Something was known of the famous River _Missisipi_, which it was supposed might fall into the South Sea, and open a Way to it. These Conjectures working upon Monsieur _de la Sale_, who being zealous for the Honour of his Nation, designed to signalize the _French_ Name, on Account of extraordinary Discoveries, beyond all that went before him; he form’d the Design and resolv’d to put it in Execution. He was certainly very fit for it, and succeeded at the Expense of his Life; for no Man has done so much in that Way as he did for the Space of twenty Years he spent in that Employment. He was a Man of a regular Behaviour, of a large Soul, well enough learned, and understanding in the Mathematicks, designing, bold, undaunted, dexterous, insinuating, not to be discourag’d at any Thing, ready at extricating himself out of any Difficulties, no Way apprehensive of the greatest Fatigues, wonderful steady in Adversity, and what was of extraordinary Use, well enough versed in several Savage Languages. M. _de la Sale_ having such extraordinary Talents, whereof he had given sufficient Proofs upon several Occasions, gain’d the Esteem of the Governors of _Canada_; and Messieurs _de Courcelles_, _Talon_ and _de Frontenac_ successively express’d the same, by often employing him in Affairs for the Honour and Advantage of the Colony. [Sidenote: _Is made Proprietor of Fort_ Frontenac.] The Government of the Fort of _Frontenac_, which is the Place farthest advanc’d among the Savages, was committed to him, and he going over into _France_, in the Year 1675, the King made him Proprietor of it, upon Condition he should put it into a better Condition than it was, which he did, as soon as return’d to _Canada_. Then came back again to _Paris_, full of the new Informations he had gain’d touching the River _Missisipi_, the Country runs through, the Mines, especially those of Lead and Copper, the navigable Rivers, and the Trade that might be carried on of Furs and the fine Wooll of those wild Bullocks, whereof there are infinite Numbers in the Forests. Being also furnish’d with better Accounts of that Country, than the Fables that were then publish’d, by the Name of a Voyage of the Sieur _Joliet_, he was well receiv’d at Court, and dispatch’d with the necessary Orders for proceeding on his Discoveries. [Sidenote: _His Reputation makes Enemies._]