USA > Louisiana > The province and the states, a history of the province of Louisiana under France and Spain, and of the territories and states of the United States formed therefrom, Vol. I > Part 18
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Here D'Bourgmont remained until the 24th, when he set out
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with about three hundred warriors of four or more tribes, with their head chiefs in command, accompanied by about three hun- dred women, five hundred young people "and at least three hundred dogs," the women and the dogs being assigned to the distinguished (?) service of carrying the goods, supplies and baggage. Following the trail to the Pawnee villages, they seem to have left both the Missouri and the Kansas rivers, and directed their course in a northwesterly direction through northeast Kan- sas, because the narrative of the commander speaks of crossing · the headwaters of many small streams which unite and fall into the Kansas river. On the 30th, D'Bourgmont became so ill that he was obliged to return to Fort Orleans, but sent on to the Pawnees several messengers under one Gaillard to announce his coming as soon as he could again travel. With Gaillard were two Pawnee slaves whom D'Bourgmont had set free and sent on in order to gain the good will of that nation. On the 25th of August, Gaillard arrived at the Pawnee villages and was well received. He showed the French flag and told them the object of the expedition, and was assured of the friendship of the tribe. Upon his return, the head chief sent back with Gaillard twenty of his leading warriors, to cement a permanent friendship with the Kansas nation. D'Bourgmont having recovered, the expedi- tion again started on September 20th from Fort Orleans, with the same large following of Indians and dogs. Marching rap- idly, they reached the Kansas villages on the 27th. Gaillard and his companions arrived at this point on the 2d of October. Here were gathered representatives of the Missouris, Osages, Otoes, Iowas, Pawnees, and perhaps others. D'Bourgmont assembled them around a large fire in front of his tent, where their presents had been spread out ; and there with much ceremony made them a dignified speech, stating the object of the expedition-to cement a permanent friendship between the several tribes and between the tribes and the French. He asked all to smoke the peace calumet, which was done with the rude but dignified ceremonials of the Indians. On the 6th, all joined in the peace dance, which concluded the treaty at this point. Three large lots of goods were presented to the Otoes, Iowas and Panimahas who had just arrived.
The start for the Pawnees was made on October 8th, but the company was greatly reduced, and all the goods, supplies, etc., were carried on horses. MM. Gaillard and Quenel and two Pawnees were sent ahead to announce the coming of the expedi- tion. The main body continued on . the south side of Kansas
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river until the IIth, when they waded that stream, there being · but three feet of water. They then took a northwest direction, passing over the headwaters of the streams flowing into Kansas river, and noting the beautiful meadows and the immense herds of buffaloes and elks. Advancing rapidly, they came to an aban- doned camp of the Padoucas on the 17th, and here set fire to the prairie in order to signal their arrival. It was answered a long way in advance, and the march was resumed. On the 18th they passed another abandoned camp of the tribe and answered a fire signal as before. Late this day they were met by a large troop of Pawnees on horses, who conducted them to their villages, the Frenchmen marching under arms on the Pawnee horses with as great a show of force as possible .. On the afternoon of the 18th they reached the principal villages and encamped at the distance of a gunshot. Since leaving the villages of the Kansas, they had marched ten days, and had covered about two hundred miles, or about twenty miles a day, and were now probably in the southern part of the present Nebraska near the center of the State, east and west, or in the northern part of modern Kansas.
The next day, having assembled the tribe, and having placed their presents in full view, D'Bourgmont addressed them as he . had those at che towns of the Kansas, informed them of the objects of the visit and asked them to smoke the calumet of peace. Speeches were delivered by the leading chiefs and assurances given of perpetual peace with the French government. After the peace pipe had been passed around, the presents were distrib- uted, consisting of red and blue Limburgs; shirts, fusils, sabres, gunpowder, balls, musket-flints, gunscrews, mattocks, hatchets, looking-glasses, Flemish knives, wood-cutters' knives, axes, clasp-knives, scissors, combs, bells, awls, needles, drinking glasses, brass wire, rings, etc. The Indians appeared highly pleased with the gifts, and of course promised everything asked for by D'Bourgmont. They readily agreed to live at peace with the Kansas, Omahas, Otoes, Iowas, Missouris, Osages, and Illi- nois, and accepted the French flag offered them by D'Bourgmont. They asked that French traders might be sent among them, and stated that the Spanish were distant to the westward about twelve days' journey. The head chief said, "You may command all my warriors; I can furnish you with upwards of two thousand."
