Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/60

 Expedition, and among them were three Recolets, whom he carry'd over to try what might be done as to Christianity among the Savages; he was well acquainted with, and had a just Esteem for the Virtue, the Capacity and the Zeal of those good, religious Men, who alone first undertook the Mission into that new World, and who being seconded by others, have carry'd it on there, with so much Edification.

Monsieur de la Sale having spent two Years in going and coming, still thwarted by those who envy'd him in the Country, to such a Degree, that had it not been for an Antidote, he must have dy'd of Poison given him by some Villains, could not order his Affairs and begin his Expedition till the Year 1682. He set out at length, and to the End his Discovery of the Missisipi might be compleat, he caus'd Father Hennepin, a Recolet, with some others, to travel to the Northward, that they might find out the Source of that River, and they found it, about the 50th Degree of North Latitude. For his own Part, he proceeded to the Westward and found the River of the Islinois, which he call'd the River of Seignelay, and following its Course, came into the Missisipi, where the other discharges it self. He then concluded he had no more to do, but to run down to its Mouth, whether in the South Sea or the Gulph of Mexico. All along its Banks he found many Savage Nations, with whom, by Means of his Presents, he enter'd into Alliances, and gave the Country the Name of Louisiana, to honour the Name and Memory of our August Monarch, in whose Reign those Discoveries were made. At length, the Course of the Missisipi convey'd Monsieur de la Sale to its Mouths, as falling into the Gulph of Mexico in two Streams, and he arriv'd there in the Month of April 1682 or 1683, for the Dates of those who have writ concerning it, make either of those Years. He stay'd there some Days, to take Observations and place some Marks which he might know again, when he return'd. Being satisfied with having found some Part of what he sought, he return'd the same Way he had gone, and came again to