USA > Alabama > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period, v. 1 > Part 24
USA > Georgia > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period, v. 1 > Part 24
USA > Mississippi > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period, v. 1 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
* Louisiana, its Colonial History and Romance, by Charles Gayarre, pp. 526-527. See also Bienville's letter in French, contained in His- toire de la Louisiane, par Charles Gayarre.
{
357
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
should ever feel grateful, and retire with dignity and grace, CHAPTER like the good and wise Bienville .* XI.
The successor of Bienville, the Marquis De Vaudreuil, ar- rived at New-Orleans, and shortly afterwards the former sailed for France. Although sixty-five years of age when he left the colony, Bienville lived to the advanced age of ninety. What a constitution for a man who had passed through such trials and hardships ! In the whole of the twenty-five years that he passed in France, he never, for one moment forgot, the colony in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. He nursed it in his remembrance, as does the aged grandfather who is far off from his beloved descendants. He sympathized with its misfortunes, and exulted in its triumphs and prosperity. Whenever a vessel, from the colony, reached the shores of France, Bienville was the first to go on board, and learn tidings of his beloved bantling. And when the French King, towards the last of Bienville's days, ceded the colony of Lou- isiana to Spain, the good old man implored him with tears in
* If Alabama should, hereafter, change the names of any of her present counties, or form new ones, we very respectfully suggest that one be named " DE Soto," and another " BIENVILLE." The former was the first to discover our territory, and the latter was the French gover- nor of it for forty years ! We have a sufficient number of counties, rivers, creeks and towns bearing Indian names, to preserve a remem- branee of the former residence of the Red Men here. We have coun- ties also named for politicians and warriors, but unlike Mississippi, Lou- isiana and Georgia, we have not one named for a person whose name would lead us to think of the history of our country.
1743 May 10
...
358
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
1752
---
1
CHAPTER XI. his eyes, not to place the French subjects of the colony under the control of the tyrannical Spaniards.
1742
Another distinguished person departed from our country about the time that Bienville sailed for France-Diron D'Ar- taguette, the royal commissary, who had lived so long at Mobile. As we have seen, he came to our country in 1708, where he filled several high offices until 1742. It was his younger brother whom the Chickasaws burned to death, near Pontotoc, in the present State of Mississippi. Itis not known whether the royal commissary and Bienville ever again became friends. They ought, really, never to have disagreed, as they were both men of ability, honor and fidelity.
The colony, at length, became prosperous. Capitalists em- barked in agriculture and commerce, after the restrictions upon the latter had been set aside by the King. Cargoes of flour, hides, pork, bacon, leather, tallow, bear's oil and lumber found their way to Europe. These articles came chiefly from the Illinois and Wabash countries, and the inhabitants of that region, in return, received from New-Orleans and Mobile, rice. indigo, tobacco, sugar and European fabrics. But a war broke out between France and Great Britain, and the Chickasaws again becoming the allies of the English, the Marquis De Vaudreuil determined to invade their country. He organized his army, and embarking in boats, at Mobile, made his way up the Tombigby river. After resting a few days at Fort "Tombeebe," he renewed his voyage until he reached the place where Bienville, sixteen years before, had disembarked his army. Marching from this point with his troops, com-
1
359
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
posed of French and Choctaws, he reached the Chickasaw CHAPTER towns, and endeavoring to storm them, lost many of his men; XI. and was finally beaten, and compelled to retreat to his boats near Cotton Gin Port. All he accomplished was to destroy the fields and burn some cabins of the enemy. Arriving at Fort "Tombeche," he caused it to be enlarged and strength- ened-leaving there a strong detachment to prevent the in- cursions of the Chickasaws. Like Bienville, the Marquis re- 1752 turned to Mobile not at all satisfied with the laurels which he had won in his expedition against the Chickasaws .*
* It has been stated to me, by several persons, that cannon have been found in the Tombigby, at or near Cotton Gin Port, and it has been supposed that they were left there by De Soto. De Soto brought from Cuba but one piece of artillery, and that he left behind him in Florida. If any such cannon have been found in the Tombigby, they belonged to the Marquis De Vaudreuil. He carried with him a few pieces to operate against the Chickasaws upon the occasion just referred to. After he had fought the Chickasaws, and returned to his boats, he found that the Tombigby had fallen considerably, and it is probable he threw these cannon into the river to lighten his boats.