The expedition started on its return on October 22d, and on the 3ist arrived at the villages of the Kansas. The next day they arrived at the mouth of Kansas river, and in due time reached Fort Orleans. Here D'Bourgmont remained some time,
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but finally descended to New Orleans, leaving a small detach- ment of soldiers to guard the fort. How it came about will never be known, but in a short time the garrison was murdered by the Indians, not a soul being left alive to tell the tale. Whether the massacre resulted from the outrages of the French- men or from the treachery of the Indians will never be known. But another detachment was soon sent to this important post, and communication was kept up with the Pawnees.
During the continuance of the proprietary government of the Western Company, the western branches of the Mississippi were explored to a great distance. M. De la Harpe, whose concession lay on Red river in the nation of the Cadodaquis, or in what is now northeast Texas, went about eighty leagues up the river to the villages of the Nassonites, and having secured their friend- ship and permission, he had built a strong log block-house, which he had named Fort St. Louis de Carlorette, for protection against them in case of an outbreak, and to serve as a store-house for the security of his goods, etc. From this far-outlying point, which he employed as a basis for his operations, he sent expedi- tions, it is claimed, up the river as far as the base of the Rocky mountains. He formed alliances with the Indian tribes living in that region in accordance with the policy of the French, and endeavored to open traffic with the Spaniards of New Mexico, but without avail.
At this time M. Blondel commanded the fort at Natchitoches, while Father Manuel represented French and church interests at a mission which had been established at the 'Adayes, some dis- tance west of Natchitoches. While at the latter place De la Harpe learned of the visit to Natchitoches of Don Martin de Alar- conne, the Spanish commander of the province of Lastekas. He claimed to have established on Matagorda Bay (called by the Spaniards, Espiritu Santo Bay) a military post for Spain in the vicinity of the Guadalupe and St. Mark rivers. As it was reported that this Spanish official had gone on to the country of the Cadodaquis likewise to establish a post for Spain, De la Harpe started for the country of the Nassonites on the 6th of February, 1719, and after a harassing journey arrived at the villages of the: latter people on the 21st of April, having traveled one hundred and fifty leagues northwest of Natchitoches. The Assonites (Nassonites), Natsooes, Natchitoches, Yatassees and Cadodaquis were closely related tribes and all dwelt along Red river, often on both sides of the channel. Here De la Harpe was royally received and feasted on buffalo meat and smoked fish. He
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learned that the Spanish officer had not yet arrived. He was informed by the Indians that they had recently suffered severely from the attacks of the Chicachas ( Chickasaws) living far to the eastward.
Making searching inquiries, De la Harpe ascertained that the Spaniards had formed settlements to the southwest about fifty leagues, probably among the Cenis ; and also that at the distance of about sixty leagues up Red river, on the right of the stream ascending, they had established themselves-had constructed a small fort or block-house. They were in the country occupied by the l'anis, or Pawnees. Attempts were made to build a fort on a branch of the Red river in the country of the Natsooes about ten miles from the Nassonites; but the desertion of his Indian workmen prevented De la Harpe from effecting this object. They had agreed not only to assist him in the work, but had also agreed to supply him with provisions. At this time the Cadodaquis lived about ten leagues above the Nassonites and the Natsooes and Natchitoches about three leagues above the Cadodaquis on the right of the river ascending. They had considerably changed their location, and were now scattered over the plains the better to hunt ; but they had become decimated by the attacks of hostile tribes by reason of being thus dispersed. They were scattered through what is now the southwest part of Arkansas. M. De la Harpe established his concession on the lands of the Nassonites, on the right bank of the river in ascending, and in latitude thirty- three degrees fifty-five minutes north latitude. In December, 1718, De la Harpe, having received a letter addressed to Don Martin D'Alarconne by D'Bienville, forwarded it to him at the Assinays villages in the province of Lastikas (northeast Texas). At the same time, De la Harpe wrote the following letter to the same individual : "I am charged with a letter from M. D'Bien- ville, commanding general of the Province of Louisiana, which I have the honor of sending you. In confiding to me the post of the Nassonites, he has requested me to render all the services in my power to the Spanish nation. I can assure you, sir, nothing can give me more pleasure than to execute his orders on every occasion in which they may be needed." Under the instructions of the Western Company, he likewise opened communication with Father Marcillo, superior of the missions at the Spanish province of Lastikas. He wrote, "Inform your friends of New Mexico and Boca de Leon that they can procure at the Nasson- ites or Natchitoches all the goods they may need at a moderate price, upon which I will allow you a commission of two or three
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per cent on all sales that may be made, and thus you may have it in your power to establish your mission upon a solid basis.
