70 TRAVELS through 



On his arrival at court, he imparted his dit 

 covery to MefT. Colbert and de Seignelai, who ob- 

 tained for him a commiliion from the King, im- 

 pordng, that all the countries which he fhould 

 difcover from New Bifcay to the Illinois^ and the 

 people, both Freiicl} and Indians, that (hould be 

 in thofe countries, Ihould be under his orders. 



It was Txt the fame nation, called AkanzaSy 

 that Mr. Joutel .iriived, who let out after the 

 deach of M. de la Salle, with guides to find out 

 the Miffifipfu This is the only officer who has 

 left us an account which may be credited. I 

 think I ought to give you an abftrad: of it ; 

 you will find the hiftory of M. de la Salle in it, 

 and of the end of his unlucky expedition. 



In regard to Ferdinand Soto^s voyage, I fhall 

 but jufl mention, that the general hiftory of the 

 Weft Indies informs us, that this great officer, 

 proud and enriched by the conqueft of Peru, af- 

 ter imbruing his facrilegious hands in the blood 

 of the unfortunate family of the Incas, intended 

 to penetrate into this country with the braveft 

 of his foldiers, to fubdue the nations that inha- 

 bit the neighbourhood of this river, of which I 

 am going to give you a defcription ; but he did 

 not know the interior parts of this vaft conti- 

 nent-, perhaps he expelled to find efi'eminate 



nations 



