Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-04-07

4
lerated by grant of the large Island
If Anticosti, in the gulf of St. Law
.ence.
This important discovery filled all
Canada with joy, and the inhabitants of
Quebec followed the constituted au-
thorlties of the colony to the cathedral,
where the bishop with his clergy sung
a solemn re Deun,. Little did they
suspect that the event for which they
were returning thanks to heaven was
10 be alike. in the chain of crcumstan-
ces, which were to lead to the expul-
sion of the French from North Amer
lea, and that Providence had not des-
tined the shores Of the mighty Mis-
sissippi for the abode of the vassals Of
any European province; but had de-
creed it to be for time the boundary,
and forever afterwards to roll its turbid
waves in the midst Of free and pros
porous communities, that are now es-
tablIshed in this western valley.
Several years elapsed before any one
attempted to follow up the discoveries
made by Marquette and Joliet. The
father had died while prosecuting his
humble labors amongst the Indians, in
1875, and Joliet was too much enga-
ged by his private affairs to prosecute
the plans Of farther discoveries. The
joy that burst forth upon the discovery
Of the Mississippi had subsidized, and
the utmost apathy on this subject pre-
vailed in the colonial government.
M. Robert Cavalier de Lasalle, a
native Of Roucn in Normandy, was
the first to follow up these early dis
coveries.
Lasalle had spent several years in
the order Of the Jesuits, which circum-
stance prevented him from receiving
any part of the inheritance from his
parents who had ended their lives,
while he was thus civilly dead. He
came to Canada in search of some en-
terprise that would give him wealth
or fame. The prosecution Of the dis
coveres Of Marquette and Joliet ex-
actly suited his ambition, and he pos
sessed the Intelligence, talents, enter
prize and perseverance, indispensable
to the successful prosecution of such
an object.
He did not doubt the mighty stream,
described by Joliet, poured its waters
into the Gulph of Mexico; but he en-
tertained the idea, that by ascending
it, passage might be found to some
other river running westerly and af-
fording passage to Japan and China.
These views he communicated to
Count dc Frontenac, and urged the
propricty of establishing chain Of
forts along lake Ontario, and thus by
holding out protection, induce settlers
to improve the surrounding country,
and provide barrier against the erup-
tons of the Iroquois. As further
advaat he presented the facility
which this would give to the building
of barques for the extension Of the
trade along the shores Of the lakes,
and the dominion Of the king over dis
tant tribes Of Indians. The Count en-
tertaiped the same views of Lasalle,
but as the execution Of the proposed
plan required considerable disburse-
ments, which he was unwilingto make
without the minister's directions, he
ordered the protector to return TO
France and lay his plans before the
Court.
On his arrival in Paris, Lasalle had
the good fortune to procure an intro
duction to the Prince Gle Cont, whose
patronage secured him ample success
at Court. The King granted him let
tiers Of nobility, and an extensive ter
ritory around Fort Frontenac, former
y called Calarocoui, or Cataroqui, on
condition Of his rebuilding it of stone,
and invested him with ample power for
prosecuting the projected discoveries,
and carrying on trade with the natives.
The Prince de Cont recommended the
chevalier dc Tonti as suitable person
to aid him in these enterprises. The
chevalier de Tonti was an Italian Off
GER, who had eerved in Sicily, where.
he had lost his hand. For substitute
he had one made Of copper, which by
habit he had acquired tho facility Of
using to great advantage. Lasalle, ac-
companied by Tonti, and thirty other
colonists among whom were number
Of useful mechanics, reached Quebec
on the 18th Of September, 1878, and
proceeded Immediately to Fort Fronte-
nae, situated at the entrance of lako
Ontario. He Immediately employed
his men in rebuilding the fort and con-