In May, 1719, having learned from a Nassonite chief of the existence of metallic ores in the mountains thirty or forty leagues to the northward, De la Harpe, accompanied by nine soldiers and several Indian guides, set forth to find the treasure. As the country above was filled with hostile Indians, the guides deserted him after three days' marching, having seen smoke a long way in advance. On the way back, De la Harpe and party came near being captured by the hostile Osages. The soldiers made salt at a spring about ten leagues northeast of the post. Under date of May 20, 1719, D'Alarconne replied to De la Harpe, in part as fol- lows : "I ain compelled to say that your arrival at the Nassonite village surprises me very much. Your governor could not be ignorant that the post you now occupy belongs to my government, and that all the lands west of the Nassonites are dependencies of New Mexico. I counsel you to give advice of this to M. D'Bien- ville, or you will force me to oblige you to abandon lands that the French have no right to occupy."
An opportunity to answer this letter did not occur until the 8th of July, when De la Harpe forwarded the following missive, dated at Nassonite: "The orders from His Catholic Majesty (the King of Spain) to maintain a good understanding with the French of Louisiana, and the kind intentions you have yourself expressed towards them, accords but little with your proceedings. Permit me to inform you that M. D'Bienville is perfectly informed of the limits of his government, and is very certain that the post of Nassonite is not a dependency of Ilis Catholic Majesty. He knows also that the Province of Lastikas, of which you say you are governor, is a part of Louisiana. M. de la Salle took possession of it in 1685, in the name of His Most Christian Majesty (the King of France) ; and since the above epoch possession has been renewed from time to time. Respecting the post of Nassonite, I cannot comprehend by what right you pretend that it forms a part of New Mexico. I beg leave to represent to you that Don Antoine du Morior, who discovered New Mexico in 1683, never penetrated east of that province or the Rio Bravo (Rio Grande). It was the French who first made alliances with the savage tribes of this region ; and it is natural to conclude that a river that flows into the Mississippi and the lands it waters, belong to the King, my master. If you will do me the pleasure to come into this quarter, I will convince you that I hold a post I know how to defend."
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While at this station, De la Harpe endeavored to form alliances with all the neighboring Indian tribes. They came to his post from the banks of the far Arkansas. On the 24th of July, 1719, he received intelligence that war had been declared between France and Spain. As this possibly meant trouble with both the Indians and the Spanish, the soldiers at the post strengthened it in every possible way and otherwise made preparations to receive any enemy after the bloody fashion of war. A few days later, information was received that the Spanish were at work, on the headwaters of Red river, digging for gold or other valuable min- erals. Soon after this, the news arrived that M. Blondel, com- mander at Natchitoches, had driven away the Franciscan fathers from the Adayes and pillaged their missions there. The Spanish had thus formed a settlement east of the Sabine (sometimes called the Adayes) river. News was also received that the Spaniards had all departed from the Trinity ( river), or the country of the Assinays ( Cenis), whence D'Alarconne had written his warlike letters. This being true, De la Harpe had nothing to fear from the Spaniards.
