-328 -An Hifîorlcal Journal of 



they heard all he could fay to them with an IndliFerence, vv^hiclî 

 he could never conquer, and he has forfaken them in his Turn. 

 From the Bottom of the Lake, or the Bay of the T onicas, if 

 ADefcriijt' of ^^^^ Canoes of Bark, we might make a 

 the Red River. ^^^nzge of two Leagues, which would fave 

 ten on tne miljijjippt ; but this is not pra6li- 

 cable with Pettiaugres. Two Leagues lower than the River of 

 the Tonkas, we leave on the Right Hand the Red Ri'ver, or Rio 

 Colorado I at the Entrance of which, the famous Ferdinand de 

 Scto, the Conqueror of Florida, ended his Days and his Exploits» 

 or rather his Rambles. This River runs Eaft and Weft fome 

 Time, then turns to the^outh. It is fcarcely navigable for Pet- 

 tiaugres, and that for no more than forty leagues ; after which 

 we meet with unpafiable Marfhes. Its Mouth appeared to me to 

 be about two hundred Fathom vvide. Ten Leagues higher, it 

 deceives on the Right Hand the Black Ringer, otherwife called 

 tJie River of the Ouatchitas ; which comes from the North, and 

 has Water only for feven Months in the Year. 



Neverthelefs, there are feveral Grants fituated here, which in 

 ^ .T, ^ all Appearance will not grow very rich. The 

 ^jants tUjnu- Motive of this Settlement is the Neighbour- 

 * hood of the Spaniards, which at all Times 



has been a fatal Enticement to this Colony. In Hopes of 

 trading with them, they leave the beft Lands in the World un- 

 cultivated. The Natchitoches are fettled on the Red Ri^er, and we 

 have judged it convenient to build a Fort among them, to hinder 

 the Spaniards from fettling nearer us. We encamped the twenty- 

 ninth, a little below the Mouth of the Red Ri^jer, in a very fine 

 Bay. 



The 30th, after having gone five Leagues, we palTed a fécond 

 „ . Point cut oiF. The Mijjljfippiy in this Place, 



^Ihe lotnt cut ^^j^^^g ^ ^^^^^ Winding. Some Canadians, 



^* by Dint of hollowing a little Brook, which 



was behind the Point, brought the Waters of the River into it j 

 which fpfeading themfelves impetuoufly in this new Channel, 

 compleatly cut off the Point, and hath faved Travellers fourteen 

 Leagues of Way. The old Bed of the River is adaally dry, and 

 has no Water in it but in the Seafon of the Floods ; an evident 

 Proof that the MiJjiJJlppi calls itfelf here towards the Eaft ;• and 

 this deferves to be confidered with the greateft Attention, in 

 making Settlements on either Side of the River. The Depth of 

 this new Channel has been lately founded, and they have let out 

 a Line in it of thirty Fathom long, vâthout fir*ding any Bot- 

 tom, 



