France and England in North America, Part III: The Discovery of the Great West (1870)

"France and England in North America, Part III: The Discovery of the Great West" by Francis Parkman is a historical account that recounts the exploration of what was once the early American West, spotlighting the role of European countries, primarily France, in lands that remained unknown. It brings forward contributions of key people, like Robert Cavelier de La Salle, and describes interactions with Native American tribes during the era of exploration. The narrative prepares the reader for detailing the adventures of explorers who journey into the Great West, emphasizing the obscurity of the history of this region before documented narratives. The narrative reveals La Salle's background, goals, connections with the Jesuits, and his challenges in exploration in search of new routes, a passage to the South Sea, and risks found in the wilderness and encounters with indigenous peoples. This narrative sets a tone for the adventures that happen next.