He now resolved to explore the country much farther to the northwest than he had yet done. "For this purpose he took with him an escort of two officers, three soldiers, two negroes and sev- eral Indians who spoke the language of the country, and set out on the IIth of August. By the 21st he had traveled forty-nine leagues through a fine country, with sloping hills and prairies abounding in game. He met a party of Natsooe Indians who had been on a hunting expedition and had killed forty-six buffaloes. On the 22d he passed several prairies and a little river which empties into Red river. He then entered into an extensive prairie surrounded by mountains. By the 26th he had gone eighteen leagues farther, when he met with a party of Osage Indians, who seemed disposed to attack him, but yet suffered him to pass on. On the 27th he traveled six leagnes farther, over a beautiful prairie country filled with deer and buffalo, and entered the mountains, where he found a number of Indian huts. Traveling six leagues farther he met a party of Kansas, who were encamped on the banks of the Onachita with forty farriors, and were in pursuit of the Tancaros. On the 28th he passed a beautiful prairie, interspersed with hills, and a large herd of buffaloes fol- lowed by a pack of wolves as large as those of France. On the 29th he traveled six leagues farther to a branch of the Ouachita river, which had abont two feet of water in it. Near its banks he miet a party of Nacogdoches, who were occupied in smoking
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meat. On the 3Ist he reached a branch of the Arkansas, and on September 2d came to several lead mines. Farther on he met six chiefs who had come to meet him from a village called Imaham, and to assure him of their friendship. De la Harpe told them that the great chief of his nation had sent him to assure them of his protection against their enemies; and his desire was that they be at peace with each other. These chiefs had brought Indian bread and smoked beef, with which they regaled the party. 'They belonged to the Tancaros, Adayes, Ouachitas, Ositas, Assinays and Tayas. They number about four thousand people who live in tents and are the allies of the Panis ( Pawnees), a nation living about forty leagues to the north. The Panis are at peace with the Osages, a nation who are continually at war with the Kansas, the Padoucas, the Arickarees and other tribes.
"The old chiefs told Al. De la Harpe that a white people (the Spaniards of New Mexico) traded for metals with the Padoucas, fifteen days' journey off, in a northwest direction, where the.moun- tains furnish rock-salt. On the 4th of September, more than five thousand Indians assembled to chant the calumet of peace. The old chiefs of the Arkansas and Tayas performed this ceremony and made speeches. Late at night De la Harpe retired to sleep, and in the morning the chiefs came to wake him up. 'They washed his head and feet, painted his face blue and red, and placed a cap of eagle feathers upon his head. They also threw buffalo robes and other presents at his feet and presented him with a Kansas slave of about eight years of age, who had escaped out of seventeen prisoners, which they had eaten at a public feast. De la Harpe thanked them for their favors, and regretted it had not been in his power to save these unfortunate victims of their vengeance. He concluded to leave three of his men in this country, until the governor of Louisiana decided whether it was expedient to establish a post here; but afterward changed his mind, as he was informed that the Indians abandoned their vil- lages in the autumn to hunt buffaloes, and in the following spring they returned to sow Indian corn, beans and other seed.
On the 8th he was invited by the chiefs of the Canicons to feast at his village about two leagues from the Tancaros, where he met a great many chiefs who professed a great deal of friendship for him. This tribe consists of a few families who live in a very fertile country. On the 10th he erected a cross there and planted a post near it, on which he carved the arms of the King. On the 13th he set out to return to the Nassonites. On the Ist of October, he was surprised by a party of
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Kansas Indians, and had only time to make his escape by leaving his baggage behind. He was obliged to make his way back over mountains without any compass to the village of the Nadacos, where he arrived on the 13th of October. On the 21st he reached the portage of the Natchitoches, where he fell sick. He sent sev- eral Frenchmen from this place to the Adayes for provisions, and remained here until the 4th of December to recruit his health. On the roth he reached Natchitoches, and on the 26th arrived at New Orleans."
It is not too much to say that the services of M. De la Harpe prevented the Spaniards from gaining permanent foothold on the Upper Red river and effectually established the rights of France to that important region of country. Had it not been for his courageous and emphatic opposition to Spanish settlement there, all the Upper Red river country, or what is now much of Indian and Oklahoma Territories, would have been left outside of what afterward became the Louisiana Purchase. How well his serv- ices were estimated is shown by the following certificate from Governor D'Bienville, dated Biloxi, July 1, 1720:
"I John Baptist D'Bienville, Knight of the Military Order of St. Louis, and Commanding General of the Province of Louisiana, CERTIFY, that the M Bernard De la Harpe, commander of the troops sent to the Cadodaquis, Natsooes, Natchitoches and Nas- sonites, Indian nations on Red River, and on the confines of the Province of Lastikas, has, during a residence of eighteen months . among them, conducted himself with great prudence and wisdom ; that he has discovered other tribes of Indians on the Red and Arkansas rivers, adjoining uations to the Spaniards of New Mex- ico, and made alliances with them in the name of the King: In faith of which I have signed this certificate and affixed the King's seal."
