But while Iberville had thus gained a foothold, in what might be called a good strategic position for approaching the Mississippi, either from sea or through Lake Ponchartrain, he was actually but little nearer than the Spaniards at Pensacola, who kept a watch on all his movements. Never did nature seem more persistently thwarting the schemes of men than in the attempt of these Frenchmen to enter upon what they considered their rightful inheritance.
FOOTNOTES
[1] La Salle's Name is perpetuated in many places in the United States, notably in a city and county of Illinois.
[2] Colonizing Louisiana quietly slept, partly, but not wholly, in consequence of war between England and France.
[3] Iberville, Le Moyne de, was one of eight brothers, all eminent in the annals of Canada. He was considered one of the greatest sailors France has produced. In 1685 he assisted in expelling the English from Hudson's Bay. Afterward he took part in the defence of Quebec by Frontenac; destroyed Pemaquid; and took St. John's, Newfoundland. As a commander he was almost uniformly successful. Iberville's name is perpetuated in a town and parish of Louisiana.
[4] St. Domingo, or Hayti, had been seized by French buccaneers, 1630. The French government took possession of the island, 1677, thus establishing a dépôt for their operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
[5] Pensacola (Indian). A place of much historic interest. First discovered, according to the Spaniards, by Narvaez, then by Maldonado, one of De Soto's captains. It received several Spanish names, notably that of Santa Maria de Galve, but finally retained that of the neighboring tribe of savages.
[6] On the Same Errand. That the Spaniards knew of the Mississippi is clear from their having given it the name Iberville afterward found so apt when ascending it,—Rio de los Palissades,—a title suggested by the enormous rafts of uprooted trees which the river brought down and left stranded at its mouth.
[7] Tonty's Letter was left in the forks of a tree where the Indians found it. It may be seen in full in Charlevoix, ii. 259.
[8] English Traders from Carolina were pushing their way across the Appalachians. Many French Protestants who had fled from their country on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, were settled in South Carolina, and it was feared the English would attempt to settle a colony of them in Louisiana.