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Encyclopedia entry: La Salle, René‐Robert Cavelier, Sieur de
- Article from:
- The Oxford Companion to United States History
- Author:
Copyright© The Oxford Companion to United States History 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information)
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La Salle, René‐Robert Cavelier, Sieur de
(1643–1687), French explorer.In 1666, La Salle left France for New France to seek his fortune. He quickly established himself as a landowner and fur trader at Lachine on the St. Lawrence River, near Montreal. With the patronage of Governor Frontenac, La Salle began exploring the western reaches of the colony, endeavoring to extend French control over the land, its peoples, and the
fur trade
. Named commandant of Fort Frontenac (at present‐day Kingston, Ontario) in 1673, he was granted noble rank by the crown on a return trip to France. After receiving permission to establish a trade monopoly along the
Mississippi River
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