The La Salle Expedition to Texas: The Journal of Henri Joutel, 1684-1687

Austin, Texas: Texas State Historical Association, 1998. CD1 - A first edition (numberline starts at "1") hardcover book SIGNED by William C. Foster with "October 25, 2001 Corpus Chrisi, TX" written on the half-title page in very good condition in very good dust jacket that is mylar protected. Dust jacket has some wrinkling and crease on the edges and corners, wrinkled on the back top, light crease on the front flap, dust jacket and book have some bumped corners, wrinkling on the spine edges, light discoloration and shelf wear. Translated by Johanna S. Warren. 10.25"x7.25", 350 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. The La Salle Expedition in Texas presents the definitive English translation of Henri Joutel's classic account of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle's 1684-1687 expedition to establish a fort and colony near the mouth of the Mississippi River. La Salle landed at Matagorda Bay, Texas, instead, part of a journey of epic proportions that was in trouble from almost the beginning. Written from detailed notes taken during this historic journey, Joutel's journal is the most comprehensive and authoritative account available of this dramatic story of adventure and misadventure in Texas. Joutel, who served as post commander for La Salle, describes in accurate and colorful detail the daily experiences and precise route La Salle's party followed in 1687 from the Texas coast to the Mississippi River. By carefully comparing Joutel's compass directions and detailed descriptions to maps and geographic locations, Foster has established where La Salle was murdered by his men, and has corrected many erroneous geographic interpretations made by French and American scholars during the past century. Foster follows Joutel, La Salle, and their fellow adventurers as they encounter Indians and their unique cultures; enormous drifting herds of bison; and unknown flora and fauna, including lethal flowering cactus fruit and rattlesnakes. The cast of characters includes priests and soldiers, deserters and murderers, Indian leaders, and a handful of French women who worked side-by-side with the men. Joutel's journal, newly translated by Johanna S. Warren, is edited and annotated with an introduction by William C. Foster. The account is accompanied by detailed maps and the first published English translation of the testimony of Pierre Meunier, one of the most knowledgeable and creditable survivors of La Salle's expedition.. Signed by Author. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.