La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

'114 PARTY STRIFE. [1678.*.JThus far the memoir. From passages in some ofLa Salle's letters, it may be gathered that Abbe*Cavelier gave him at times no little annoyance. Inhis double character of priest and elder brother, heseems to have constituted himself the counsellor,monitor, and guide of a man who, though many yearshis junior, was in all respects incomparably superiorto him, as the sequel will show. This must havebeen almost insufferable to a nature like that of LaSalle, who, nevertheless, was forced to arm himselfwith patience, since his brother held the pursestrings.On one occasion his forbearance was putto a severe proof, when, wishing to marry a damselof good connections in the colony, Abbe* Cavelier sawfit for some reason to interfere, and prevented thealliance. 1To resume the memoir. It declares that theJesuits procured an ordinance from the SupremeCouncil prohibiting traders from going into theIndian country, in order that they, the Jesuits,being already established there in their missions,might carry on trade without competition.But LaSalle induced a good number of the Iroquois to settlearound his fort; thus bringing the trade to hisown door, without breaking the ordinance. TheseIroquois, he is further reported to have said, werevery fond of him, and aided him in rebuilding thefort with cut stone. The Jesuits told the Iroquoison the south side ofthe lake, where they were estab-1Letter of La Salle, in possession of M. Margry.