10 THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY’: 
tailed record has been published of the difficulties and hard- 
ships of the trip. On reaching Fort Frontenac, La Salle 
lost no time in pushing forward his enterprise. Another 
vessel was built, and abundant supplies furnished, this oc- 
cupying the greater part of the year 1680. By the close of 
the year he again reached the Illinois country, to find his 
fort abandoned, and his party broken up. The winter and 
part of the following spring of 1681 was spent in conciliat- 
ing the good-will of the various Indian tribes, in which be- 
ing successful, he again returned to Canada to reorganize 
his exploring party, and returned at the close of the season 
fully equipped for his long-delayed undertaking. Finally 
on the 6th of February, 1682, he reached the mouth of the 
Illinois, and thence following down the Mississippi beyond 
the explorations of Marquette, he crowned his ambitious 
hopes by planting the banner of France at the outlet of this 
majestic stream, with appropriate imposing ceremonies, on 
the 9th of April, 1682, the adjoining country then for the 
first time receiving the name of Louisiana. Thus by his 
persevering efforts, continued in spite of disheartening dis- 
asters, for four years, was accomplished a complete exam- 
ination of the entire navigable waters of the Mississippi, 
from the falls of St. Anthony to its mouth, one hundred 
and ninety years ago. 
After his return an interval of two years elapsed, during 
which time La Salle returned to France with the news of 
his discoveries, and organized a large colonizing expedition, 
designed to reach this country by sea. 
In July, 1684, the fleet, composed of four vessels, set sail 
from France. This expedition, taking a southern route, 
landed at San Domingo. Here occurred the misfortune of 
the loss of one of the vessels loaded with goods and supplies, 
being captured by a: Spanish force. The three remaining 
| Ships having laid in a store of provisions, and taking on 
board a number of domestic animals designed to stock their 
