Posted by Doyle Bailey for
Tour Natchitoches with Barbara ( Number 1 of 3)
Photo at Right is of a historically accurate replica of Ft St Jean Baptiste in Natchitoches.
François Derbanne (d’Erbanne or d’Herbanne) ), was a French Canadian who explored the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers and was prominent in early Mobile and Natchitoches.
He is most often noted for his trek across Texas in 1717, of which he wrote an account.
"We left Natchitoches on November 22, 1716, and we arrived on January 22 at Assinais. I reckon the distance from one village to the other as 55 leagues. The country is good enough; there are small mountains, mixed woods: pines, oaks, walnut trees and some white-wood trees (such) as are in Canada. The trail is very good, and its direction is West and Southwest...".
Some observations:
- a league is about 1 1/2 miles. The journey of two months mentioned by Derbanne covered 55 leagues or about 82 miles. That would be an average of about a mile and a quarter a day.
- He states "the trail is very good" so there were obviously other reasons for the slow pace. Derbanne was a keen observer and may have taken his time to observe the terrain and the people. He was scouting out trade routes. This desire for trade got St Denis arrested and taken as a prisoner to Mexico City but that is another story and another journey.
"We left the Assinais, where there are Spanish priests and a captain with 25- soldiers, on March 22, 1717 for the Rio Grande." ( to be continued)Observations:.Barbara is a ninth generation descendant of Francois Derbanne and will be delighted to take you and your group on your sightseeing tour of Natchitoches when you contact Tour Natchitoches with Barbara.
Contact Barbara: (318) 352 5469 or (318) 663 5468
Text Barbara: (318) 663 5468
E Mail Barbara: info@tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com
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