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

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886 LA SALLE IN TEXAS. [1685your iron, but it is impossible except in a harbor;for it is on my ballast, <strong>and</strong> under your cannon, myspare anchors, <strong>and</strong> all my stowage. It would takethree days to get it out,which cannot be done in thisplace, where <strong>the</strong> sea runs like mountains when <strong>the</strong>slightest wind blows outside. I would ra<strong>the</strong>r comeback to give it to you, in case you do not send <strong>the</strong>*Belle ' to Baye du St. Esprit [Mobile Bay] to getit. ... I beg you once more to consider <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ferI make you to go to Martinique to get provisionsfor your people. I will ask <strong>the</strong> intendant for <strong>the</strong>min your name; <strong>and</strong> if <strong>the</strong>y are refused, I will take<strong>the</strong>m on my own account." 1To this <strong>La</strong> <strong>Salle</strong> immediately replied :" I receivedwith singular pleasure <strong>the</strong> letter you took <strong>the</strong> troubleto write me ;for I found in it extraordinary pro<strong>of</strong>s <strong>of</strong>kindness in <strong>the</strong> interest you take in <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong>affair which I have <strong>the</strong> more at heart, as it involves<strong>the</strong> glory <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> King <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> honor <strong>of</strong> Monseigneurde Seignelay.I have done my part towards a perfectunderst<strong>and</strong>ing between us,an<strong>and</strong> have never beenwanting in confidence ; but even if I could be so, <strong>the</strong><strong>of</strong>fers you make are so obliging that <strong>the</strong>y wouldinspire complete trust." He never<strong>the</strong>less declines<strong>the</strong>m, — assuring Beaujeu at <strong>the</strong> same time that hehas reached <strong>the</strong> place he sought, <strong>and</strong> is in a fair way<strong>of</strong> success if he can but have <strong>the</strong> cannon, cannonballs,<strong>and</strong> iron stowed on board <strong>the</strong> " Joly."*» Lettre de Beaujeu a <strong>La</strong> <strong>Salle</strong>, 18 Fiv., 1685 (Margry, ii. 642).8 Lettre de <strong>La</strong> <strong>Salle</strong> a Beaujeu, 18 Feo., 1685 (Margry, ii. 546).

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