The Mississippi River and the Kaskaskia River, like our highways, were essential to the French colonies for communication and transportation. They linked the tiny, frontier villages in Illinois with New Orleans to the south and the Great Lakes and Canada to the north. From New Orleans a French settler could make contact, via the Atlantic ocean with Europe, the Caribbean and British settlements along the east coast of North America.

10 What did Illinois look like in the 1700's?

Follow the men as they travel down the Mississippi River to New Orleans in the convoy by reading the skipper's log of Pierre Riviere:

Log entry 1 February 1, 1752

Log entry 2 February 8, 1752

Log entry 3 February 16, 1752

New Orleans Destination

Teachers please look at the Lesson Plan before proceeding.

Convoy Introduction

Background Information

Character Profiles

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96