The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-09-18
Vol. Nv.
out hesitation, and landed in Canada

When on the continent Of America,
that fond object Of his dreams, La Sale
felt that he was in congenial atmos-
phere with his temperament. His
mind seemed to expand, and his con-
ceptions to become more vivid, his ma
lural eloquence to be gifted with more
persuation, and he was ackno wledged
at once by all who saw and heard him,
to be superior being. Brought into
contact with Count Frontenac, who
was Governor of Canada, he communi-
Gated to him his views and projects for
the aggrandizemen. Of France, and sug-
gested to him the gigantic plan of con-
meeting the St. Lawrence with the Mis-.
si,slppi by an uninterrupted chain Of
forts. "From the information ! have
been able to collect" said he TO the
Count. 81 think may affirm that the
Mississippi draws its source some where
IN the vicinity OF the celestial empire,
and that France will lie not only the
mistress OF all the territory between
the ST. Lawrence and the Mississippi,
bu, will command the trade of China,
flowing down the new and mighty
channel which shall open TO the Gulf
of Mexico" Count Frontenac was Sc.
duced Ivy the magni6cence OF the pros
pect sketched by the enthusiast, but
not daring to incur the expenses which
such an undertaking would have re.
quired, referred him to the Court Of
France.
To France, then, the adventurer re.
turns with increased confidence; for he
had secured one thing, he had gained
one point-introduction to the noble
and to the wealthy under the auspices
of Count Frontenac. The spirit of
Columbus was in him, and nothing a
Dashed, he would have forced his way
to the foot OF the throne and appealed
TO majesty itself, with that assurance
which genius imparts. But sufficient
was it for him to gain the good graces
of one of The roval blood Of France,
the Prince de Cont. He fired the
Princes mind with his own contagious
enthusiasm, and through him obtained
from the king not only an immense
concession of land, but was clothed
with all the powers and privileges which
he required for trading with the Indians
and carrying on his medtated plans of
discovery. Nay, more, he was emo
bled by letters patent, and thus one Of
the most ardent wishes of his heart was
gratifed. At last, he was no longer ii
plebeian, and, with Macbeth, he could
exclaim, "Now Thane of Cawdor the
greatest is behind"
La Sale re-crossed the Atlantic with |
one worthy of being his jfdus Achates,
and capable Of understanding the work
ings OF his mind and Of his heart
That man was the Chevaier de Tonti,
who. as an officer, had served with dis
tinction in many war, and who al
terwards became famous among the In
dians for the iron hand with which he |
had artificialIy supplied the one which
he had lost.
On the 18th of September, 1878,
proud and erect with the consciousness
of success, "a Sale stood again in the
walls Of Quebec, and, stimulated by the
cheers Of the whole population, he i'm
mediately entered into the execution of
his projects. -Four years aftcr,in 1852,
he was at the mouth Of the Mississippi,
and in the name las appears by a nota-
rial act still extanD of the most puis.
SAINT. most high, most inuincibie, and
most riciorious prince, Louis the Great,
King of France, took possession of all
The country which he had discovered.
How his heart mus. have sweled with |
exultation when he stood at the mouth |
Of the great river on which all his l.opes
had centred; when he uniurled the
white banner and erected the stately
column TO which he appended the royal
escutcheon Of France, amidst the
shouts Of his companions and the dis.
charge Of firearms! With what devo-
tion he must have Joined in the solemn