18837: La Salle and Petit Goave

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Cynthia Salm <origcyn@anvilcom.com>

In October 1684, the great French explorer La Salle arrived in Petit Goave.
La Salle, on a colonizing mission for King Louis XIV, was trying to find the
mouth of the Mississippi River. He ended up stranded on the coast of Texas.
The expedition included soldiers, sailors, a few young women and two
families. They stayed in Petit Goave for nearly two months. While in port,
they encountered pirates, rich with booty. There were many desertions and
many of the men were sick, including La Salle. I am writing a children's
book about the expedition. I am looking for a description of late 17th
century Petit Goave, especially the docks. I would like to include the food
that might have been available and where water was obtained. I want to make
1684 Petit Goave come to life with real life characters, if I can find them
or their archetypes. I would especially appreciate anyone's thoughts about
what the pirates would be doing in the port. drinking, bragging about their
glory, gambling, general hell-raising, that's what I'm interested in, some
"activity" that would have made an impression on the mother of six young
children, including an infant born at sea and a 9 year-old boy.  I will be
grateful for any and all help!!  Thank you.

Cynthia Salm
origcyn@anvilcom.com
Wimberley, TX