DISCOVERY k SETTLEMENT.—- BOOK t 
fS 
iual who had been sent by land to obtain permission of trading 
from the viceroy, returned without success. St. Denys was af¬ 
terwards despatched to build a fort at the Natchitoches, in order 
to prevent the Spaniards from encroaching in that quarter. 
About the same time they made a settlement at the Assinais.* 
Crosat not obtaining those profits, from his grant of the ex¬ 
clusive trade of Louisiana which were expected, gave up his pri¬ 
vilege to the king in IT 17, before the term of its duration had 
expired. The famous company of Law, had been formed, which 
by degrees engrossed the whole commerce within and without 
the kingdom of France; this company under the name of “ the 
Company of the Indies,” took possession of Louisiana, and ap¬ 
pointed Mons. Bienville governor of the colony. This gentle¬ 
man was welcomed at the Isle of Dauphin by the deputies of 
twenty-five Indian nations; he commenced an establishment but 
jhad been here butashort time when a hurricane completely clos¬ 
ed up the port. M. Bienville, then chose the position, where the 
city of New Orleans now stands, and nearly all the settlers of 
the Isle of Dauphin removed to Beloxi.f 
In 1719, war broke out between France and Spain; and put 
an end to the friendly intercourse which had existed between 
the two colonies. Pensacola was taken; the company having- 
seized the opportunity of the breach between the two nations, of 
making itself master of the only port, on all the northern coast 
of Florida, from the Bahama banks to the Mississippi. The Spa¬ 
niards, after this event, mortified and chagrined at the loss, made 
great preparations for retaking the place, and for the total des¬ 
truction of the French colony. They succeeded in retaking Pen¬ 
sacola but in their attack on the Isle of Dauphin were repulsed; 
shortly after which, a squadron under the command of M. 
Champlain, made its appearance, and the siege of Pensacola was 
once more undertaken. Bienville was ordered to come in a sloop, 
with the soldiers and volunteers of the Company, to the river 
Perdido, in order to meet and unite with their Indian allies, who 
* According to La Ilarpe even this settlement was made by St. Denys, 
who brought the Spaniards from the interior for the purpose. 
t Charlevoix—Du Prat z—Postlethway te. 
