THREE Note, That these have writ of those Parts, but none of this particular Voyage.several Authors have given an Account of this Voyage; First, Father le Clerk, upon the Relations he had from the Fathers Zenobius and Anastasius, Recolets, as he was himself and both of them Eye-Witnesses: Secondly, The Chevalier Tonty, who was also a Witness to a considerable Part of those Adventures: And, Lastly, Father Hennepin, a Flemming, of the same Order of the Recolets, has done it more largely; he seems to be well acquainted with the Country, and had a Share in great Discoveries; but the Truth of his Relations is much controverted. It was he who went to the Northward, and towards the Source of the Missisipi, which he calls Mechasipi, and who printed, at Paris, an Account of the Country about the River, giving it the Name of Louisiana. He ought to have stopp’d there, and not to have gone, as he did, into Holland, to set forth another Edition, very much enlarg’d, and perhaps not so true, which he dedicated to William the Third, Prince of Orange, and afterwards King of Great Britain. An Action for a Religious Man no less ridiculous than extravagant, not to give it a worse Name; for after many great and tedious Encomiums given that Protestant Prince, he exhorts and conjures him to turn his Thoughts towards those vast Countries, as yet unknown, to conquer them and send Colonies thither, to make known to those Savage Nations the true God and his Worship, and to preach the Gospel. That good Religious Man, whom many have falsly thought, on Account of that Extravagancy, to have renounc’d his Religion, did not consider what he said, and consequently has scandaliz’d the Catholicks, and furnish’d the Hugonots with Matter of Laughter; for it is likely, that they being Enemies to the Roman Church, would employ Recolets to go preach up Popery, as they call it in Canada? Or would they introduce any other Religion than their own? Can Father Hennepin be excuseable in this Point?

In fine it appears, by all that has been writ by those several Persons concerning that Enterprize, that the Murder committed on the Person of Monsieur de la Sale was the Occasion of its miscarrying; but that which obstructed the making of some Provision in that Case was, the said Murders being conceal’d for the Space of two Years, and that theM. de la Sale’s Fort taken by the Spaniards. Spaniards of Mexico having been inform’d of all the Affair, sent Men, who carry’d off the weak Garrison Monsieur de la Sale had left in the Fort built by him, near the Place of his Landing, before he penetrated into the Country, to find out the Missisipi. They also entirely raz’d that Fort, so that Seven or Eight Years elaps’d, till Monsieur de Hiberville, a Gentleman of Canada, and a Person of Capacity and Courage, famous for his notable Expeditions to Hudson’s Bay and other Parts, resolv’d to reassume and revive that Project. He came over into France upon that Design, and made an Armament about the Year 1698, set out and sail’d to the Gulf of Mexico.M. de Hiberville’s Expedition for the Missisipi. Being an able Seaman, he search’d along the Coast so narrowly, that he found the Mouth of that fatal Missisipi and built a Fort on it, leaving Men there, with a good Quantity of Ammunition and Provisions, and return’d to France, intending to go back with a Reinforcement, as he did, and having penetrated far into the Country, discover’d several Savage Nations, and join’d Friendship and Alliance with them, as also built another Fort, which he left well stor’d with Men and Necessaries, return’d into France; but attempting a third Voyage, he dy’d by the Way, and thus, for want of Relief and Support, that noble Enterprize miscarry’d again.

But God has now provided for it, and it is the Concern of Heaven, for if France is interested on Account of the Temporal Advantages it expects, the Church is so in like Manner, for the Conversion of the Indians it hopes will follow. Accordingly, Providence has taken the Affair in Hand, having rais’d the Man, who is the fittest to revive and support so important a Project. This is Monsieur Crozat, Secretary to the King, a Man of singular Worth, very Intelligent, Well-meaning, and prodigiously Rich, who without going out of his Closet, has been the Occasion of many notable Voyages by Sea, and all of them successful. To him, his Majesty, by his Letters Patent, bearing Date the 14th of Septemb. 1712,M. Crozat only to plant Colonies and Trade in Louisiana. has granted the sole Power to trade and settle Colonies in the Countries describ’d in this Journal, and which are known to us by the Name of Louisiana and the River Missisipi, from hence forward to be call’d the River of St. Lewis. The Grant is made to him for 15 Years, under several Conditions mention’d in the said Letters Patent, which have been made publick.

