posed to be fire worshippers,) the Kickapous, and the Outagamis, on the border of Fox river, (riviere aux Renards) which takes its source to the East of the Mississippi. The brave and intrepid Dablon had resolved to penetrate, if possible, as far as the ocean, and endeavour to seek out a passage to the countries beyond it.

Hitherto, Canada had been governed by officers appointed by the French government, under the name of Governors and Intendants, some of whom had accepted the office, more from considerations of pecuniary interest, arising out of the profitable nature of the fur-trade, than from any other motive, but at this period such men as Colbert and Talon ruled the destinies of the New World, they were men whose minds imbued from their infancy, with a love of science and a desire for the progress of the human race, who saw at once the advantages which would arise, if the discoveries in the West were pushed forward with energy. There were few men like Talon for enterprise and activity of mind. Shrewd, calculating, and a close observer of what was occurring around him, he grasped at the idea of the glory, which awaited him, should he succeed in his endeavours. His administration of the government of the French Colonies in America would be crowned with success, if, whilst he was at the head of it, the wealth and commerce of his

country could be increased by the discovery of the Mississippi. These were objects dear to his heart, but there were others which were dearer to him. It was the desire to extend the bounds of civilization, to aid in the development of the resources of this vast country,, to forward navigation and promote the scientific knowledge of his fellow country-men. Under his administration, commerce had revived, emigration had increased, and the Indian tribes had learned to respect the power and authority of the French government.

Such was the character of the French Governor, under whose auspices the first expedition started from Quebec, which was successful in discovering the Mississippi. Some writers say, that Marquette was the originator of the project, others attribute it to the genius and foresight of Talon, however that may be, Talon selected Joliet, a merchant residing in Quebec, who had previously travelled amongst the Ottawas, and a man of great experience, energy and activity, to accompany the French missionary in his voyage of discovery. They left Quebec in the year 1673, and reached Fox river in safety. They remained some time at Sainte Theresa, where they were received with every mark of distinction. They asked for two guides, and their request was readily granted. No other European had ever wandered in

that direction, beyond the precincts of the village. On the 10th June, 1673, they took their departure from Sainte Theresa, accompanied by five other Frenchmen and the two Indians, who acted as guides. They carried their bark canoes on their shoulders, to make the short Portage (a word in the French language, which signifies a carrying place,) which separates the source of Fox river from the river Wisconsin, which flows to the West. It was at this point, that the two guides, becoming alarmed at the danger of the enterprise, abandoned their fellow-travellers and left them "in an unknown country, in the hands of Providence," floating down a river, in the midst of the profound solitude, which surrounded them. At the expiration of seven days, they entered the Mississippi, of which they had heard so much, and such was their joy at the discovery, that they fell down on their knees and thanked God, that he had brought them to their point of destination. A feeling of awe and solemnity came over them, as they sailed down that majestic river, and every step they took, they were struck with the magnificence of the objects, which surrounded them. In the midst of the silent forests of the New World, with buoyant hopes, and hearts untrammelled by the cares and sorrows of more busy life, they proceeded on their journey, in

the expectation of soon finding an outlet to the ocean. Nor were they greeted at the commencement of their voyage, with the sight of a human being; there was no sign of any habitation, nothing to indicate the probability of their vicinity to the abodes of man; save the aquatic birds, that dipped their beaks in the waters, and the howl of some ferocious animal prowling for food, there was no indication of animal life. They had proceeded about sixty leagues, without meeting with any person, when all at once, they observed some footsteps on the sand, on the right bank of the river, and afterwards, a footpath, leading to a prairie. They paused, ere they incurred the risk of meeting with an unknown tribe, in the midst of the forest. Yet they had a mission to fulfil, an object to accomplish. The pause was of short duration. Joliet and Marquette hazarded the interview. Taking the foot-path, they walked six miles, when they reached a settlement on the river Moingona, or the river des Moines of the French. They halted and cried out with a loud voice. Four old men came forth from the village, bringing with them the calumet of peace; they received the strangers with distinction,-"We are Illinois," said they, "we are men, be welcome to our cabins." In the language of one of our most favored his

torians, "it was the first time that the soil of Iowa was trodden by the feet of white men."

The Indians, who had heard of the French, had long desired their alliance, as they knew, they were the enemies of the Iroquois, who were about making predatory excursions in their own country. The latter had inspired such a degree of terror in the breasts of all the Indian tribes, that the Illinois, like the others, courted the alliance of the French, who had been able to resist their aggressions and thwart their efforts to subdue the neighbouring tribes. Joliet and Marquette, with their companions having remained a few days the guests of this friendly people, and having accepted a grand feast, which had been prepared for them, took their departure very much to the regret of their new allies. The chief of the tribe, followed by several hundred warriors, accompanied them to 'the river-side, and as a memorial of their friendship, presented Marquette with a calumet, ornamented with feathers of different colours, which they assured him would be a safe passport among all the neighbouring nations.

Our hardy adventurers proceeded on their journey, and arrived in a short time at the junction of the Missouri (marked on the old charts "Pekitanoni") with