2
360
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XII.
HORRIBLE DEATH OF BEAUDROT AND THE SWISS SOLDIERS.
CHAPTER XII.
1757
IN 1757, Kerlerec was governor of the colony. He had succeeded the Marquis De Vaudreuil, who had been trans- ferred to the government of New France. Some of the offi- cers, stationed at the different posts, were great tyrants. One of them, named Duroux, was sent to command a detachment of troops of the Swiss regiment of Halwyl, who were station- ed at Cat Island, which, we believe, is now within the juris- diction of the State of Alabama. He forced his soldiers to work his gardens, and to burn coal and lime, which he dis- posed of in trade for his own emolument. Some of them, who refused to work for him, he caused to be arrested, strip- ped and tied naked to trees, where, for hours, the mosqui- toes tortured them with their poisonous stings. These sol- diers, repairing to New-Orleans, received no satisfaction from Governor Kerlerec, who presently sent them back to Duroux. That officer was now still more tyrannical, and in addition to his other severe usage, gave them no meat to eat, and fed
-1
361
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
them upon stale bread. One day he entered a boat, and was CHAPTER rowed to an adjacent island, for the purpose of hunting deer. XII. Returning in the evening, a party of the soldiers prepared them- selves to kill him, and, as soon as he put his foot upon shore, he was instantly despatched, by the discharge of several guns. His body, stripped of its apparel, was contemptuously thrown into the sea. They then rifled the King's stores, and, for once in a long while, fared sumptuously. Becoming masters of the island, the soldiers set at liberty an inhabitant, named Beau- 1757 drot, who had been unjustly imprisoned by Duroux. He had been long in the colony, and was often employed upon dan- gerous missions in the Creek nation. Indeed, he well under- stood the language of these Indians, besides that of neigh- boring tribes. Often had he made journeys to Fort Toulouse, upon the Coosa, both in boats and upon foot. He was a great favorite of Bienville. Beaudrot was a powerful man, as to strength, and almost a giant in size, and these qualities, together with his bravery and prowess, endeared him to the Indians. The soldiers, who now released him from prison, compelled him to conduct them towards Georgia. Advancing rapidly through the woods, after they had touched the main land in their boats, the veteran Beaudrot led them around Mobile, up to the Tombigby, and, crossing that stream, and afterwards the Alabama, in canoes which belonged to the Indians, Beaudrot conducted them from thence to Coweta, upon the Chattahoochie. Here he was dismissed by the fugi- tives, whom he compelled to give him a certificate, stating
20
362
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XII.
that he had been forced to act as their guide, and was not in any way concerned in the killing of Duroux.
1757
Some of these soldiers, who pursued their journey, made safe their retreat to the English in Georgia ; but others loi- tered in Coweta and Cusseta, enjoying the hospitality of the Indians. In the meantime, Montberaut, who then com- manded at Fort Toulouse, had been made acquainted with the murder of Duroux and the flight of the soldiers. Hearing that some of them were upon the Chattahoochie, a small de- tachment of soldiers, and some Indians, under Beaudin, were sent across the country, to arrest them. Beaudin returned with three of the men, who, after being chained in the prison for a weck, were put in canoes, and conveyed down the Alabama river, to Mobile, and there thrown into the dungeon, to await trial.
