CHAPTER I. LANDING OF LA SALLE-MISFORTUNES-FORT ST. LOUIS, ON THE LAVACA RIVER-LA SALLE ASSASSINATED ON THE NECHES RIVER BY HIS OWN MENFORT ST. LOUIS IN RUINS. LTHOUGH Spanish adventurers had, during the latter part of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, passed through the interior of Texas, historians usually begin its history with the landing of the French under La Salle, on its soil, in the year 1685. After having descended the great river of the continent, and having planted the standard of France at its mouth, La Salle returned to France to procure the men and means for planting a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi in order to open a new route for commerce between France and her Canadian colonies. He was successful in his application at the court of Louis XIV. The king granted all that the great discoverer desired, and in a manner suitable to the importance of the enterprise and the dignity and ́munificence of the greatest of French kings. A commission was issued, giving him authority to establish colonies in Louisiana, and placing him in command of the expedition. A squadron of four vessels was provided and furnished by the king. The Joil, a frigate of thirty-six guns; the Belle, of six guns, a present from the king to La Salle; the Amiable, a ship of some two hundred tons burden; and a small vessel, the St. Francis, carrying munitions. Beaujeau, who commanded the Joil, was also commander or sailing master of the squadron, but under |