ad
discovered the Great River, which the Indians called the Mississippi,
and had followed down its majestic current for hundreds of leagues,
until he had reached the thirty-third degree of latitude. He had
ascertained, beyond all question, that it emptied its flood into the
Gulf of Mexico. This important discovery, it was claimed, gave to the
French, according to the received law of nations, the whole valley of
the Mississippi and its tributaries, however great that valley might
prove to be.

This intelligence was received with every demonstration of public
rejoicing. It gave, as it was supposed, to France a new world of
boundless resources. The garrison band played its most exultant airs.
Salvos of artillery echoed along the majestic cliffs. There was
feasting, dancing, and singing, and the spacious church was thronged
with worshippers praising God with the national anthems of Te Deum.

This great event gave a new impulse and a new direction to the ambition
of La Salle. He at once conceived the idea of establishing a series of
military and trading posts along the whole length of the lakes, and
upon all the important points of the great river and its tributaries.
But even then he was but little aware how magnificent was the realm
which these tributaries watered. He would thus, however, in the name of
the King of France, take military possession of the whole territory.

Governor Frontenac gave his most cordial approval to the gigantic plan.
His own mind was greatly excited by the thought of the grandeur of a
chain of forts extending from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the Gulf
of Mexico. He urged La Salle to go immediately to France, seek an
audience with the king, lay the plan before him, and seek the royal
patronage. The renowned Colbert was then minister of finance and
marine. The governor furnished La Salle with letters to the minister
which would secure for him a respectful reception.

La Salle, a penniless adventurer, recrossed the ocean. It was the year
1675. His plan at once attracted attention, and he was cordially
received by both minister and king. The courtiers rallied around him
with much enthusiasm. The king, having honored him with the title of
chevalier, authorized him to rebuild, on the shores of Lake Ontario,
Fort Frontenac, which was falling to decay, and invested him with the
office of seignory or governorship of the fort and its adjacent
territory.

The sublime plan which La Salle thus propos