Beaudrot arrived in Mobile, and was quietly living in his hut, when two of his sons, who had just arrived from New- Orleans, were the innocent cause of his arrest. Governor Kerlerec sent by them a sealed package to De Ville, the commandant at Mobile, authorizing his imprisonment. The poor fellow knew nothing of the arrest of the soldiers, until his eyes fell upon them in prison. Notwithstanding that he exhibited, upon the trial, his certificate, which declared his innocence of the murder, and which stated that he was com- pelled to facilitate the escape of the authors of it, a court martial condemned him to die. The soldiers, of course, were also condemned to share the same fate. As soon as Governor Kerlerec confirmed the judgment, the innocent and unfortunate
1
363
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
Beaudrot was led forth, and broken upon a wheel ! The peo- CHAPTER ple of Mobile were shocked at the spectacle, for some of their XII. lives had been saved by the sufferer. Not many years before that, Beaudrot, while trading in the town of Autauga, among the Alabamas, ransomed a French boy, who had been cap- tured near Mobile, by the Lower Creeks of the Chatta- hoochie, and who had sold him to those Indians. Beaudrot paid away all his profits for the boy, and immediately carried him to Mobile, and restored him to his uncle. On another occasion, a party of the Lower Creeks had taken a French- 1757 man, who had gone up to his little plantation on the Tensaw river. They stripped the man, and, having pinioned him well, took the trail for the Chattahoochie. It so happened that Beaudrot was returning, upon that trail, from Fort Tou- louse, whither Bienville had some weeks before despatched him, with a letter to the French commandant. Night drew apace, and the wearied Beaudrot sought repose upon the pine straw, behind a log, without a spark of fire. It was his cus- tom, when alone, to sleep in the dark, for fear of being dis- covered by Indian enemies. He lay quietly, with his head resting upon his knapsack. Presently three stout warriors made their appearance, with the Frenchinan to whom we have just alluded. They presently collected lightwood, which lay in profusion around, and kindled a large fire. Ten of the party, after the capture of the Frenchman, went in another direction, to see if they could not do more mischief in the French settlements, and, entrusting the prisoner to the three warriors who now guarded him, had not yet overtaken then.
364
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER The fire threw a glare over the woods, and Beaudrot would XII. have been discovered, had he not, fortunately, been behind a log. The warriors eat their supper, and, tying the French- man to a tree, where he would have been compelled to stand all night upon his feet, they dropped off to sleep. The heart of the generous Beaudrot beat quick; he longed to rescue the man, whom he well knew, but endeavored to compose himself. After a while, when the wearied warriors snored in pro- found sleep, he cautiously approached. His first intention was to unloose the prisoner, and place a pistol in his hand, when they would both instantly fall upon the Indians ; but a mo- ment's reflection warned him that, if he approached the pri- soner first, the latter would be startled, and cry aloud, which would arouse the savages. This reflection altered his plans, and he now crept up to the camp, keeping a large pine tree between him and the warriors. Two of them lay together. Beaudrot's carbine was heavily charged, and, raising himself suddenly, he fired, and the warriors were both killed. The third one rose up, and rushed at Beaudrot with his hatchet, having, in his haste, forgotten his gun. Beaudrot had al- ready a pistol in his hand, and now discharged its contents into the stomach of the Creek, who whooped and fell dead. Rushing to the tree, he untied his friend, who immediately sank in the arms of his generous deliverer. But they had no time to tarry here. The rescued prisoner informed Beaudrot that the other party were probably upon their trail. They im- mediately left the spot, and, reaching the Alabama river, Beau- drot constructed a raft, on which he now placed the prisoner,
,
365
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
and they both floated down the river some distance, and CHAPTER landed on the western side. He tore the raft to pieces, and XII. set the fragments adrift. Beaudrot took all this precaution to keep the Indians from tracking him. About this time it was daylight, and he and the Frenchman were in a swamp, and quite secure. Beaudrot now drew forth his bottle of brandy, and gave his companion a drink, which did much to revive him. They also shared some bread and dried venison. After they had rested here some hours, Beaudrot and his companion arose, and, after a tedious march through the woods, subsisting upon what game Beaudrot could kill, he arrived safe in Mobile, with the Frenchman.
