Louis Vilemont collection, [1794-1795]
2 items
This collection is made up of 2 items related to Louis Vilemont: a journal that he composed while traveling in North America around 1795, with related essays; and a letter by the Baron de Carondelet dated June 28, 1795.
Vilemont titled his 169-page volume Journal De Mes Voyages, Depuis mon Débarquement à Philadelphie jusqu'à mon arrive à la Nouvelle-Orléans; avec quelque notes topographiques Et un Examen Rapide, naturel Et Politique Des Productions Et Peuples que j'ai Rencontrés. The first 2 pages contain introductory remarks. A 100-page account of his travels beings with his departure from Madrid, Spain, to America, where he visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; he described the city and its residents in detail. On his trip to New Orleans, Vilemont wrote about the landscapes and people he saw along the way; for example, he encountered Daniel Boone while traveling through Kentucky (p. 34).
The second part of the volume (pp. 101-169) contains essays about multiple subjects, such as the Louisiana fur trade and Native Americans' involvement in local commerce. One essay includes a chart of various tribes, with the numbers of armed men, and primary locations (p. 99). Other essays concern unidentified Native American tribes' religious beliefs and political organizations. Vilemont wrote marginal notes throughout the volume.
The Baron de Carondelet's letter, dated June 28, 1795, pertains to political issues within Louisiana. He shared his enthusiasm about the recent capture of "Vexerano," who had been accused of murder the previous year, and expressed concern about Vilemont's unauthorized travels in the area.