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

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364 A NEW ENTERPRISE. [1«84.priest, <strong>and</strong> two <strong>of</strong> his nephews, one <strong>of</strong> whom was aboy <strong>of</strong> fourteen, Joutel set out for Rochelle, whereall were to embark toge<strong>the</strong>r for <strong>the</strong>ir promisedl<strong>and</strong>. 1<strong>La</strong> <strong>Salle</strong> wrote a parting letter to his mo<strong>the</strong>r atRouen: —Rochelle, 18 July, 1684.Madame my Most Honored Mo<strong>the</strong>r, —At last, afterhaving waited a long time for a favourablewind, <strong>and</strong> having had a <strong>great</strong> many difficulties to overcome,we are setting sail with four vessels, <strong>and</strong> nearlyfour hundred men on hoard. Everybody is well, includinglittle Colin <strong>and</strong> my nephew. We all have good hope<strong>of</strong> a happy success. We are not going by way <strong>of</strong> Canada,but by <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Mexico. I passionately wish, <strong>and</strong> sodo we all, that <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> this voyage may contributeto your repose <strong>and</strong> comfort. Assuredly, I shall spare noeffort that it may; <strong>and</strong> I beg you, on your part, to preserveyourself for <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong> us.You need not be troubled by <strong>the</strong> news from Canada,which are nothing but <strong>the</strong> continuation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> artifices<strong>of</strong> my enemies. I hope to be as successful against <strong>the</strong>mas I have been thus far, <strong>and</strong> to embrace you a year hencewith all <strong>the</strong> pleasure that <strong>the</strong> most grateful <strong>of</strong> childrencan feel with so good a mo<strong>the</strong>r as you have always been.Pray let this hope, which shall not disappoint you, supportyou through whatever trials may happen, <strong>and</strong> besure that you will always find me with a heart full <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>feelings which are due to you.1Joutel, Journal Historigue, 12.

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