Such a man was Beaudrot, whom the French authorities in Mobile broke upon a wheel ! Ilis life was worth a thousand such lives as that of the tyrannical wretch whom he was ac- cused of having killed. On the same day that he was thus made to suffer death, in the most barbarous and excruciating manner, one of the fugitives, a French soldier, was also bro- ken upon a wheel, while two poor Swiss soldiers were sub- jected to a still more horrible fate. The authorities placed each one of them in a long narrow box, like a coffin, nailed it up, and then cut the box in two with a cross-cut saw .*
* French MS. letters in my possession, obtained from Paris. See also Bossu's Travels, vol. 1, pp. 320-325. But Bossu incorrectly states that these men suffered death in New-Orleans. Some years previously, Fort Conde, a large brick fortress, had been built at Mobile, and it was in front of the gate of that fort that these men met such a terrible death.
1757
366
---
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
--
CHAPTER XIII.
BOSSU'S VISIT TO THE FRENCH FORTS UPON THE ALABAMA AND TOMBIGBY RIVERS.
CHAPTER XIII.
December 20 1758
GOVERNOR KERLEREC having ordered Bossu, a Captain of the French Marines, to depart from New-Orleans with a de- tachment, destined for Fort Toulouse, among the Creek In- dians, that officer reached Mobile, and was there received by D'Aubant, adjutant of that place. The latter, the same officer who married the Russian Princess, and lived with her in Mobile, as we have seen, had recently been appointed to the command of Fort Toulouse, and was instructed to accom- pany Bossu to that point ; but sickness, for a while, detained him in Mobile. In the meantime, Bossu embarked his sol- diers and Choctaws in several boats. After a tedious voyage, of fifty days, up the Alabama river, he moored his boats at the French fort, upon the Coosa. Here he had the pleasure of meeting D'Aubant, who, having recovered from his indis- position, had come from Mobile on horseback, across the vast wilderness. Montberaut, who was still in command of the fort, received D'Aubant with politeness, and, for three months
1759 March
1
367
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
previous to his departure to Mobile, instructed him in regard CHAPTER to the condition of the fort, and of the policy which it was XIII. 1759 April necessary for him to pursue with the tribes around. Mont- beraut was an officer of high reputation among the Creeks and Alabamas, and "was remarkable for the spirited speeches which he delivered, in a manner analogous to the way of thinking of these nations."" He despised the Jesuits, and, as they were formally stationed at Fort Toulouse, he always lived upon bad terms with them. Father Le Roi, one of these missionaries, wrote a letter to the Governor, in which he abused Montberaut in unmeasured terms, and advised his removal. The soldier to whom the letter was delivered, and who was to convey it to Mobile, handed it to Montberaut, who noted its contents. When the Jesuit met him the next morning, he showed him many civilities, as Bossu says, " ac- cording to the political principles of these good fathers." The commandant asked him if he had written any thing against him. The Jesuit, not suspecting that his letter was in the officer's hands, assured him, by all that was sacred, that he had not. Montberaut then called Father Le Roi an impostor and cheat, and fixed his letter at the gate of the fort. Since that time no Jesuits have been among the Creeks and Alabamas.t
When Bossu visited Fort Toulouse, upon the Coosa, he found that the Creeks and Alabamas were happy people. They lived with ease, had an abundance around them, and
* Bossu's Travels, vol. 1, p. 228. t Ibid., p. 229.
20*
368
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER were at peace with the surrounding savages. While at the XIII. fort, Bossu heard a Chief deliver the following beautiful speech :
" Young men and warriors ! Do not disregard the MASTER OF LIFE. The sky is blue-the sun is without spots -- the weather is fair-the ground is white-every thing is quiet on the face of the earth, and the blood of men ought not to be spilt on it. We must beg the MASTER OF LIFE to preserve it pure and spotless among the nations that surround us."
