Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-04-26
The death of La Sale.

The following interesting notice Of the
death of La SALE, one of the first Gov
errors Of Canada, and the first person Of
distinction who penetrated to the Upper
Lakes and Mississippi, we copy from the
St. Louis Reveille. The ditor of the Re-
veile mistakes, in attributing to a Sale
the discovery Of the Mississippi, which was
made a few years previous to La Salles's
by Father MAneurrrE, Je-
suit Missionary who, with surprising cour-
age and forlitude, made his way to the very
heart Of this continent, through numerous
tribes Of savages, and after undergoing in
credible hardships and fatigues. He was
the first white man who visited the great
Father of rivers, and has the credit, in his
daring ans adventurous career, Of laboring
solely for the propagation Of the Christian
faith, 10 his zeal for which he sacrificed
every personal comfort and even at last his
life. He was killed by one of the tribes Of
Indians bordering the great river he ciscov-
cred, after having zeaiosisly but ineffectu-
ally labored for several years to bring them
to the knowledge and embrace ofthe gospel.
Following the path. of this humble pio-
neer, but with far different motives and in
far other style, La Sale, at the head Of a
numerous cortege, composed of military
forces, priests, traders, servants and seamen,
proceeded BY the same route to the head
of Lake Michigan, where he established a
trading post, and from whence some Of the
party were dispatched to the, Mississippi.
La Sale himself did not visit that river
bit after short stay, returned to Canada
1t was on this expedition that the first YES
sci which ever foa,ed on the waters Of the
great lakes was built and launched. THIS
was done at point few miles above the
Niagara Falls, and La Sale pursued in an
armed ship, with all the appanage. Of po.hp
and display, the adventurous track over our
inland seas, which Father Marquette had
six years previously braved in ! frail ca
noe. a : g s@
La Sale, after short stay at Lake Mich
igan, returned to Canada, and there awaited
the arrival Of Father Hennepin, whom he
had despatched, with two other persons, to
explore the Mississippi to its mouth. This
laborious and dangerous enterprise they
prosecuted with entire success, performing
the voyage down the Mississippi in bark
canoe, and returned safe to Canada 10 rem
der an account to La Sale of the fortunate
issue and particularly Of the undertaking.
Father Hennepin was Catholic Mission
ary Of the order Of St. Francis distinguished
for pious zeal and an adventurous spirit,
and is known as the author Of the earliest
description extant, Of the falls of Niagara.
After receiving the report of his agents,
La Sale returned to France where he
caused flaming account to be published
Of his adventures and discoveries, and was
entrusted with the conduct of an expedi-
tion by sea, fitted out by the French Mon.
arch, in pursuance of his representations
and wishes. From France he sailed to
the Gulf Of Mexico to confirm the discovery
Of the mouth Of the Mississippi. take pos
session Of the great valley OF that stream,
and the bordering countries, in the name
of the French King, plant colonies, and
open trade with the savage tribes of the
interior. The sketch of this expedition
and the fate Of La Sale is probably cor
rectly stated in the account below. s.,
La Sale caused the Mississippi to be
explored 10 its mouth, and asfar up as the
Falls Of st. Francis. ESQ named by Father
Hennepin in gratetulness, 10 the, Patron
Saint Of his order, for having preserved him
through many priyations and perils, } and
from this fact and the circumstances that
the irst published account of the discovery
If the great river, was that made by him
was derived the error which attributed to
him the honor Of being the first to diacov-
or the iveritself, Ian honor which belongs,
and has been properly assigned ~ history,
to the humble missionary and martyr. men
toned shove. 81. .sa 4, ass $40,
The fate Of La Sale, the discovefer Of tbs
Mississippi Is not very generally known
From avery curious book, the travels 81
M. Bossu, Captain Of the French marines
through that part Of North America called
Louisiana, 1850, |" we condense the follow
imp narrative, which will, doubtless, prove
interesting to our readers. LIN.
Robert Cavelies de La Sale, after hay,
ine discovered and traced the Mississippi L
is hSouth, returned to Canada, took his dc