Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/61

 Quebeck in Canada, in order to go over to France, and thence to make a Tryal to find that Mouth of the Missisipi by the Gulph of Mexico, which he had already discover'd by the Way of Canada, and to secure it; for he thought it much more advantageous to know it by the Way of the Sea, than to go thither by Land, because the Voyage through Canada is much longer and more troublesome, and can be perform'd but once a Year, whereas by the Way of the Bay of Mexico it is not longer, but is much more commodious, and may be perform'd in all Seasons, either going or coming. He was also sensible that the said Mouth being once discover'd by Sea, afforded an easier and safer Communication with Canada, running up that noble River, the Navigation whereof is not interrupted by Falls, nor Torrents for above sixty Leagues towards its Source.

These Considerations mov'd Monsieur de la Sale to take another Voyage into France, where his Expedition having been commended and his new Project approv'd of, the King order'd him Vessels to return and carry on his Enterprize, the Particulars whereof are to be found in this Journal. That Affair, so well begun, seem'd to promise very advantageous Consequences; but it miscarried through the Perfidiousness and Villany of that noble Adventurer's own People.

This is what I have judg'd might serve as an Introduction to your Journal, if it shall not be thought to dishonour it, you may place it before the said Journal, and that which follows at the End of it, which will shew how far that great Enterprize of the Discovery of the Missisipi has been