Journal of the Last Voyage perform'd by Monsr. de la Sale, to the
Item #74481
JOUTEL, Henri. A Journal of the Last Voyage perform'd by Monsr. de la Sale, to the Missisipi [sic.] River; containing an account of the settlements he endeavour'd to make on the coast of the aforesaid bay, his unfortunate death, and the travels of his companions for the space of eight hundred leagues across that inland country of America, now call'd Louisiana (and given by the king of France to M. Crozat,) till they came to Canada. Written in French by Monsieur Joutel, a commander in that expedition; and translated from the edition just publish'd at Paris. With an exact map of that vast country, and a copy of the letters patents granted by the K. of France to M. Crozat. London: Printed for A. Bell, B. Lintott and J. Baker, 1714. 8vo (7 x 4 1/2 inches). [2], xxi, [9], 205, [5]pp. Engraved folding map. Modern red morocco, covers panelled in blind and gilt, spine gilt. First edition in English of this first-hand account of La Salle's ill-fated expedition, and Joutel's subsequent incredible journey north to Quebec, through Texas, Arkansas, the Mississippi, and Illinois. Complete with the folding map. Of the three major narratives of the journey, this record, by La Salle's closest subordinate, is the most valuable. The party embarked in 1684, ostensibly to establish a French base at the mouth of the Mississippi as a headquarters for operations, but also to push as far as possible into the region in order to gain a foothold against the Spanish. In fact, through a conscious deceit, the base was established at Espiritu Santo Bay, in Texas, from whence the party spent two years making excursions into the surrounding territory. When promised reinforcements failed to appear, La Salle and his men determined to return to Canada via the Mississippi; however, one of the company assassinated La Salle when they reached the Trinity River, and the party split up. Some of the survivors, including Joutel, pressed on, reaching Canada by way of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers. "Most reliable eye-witness account of La Salle's two-years wanderings in Texas" (Howes). Field 808; Howes J266; Jenkins, Basic Texas Books 114; Raines pp. 130--131; Wagner Spanish Southwest 79 a; Greenly p. 21; Streeter sale 1:112; Church 859; Jones Adventures in Americana 150; Jones 399; Bell p. 274; Harrisse 750; Waterston p. 7; European Americana 714/70; S.
Price: $13,000.00