ANCIENT INHABITANTS, &c—BOOK II. 
m 
snore desirable. A monastery of Jesuits was established here, 
which succeeded in converting a number of the Indians to 
Christianity. I am credibly informed, that they had at one time, 
live hundred catechumens. In time, these people, as it has ever 
been the case, were found to degenerate and diminish, from 
their intercourse with the whites : and the French were left the 
possessors and proprietors of their village. 
About the beginning of the last century, the celebrated 
scheme of Law, and Comfiani/, was set on foot, and supported 
,by the high reputation for wealth and fertility, which Louisiana 
had already required. To further this delusion, it was represent¬ 
ed in still more glowing colors, and it became the paradise of 
Frenchmen. The Illinois was regarded as of immense impor¬ 
tance ; the attention of the nation was turned towards it, and not¬ 
withstanding the failure of Law’s project, this remote colony 
flourished surprisingly. Besides Kaskaskia, which became a 
considerable place, there were several large villages, a lucra¬ 
tive fur trade was carried on, and an extensive agriculture.— 
These settlements sent to New Orleans in one year, (1746) 
eight hundred thousand weight of flour. But, at this time there 
was not one permanent establishment on the west side of the 
Mississippi, although resorted to by traders, and the lead mines 
were known and worked. Twenty-five or thirty years after the 
failure of Law, the French, with something more substantial in 
view, had formed the plan of securing the great valley of the 
Mississippi, and of connecting it with Canada; immense sums 
of money were expended. Fort Chartres, which is said to have 
cost the crown, nine millions of livres, was built, and the village 
of Fort Chartres rose by its side; but alas! such are the reverses 
of fortune, even in this newly peopled region, the gay and 
sprightly village has disappeared forever, and the fort is but a 
nobie ruin. This fort was deemed an important one, at which 
there was stationed an officer of rank, with a suitable command. 
Much of the elegance and refinement of the officers was com¬ 
municated to the susceptible inhabitants. 
The war between France and England, which broke out 
about the year 1754, deprived France of her possessions in this 
part of the world. In consequence of this, les Illinoix expert- 
