Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/76

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was at Port de Paix with the Marquis de St. Laurent, Lieutenant General of the American Islands, and Monsieur Begon the Intendant, which very much troubled Monsieur de la Sale, as having Affairs of the utmost Consequence to concert with them; but there was no remedy, and he was oblig'd to bear it with Patience.

The next Day, being the 28th, we sang Te Deum, in Thanksgiving for our prosperous Passage. Monsieur de la Sale being somewhat recover'd of his Indisposition, went Ashore with several of the Gentlemen of his Retinue, to buy some Refreshments for the Sick, and to find Means to send Notice of his Arrival, to Messieurs de St. Laurent, de Cussy, and Begon, and signify to them, how much he was concern'd that we had not put into Port de Paix. He writ particularly to Monsieur de Cussy, to desire he would come to him, if possible, that he might be assisting to him, and take the necessary Measures for rendering his Enterprize successful, that it might prove to the King's Honour and Service.

In the mean Time, the Sick suffering very much Aboard the Ships, by Reason of the Heat, and their being too close together, the Soldiers were put Ashore, on a little Island, near Petit Gouaves, which is the usual Burial-Place of the People of the pretended Reformed Religion, where they had fresh Provisions, and Bread baked on Purpose, distributed to them. As for the Sick, I was order'd by Monsieur de la Sale, to provide a House for them, whither they were carry'd, with the Surgeons, and supply'd with all that was requisite for them.

Some Days after, Monsieur de la Sale fell dangerously ill, most of his Family were also sick. A violent Fever, attended with Lightheadedness, brought him almost to Extremity. The Posture of his Affairs, Want of Money, and the Weight of a mighty Enterprize, without knowing whom to trust with the Execution of it, made him still more sick