Weekly Trinity journal., 1858-12-25

THE FIRST THREE Men or THE VEST
We read about Columbus in many a volume: we
relate anecdotes of Daniel Boone; we hear much
of the pilgrims of Plymouth: and with the re-
markable lives Of many pioneers we are familiar;
hut who speaks Of Joliet, Marquette and Lasalle !?
Joliet, Marquette and Lasalle were the first white
men who explored the country along the shores
of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers--a country
now divided into great hourshing States peopled
by millions. The three discoverers were natives
of France, and belonged to the order Of Jesnts,
a class of men devoted to all the hardShips that
men endure: they go forth shorn, and stripped Of
fashions ornaments and life's expensive and bub-
ble-like enoyments, to spread the doctrines OF
the cross; they seek the distant abodes OF heath
enism to grapple with darkness until they roll
back its clouds or perish as martyrs to the cause
of light they climb every hill, traverse every
valley, and wander over the whole earth, with
the mysterious secrets Of their mission closed
beneath the thought brow.
colony has been established by French Jesu-
its at Quebec, whence they sent missionaries to
the Indian tribes, hoping to extend among them
the principles of their creed, and to ultimately
colonize whatever portions Of the country they
might claim by right Of discovery. Gradually,
the field of their labors grew wider, until little
parties were scattered all along the great lake
chain. Every month, new discoveries were made,
and each messenger from the more distant con-
yeyed TO the older stations wonderful accounts of
the beauty and extent of the country. The am
bilious were excited by the prospect of wealth
and desire for high rank among successful adyen-
turers: while others were prompted by religious
enthusiasm to go further into the wilderness.
Joliet, of whom less is known than Of Marquette
or Lasallc, was desirous Of finding " the great
river" so often mentioned by the Indians. Ac
cordingly in June, 1913, hc accompanied by
Marquette and few assistants, set ont in a bark
canoe. Silently, and enraptured by the charming
scenes Of beauty all around them, they foated
on until they reached the point where the waters
of the Wisconsin unite with those of the Mississ
ipp Here, the travellers paused for a little, then
pushed out into the current Of the great river,
which bore them onward to the mouth of the Ohio.
Having made this long journey, they returned,
and entering the river Illinois, discovered all that
country through which it flows, and reached
Green Bay when Joliet took his departure for
Quebec to make known their adventures. From
that time, Joliet sappears, and is not known in
connection with other discoveries, yet he accom-
plished enough TO have his memory forever cher
ished.
Marquette still pursued his adventures, but he
was more OF religicnist than man Of practical
enterprise; he sought new places TO find other
tribes of red men 10 whom he could declare the
existence OF & Supreme Ruler and the efficacy of
the cross He looked upon the progress of his
religion as the progress OF perfection; his spirit
was always calm, his enthusiasm interrupted by
and the destinations of the world; with the lndi-
ans he was a favorite, and by his countrymen he
was revered. About two years after he had dis
covered the Mississippi, in passing from the Chi
cago river toward Macknaw, on Lake Michigan,
he turned his canoe into small stream flowing to
The lake. landed, built a rough altar, consecated
it, repeated his prayers, and died chanting praises
to the better land.
The last Of the three, Lasalle, was the greatest.
lie was educated under the control Of Jesuit in
ftructors resigned his connection with that order,
aud began his explorations in the west; be fol
lowed the track Of Joliet and Marquette but sur
passed them in the extent of his discoveries; he
planted colonies along the Illinois and Mississippi
and other streams and stimulated bis companions
TO activity and endurance, by example and kind
attention to their wants But envy and avarice
created discussion; the settlements were broken
up, conspiracy was formed and as the good
Lasalle was returning from Port ST. Louis to
Canada, he was shot dead by one of his party
All that he had endured brought him the poor
reward OF a final place
Where the ravenous bird and prowing beast
Made of the dead gladsome feast.
- Sierra Citizen.