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

122 THE GRAND ENTERPRISE. [1677.It was not solely or chiefly for commercial gainthat La Salle had established Fort Frontenac. Heregarded it as a first step towards greater things ;now, atandlength, his plans were ripe and his time wascome. In the autumn of 1677 he left the fort incharge of his lieutenant, descended the St.Lawrenceto Quebec, and sailed for France. He had thepatronage of Frontenac and the help of strong friendsin Paris. It is said, as we have seen already, thathis enemies denounced him, in advance, as a madman;but a memorial of his, which his friends laidbefore the minister Colbert, found a favorable hearing.In it he set forth his plans, or a portion ofthem. He first recounted briefly the discoveries hehad made, and then described the country he hadseen south and west of the great lakes." It is nearlyall so beautiful and so fertile ; so free from forests,and so full of meadows, brooks, and rivers; soabounding in fish, game, and venison, that one canfind there in plenty, and with little trouble, all thatis needful for the support of flourishing colonies.The soil will produce everything that is raisedin France. Flocks and herds can be left out atpasture all winter; and there are even native wildcattle, which, instead of hair, have a fine woolthat may answer for making cloth and hats. Theirhides are better than those of France, as appearstion des Decouvertes du Sieur de la Salle, that, three or four yearslater, there were thirteen or fourteen families. La Salle spent34,426 franci on the fort. Memoire au Roy, Papier$ de Famille