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

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

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CHAPTER XXII.1680-1683.LA SALLE PAINTED BY HIMSELF.Difficulty <strong>of</strong> knowing him ; his Detractors ; his Letters ;vexations <strong>of</strong> his position ; hi8 unfitness for trade ; risks<strong>of</strong> Correspondence ; his Reported Marriage ; alleged Ostentation; motives <strong>of</strong> Action ; charges <strong>of</strong> Harshness ;intrigues against him j unpopular manners j a strangeConfession; his Strength <strong>and</strong> his Weakness; contrasts<strong>of</strong> his Character.We have seen <strong>La</strong> <strong>Salle</strong> in his acts. While hecrosses <strong>the</strong> sea, let us look at him in himself. Fewmen knew him, even <strong>of</strong> those who saw him most.Reserved <strong>and</strong> self-contained as he was, with littlevivacity or gayety or love <strong>of</strong> pleasure, he was asealed book to those about him. His daring energy<strong>and</strong> endurance were patent to all; but <strong>the</strong> motiveforces that urged him, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> influences thatwrought beneath <strong>the</strong> surface <strong>of</strong> his character, werehidden where few eyes could pierce. His enemieswere free to make <strong>the</strong>ir own interpretations, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ydid not fail to use <strong>the</strong> opportunity.The interests arrayed against him were incessantlyat work. His men were persuaded to desert <strong>and</strong>rob him; <strong>the</strong> Iroquois were told that he was arming

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