Founder of
Louisiana; born in
Montreal,
Canada, July 16, 1661; was one of eleven brothers who figure in some degree in French colonial history.
Entering the
French navy at fourteen, he became distinguished in the annals of
Canada for his operations against the
English in the north and east of that province.
In 1698 he was sent from
France to the
Gulf of Mexico with two frigates (Oct. 22), to occupy the mouth of the
Mississippi and the region neglected after the death of
La Salle.
On finding that stream, he received from the Indians a letter left by De Tonty, in 1686, for
La Salle.
There he built Fort Biloxi, garrisoned it, and made his brother Bienville the
King's lieutenant.
In May, 1699, he returned to
France, but reappeared at Fort Biloxi in January, 1700.
On visiting
France and returning in 1701, he found the colony reduced by disease, and transferred the settlement to
Mobile, and began the colonization of
Alabama.
Disease had impaired his health, and the government called him away from his work as the founder of
Louisiana.
He was engaged in the naval service in the
West Indies, where he was fatally stricken by yellow fever, dying in
Havana, Cuba, July 9, 1706.