And whereas such a Grant cannot subsist without Blacks, he is also allow’d to send a Ship to Guinea to purchase them. They may perhaps find there the famous Black Aniaga, Brother to a King of Guinea, whom Captain Delbee brought over into France, above Thirty Years ago. The King was pleas’d to have him Educated, Instructed and Baptiz’d, the Dauphin[126] being his Godfather; then put him into his Troop of Musquetiers, and afterwards made him a Captain in his own Regiment, where he serv’d Honourably. Being desirous to see his own Country again, where he promis’d to promote the French Trade, and the settling of Missioners, his Majesty loaded him with Presents, and order’d a Ship to carry him back to Guinea; but as soon as he was there, he no longer remember’d he had been baptiz’d, and turn’d again as perfect a Black, A Black bred in France turns to his Native Customs. as he had been before. A Friend of mine, who was an Officer aboard a Ship, and hapned to be on that Coast in the Year 1708, had two or three Interviews with that Black, who came aboard him. He was a great Man in that Country, for his Brother was King. He express’d much Gratitude for the Kindness that had been shewn him in France, and was extraordinary Courteous, and made great Offers to those aboard the Ship, and to all such of the Nation as would go into Guinea.

This Navigation to Louisiana will farther procure us a free Resort to the two famous Ports of the Gulf of Mexico, viz. The Havana and Veracruz, where Strangers did not use to be admitted, and which we knew only by their Names and their Situation in our Maps.

Veracruz in New Spain. The latter of those Towns is the Port of New Spain, at the Bottom of the Bay or Gulf, in 18 Degrees of North Latitude, Seated in a Sandy Plain, encompass’d with Mountains; beyond which there are Woods and Meadows, well Stock’d with Cattle and wild Fowl: the flesh whereof is stringy and tasteless. The Air is very Hot, and not Healthy, when any Winds blow, except the North, which rises commonly once in Eight or Fifteen Days, and holds for the Space of Twenty Four Hours, blowing so hard, that there is no going ashore from the Ships, and then the Cold is very piercing. When the Weather is clear there plainly appear, on the Road to Mexico, two Mountains rising above the Clouds, and forty Leagues distant, all cover’d with Snow. The Streets of Veracruz are streight as a Line; the Houses are handsome and regular; the Fortifications next the Land inconsiderable, but the Front of the Town next the Sea forms a Semicircle, with a little Fort at each End. Directly before that Front, a Quarter of a League out at Sea, there stands, on a Spot of Ground, inaccessible, by Reason of the Breaking of the Sea, a strong Citadel, well built and furnished with all Necessaries, a good Garrison and double Batteries of two hundred Pieces of brass Cannon. Ships cannot anchor any where, but between that Citadel and the Town; besides that, it requires several Precautions, because it is difficult coming to an Anchor.

Most of the Inhabitants are Mulattoes, that is of a tawny dark Colour, who live most upon Chocolate and Sweetmeats, extraordinary sober, and eating little Flesh. The Men are haughty, the Women keep retired above Stairs, not to be seen by Strangers, and seldom going abroad, and then in Coaches or Chairs, and those who cannot reach to it, cover’d with fine silk Veils, which reach from the Crown of their Heads to their Feet, leaving only a small Opening on the Right Side,[127] for them to see their Way. In their own Apartments they wear nothing but a Smock and a silk Petticoat, with gold or silver Laces, without any Thing on their Heads, and their Hair platted with Ribbons, a gold Chain about their Neck, Bracelets of the same and Pendants of Emeralds in their Ears. They could well enough like the Behaviour and Company of the French, but that the jealous Temper of the Men obstructs them. There being a Picture of Philip King of Spain, now reigning, aboard the Ship in which my Friend was, who gave me this Account, the People swarm’d aboard to see it, they were never satisfy’d with gazing at it, and there was a most magnificent Festival kept in the Town, on Account of the Birth of the Prince of Asturias.

They understand Trade very well, but are sloathful and averse to Labour, fond of State and Ease. They wear great Strings of Beads about their Necks, their Houses are full of Pictures and Images of Devotion, and they have little that is real. They are decently furnish’d with Purceline and China Goods. The Churches are magnificently adorned with Plate. But the Lives and Manners of the Clergy are not Edifying. On Holidays and Sundays there is no Thought of Matins, of Sermon, or of Vespers: People chat and laugh in the Churches as well as in the Processions, which are often at Night by the Light of Torches.

All Strangers are forbid Trading there, yet some come by Stealth and deal Underhand, by Means of Presents made to such Persons as can favour them. If those Mulattoes call themselves white, it is only to honour themselves and by Way of Distinction from their Slaves, who are all Blacks, and having got much Mony by their Labour, ransome themselves and sometimes become considerable Merchants.

