"These are, briefly stated, the true factors, if not directly of peace, of the harmony of the interests, which, for their own advantage, united the will of all the citizens in favor of peace and created this pleasing atmosphere, this general welfare in which we live, which brings about festivals like this one, and which, finally, is nothing else but the natural manifestation that all the permissible individual ambitions are satisfied, and that the others are in a sure way of becoming so, and this is also the proof that I wished to give you that true peace, peace rooted in the hearts of all, which is the solid and fruitful one, cannot be the work of one man, or of many men, but of all the active members of the societies which have the good fortune to enjoy it. It is sufficient honor to be one of those members."

When we consider the Mexican republic we may say with Señor Verdía that it is not in vain that so much blood and so many tears have been shed on Mexican soil. The country of the Aztecs and of the Spanish conquerors, the country of Hidalgo and Morelos and of the men who lost their lives for its independence, the country of Juarez and of Diaz, is now prosperous and happy. It was worth passing through the ordeal of countless wars and revolutions finally to enjoy peace and liberty.

The palace, Santa Fe, New Mexico, built in 1605, thus antedating the settlement of Jamestown by two years and that of Plymouth by fifteen years.

CHAPTER XVI

LA SALLE IN TEXAS

CABEZA DE VACA and his three companions, the only survivors of the unfortunate Narvaez expedition to Florida, were the first Europeans who trod the soil of Texas, and this on their way to Mexico, after their shipwreck in 1528 and their captivity among the Indians.

Coronado's expedition to New Mexico in 1540 concerns the history of Texas, because Coronado must have crossed the northern part of that region, and because, from New Mexico visits or entradas of missionaries and soldiers were made to the country which is now called Texas. Indeed, a settlement of Tiguex Indians from New Mexico was made in 1862 at Isleta, a pueblo about twelve miles from El Paso, and this, according to Professor George P. Garrison, is the oldest town within the limits of Texas. "It could have had no Spaniard," he adds, "among its population other than one or two padres, and for this reason it cannot be properly regarded as a Spanish colony." The first attempt at a settlement by white men was made by the French, and this through an error of the great explorer, Robert Cavelier de La Salle.

On April 6, 1682, La Salle reached the mouth of the Mississippi and took possession, in the name of Louis XIV, of the country watered by that river and its tributaries. He then addressed two memorials to the French Government, asking for the means to build a fort on the Mississippi, to settle the region lately discovered, and to guard it against

foreigners. The gospel might be preached to the Indians and conquests be effected for the King. Indeed, La Salle proposed to form an army of fifteen thousand Indians and to make conquest of New Biscay, in Mexico, a country rich in silver mines and defended by a few Spaniards. Count Peñalosa, who had been governor of New Mexico, made, at that time, a proposition of the same kind to the King of France, but his plan was rejected and La Salle's was accepted. The latter had an interview with Louis XIV himself, who was favorably impressed with the explorer's projects, as was the King's able minister, Seignelay, the son of the great Colbert.

Four vessels were given to La Salle, and one hundred soldiers were enrolled, besides mechanics and laborers. Thirty volunteers joined the expedition, and for colonizing the country, named Louisiana by the discoverer, there were in the party several families and a number of girls, future wives of the settlers. There were as missionaries three Sulpitian priests, one of whom was Cavelier, La Salle's brother, and three Récollets, Zénobe Membré, the explorer's former companion, Anastase Douay, and Maxime Le Clerc. La Salle's nephews, Moranget and the boy Cavelier, and Joutel were also of the expedition. The latter had been a soldier for sixteen years, and his father had been gardener to La Salle's uncle. He was a man of judgment and courage and became the historian of the enterprise.

The small fleet carrying the people destined to colonize Louisiana was composed of four vessels, the Joly of the royal navy, thirty-six guns; the Belle, six guns; the Aimable, a store ship; and a ketch. The commander of the fleet was Beaujeu, but La Salle was to direct the route and to control on land the soldiers and the colonists. Beaujeu, who was an old captain of the royal navy, was much displeased at the authority given La Salle and protested against it to Minister Seignelay. He was obliged, however, to submit to the arrangement, and he and La Salle had many quarrels on the voyage of two months from Rochelle, which they