366 . An Hijlorîcal Journal of 



give a Colour to their Defertion, they had given out what the 

 Night before had To greatly alarmed us. Two Cordeliers, who 

 ferved the Chapel of the Fort, having heard of my Arrival, 

 came to offer me a Bed in their Houfe, which I accepted very 

 thankfully. 



For the reft, I do not think there is a Place in the World 

 7) r 'J..- f where one might lefs expedt to meet with 

 St Tofe h Men, and efpecially Europeans, than at St» 



* ^ * Jojeph. By the Situation of this Bay, its 



Shores, its Soil, and all that Environs it, nothing can make one 

 conceive the Reafons of fach a Choice. A flat Coafl, open to 

 the Wind, a barren Sand, a poor Country ; and which can have 

 no Manner of Commerce, nor even ferve for Magazines : To 

 fuch a Fitch have the Spaniards carried their Jealoufy of our 

 Settlem.ents in Louijtana, We had been guilty of the Folly be- 

 fore them, but it was only for a Ihort Time. There is Reafon to 

 think that they alfo will correél it foon ; and that when we have 

 reftored Penfaccle to them, they will tranfport thither every Thing 

 they have at St. Jo/eph, 



The Fort is not iituated in the Bay, but on the Turn of a 

 bending Point, and which enclofes an Ifland. This Fort is only 

 built of Earth, but well enclofed with Palifadoes, and well de- 

 fended by Guns. It has a pretty numerous Garrifon, an Etat 

 Major compleat, and almoft all the Officers have their Families 

 with them. Their Houfes are neat and convenient, and tole- 

 rably furnifhed, but every where in the Streets we fink up to the 

 Ancles in Sand. The Ladies never go out but to Church, and 

 always with a Pomp and Gravity, which is to be feen no where 

 but among the Spajiiards, 



The Day after our Arrival, which was the 29th, there was a 

 great Dinner at the Serjeant Major's. This Officer had been in 

 Louijïana, and been highly treated there. He was overjoyed to find 

 this Occailonto make us a Return. He had efpecially made a par^ 

 licular Friendfhip in his Journey to Louijtana v^ïÙxM , Hubert , who 

 was then the principal Commifiary there, and who v/^s amongfl: 

 us. He heard that a Daughter of his Friend, three rears: old, 

 who v/as going to France v/ith her Father, had only been fprink- 

 Icd : Fïe defired they would complete the Ceremonies of hér 

 Baptifm at St. Jofeph, and he would be her Godfather. This 

 was performed with great Pomp, and £ring of the Guns. The 

 Godmother v/as a Niece of the Governor's, v/ho at Night gave 

 a m.agniiicent Supper ; and by an Excefs of Folitenefs, feldom 

 found among the Spaniards, he would have the Company of the' 

 Ladies. He comxpleated all thefe Civilities, by furnifhing us 

 with Plenty of Froviiions to continue our Route, though he had 

 Mot yet received the Convoy that was to bring him Provifions 



froiB 



