La Salle wrote a parting letter to his mother at Rouen:—
Rochelle, 18 July, 1684.
Madame my Most Honored Mother,—
At last, after having waited a long time for a favourable wind, and having had a great many difficulties to overcome, we are setting sail with four vessels, and nearly four hundred men on board. Everybody is well, including little Colin and my nephew. We all have good hope of a happy success. We are not going by way of Canada, but by the Gulf of Mexico. I passionately wish, and so do we all, that the success of this voyage may contribute to your repose and comfort. Assuredly, I shall spare no effort that it may; and I beg you, on your part, to preserve yourself for the love of us.
You need not be troubled by the news from Canada, which are nothing but the continuation of the artifices of my enemies. I hope to be as successful against them as I have been thus far, and to embrace you a year hence with all the pleasure that the most grateful of children can feel with so good a mother as you have always been. Pray let this hope, which shall not disappoint you, support you through whatever trials may happen, and be sure that you will always find me with a heart full of the feelings which are due to you. Madame my Most Honored Mother, from your most humble and most obedient servant and son,
De la Salle.
My brother, my nephews, and all the others greet you, and take their leave of you.
This memorable last farewell has lain for two hundred years among the family papers of the Caveliers.[277]
FOOTNOTES:
[ [262] Lettres de l'Abbé Tronson, 8 Avril, 10 Avril, 1684 (Margry, ii. 354).
[ [263] Lettres du Roy et du Ministre sur la Navigation du Golfe du Mexique, 1669-1682 (Margry, iii. 3-14).
[ [264] Mémoire du Sr. de la Salle, pour rendre compte à Monseigneur de Seignelay de la découverte qu'il a faite par l'ordre de sa Majesté.
[ [265] This name, also given to the Illinois, is used to designate Red River on the map of Franquelin, where the forests above mentioned are represented.