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

856 A NEW ENTERPRISE. [1684.that M. deParassy, commissary's clerk, with whomhe has often quarrelled, is paid by his enemies todefeat his undertaking ;and many other things withwhich I will not trouble you. . . ."He pretends that I am only to command thesailors, and have no authority over the volunteerofficers and the hundred soldiers who are to takepassage in the ' Joly; ' and that they are not torecognize or obey me in any way during thevoyage. . . ." He has covered the decks with boxes and chestsof such prodigious size that neither the cannon northe capstan can be worked."La Salle drew up a long list of articles, denningthe respective rights and functions of himself andBeaujeu, to whom he presented it for signature.Beaujeu demurred at certain military honorsdemanded by La Salle, saying that if a marshal ofFrance should come on board his ship, he wouldhave none left to offer him. The point was referredto the naval intendant; and the articles of the treatyhaving been slightly modified, Beaujeu set his nameto it. "By this," he says, "you can judge better ofthe character of M. de la Salle than by all I can say.He is a man who wants smoke [form and ceremony].I will give him his fill of it, and, perhaps, more thanhe likes."I am bound to an unknown country, to seekwhat is about as hard to find as the philosopher'sstone. It vexes me, Monseigneur, that you should