him, but I'm certain he will make great exertions to succeed in this affair in which he will participate largely if the Indians will allow themselves to be

governed and led by him.

cannot sufficiently

He is a lad of great enterprize and boldness, who He left Fort des Illinois last February to seek after M. de la Salle at the lower end of the Mississippi. He has been as far as the sea, where he learned nothing of M. de la He returned on the Salle except that some Savages had seen him set sail and go towards the South.

praise his zeal for the success of this enterprize.

undertakes considerable.

receipt of this intelligence to Fort St. Louis des Illinois, and thence to Montreal, where he arrived in

the beginning of July with two Illinois Chiefs, to whom I had

who had not come.

made some presents, and to another

They promised me wonders.

Nothing remains but the execution which is in the hands of God, for according to what I'm told of the temper of these Savages, a mere nothing sometimes is only necessary to cause them to change their minds.

He will have about twenty good He

Canadians with him to march at the head of the Indians, which he hopes will encourage them. will

have to walk three hundred leagues over land, for those Savages are not accustomed to canoes

{ne

so7it

pas gens de Canot.)

Now Peoria, 111.

have greatly desired to shorten my letters to you. But, My lord, as it is necessary to inform you of the state of our affairs and to render you an account of my conduct, I thought I would I should