THE SPANISH EXPEDITION TO MISSOURI IN 1819. 727 
but adds additional particulars in regard to the visit of the Missouris to the 
French commandant at the Illinois, describing the procession as they marched 
and danced, with the ornaments of the chapel suspended about their necks, and 
that of a horse they had brought with them. 
Du Pratz § in his history of Louisiana, gives a condensed account of the ex- 
pedition similar to the foregoing and adds, speaking of the visit of the Missouris. 
tothe Illinois, ‘‘ They had brought the map which had so disastrously led the 
Spaniards. After having having examined it, it appears to me better suited for the 
west of our colony toward them than for the country in which we are interested. 
From this map it would seem that we should bend the Red and Arkansas rivers 
as I have said in its place, and place the source gf the Missouri more to the west 
than our geographers do.” 
Dumont, as I have shown, also writes of the same map and the fact that the 
expedition had with them the map of the country, would seem to give weight to 
the belief entertained by the French at the time, that the enterprise was under-’ 
taken by the Spaniards, with a purpose which agreed in general with the story of 
their intentions as told by the Missouris. 
Charlevoix,* who traveled from Quebec to New Orleans in the year 1721,. 
says in one of his letters to the Duchess of Lesdiguieres, dated at Kaskaskia, 
July 21, 1721: ‘‘ About two years ago some Spaniards, who came, as they say, 
from New Mexico, intending to get into the country of the Illinois and drive the 
French from thence, whom they saw with extreme jealousy approach so near the 
Missouri, came down the river and attacked two villages of the Octotas,f who are 
allies of the Ayouez,f and from whom it is also said they are derived. As the 
savages had no fire-arms and were surprised, the Spaniards made an easy con- 
quest and killed a great many of them. A third village, which was not far off 
from the other two, being informed of what had passed and not doubting but 
these conquerors would attack them, laid an ambush into which the Spanirds 
heedlessly fell. Others say that the savages having heard that the enemy were 
almost all drunk and fast asleep, fell upon them in the night. However it was, it 
is certain the greatest part of them were killed. There were in the party two almo- 
ners; one of them was killed directly and the other got away to the Missourites, 
who took him prisoner, but he escaped from them very dextrously. He had a 
very fine horse and the Missourites took pleasure in seeing him ride it, which he 
did very skillfully. He took advantage of their curiosity to get outof their hands. 
One day as he was prancing and exercising his horse before them, he got a 
little distance from them insensibly ; then suddenly clapping spurs to his horse he 
was soon out of sight.” 
Charlevoix also says that he obtained the spur of the Almoner that was killed 
and that the Indians had his breviary. The story of the priest and the manner 
@ History of Louisiana, Etc., by M. Le Page, Du Pratz Paris 1758. The author was for many yearsa 
government factor in the Province of Louisiana, and on his return to France published the above work, 
*The celebrated Jesuit father, author af ““The History of New France.’ Journal of a Voyageto N. A. 
Leters to the Duchess, etc. 
fTOtoes. flowas. 
