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A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

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1728-1731.] THE SIOUX MISSION. 7years before.Even if his time-worn tenements werestill st<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g, La Perriere had no thought <strong>of</strong> occupy<strong>in</strong>gthem. On the north, or rather west, side <strong>of</strong> thelake his men found a po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> that seemed fitfor their purpose, disembarked, cut down trees,<strong>and</strong>made a square stockade enclos<strong>in</strong>g the necessary build<strong>in</strong>gs.It was near the end <strong>of</strong> October before theywere all well housed. A large b<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Sioux presentlyappeared, <strong>and</strong> set up their teepees hard by.When the birthday <strong>of</strong> the governor came, the partycelebrated it with a display <strong>of</strong> fireworks <strong>and</strong> vociferousshouts <strong>of</strong> Vive le Boi, Vive Charles de Beauharnois,while the Indians yelped <strong>in</strong> fright <strong>and</strong> amazement atthe pyrotechnics, or stood press<strong>in</strong>g their h<strong>and</strong>s upontheir mouths <strong>in</strong> silent amazement. The Frenchcalled their fort Fort Beauharnois, <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>vited theaid <strong>of</strong> Sa<strong>in</strong>t Michael the Archangel by nam<strong>in</strong>g themission <strong>in</strong> his honor. All went well till April, whenthe water rose with the spr<strong>in</strong>g floods <strong>and</strong> filledchapel, <strong>and</strong> houses to thefort,depth <strong>of</strong> nearly three feet,eject<strong>in</strong>g the whole party, <strong>and</strong> forc<strong>in</strong>g them to encampon higher ground till the deluge subsided.^Worse enemies than the floods soon found themout. These were the irrepressible Outagamies, whorose aga<strong>in</strong>st the <strong>in</strong>trud<strong>in</strong>g French <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>cited theSioux to jo<strong>in</strong> them. There was no pr<strong>of</strong>it for theCompany, <strong>and</strong> no safety for its agents. The stockholdersbecame discouraged, <strong>and</strong> would not supportthe enterprise. The fort was ab<strong>and</strong>oned, till <strong>in</strong> 17311 Guignas a Beauharnois, 28 Mai, 1728.

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