CHAPTER IV. 50 Law’s notes become official tender.--The Mississippi Scheme projected.--Early explorers of Mississippi territory.--Establishment of the West India Company.-- Its absorption of depreciated _billets d’état_.-- D’Argenson appointed Chancellor of France, and attempts extinction of National Debt.--Law innocently involved in D’Argenson’s fatal scheme.--Saved from arrest by Regent.--The brothers Paris and an anti-system. CHAPTER V. 66 Exaggerated accounts of resources of Louisiana.-- Law’s judgment at fault.--His ultimate aim.--He creates an artificial rise in the value of Company shares.--His unsuccessful efforts to gain influence over Saint-Simon.--Acquisition of Tobacco monopoly.-- Absorption of other companies.--Reconstitution of West India Company.--Parliamentary opposition overcome.-- “Mothers” and “Daughters”.--Excited speculation in shares.--Issue of notes to colonists.--A pioneer’s account of Louisiana. CHAPTER VI. 82 Company acquires right of coinage.--Issue of fresh stock and rise in price.--Attempts made to discredit Law.-- Stair’s account of the situation.--Law defeats the anti-scheme.--The concluding proposal of his schemes.-- The Company’s capital and sources of revenue.--Report of directors for 1719.--Law’s bank converted into a Royal bank against Law’s wish.--The Regent divests notes of the bank of their most valuable features.--Provincial branches established.--Restriction of gold and silver tender.--Extravagance of successful speculators. CHAPTER VII. 98 Hotel Mazarin acquired as office of Company and of Bank.--Excitement of crowds in the Rue Vivienne and the Rue Quincampoix.--Curious sources of fortune.-- Instances of enormous fortunes acquired by members of the nobility.--Enormous influx of foreign speculators into Paris.