France continued to claim the territory as far to the westward . as the Bay of St. Bernard, or Matagorda, and the policy of send- ing a colony to that point was often urged by the Western Com- pany's officials ; but no action had been taken by the Council of Louisiana. Early in August, 1721, Captain Beranger was sent there to make a reconnoissance, but returned without having accomplished much of importance. In 1721, now that the Louis- iana colony had acquired great comparative strength, it was deemed opportune to commence the colonization of the country beyond the Sabine. It was realized that such a course would doubtless be succeeded by war not only with the Spaniards, but with the Indian tribes inhabiting that territory. Did the com-
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pany, then, wish to risk the chances and results of such wars, in order to win the territory and the consequent important trade? It was finally determined to take the risk. In August, 1721, after due deliberation and after the return of the reconnoissance, it was determined to send M. De la Harpe in charge of the first expedi- tion to Matagorda Bay. Accordingly, the following official order was issued :
"We, Jean Baptiste D'Bienville, chevalier of the military order of St. Louis, and commandant-general for the King in the Prov- ince of Louisiana: It is hereby decreed that M. De la Harpe, commandant of the Bay of St. Bernard, shall embark in the packet 'Subtile,' commanded by Beranger, with a detachment of . twenty soldiers under D'Belisle, and shall proceed forthwith to the Bay of St. Bernard belonging to this province and take pos- session in the name of the King and the Western Company ; shall plant the arms of the King in the ground and build a fort upon whatsoever spot appears most advantageous for the defence of the place. If the Spaniards or any other nation have taken possession, M. De la Harpe will signify to them that they have no right to the country, it being known that possession was taken in 1685 by M. de la Salle in the name of the King of France, etc."
August 10, 1721.
B-I-E-N-V-I-L-L-E.
The ship was provisioned with fifteen quarters of flour, fifteen of meat and a quantity of French brandy, and had on board besides the crew, a force of twenty soldiers, who were under the command of the famous D'Belisle, who recently had seen sucl: severe hardships in the vicinity of St. Bernard Bay. M. De la Harpe was constituted commandant of the colony that should be established there. Ile was instructed that "if the Spaniards of any other nation has already taken possession of it, M De la Harpe will inform them that they have no right to this country as it was taken possession of by M de la Salle in the name of the King of France. And in case they make any opposition, M De la Harpe will take possession of it by force in conformity with the orders of the King, dated 16th November, 1718." The ship set sail on the 16th of August, 1721, and on the 27th reached wha was presumed to be the bay sought. Owing to the large number of Indians that assembled and opposed his landing and the pro posed settlement, De la Harpe and his companions deemed i imprudent to attempt to form a colony at that time, and accord ingly sailed back to Mobile, where they arrived in October They learned that although the Spaniards had been there, they had departed without making attempt at settlement.
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A French ship, the Marechal D'Estres, mounting thirty-six guns, and commanded by M. de la Godelle, was lost in 1718 off the coast of Texas. She was loaded with troops and convicts for the colony of Louisiana. It was afterward ascertained from sur- vivors that she had mistaken her course and had arrived at a large bay west of the Mississippi, probably the Bay of St. Ber- nard, where a dreadful epidemic broke out among the convicts on board. Here a number of the men resolved to land and take their chances in the wilderness among the Indians rather than with the sickness on board. Accordingly MM. D'Belisle, Legendre, Allard, Ducloss and Corbett took arms and eight days' provisions and went ashore. The ship was never heard from afterward. After more than two months of wandering in southern Texas, all five had died except Semiars D'Belisle. He finally fell in with three Indians, who stripped him and took him to their nation where he lived for eighteen months. A tin box in which he kept his papers finally fell into the hands of the Assinays and still . later reached D'St. Denis, the French commandant at Natchi- toches, who effected his rescue. He was a knight of the Military Order of St. Louis, and in the end proved to be one of the bravest and most capable officers sent by France to the Lonisiana colony. He served in many capacities with signal distinction.
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