Abbe Faillon, the learned author of "La Colonie Francaise en Canada," has sent me copies of various documents found by him, including family papers of La Salle. Among others who in various ways have aided my inquiries, are Dr. John Paul, of Ottawa, Ill.; Count Adolphe de Circourt and M. Jules Marcou, of Paris; M. A. Gerin Lajoie, Assistant Librarian of the Canadian Parliament; M. J. M. Le Moine, of Quebec; General Dix, Minister of the United States at the Court of France; O. H. Marshall, of Buffalo; J. G. Shea, of New York; Buckingham Smith, of St. Augustine; and Colonel Thomas Aspinwall, of Boston. The map contained in the book is a portion of the great manuscript map of Franquelin, of which an account will be found in the Appendix. The next volume of the series will be devoted to the efforts of Monarchy and Feudalism under Louis XIV. to establish a permanent power on this continent, and to the stormy career of Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac. BOSTON, 16 September, 1869. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I. 1643-1669. CAVELIER DE LA SALLE. The Youth of La Salle.--His Connection with the Jesuits.--He goes to Canada.--His Character.--His Schemes.--His Seigniory at La Chine.--His Expedition in Search of a Western Passage to India. CHAPTER II. 1669-1671. LA SALLE AND THE SULPITIANS. The French in Western New York.--Louis Joliet.--The Sulpitians on Lake Erie.--At Detroit.--At Saut Ste. Marie.--The Mystery of La Salle.--He discovers the Ohio.--He descends the Illinois.--Did he reach the Mississippi? CHAPTER III. 1670-1672. THE JESUITS ON THE LAKES. The Old Missions and the New.--A Change of Spirit.--Lake Superior and the Copper Mines.--Ste. Marie.--La Pointe.--Michillimackinac.-- Jesuits on Lake Michigan.--Allouez and Dablon.--The Jesuit Fur-Trade. CHAPTER IV. 1667-1672. FRANCE TAKES POSSESSION OF THE WEST. Talon.--St. Lusson.--Perrot.--The Ceremony at Saut Ste. Marie.-- The Speech of Allouez.--Count Frontenac. CHAPTER V. 1672-1675. THE DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Joliet sent to find the Mississippi.--Jacques Marquette.--Departure.-- Green Bay.--The Wisconsin.--The Mississippi.--Indians.--Manitous. --The Arkansas.--The Illinois.--Joliet's Misfortune.--Marquette at Chicago.--His Illness.--His Death. CHAPTER VI. 1673-1678. LA SALLE AND FRONTENAC. Objects of La Salle.--His Difficulties.--Official Corruption in Canada.-- The Governor of Montreal.--Projects of Frontenac.--Cataraqui.-- Frontenac on Lake Ontario.--Fort Frontenac.--Success of La Salle. CHAPTER VII. 1674-1678. LA SALLE AND THE JESUITS. The Abbe Fenelon.--He attacks the Governor.--The Enemies of La Salle.--Aims of the Jesuits.--Their Hostility to La Salle. CHAPTER VIII. 1678. PARTY STRIFE. La Salle and his Reporter.--Jesuit Ascendancy.--The Missions and the Fur-Trade.--Female Inquisitors.--Plots against La Salle.--His Brother the Priest.--Intrigues of the Jesuits.--La Salle poisoned.-- He exculpates the Jesuits.--Renewed Intrigues.