sentences: During the 1710s and 1720s, French presence and settlement in Natchez territory increased from a handful of traders and missionaries to nearly 1,000 settlers (mostly French colonists and African slaves). They cultivated several large tobacco plantations, and maintained the military post of Fort Rosalie.