Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-05-11
MISSISSIPPI vALLEY-l6S7-l7S3.


ind was made until 1893. During the inter
al constant communication was kept up be-
wcen Canada and the settlements ILLINOIS,
Acccssions were continually made to Cahpkia
md kaskaskia; but new settlements were
ormed with the exception Of certain plantations
That were put under cultivation fertile tract,
between these two villages. called Prairie du
Rocher. The attention OF the French, however,
vas moi Withdrawn from tnis newly explored re-
yion and in 1899 expedition sailed from
Pooh eford, under the command of Lcmoine d'ib-
bervilie, Canadian naval officer OF reputation,
destined to the mouth of the Mississippi.-He
was he first TO enter the river by sea ; he exam
ined tho country by It's mouth, and laid the
foundation Of the first colony at the head of a
small bay named Biloxi within the present limits !
of the state of Mississippi The Sp2niards who
had long before established colonies IN Florida at
St. Augustine and neighboring points, having /
Just formed u settlement at Pensacola, protested
against the occupation of what they claimed as
their own territory, by the French Their OPP
position, however, appears TO have been inetfec-
tuaI, for in 1902 the French occupied ii new post
Mobile river, still nearer the Pensacola.
But little attention was paid TO agriculture by
the colony of Biloxi Mobile. The coonusts
depended chiefly the mother country for sup
plies of provisions. Their principal object was
tho prosecution OF the fur trade and search for
the precious metals. Accordingly they aimed
only to establish a convenient depot III which 20
Store the expected profits of the chase and the
mines in readiness to he shipped for distant mar
keis. No sooner, therefore, was footing gain
ed by tho colonists at Mobile. than expeditions
were despatched up the Mississippi to trade with
the natives and ascertain the mineral wealth of
the country.
In an expedition Of this kind, undertaken in
1905, the French for the first time entered the
Missouri river and assembled it far the
mouth Of the Rauzas the point where the wes-
! fer hnun in Of he tate ~ M
crosses the river. The natives with whom they
! had interviews, cheerfillv engaged IN trade with
them; and they found the traffic in furs highly
profitable, though they now here obtain the pre-
cinus metals in sufficient quantities to remuner-
ate them for the search. 1t may here be observ-
ed, that the French traders have always been
more fortunate in their intercourse with tho In
dams than those of any other nation.
! The footing thus gained by tho French at the
mouth Of the river of decided advantage to
the settlements in upper Louisiana Illinois.
1t opened to them direct avenue TO the ocean.
and greatly facilitated their cominunlca ton with
4 France. Bat those settlements soon began TO
experience obstacles TO their progress
I The wars in Europe now demanded all their at
tcntion, aud resources Of lnen and money could
not be obtained for CARRYING on the projected en-
terprscs liz Louisiana, and they accordingly Ian
guished for several wears. During this period,
too, the Spaniards neglected no opportunity, which
occurred, to modest their enemies. Bat little
progress, therefore was made by of tho set,
Elements about this time. Those of Illinois KEEP,
on the even tenor of their way; their reliance
for subsistence being the cultivation of the
soil While those at the mouth OF the river, de-
pending upon supplies from abroad, we're at times
extremely destitute. This state OF things, how
over, turned their attention. from necessity, t
agriculture, and pat them in a condition, after
,. wards to he more independent of external assis
+ ,aucc. Most of these settlers, however, being
! If and tho itar
J. characters, they were not inclined to labor tn
+ soil with their own hands, but procured slave
: for the purpose, and assigned the labors of III
c field almost exclusively to them.
e Hitherto tho affairs Of Louisiana had bee
a managed by officers of his appointment in til
u name of the king. A, length he, finding his a
g tenIion entirely engrossed by the in E.
E. rope, yet anxious to keep the Mississippi Vale
+ out Of the hands of the enemy, the Spanard
'' made grant of the whole territory in 1852
r. letters patent to Antoine de Crozsi. Crozat wa
sc man of great influence, and amassed forum
9. OF 40 1000, 900 livres In the Indian trade Tn
10 grant secured to him the exclusive right
" commerce with the COLONY for Is years, and a
e. the profits accruing from the mines and minera
'e he should discover, with the exception of or
he fifth of the gold aud silver, which was reserve
s. TO tho king.
IS The great wealth and credit of this gentl
n man, and the important services he had rendert
y tho crown, were sure pledges OF his ability al
ne exertions; and it was confidently expected III
C. he would speedily revive tho dropping prospec
ne of the colony. Another motive also prompted
II this grant. Those who had been entrusted wi
at authority in the province were more or less
ne variation with each other, and it required son
g- steady energetic hand to heal the disorders a
as restore harmony and concert of action amor
a them.
Tor NJ. De la Motto was the first Governor appoir
ng ed under the grant. He arrived in the colo,
and entered upon his Official duties in 1918.
! a census taken at that time gave population
ne but 400 permanent residents The number W
er- considerably increased by emigrsnts who Car
er- with the governor. The prevailing nduceme
OF with them was the hope Of obtaining wealth tire
IN the supposed mineral treasurers Of the countl
vi and from trade with the natives. According
'ro all their attention directed this ohie
as and all their exertions bent accomplishing
10 Expeditions were sent in various directions tn
TH the country traffic in furs and search of q
en- aud silver. The trade with the natives v
generally profitable, but the search for mine
10 riches was fruitless.
he
n; ERRORS CT THE PREss-Nhen it is kco,
&c, thai from fifty to 100 thousand types picked
single and put in their proper places for each da
'ut paper, it will no; appear extraordinary that oc
CT sionaliy few of them should wrOnp Mac