Original French transcriptions and translations of three descriptive accounts of the early Louisiana colony.

Louisiana, the land between tile twenty-eighth and forty-fifth parallels, presented itself as both scientific experiment
and impressive trophy with which to challenge the supremacy
of other superpowers during the course 0f the European wars and a chance to revitalize the French economy. In addition, religious fervor complemented secular and political interests. Not since St. Patrick went to Ireland in the fifth century did the dream of evangelizing an entire country seem so feasible. The courageous could populate the land, the adventurous could exploit its riches, the zealous could convert the souls of those living there.

Where could information be found about the new land? The early eighteenth century offered no Internet, no television, not even a reference work. The only recourse was eye-witness accounts. But whose accounts could be trusted? How could one differentiate truth from propaganda?

The works published in this volume will present three realities. Each document was written for a specific reason and was directed to a clearly defined audience. To present the myth we have chosen a series 0f three articles published in Nouveau Mercure. Two other documents attest to the reality: a letter from Pensacola written by a young Jesuit, François Le Maire, and a report penned by Jean Béranger, a ship captain.

We would of course expect a propagandist, a sea captain, and a Jesuit to emphasize different aspects of the new colony. When seen with one eye, the world is flat: it is only with the second eye that depth can be perceived.

Perhaps with the three "eyes" provided here, we can reconstruct the complex reality which was colonial Louisiana.

Contents

Editor's Introduction 3

Part One
The Myth: Promoting Louisiana Colonization

Three Articles from Nouveau Mercure, 1717-1719

Introduction 17

Translation 35

Part Two
The Reality: So Little Progress

Editor's Introduction to the Second Part 105

The Current Situation in Louisiana, from the Memoir of François Le Maire 113

Memories of Louisiana, by Jean Béranger 151

Appendix 203
Index 227