1702 fected not only the immediate comfort of the colonists but also the permanency of French rule in America. The colonists did not rely on themselves; they depended for supplies upon shipments from France and the Island of St. Domingo; they did not cultivate the soil and raise the corn and other products needed. As a consequence, famine, sickness, and death followed. Sauvolle (sõ võl'), a brother of Iberville, died. De Bienville (deh byăn vēl'), another brother, succeeded to the command, and to him more than to anyone else was due whatever of good fortune that came to the colony afterwards. 4. Settlement at Twenty-seven-mile Bluff.—The colonists were sick a great deal at Biloxi, and the settlement was removed to a point near the present Jan. 22, Twenty-seven-mile Bluff on the Mobile river. Here Fort Louis was erected in 1702. Iberville named the place Mobile, probably because he found there remnants of the tribe from Mauvilla, where De Soto had defeated Tuskaloosa. The country was beautiful in appearance and rich in soil. Fir, pine, oak, cypress, magnolia, and other trees gave it charm. Idols and other relics of departed tribes were discovered by the settlers. Bienville had much to encourage him and much to depress him. He knew that his brother Iberville was in favor at the court of France, and would aid him with supplies. Both saw the necessity for crops, and they begged the French government for laborers instead of adventurers. Indians were captured and put to work in the fields. Negro slaves were brought from Africa, but laborers were still too scarce to cultivate the needed crops. The many hardships of the colonists brought out the grumblers who had contributed but little and wanted much. Iberville died, and the work of directing the colonists fell upon Bienville. He had some loyal helpers, but many bitter enemies who wanted to defeat all his plans. 5. Settlement at Mobile.-In 1709, a rise in the river overflowed both town and fort and destroyed the crops. Bienville then selected the present site of Mobile. After two years' work in laying off lots, building houses, and erecting batteries, the colony left the old fort and removed to the new. Even the Indians living about the old fort left their homes and moved down to the new Fort Condé (kon dā'). 6. Trouble with Indians.-The French were generally more successful than the English in winning and holding the friendship of the Indians; but the Alibamons, who lived along the river to which they gave their name, proved stubborn foes. They murdered the messengers sent by Bienville for provisions, and provoked the settlers in every possible way. Finally Bienville led a force into the Indian country, destroyed their villages, and captured their braves. After making a treaty of peace, he offered rewards for the scalps of all who violated it. 7. Work of Missionaries.-Missionaries* from France and Canada established missions on the Mississippi river and its branches. They travelled much *The most noted of these missionaries were Foucaut (fōō kä’), St Cosme (kōme), St. Dennis (děn e'), La Salle, Marquette (market'), Davion (då ve on'), and Father Montigny (môn tễn yễ'). 1706 1709 1711 1712 to among the Indians, and preached the gospel of "Peace on earth, good will to men." They exercised a strong influence over "the children of the forest," often keeping them in peace and quiet when war and massacre were stirring their thoughts. Many of the missionaries suffered death and torture, but their Christian zeal and their patriotic hope were very strong, and no danger was sufficient to check their labors of love. 8. Colony Under Crozat.-The colony at Mobile 1717 was for five years governed in name by Cadillac (cả dē yǎk') and L'Epinay (Lā pē nā'), but in fact by Bienville whom the people and the Indians trusted. Cadillac and L'Epinay were governors, appointed by Crozat (cro za'), a wealthy merchant to whom Louis XIV had granted the colony. 1714 1718 Bienville built Fort Toulouse (too looz') to control the Creek and Alabama tribes, with whom English traders had been tampering. This fort occupied a commanding position four miles below We tump' ka, on the neck of land between the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers. It protected French interests for fifty years. In 1735, he built Fort Tom bec'be near Jones's Bluff to protect French interests among the Chickasaw Indians. When Crozat learned of the failure of the great business schemes for which he had undertaken the management of the colony, he surrendered his charter to the king. 9. Bienville in Command.-Bienville was then restored to command. In March, 1718, he founded New Orleans, and five years later made it the capital of the colony. The population of Mobile increased slowly. The climate was too warm for European laborers. Ships now and then brought in negroes, and through their labors the colony began to prosper. When Crozat surrendered the colony, it was chartered to the Western or India Company. Trade had been very much hampered by the laws of Crozat, and it was still further hampered by the provisions of the India Company. Prices were fixed. Goods were smuggled into the Spanish trading-post at Pensacola. The English traders also invaded French territory, carried on a large trade with the Indians, and fanned the fires of Indian hatred against the French. In spite of these drawbacks, the colony began to prosper, but just at this time John Law's* "Mississippi Scheme" collapsed and brought distress and ruin. Bienville was recalled to France under the charge that he was responsible for the troubles of the colony. Before leaving for France he issued the "Black *John Law, a brilliant Scotch adventurer and gambler, induced Philip, Duke of Orleans, to establish the Royal Bank of Paris. With the profits from the issue of paper money he paid the enormous debt of France. Immediate success attended the venture. Law then formed the West India Company for trade and colonization in Louisiana. Marvellous stories of gold and silver and profits induced speculation. Shares of the stock rose to forty times their cost. Great fortunes were made; but no gold-laden ships returned to France. Public confidence was shaken, and panic swept away fortunes. Law fled from the country, and became an outcast. Suffering and dismay spread throughout France and her colonies upon the bursting of this "Mississippi Bubble." 1726 1733 1736 Code." This code contained many orders about governing the negroes, forbade any but the Catholic religion in the colony, and forced all Jews to leave. 10. End of French Rule.-Perier (pā re a') was appointed governor in 1726. The colony began to thrive again, but Perier's eight years of rule were not satisfactory. Bienville was sent back from France to take command. His plans for aiding the May 26, struggling colony failed; he was defeated in a second attempt to conquer the Chickasaws; finally he became so much discouraged that he asked to be recalled to France. In a dignified letter to the minister at home he expressed the hope of better fortune to his successor than had fallen to himself. Fair and firm in all his dealings with the Indians, he won their love and respect. For thirty years he governed the colony, loved it always, and wept when in his old age it was ceded to Spain. He died in France in 1768, honored and beloved. 1762 Feb. 18, 1763 With changing fortune but with gradual growth Mobile passed twenty years after the retirement of Bienville. In 1762, France secretly ceded to Spain the Island of Orleans and all of her Louisiana territory west of the Mississippi river. Nearly four months later, by the Treaty of Paris, Mobile fell to Great Britain. 11. Under British Rule.-After the Treaty of Paris, Mobile became the base of supplies for British control of the eastern half of the Mississippi valley, From Mobile many expeditions were sent out to extend British influence. These expeditions were sent against the French and against the Indians under |