LOUISIANA. 87 



the wellward of the river he fought for ; if it 

 had been his intention to find it, he might on 

 his firft journey to the Cenis have obtaine4 

 guides from thofe Indians, becaufe they granted 

 fome in the fequel to Joutel^^ ; but he wiftied to 

 come near the Spaniards, in order to take cog- 

 nizance of the mines of St, Barbara^ and to feek 

 likewife a Dorado, By endeavouring to do too 

 much, he not only did nothing at all, but made 

 all his people perifli, and perifhed himfelf, and 

 was pitied by nobody. 



Before I conclude this letter, let me add fome 

 reflexions on the folly of men. 



The avidity of the Spaniih captains mufl have 



been very great, as it engaged them to feek for 



an imaginary Dorado or mountain of gold, whilft 



(he whole country they v/ere in abounded in all 



G 4 parts 



* The Sieur J out el found the MiJJiJtppi by means of the 

 Indians, who brought him to the Akanzas^ and from thenct 

 into Canada, ; where he arrived, accompanied by one priell, 

 a Recollet friar, a foidier, a failor, a colonift, and an In- 

 dian, who compofed a (Irange fort of caravan. They were 

 all that returned from this expedition. The remains of this 

 unhappy colony perilhed either through the Indians or 

 through the' Spaniards, who took them prifoners, and fet 

 them at work in their mines. 