Not only were the Creeks and Alabamas at peace with other nations, at this time, but gave evidences of warm and generous hospitality. They thronged the banks of the river, which now meanders along the borders of the counties of Autauga, Montgomery, Dallas and Lowndes-as Bossu slowly made his way up the beautiful stream, greeted him with friendly salutations, and offered him provisions, such as bread, roasted turkies, broiled venison, pancakes baked with nut oil, and deers' tongues, together with baskets full of eggs of the fowl and the turtle. The GREAT SPIRIT had blessed them with a magnificent river, abounding in fish ; with delicious and cool fountains, gushing out from the foot of the hills ; with rich lands, that produced without cultivation, and with vast forests, abounding in game of every description. But now the whole scene is changed. The country is no longer half so beautiful ; the waters of Alabama begin to be dis- colored ; the forests have been cut down; steamers have destroyed the finny race ; deer bound not over the plain ; the sluggish bear has ceased to wind through the swamps ; the
1
1759 April
369
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
bloody panther does not spring upon his prey ; wolves have CHAPTER ceased to howl upon the hills ; birds cannot be seen in the XIII. branches of the trees; graceful warriors guide no longer their well-shaped canoes, and beautiful squaws loiter not upon the plain, nor pick the delicious berries. Now, vast fields of cot- ton, noisy steamers, huge rafts of lumber, towns reared for business, disagreeable corporation laws, harrassing courts of justice, mills, factories, and everything else that is calculated to destroy the beauty of a country and to rob man of his quiet and native independence, present themselves to our view.
The heart yearns to behold, once more, such a country as Alabama was the first time we saw it, when a boy. But where can we now go, that we shall not find the busy Ame- rican, with keen desire to destroy everything which nature has made lovely ?
Fort Toulouse, at various times, had many commandants, who filled each others' places according to the will or whim of the colonial Governor and the different companies. At one time, the Chevalier D'Ernville commanded here, when a young warrior killed a French soldier, and fled to the forests. According to an agreement formed between the French and the Indians, when the fort was first established, the killing of a person was to be atoned for by the immediate execution of him who committed the deed, whether he was a Frenchman or an Indian. D'Ernville demanded the Indian of the Chiefs, who stated that they were unable to find him. He next re- quired that the mother of the guilty warrior should be made
-
1
370
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER to expiate the crime. They replied that the mother had not XIII. killed the Frenchman ; but the officer only reminded them of the agreement, and further, of the previous customs of their country. Deeply embarrassed, in consequence of the escape of the criminal, and unwilling that the old woman should be put to death, the Chiefs, to compromise the case, offered the French officer furs and horse-loads of booty. But D'Ernville was unyielding, and had the mother brought out before Fort Toulouse, to suffer death. Her relatives followed her with. sad countenances, one of them exclaiming, in a loud voice, " My mother-in-law dies courageously, as she has not struck the blow." In a few minutes the son rushed through the cane-brake, boldly walked up to D'Ernville, gave himself up, saved the life of his mother, and was then-killed !
One day it was announced at Fort Toulouse that the Em- peror of Coweta, a town on the Chattahoochie, was advancing to pay the French a visit. Bossu walked some distance upon the pathway, towards the present Grey's Ferry, which was, at that early day, a great crossing-place for the Indians. He was accompanied by some soldiers, and, to surprise the Emperor, they fired their muskets as soon as Bossu took him by the hand, which was also the signal for a general discharge of the artillery froin the fort. The woods presently resounded with the noise of the cannon, and the Emperor felt that he was greatly ho- nored. He was mounted on a Spanish horse, with an Eng- lish saddle, which was bordered with a beautiful spotted skin. He alighted from his horse, and advanced to the fort with an air of great dignity and importance. His costume was so
175 May
371
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
singular as to excite the subdued risibilities of the Frenchmen, CHAPTER who marched behind him. He wore on his head a crest of XIII. black plumes ; his coat was scarlet, with English cuffs, and beset with tinsel lace ; he had neither waistcoat nor breeches ; under his coat he wore a white linen shirt. His attendants were naked, and painted in a variety of colors. Being only eighteen years of age, the Emperor was accompanied by his Regent, a noble and wise old man, who ruled the Lower Creeks during his minority. When they reached the fort, the old man delivered a speech to D'Aubant, which was re- ported by Laubene, the King's interpreter, who had been long stationed at that place.