Mexico City.The City of Mexico, Capital of the Country and the Residence of the Vice-roy, is about eighty Leagues distant from Veracruz, to the Westward, the Way to it very bad and ill furnish’d with Provisions. That Country would be better in some Parts, if the people had the skill and energy to till it. They sow but little of our Wheat, and are satisfied with Indian Corn[128] and Cassabi Root, whereof they make Cakes, as is practis’d in the Islands. Their Trees and Fruits are the same as in other hot Countries. About the Town of Veracruz, there are Bushes of a Sort of Thorn, without Leaves, among which grows an extraordinary Plant; for tho’ it has but a small Stem, it shoots out Leaves of a Cabbage Green, as thick as a Man’s Finger, which grow out, one at the End of another, in the Shape of a Racket, and the Plant itself is so call’d. From those Leaves there grows out a Sort of red Figs, very juicy, with Seeds like those of the Pomgranate; the Juice is of a Violet Colour, but unsavoury. There is a Sort of Flies that cleave to it and are so fond of the Taste of the Fruit, that they burst and drop down dead. They are carefully gather’d and dry’d, and are the Scarlet Dye, call’d Cochinilla, which is brought into Europe, and makes that beautiful Colour. The Birds and Beasts are much the same as in other Countries of America. There is a Sort of Bird, all red, which for that Reason is call’d the Cardinal; this they often tame and teach to sing like a Canary Bird. This is what I have been told concerning the Town of Veracruz.

Havana. As for the Havana, a Town and Port no less famous, in the Island of Cuba, belonging as well as the other to the Crown of Spain, it stands towards the Western End, and on the North Side of that Island, almost under the Tropick of Cancer, and about four or five hundred Leagues on this Side of Veracruz. It is large and beautiful; the Port good, secur’d by two Forts on the two Sides, and good artillery, from twenty four to thirty six Pounds, the Entrance so narrow, that only one Vessel can go in at once. The Town is encompass’d by a good Wall, fortify’d with five Bastions, furnish’d with Cannon. The Streets are all as strait as a Line, and level, the Houses very handsome, but ill furnish’d. In the Midst of it is a fine Square, the Buildings about all uniform. The Churches are magnificent, and enrich’d with Gold and Silver, Lamps, Candlesticks, and Ornaments for the Altars. There are some Lamps curiously wrought, which weigh two hundred Marks of Silver, [each Mark being half a Pound.][129] The Revenue of the Bishoprick amounts to more than fifty thousand Crowns, and he who enjoy’d it in the Year 1703, as I was inform’d by my Friend, who gave me this Account of what he had seen, was the greatest Ornament of that City, for his Virtues and Charity, being satisfy’d with Necessaries, and spending all the rest upon the Poor, and in repairing decay’d Churches. Tho’ Strangers are prohibited to trade there, yet it is easier carried on than at Veracruz. The Inhabitants are more familiar; the Women have more Liberty, yet they do not go Abroad without their Veils to wrap and hide them. Many of them speak French, and dress after the French Fashion, and some of our Nation have settled themselves there. When my Friend was there, a magnificent Festival was celebrated for fifteen Days successively, in Honour of K. Philip the Fifth, and Monsieur du Casse being then there, with his Squadron, the City desir’d him to join with them. To that Purpose, he set ashore five hundred Men, who perform’d the Martial Exercise in the great Square, which was much admir’d. The Havana is the Place, where the Galeons meet. By this word should not be understood ships of extraordinary size; for most of them are but very inconsiderable craft which Spanish vanity strives to magnify by a swelling name. But if these ships are not great, their precious freight is so. For all that, this city, the gateway to the treasures of the West Indies, is full of beggars—but it is by their own fault, and by their idleness that they are such. Provisions are dear there, especially Bread; but the Wine is not, tho’ it is good. Fish and Flesh there, are unsavory. The Inhabitants are Spaniards.

We have thought fit to describe those two famous Ports of the Bay of Mexico, as well because it has not been so exactly done before, as in Regard that the Settlement which is going to be made in Louisiana, may have some Dependance on them; for the Havana lying in the Way, those who perform the Voyage may have the Conveniency of taking in Refreshments there, of putting in for Shelter in foul Weather, and of careening or refitting. As for the Veracruz, tho’ farther out of the Way, the Correspondence there may be advantagious for the Securing of the Colony of Louisiana.

But how can that fail of succeeding, under the Conduct of Monsieur Crozat, who has the Charge of that Enterprize, and whom Providence seems to have in a Manner ingag’d to advance in Wealth and Honour, to the Amazement of the World, and yet free from Envy, from Jealousy, and from any Sort of Complaints. There is therefore no Reason to presage otherwise than well of the Event of this Affair; the Blessings God has pour’d down upon all his former Undertakings, seem to be a Security for what is to follow. There is Reason to hope for still greater Blessings on this Project of a Settlement in Louisiana, as being equally advantagious to Religion and the State; for the propagating of the Knowledge and Service of God among an infinite Number of Savages, by Means of the Missioners, who are to be sent to and maintain’d in those vast Countries; the Planting of the Faith in that New World, only the Name whereof is known to us, and the Reducing of it to be a Christian and a French Province, under the Dominion of our August Monarch, and to the eternal Memory of his Reign, will be the Consequences and the Fruits of Monsieur Crozat’s Care and Expence, the Glory of his Enterprize, the Security of the large Fortune he has made in this Life, and what is rare among such rich Men, the Earnest of much better in the Next. Heaven grant our Hopes and Wishes may be answer’d.