Land, because the Voyage through _Canada_ is much longer and more troublesome, and can be perform’d but once a Year, whereas by the Way of the Bay of _Mexico_ it is not longer, but is much more commodious, and may be perform’d in all Seasons, either going or coming. He was also sensible that the said Mouth being once discover’d by Sea, afforded an easier and safer Communication with _Canada_, running up that noble River, the Navigation whereof is not interrupted by Falls, nor Torrents for above sixty Leagues towards its Source. These Considerations mov’d Monsieur _de la Sale_ to take another Voyage into _France_, where his Expedition having been commended and his new Project approv’d of, the King order’d him Vessels to return and carry on his Enterprize, the Particulars whereof are to be found in this Journal. That Affair, so well begun, seem’d to promise very advantageous Consequences; but it miscarried through the Perfidiousness and Villany of that noble Adventurer’s own People. [Sidenote: _The other Part here mention’d is at the End of the Journal_.] This is what I have judg’d might serve as an Introduction to your Journal, if it shall not be thought to dishonour it, you may place it before the said Journal, and that which follows at the End of it, which will shew how far that great Enterprize of the Discovery of the _Missisipi_ has been carried. THE PREFACE. Written by Sieur _de MITCHELL_, Who Methodiz’d this Journal. _Notwithstanding the late Monsieur_ de la Sale’s _Voyage had a most unfortunate End, as to his own Person, yet that will not hinder Posterity, from ever allowing him the Title of a most renowned Traveller_. _The History of his Enterprize will be acceptable to future Ages, for laying before them, the extraordinary Genius, the invincible Courage, and the undaunted Resolution of such a Man, who could contrive and execute the Means for discovering the remaining Part of the World._ _And in regard that the Particulars of the Discovery of those large and immense Provinces, will always be the Object of curious and understanding Persons, it is not to be wonder’d, that after what has been writ by Father_ Hennepin, _a Recolet, the Chevalier_ Tonty _and some others, we here now publish an Historical Journal of the last Voyage Monsieur_ de la Sale _undertook into the Gulf of_ Mexico, _to the Country of_ Louisiana, _to finish what he had projected at his former Voyage, had not the Treachery of his own Men cut him off_.