Being anxious to alienate the Lower Creeks, upon the Chattahoochie, from the relations which they had formed with the Georgians, D'Aubant paid the visitors unusual atten- tion. The next day, at ten o'clock, he received the Emperor, his War-Chief, Regent, Doctor, and followers, in considerable state. They were marched before the officers and soldiers, who were all drawn up in full uniform. At noon they were conducted to the dining table, where they and the officers took seats together. The Emperor was much puzzled in what manner to employ the knife and fork, and was extreme- ly awkward and embarrassed. But the old Regent seized the back-bone and breast of a turkey, and broke them in two with his fingers, saying, "The MASTER OF LIFE made fingers before knives and forks were made."
Towards the end of the repast, a servant of the Emperor,
1759 May
372
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER who stood behind his chair, perceived that the French ate XIII. mustard with their boiled meat. He asked Beaudin what it 1759 May was that they relished so much ? This officer, the same who went to the Chattahoochie, and arrested the soldiers who fled from Cat Island, and who had lived forty years in the Creek nation, replied, that the French were by no means covetous of what they possessed. He handed the Indian a spoonful of the mustard, who swallowed it. He thereupon made many ridiculous contortions, giving several whoops, and affording the whole company much merriment. The Indian imagined himself to be poisoned, and D'Aubant, the com- mandant, could only appease him by a glass of delightful brandy .*
1759 June
About this time, the celebrated Russian Princess, whom, as we have seen, D'Aubant had long since married, at Mobile, becoming tired of his protracted absence, determined to join him, which, indeed, had been planned when the chevalier left her at Mobile. Going on board a boat which was starting for Fort Toulouse, this remarkable and romantic woman, after a long voyage, arrived at this place with her little daughter and a female servant. She was affectionately received by D'Aubant, and had many lively adventures to relate of her passage up the Alabama. Not having pleasant quarters in
* Travels through that part of North America formerly called Louisi- ana, by M. Bossu, Captain in the French Marines. Vol. 1, pp. 226- 278.
/
373
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
the fort, a cabin was built for her in the field, not far from CHAPTER the fort, to which was attached a brick chimney, the frag- XIII. ments of which still remain there. Here this gay woman was accustomed to converse with the Indians and prattle with their pickaninnies. So, then, citizens of Wetumpka, there was once living, within three miles of your city, a Russian 1759 June Princess-so represented to be-who had married the son of Peter the Great !*
While at Fort Toulouse, Bossu received an order to repair to Mobile, for the purpose of serving under the orders of De Ville, the King's lieutenant, stationed at that place. He en- tered a boat, and, after a prosperous voyage, reached Mobile. Some time afterwards he was ordered to command a convoy to Fort "Tombecbe." He left Mobile with three boats, in which were soldiers and Mobile Indians. He entered the Tombigby river, after a voyage of seven days, which now can be performed in four hours. Mooring his boats near some land, a little elevated above the water, he pitched his camp, and prepared to pass the night on shore, as was the custom of all voyagers of that day. While wrapped in a corner of his tent-eloth, and reposing upon his bear's skin, with a string of fine fish, which be designed for his breakfast, lying at his feet, he was awakened from a profound sleep, by finding him- self suddenly carried away, by an extroardinary force. Terri- bly alarmed, he cried out for help. An enormous alligator.
1:30 August
* French MS. letters in my possession, obtained from Paris.
374
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER intent upon seizing the string of fish, had caught in his teeth XIII. a portion of the tent-cloth, and was hurrying Bossu, tent cloth, bear-skin, fish and all, rapidly to his accustomed ele- ment. Fortunately, just before the alligator plunged into the river, Bossu saved himself and the bear-skin ; but the fish and the tent-cloth disappeared with the monster.
