THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Narrative of the Expedition. . .
April 9, 1682
de la Salle, Robert Cavelier, Sieur in: B. F. French,
Historical Collections of Louisiana and Florida,
Second Series, 1875.
pp. 24, 25, 26.
(page 24). . .mighty, invincible, and victorious Prince,
LOUIS THE GREAT, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre, fourteenth of
that name, this ninth day of April, one thousand six hundred and eighty-two, I,
in virtue of the commission of his Majesty (Louis XIV.) which I hold in my
hand, and (page 25) which may be seen by all whom it may
concern, have taken, and do now take in the name of his Majesty and of his
successors to the crown, possession of this country of Louisiana, the seas,
harbors, ports, bays, adjacent straits; and all the nations, people, provinces,
cities, towns, villages, mines, minerals, fisheries, streams, and rivers
comprised in the extent of Louisiana, from the mouth of the great River St.
Louis on the eastern side, otherwise called Ohio, Alighinsipou (Alleghany), or
Chickagoua, and this with the consent of the Chouanons (Shawanoes),(see fn. 1) Chicachas (Chickasaws), and other people dwelling
therein, with whom we have made alliance; as also along the River Colbert or
Mississippi, and rivers which discharge themselves therein, from its source;
beyond the country of the Kious (Sioux) or Nadouessions, and this with their
consent, and with the consent of the Motantees, Illinois, Mesigameas
(Metchigamias), Akansas, Natches, and Loroas,(see fn. 2) which
are the most considerable nations dwelling therein, with whom also we have made
alliance (page 26) either by ourselves or by others in our behalf;
____________________________
1 The Shawanoes were a wandering nation, and as early as 1660 occupied the country on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, and after that emigrated to the Wabash River country. The Chickasaws were a powerful, warlike nation, and occupied the country within the present States of Kentucky and Tennessee.
2 "These tribes," says Father Zenobe Membre, "though savage, seem generally of very good disposition, affable, obliging, and docile. They are very different from our Canada Indians in their houses, dress, manners, and customs, and even in the form of their head, for theirs is very flat. They have large public squares, games, and assemblies. They seem very lively and active, and their chiefs possess all the authority. They have their valets and officers, who follow and serve them everywhere. They have also axes and guns, which they procure from the Spaniards sixty-five or more leagues off.
Return
to TOC, p. 5
Continue
to next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 10 January 2001
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University