A. D. 1712.- 2-5 



■ in and to tlie South Teas, and fuch other power of trade in the fifhery 

 ' as by the faid a6l is diretSled, and all other benefits, powers, privileges, 

 ' and advantages, as if no fuch redemption were had or made.' 



In a reprefentation of the Eaft-India company to the houfe of com- 

 mons, againfi: laying additional duties- on calicoes, muflins, cottons, 

 tea, coffee, and drugs, that company alleged, * that they annually ex- 

 * ported to the Eafl-Tndies about LifOjOOO value in woollen goods and 

 ' other Englifh produd:.' 



The king of France granted a patent to Mr. Crozat, hisfecretary, for 

 r5 years, of the whole commerce of ' all the lands in North-America, 

 ' lying between New-France on the north, Carolina on the eaft, and 

 ' New-Mexico on the weft, down to the gulf of Florida, by the name 

 ' of Louiflana, fince named the province of Miflifippi.' In the preamble 

 to this famous patent the king fays, ' that having in the year 1683, 

 ' given orders to the Sieur de la Salle to make difcovery of the faid coun- 

 ' try above defcribed, he fiicceeded fo well, that it was now beyond 

 ' doubt that a communication may be prafticable between the bay of 

 ' Mexico and New-France, by certain vaft rivers. This obliged us im- 

 ' mediately on the peace of Ryfwick to fend thither a colony and gar- 

 ' rifon, which has maintained the pofTeffion we took, in the faid year 

 ' 1683, of lands, coafts, and iflands fituated in the gulf of Mexico, be- 



■ tween Carolina on the eaft, and old and new Mexico on the weft. Bur, 

 ' war breaking out again in Europe, we have not been able till now to 

 ' render that colony fo advantageous as we hoped for.' The bounds 

 jiow granted to Crozat were, * from the mouth of the river MilFifippi, 

 ' in the bay of Mexico, to the lake Illinois northward; and from New- 

 ' Mexico on the weft, to the lands of the Englifh of Carolina eaft ward ; 

 ' with all rivers, ports, creeks, ifles, &c. by the name of Louifianu ; the 

 ' province, however, to depend on the general government of New- 

 ' France, and be deemed a part thereof. Crozat to enjoy the fole trade 

 ' ofallexportationsto,and importations from, this province for 15 years; 

 ' as alfo all mines, minerals, &c. paying a fifth of thele to the king, 

 ' and an immunity during, that term from cuftom outward and home- 

 ' ward, &c.' 



This is the whole of the French king's title to the pofTeflion of the 

 vaft country, which, by virtue of his plenary power, he was plealed to 

 call his own. Under the year 1698, we have related his firft attempting 

 a fettlement there; but as it was only at the mouth of the river Mifli- 

 fippi, it properly and folely belonged to Spain to oppole it, as being 

 within the limits of Florida. From thence France, on any rupture with 

 Spain, may greatly annoy the Spanlth dominions in old and new Mexico, 

 &.C. But when, in the above grant to Crozat, Louis clearly proclaimed 

 his plan of joining Louifiana to New-France, and thereby hemming in 

 the Englifti continental colonies between the Mifiifippi and the lea eaft- 



VoL. 111. D 



