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Lasalle Travels to Canada
Robert Lasalle was an explorer for the French. He sailed with only a small allowance from his family in 1666 to New France, the current Canada, where his brother, Jean, a priest, had gone the year before. He wanted to learn the culture of the natives, and to find a western passage to China. -
Lasalle begins his early exploration
The native group that he was with told him of a passage to a great river, that he thought would flow into the gulf of California. So, he started planning. In 1669 Lasalle sold all of his belongings and built a vessel. Then, he headed down the Mississippi river. -
Lasalle's first voyage
As he headed down the Mississippi River, he built a chain of trading posts across the Illinois country and down the Mississippi. He also claimed the Mississippi river for France in 1682. -
Lasalle claims the Mississippi river for France
Lasalle claimed the Mississippi river for France in 1682. He sailed down the Mississippi with many Frenchman and natives. Once he got to the mouth, he put an engraved plate and cross to claim the river for France, and called it Louisiana, in honor of King Louis. -
Lasalle returns to France
Lasalle returned To France in 1683 for funds to start a colony and for his expeditions. The king wanted him to put a fort at the Rio Grande to strike new Spain, because France and Spain were at war. So, he lied about the location oh and the Mississippi to appease the king’s wishes. Now they could protect what they had claimed, and provide a port for trade. -
Lasalle returns to the New World
By now, Lasalle Was certain that the Mississippi river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Once he got the kings permission, he took four ships with over 300 men to start his colony. They had many misfortunes trying to make it back to the Mississippi. -
Lasalle land in Matagorda
Lasalle landed in Matagorda,Texas in 1685. Once they got there, one of their ships crash landed. The natives looted their ships, so the Frenchman shot at them, making enemies with the natives. Some of them left and went back to France, leaving 180 men and one good ship. -
LaBelle Wrecks
In the winter of 1686, LaBelle, the only ship left, was wrecked on Matagorda Peninsula during a squall. Lasalle had no idea he was in Spanish territory, he thought he was near the Mississippi River, in the area he had claimed for France. -
Lasalle dies
After trying to find the Mississippi river for a long time, La Salle made one last trip in hopes finding the French outpost near the Great Lakes. In 1687, he and eight other men went northeast, around the present day Navasota, Texas. Lasalle’s man shot him in the back, leaving his body for animals. -
After Lasalle’s death
Natives later found Lasalle’s body, and told the Karankawa tribe, who were still close to Fort St. Louis. Once they heard about Lasalle’s death, the native tribe attacked fort St. Louis, spearing only the children.