1759 August
The voyage up the river was remarkably tedious, for, it being at a low stage, Bossu was often compelled to drag his boats over the bars. He camped upon the banks every night, and, to protect himself as much as possible from the mosquitoes, he placed canes in the ground, and, making their tops meet by bending them over, formed an arch. Over this rude frame he threw a linen sheet, and slept under it most comfortably, reposing on his bear-skin. On one occasion, provisions be- eame so scarce that Bossu sent out some of his men to pro- cure game in the forests. Discovering the nest of a large eagle, built in the branches of a lofty tree, the Indians soon prostrated the latter with their axes. They obtained from this immense nest, several fawns, rabbits, wild turkies, par- tridges and wild pigeons, together with four eaglets .* The old eagles fought desperately for their young ; but the fam- ished party bore off the nest and the abundance of game which it contained, all of which had recently been taken for
* Bossu must be mistaken as to the number of eaglets. According to my reading of natural history, I am under the impression that not more than two eaglets are ever found in the same nest.
1
-
-
375
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
the eaglets to devour. Bossu and his party lived sump- CHAPTER tuously during the remainder of their voyage, which was at XIII. length terminated at Fort "Tombecbe," the site of which is now familiarly known as Jones' Bluff. De Grandpré, a Canadian of much bravery, and possessed of much experience in relation to the habits and customs of the Indians, com- manded the garrison at this post. Bossu's journal, kept at this place, is wholly occupied with the manners and customs of the Choctaws. As we have already referred to him, upon this subject, in our description of that tribe, we will omit here what would be a mere repetition, only submitting to the 1,59 August reader the following extract :
"I saw an Indian of the Choctaws who had lately been baptized. As he had no luck in hunting, he imagined him- self bewitched. He went immediately to Father Lefevre, the Jesuit missionary, who was stationed at Fort 'Tombecbe,' and who had lately converted him. He told him that his medicine was good for nothing, for, since he had practised it upon him, he could kill no deer. He therefore desired the priest to take off his enchantment. The Jesuit, in order to avoid the resentment of this Indian, acted as if he had anni- hilated the baptismal ceremony. Some time after this, the Indian killed a deer, and, thus thinking himself forever free from the enchantment, was a most happy fellow."*
But the colony of Louisiana, so vast in extent, and embra-
* Bossu's Travels, pp. 226-318.
376
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
CHAPTER XIII.
cing within its limits the territory of our own State, and that of Mississippi, was soon to be taken from the French. It has been seen that the English and the French had long been competitors for the commercial patronage of the Indians, in Lower Louisiana, and also for the right to the soil. Far more bitter were their jealousies, and far more bloody their feuds upon the borders of Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania. For some time, a serious colonial war had been raging between the North American provinces of France and those of Eng- land. The French lost post after post. The victorious Bri- tons garrisoned them with troops, and then captured others. In this manner, the King of France lost all his Louisiana pos- sessions, and, with them, the soil of Mississippi and Alabama. Spain, too, had allied herself with France, in the war. At length the three belligerant powers concluded a peace, the conditions of which are stated in the commencement of our second volume.
1763
February 18
October
Agreeably to the provisions of that treaty, Pierre Annibal de Ville, lieutenant of the King, commandant at Mobile, and Jean Gabriel Fazende, d'ordonnatuer, delivered that town and its dependances to Major Robert Farmar, commissary of liis Britannie Majesty.
Pierre Chabert, captain of infantry and commandant of Fort "Tombecbe," and Valentine Duboca, keeper of the November 23 magazine, delivered that post to Captain Thomas Ford, who garrisoned it with English troops.
The Chevalier Lavnoue, commanding Fort Toulouse, upon
:
-
THE FRENCH IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI.
377
the Coosa, not being relieved by the appearance of any Bri- tish officer, spiked his cannon, broke off the trunnions or ears, and left them in the fort. The river being shallow, during a dry fall, and having his soldiers and all the provisions and military effects to convey to Mobile, in boats, he caused to be cast into the Coosa all which the magazine contained, among which was a large quantity of powder .*
CHAPTER XIII. 1763 November
* Histoire de la Louisiane, par Charles Gayarre, vol. 2, pp. 108-9.
END OF VOLUME I.
F813.69
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.