Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/230

 but some hopes of silk were still entertained." Two years later, the Board of Trade having recommended a form of government, John Reynolds was sent out as governor. The legislature was similar in its construction to that of other colonies under the Crown. The genuine Southern spirit of hospitality prevailed in Georgia, as in other colonies; yet, although the people were now favored with the same liberties and privileges enjoyed by their neighbors under the royal care, several years more elapsed before the value of the lands in Georgia was known, and that spirit of industry aroused, which afterwards diffused its happy influence over the country.

 

1698—1753.

some years after La Salle's untimely death (p. 141,) the whole region of the lower Mississippi remained undisturbed. The peace of Ryswick, however, opened the way for fresh efforts on the part of the French to carry out their favorite project of establishing an uninterrupted line of communication between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. Lemoine D'Iberville was chosen as the leader in this 'rnportant enterprise. He was well known as a brave and skilful naval officer, and stood high in the esteem of his Canadian countrymen. On the 17th of October, 1698, he embarked, with two frigates and some two hundred settlers—mostly disbanded soldiers—to plant a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi, which as yet had not been entered from the sea. Early in February, 1699—the Spaniards having prevented his entering 