Introduction
It’s an interesting fact that the Mississippi River, the world’s fourth-longest river, was discovered by two men in the same year—the French Canadian explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1682, and the German draughtsman Bernard Romans, in 1763. But who was the first one to find the mighty Mississippi? The answer to this question has been a subject of debate for centuries.
Who Discovered the Mississippi?
It’s widely believed that the first European to discover the Mississippi River was René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who was a French explorer and colonizer. He had set out to find the mouth of the Mississippi in 1682 and consequently opened France’s claim to the Great Lakes region. But what makes him the first one to discover the Mississippi?
La Salle was determined to find the mouth of the river and search out the fabled Northwest Passage, a route leading to the Pacific Ocean. He worked with a Jesuit priest by the name of Louis Hennepin and a French navigator Guy Tessereau. During the course of their exploration, La Salle and Hennepin together discovered the confluence of the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers. This nodal point could unveil the source of the Mississippi and hence it was a turning point in their exploration.
The arrival of La Salle on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico was an incredible feat of exploration, and no doubt makes him the rightful discoverer of the Mississippi.
La Salle’s Journey
La Salle and his crew had set out from Niagara in 1679 and spent three years exploring the Mississippi. Along their voyage, they encountered several Indian tribes and exchanged gifts. In their previous expeditions, the team amassed a wealth of knowledge, navigational skills and experience. La Salle’s team was able to locate the Mississippi easily due to the maps they had in their possession.
The explorers traveled down the river until they arrived at its mouth and then proceeded to set up camp near the Mexican Gulf. While La Salle was standing at the mouth of the river, he declared this recently-discovered region of the continent to be part of New France, a French settlement in North America.
La Salle’s journey is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most courageous in North American history. He traveled across unfamiliar terrain and faced numerous obstacles. Despite his initial successes and despite providing numerous resources and other benefits to the people who lived near the Mississippi, La Salle and his crew were still met with hostility on many occasions.
Bernard Romans’s Claim
The year following La Salle’s expedition, the German draughtsman Bernard Romans also laid claim to having discovered the Mississippi River. His research and sketches of the Mississippi were published in 1763, and claimed that he was the first European explorer to properly document the river and its fascinating course.
Given that Romans’ research occurred over 80 years after La Salle claimed his discovery, it can be argued that La Salle was the first one to discover the Mississippi and deservedly deserves his place in history. Romans’ research, however, was the first to be available for widespread consumption, and for this reason, it is clear that Romans must also be remembered for his part in our understanding of the Mississippi.
Mississippi’s Historical Significance
For centuries, the Mississippi River has served as an important artery for transportation of people, goods and services throughout the U.S., with many ports located along its banks. Moreover, the Mississippi River also allowed the communication between individuals, towns and cities and has acted as an incredibly powerful symbol of culture and identity ever since.
Not only did it lead to trade and relationships, the Mississippi was also an important part of the transportation and settlement of people such as escaped slaves, Native Americans, and settlers. All of this gave the Mississippi its symbolic significance, showing that it was much more than just a geographic marker.
The Controversy Today
More than 300 years later, the debate over who discovered the Mississippi still continues. Although multiple sources and decades of research support La Salle’s journey as the first one to take place, Romans’ claims over its discovery are a point of contention.
Romans was able to gather parts of his evidence from La Salle’s findings, although the majority of them had instead come from his own observations. His sketches and maps, however, do not match La Salle’s observations and thus, although acknowledging Romans’ discoveries, the general consensus is that it was La Salle’s expedition that was the first to properly explore and document the Mississippi River.
The Mississippi Today
The Mississippi is still a major river today—though it is much more regulated than it was hundreds of years ago. The Mississippi’s length has increased significantly due to human intervention, including the construction of new canals, levees, and reservoirs.
The water level of the river has also changed due to several factors, including population growth and the resulting industrialization of the area. It’s difficult to trace back to when the river first became polluted, but some research suggests that water pollution was already present in the river as early as 1600.
There have been efforts to reduce water pollution in the Mississippi over the years. The Mississippi River System has received increased environmental protection in recent years. This includes legislative acts such as the Clean Water Act, the Mississippi River Basin Management Plan, and the Mississippi River Connectivity Initiative.
Mississippi’s Unique Ecosystems
The Mississippi is home to a variety of unique ecosystems and wildlife species. The river basin is home to a number of large animals like deer, bears, beavers, and even a few species of endangered wolves. The aquatic ecosystem is also home to a variety of small fish, amphibians, reptiles, molluscs, and insects.
The river is also home to the endangered pallid sturgeon, which is an ancient species of fish found only in the Mississippi River. The pallid sturgeon once thrived in the Mississippi, but its population has since declined due to habitat changes caused by urbanization and industrialization.
Mississippi River and its Impact on Society
The Mississippi River impacted the lives of many people in the past, and it continues to do so to this day. This mighty river has been the lifeblood of the region since time immemorial and has connected and provided sustenance to many people and tribes throughout history.
The Mississippi was recently cited as the reason for economic growth in certain areas, including New Orleans, where the tourism industry and port forgo an essential part of its livelihood. Shipments of goods and services, particularly agricultural and manufacturing products, are essential for the local economy.
The Mississippi River has also given rise to a variety of food, culture, music, and art that all draw influence from the river’s influence in the region. The river has been preserved and thoughtfully maintained as a national treasure, and it continues to be a major source of jobs, revenue, and economic development in the region.
Uses of the Mississippi Today
The Mississippi is still a major transportation route that many industries rely upon, and it continues to be a hub of activity. Barges and motor vessels continually travel up and down the river to deliver goods, and recreational activities take place on the river as well.
The main resource produced by the Mississippi is water, which is essential for agriculture and recreational activities. The river also generates electricity and provides drinking water, wastewater treatment, and flood control services to residents living along the river.
The Mississippi also has many recreational activities to enjoy, like fishing, swimming, and boating. There are several national parks, scenic drives, and historic sites along the river that offer unique sights and experiences.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is a major waterway that has been so important to the history and development of the United States. It is the world’s fourth-longest river, and it was discovered by neither one man, but two—René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1682, and the German draughtsman Bernard Romans, in 1763.
These two bold adventurers set out in search of adventure and discovery, and their tales of the Mississippi an important part of the legacy of the United States. The Mississippi impacts the people and industries of today, but its legacy is rooted in the discovery of these two brave explorers.
