the natural and incidental results of researches, entered upon and pursued for his private gratification. A change of circumstances, however, seemed to justify an alteration of purposes; consequently, in 1844, promulgation was. commenced by written and oral lectures; as one thought originates another, in 1845 the idea of publishing in book form, first occurred. The proprietor, then residing in Ohio, submitted his plan to several gentlemen of eminent standing, who at once gave it their cordial approbation. A prospectus was immediately circulated, and patrons by hundreds, obtained throughout that community. Demonstrations of future popularity, sufficient to ensure a successful issue, having thus been made, an engagement was entered into in the spring of 1846, with the late Rev. JAMES H. PERKINS, of Cincinnati, by which he took charge of the compilation, and prepared the work for the press; and no one acquainted with that deservedly esteemed and lamented gentleman, need be informed, that the trust could not have been committed to better or more able hands. A volume of 600 pages appeared before the close of that year but an obligation to publish at the promised time, made it necessary, somewhat, to depart from the projector's plan, and to present the book in a form not deemed the most eligible. In view of this circumstance, together with a desire to extend and amplify the sketches of Illinois, Missouri, and other communities more recently developed, the present Edition was resolved upon: which is a revision. of the first, enlarged by the Rev. JOHN M. PECK, of Illinois, a gentleman well calculated for this duty, from his long residence in the West and familiarity with the history of those portions less elaborately treated of in the former Edition. Notwithstanding, this edition is still not arranged in strict accordance with the plan originally projected, yet it is believed that for general accuracy and especial fulness of detail, it may be commended to its readers in its present form as worthy of attention.— Although it is not presumed to be wholly free from errors and imperfections, it will be found to contain a faithful narrative of memorable events, deserving the perusal of western people, especially the young, and the descendants of our Pioneers, to whom the volume is most respectfully DEDICATED. St. Louis, May, 1850. JAMES R. ALBACH. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. Ponce de Leon discovers Florida. Pamphilo de Narvaez goes to Florida. De Soto asks leve to conquer Florida. De Soto reaches Tampa and Appalachee bays. De Soto reaches Mi-sissippi, and crosses it to Washita. 1512 1516. 1526. 1538. 1539. May, 1541. 1542. May 21, De Soto dies. 1543. July, 1544. 1616. 1630. 1634. 1641. 1660. 1664. 1665. 1668. 1670. 1671. 1673. May 13, June 10, June 17, June 21, July 17, September, 1675. May 18, 1676. 1677. De Soto reaches Mivilla, on the Alabama. De Soto descends Washita to Mississippi. His followers try to reach Mexico by land and fail. De Soto's followers reach Mexico by water. De Biedma presents his account of De Soto's expedition to Le Caron explores Upper Canada. Charles First grants Carolina to Sir Robert Heath, p. 69. French at Falls of St. Mary, Lake Superior. Colonel Wool's alledged travels previous to this year. Porrot explores Lake Michigan; La Salle in Canada. Marquette and his companions leave Mackinac to seek the Marquette and his companions cross from Fox river to Wiscon sin. Marquette and his companions reach Mississippi. Marquette and his companions meet Illinois Indians. Marquette and his companions reach Arkansas. Marquette and his companions leave on return to Canada. La Salle goes to France to see the King. Returns and rebuilds Fort Frontenac. La Salle visi's France a second time. 1678. July 14, Nov. 18, 1679. January, August 7, 1679. Sept. 18, Nov. 1, 1680. Jan. 4, La Salle and Tonti sail for Canada; Sept. 15, arrive at Quebec. La Salle loses his stores. The Griffin sails up Lake Erie; 27th, at Mackinac. La Salle at St. Joseph's river, Lake Michigan. La Salle in Peoria Lake; Fort Crevecœur built. Hennepin sent to explore the Upper Mississippi. April& May, Hennepin on the Upper Mississippi. September, Tonti after commencing Fort St. Louis (Rock fort,) forced to leave the Illinois. Oct. & Nov. La Salle returns to the Illinois. November, Henuepin returns to Canada and Europe. 1681. June, August, 1682. Jan. 5 or 6, February 6, Feb. 13. March 6, September, 1683. Dec. 13, 1684. July 24, Sept. 20, Nov. 25, Dec. 28, 1685. January, La Salle and Tonti meet at Mackinac. La Salle goes from Chicago westward. La Salle descends Mississippi. La Salle discovers mouths of Mississippi and takes possession. La Salle reaches France. La Salle sails from France for mouth of Mississippi. La Salle reaches St. Domingo. La Salle sails from St. Domingo for mouth of Mississippi. The Iroquois place themselves under England. La Salle in the Gulf of Mexico. February 4, La Salle sends party on shore to go eastward for mouth of Mis Feb. 13, July, sissippi. La Salle reaches Matagorda Bay. La Salle left in Texas, by Beaujeu. Attempts to build a Fort, and is unfortunate, and his men sick and die. December, La Salle goes to look for Mississippi. La Salle goes again to seek the Mississippi, and find a route to 1687. Jan. 12, March 15, March 17, July 24, Sept. 14, Tonti goes down Mississippi to meet La Salle. La Salle returns unsuccessful. La Salle leaves for Mississippi the third time. La Salle follows and is killed by those men. His murderers quarrel; seven go on toward Mississippi. The seven reach Fort St. Louis on Illinois river. |