( U3 ;) 1 



and nut-trees ; and the foil is every where excel- 

 lent. The late M. d 9 Iberville^ who firft entered 

 the Mifliffippi by its mouth, having penetrated as 

 far up as the Natchez, found the country fo delight- 

 ful, and fo advantageoufly fituated, that he con- 

 cluded the metropolis of the new colony could no 

 where be better placed ; and accordingly traced out 

 the plan of it, and intended to call it by the name 

 of Rofalie, which is that of the lady of the chancel- 

 lor of Portchartrain. But it mould feem this pro- 

 ject was not to be put in execution fo foon, tho' 

 our geographers have always thought fit to lay 

 down in their maps the town of Rofalie at the 

 Natchez. 



5 Tis certain it was necelfary to begin by a fettle- 

 men t nearer the fea ; but if ever Louifiana becomes 

 a flourifhing colony, as it may very well happen, 

 it is my opinion there cannot be a better fituation 

 for a capital than this. Jt is not liable to be over- 

 flowed by the river, has a very pure air, and a great 

 extent of country the foil is well watered, and 

 proper for producing every thing. Nor is it at 

 too great a diftance from the fea, and there is no- 

 thing to prevent fhipping from going up to it. 

 Laftly, it is at a convenient diftance from all thofe 

 places where there can be any defign of making 

 fettlements. The company have a magazine, and 

 keep a principal factor here, who, as yet, has very 

 little to do. 



Amongft a great number of private grants, 

 which are already in a condition to produce fome- 

 thing valuable, there are two of the large ft ex- 

 tent that is allowed, being each four leagues fquare ; 

 one belonging to a company of MfJcins, the inha- 

 bitants of it, and which they bought of M. Hubert, 



com miliary 



