The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-09-27

discovery. His genius for commerce
grasped the idea, which is now again
taking hold of the public mind, that
the products of our whole valley should
find their way TO Europe down the Miss
issippi and through the Gulf OF Mex
leo. But it was not until the year 1867 /
that he went on his expedition, in /
which he navigated our great river !
10 its mouth, reaching the sea on the 9th |
of April of that year. On the shore he
"planted cross, with the arms of France,
amid the solemn chants Of hymns OF
thanksgiving. and in the name OF the
French king took possession of the river,
/ of all its branches, and the territory water
ed By them, and the notary drew up an
authentic act which all signed with beat
| ing hearts and leaden plate with the
arms of France and the names of the dis
coverers, was, amid the rattle OF musketry,
deposited in the earth Not many years
afterwards the colony of Louisiana was
founded to remain under French rule Tor
nearly century during the com
paratively short period of its subsection to
Spain-and finally to be united on terms
of absolute equality to the American
Union, of which it forms SO great and in
valuable part
| feel that this address would be incom-
plete without some account of the fates
which befell the discoveries of the Aissls-
IL sipni river after their return from their
o daring expedition. Joliet FASTENED on to
{ Quebec to make his report to the Count dc
Frontenac. Unfortunately, while shooting
the rapids above Montreal his canoe turn
= ed and he barely escaped with his life, los
5 ing all his papers. Nevertheless he drew
! no narrative Of his voyage from recol
o lection, and also sketched a map OF the
country through which he had passed;
These Frontenac forwarded TO France, and
= in previous dispatches had announced the
At discovery of the great river to the Gull o.
.. Mexico. Joliet seems then TO have falleI
back into his original obscurity, and be
T came again trader with the Indians. tn,
French government rewarded his service
~ bv the gift of the island of Anticost, ant
B. ali that is known of him is that after vari
ID Gus vicissitudes of fortune he died, as it i
lg vaguely expressed, some years prior L
h 1871.
r. The subsequent career Of Father Mar
IS. duette has more in it OF melancholy 70
ce nance. Returning from his expedition I
as discover the Mississippi, he sent to hi
I'll superior, laH Ill Tue bIulilily Npul oC ~ III
he duty as a soldier of the Company Of Jesu,
re to report himself to his immediate con
is maudant, modest account OF the dE
rs coveries, as if made not by himself but b
r. the Sieur Joliet. His strength hayin
of been nearly exhausted by the great hare
ri ships of his voyage, he remained to reef
3n- perate his health at the mission OF ;
nd Francis Navier, on Green Bay, until Sci
Ter tember, 1914. Then partially recovering
of he set out for his mission among the Iii
oSt nnis Indians. On his way thither he WI
ties again taken i'll aud was compelled TO pa
in the winter in miserable open cabin on Il
es- hank of the Chicago river, but cared f
aud by some French traders there. In Il
the sprinr of 1910 he was so far recovered
ned to proceed to his mission Having pc
lier formed his duties there he was returnll
Dm- along the eastern shore Of Lake Mi".,ig
de- when his strength again beg9r. to fail hi
Use, Still he perseyered in his voyage until
'om last, conscious that he was about to d
a ct and perceiying the mouth of small riy,
the with an emlnence on the bank which
the thought suited to his burial, he caused
OF companions 10 land there with him
can On that desert coast, on the 18th Of VI;
ac- 100, when yet but thirty eight years o
'ian with the most cheerful calmuess, he Ii
SUI his end his last word, were "Hdtsr /
the msmeatg mel. When his last agony "
ms over, his two disconsolate companions b.
at led his body according to the directions
SION had given, aud only the summer zephy
"a from OH the placid surface of Lake Mic
mls gan came thjther gently through the :
long rounding forest, to softly chant his tuue
and dnge. But his body was not long To-
6 5u Continued on Third Page.