1)1' his (•oinimiiiic:iti<)iis wi'rc iiisiTti'tl in llu' puldictitions of the 
Koyal Ac:i(U'iiiy <»f Scicnoi' niul Helh's liCttres of Brussels, of 
wliic'Ii lu' was inacU' n convspoDdiu*; inrinln'r. 
In conjunction with tliis course of scientilic [noniolion Nicol- 
let's financial success had kept ecjual pace, and he had accumu- 
lated a considerable sum of money. New avenues of profit 
opened before him. and tempte(l l»y his uniform success, he 
launche<l lioldly forth upon a sea of speculation, with firm confi- 
dence in his theory of prohaltilities. Tie failed, and with the 
disappearance of his own fortune the fortunes of (Others were 
involved. lie was forced to seek refuge in the United States, his^ 
former friends beiuir found amon;!:- his most bitter and implacalile 
persecutors. 
He arrived in this country in is:!^. apparently having landed 
at New Orleans. lie was an entire stranger and with limited 
pecuniary liieans. In the progress of a systematic journey 
through the states of the lower Mississippi valley, he made the 
acquaintance of bishop Chanche. of Natchez, and a friendshij) 
sprang up between them which continued till Nicollet's death. 
Through the agenc}' of P. Chouteau, Jr.. et Co. , of St. Louis, 
exteusive Indian traders in the Northwest, by whom Nicollet was 
entertained on the most cordial terms, and of nuijor Taliaferro, 
Indian agent at Fort Snelling, the desire which Nicollet had ex- 
pressed of'exploriug thoroughly the upper waters of the Missis- 
sippi, and accurately mapping the same, was made known to the 
Uuited States riovernment. In ls:5:5 the War Department furn- 
ished him letters of protection and hospitality, addressed to the 
commanding officers and Indian agents of the frontier, and at 
the same time the loan of ceitain instruments needed liy him. 
Aside from these inconsiderable aids, however. Nicollet entered 
upon a great undertaking alone, and at his own expense and risk. 
He was everywhere received with great cordiality. He had lieen 
schooleil to the social observances which make daily intercourse 
attractive. His mind was of the higher order. His mathemati- 
cal and musical abilities, his delicate physical franu'. his unos- 
tentatious demeanor, his readiness to t'uti'r into social converse, 
and to impart information on tojiics which are the less under- 
stood and but seldom discussed in the uuscltleil communities in 
which he now found himself, and his general scientific attain- 
ments, conspired to furnish him a passport into the best circles. 
