Early Voyages Up And Down the Mississippi

of Mexico, Feb. 16, 1701, Father: Pax Cbrifti. On my return from Michili- mackinac I received your letter which you did me the honor to write by the Mifliflipy, addrefled to Father Aveneau, who fent it to me at Chika- ' Father James Gravier of the who fufficiently mattered the Ian- Society of Jcfus, the writer of this guage to compile a grammar. His narrative, was one of the carlieft philological labors were highly ef- Illinois milBonaries, and the fufl teemed, but have apparently per- 116 Down and Up the MiJJtJ/tppi. goiia,2 whence I fet out on the 8th of September, 1700, to come here. I arrived too late at the Illinois du Detroit,3 of whom Father Mareft has charge, to prevent the tranfmigration of the village of the Kafkafkias, which was too precipitately made on vague news of the eftablifhment on the Mifliflipi. I do not believe that the Kafkafkias would thus have feparated from the Peouaroiia and other Illinois du Detroit, had I arrived fooner. At all events I came foon enough to unite minds a little, and to prevent the infult which the Peouaroiia and the Moiiin- goiiena were bent on offering to the Kafkafkias and French as they embarked. I fpoke to all the chiefs in full council, and as they continue to preferve fome refpect and good will for me, we feparated ary 16, 1706, adding that he was not yet out of danger. Mareft fays that he died foon after. 1 He evidently ftarts from the Miami miffion, mentioned in St. Cofme's jou...