LOUISIANA. 151 



In 1 7 20, the Spaniards formed the defign of 

 fettling at the Mijfomis^ who are near the Illinois^ 

 in order to confine us more to the weftward j the 

 Mijfouris are far diftant horn New Mexico^ which 

 is the mod northerly province the Spaniards 

 have. 



They believed, that in order to put their 

 colony in fafety, it was neceflary they fhould 

 entirely deflroy the Mijfouris "y but concluding 

 that it would be impofTible to fubdue them with 

 their own forces alone, they refolved to make an 

 alliance with the Ofages^ a people who were the 

 neighbours of the MiJJ'ouris^ and at the fame time 

 their mortal enemies, hoping , with their aiTift- 

 ance, to furprife and dellrOy their enemies. 

 With that view they formed a caravan at Santa- 

 Fey confiding of men, women, and foldiers, 

 having a Jacobine prieft for their chaplain, and 

 an engineer-captain for their chief and condu6t- 

 or, with the horfes and cattle necelTary for a per- 

 manent fettlement. 



The caravan being fet out, miftook its road, 

 and arrived at the Mijfouris ^ taking them to be 

 the Offiges, Immediately the conductor of the 

 caravan orders his interpreter to fpeak to the 

 chief of the Mijfouris^ as if he had been that of 

 L A the 



