While
it is possible and even probable that many of these pearls in the
possession of the Indians came from the Gulf of Mexico or even from the
Caribbean Sea, it seems much more likely that they came largely from
the Unios of the inland lakes and rivers.
The
voyages of Narvaez, Ayllon, De Soto, Ribault, etc., had been so
unfortunate that for a century little exploration was made in the
territory of the southern part of the United States. When this
territory was again invaded, little was seen in the way of pearls.
Iberville,
who established the French settlement near the mouth of the Mississippi
in 1699, was specially directed to look for them. His instructions
state: "Although the pearls presented to his Majesty are not fine
either in water or shape, they must nevertheless be carefully sought,
as better may be found, and his Majesty desires M. d'Iberville to bring
all he can; ascertain where the fishery is carried on, and see it in
operation." 1 Pearls were found in the territory of
the Pasca-goulas, but they were not worth the trouble of securing them.
It appears that from these the Pearl River in Mississippi derived its
name.
The
only reference to pearls in the seventy-one volumes of Travels and
Explorations of the Jesuit Missionaries in New France, from 1610 to
1791, is a note by Father Gravier stating that he saw no choice pearls
: "It is true the chief's wife has some small pearls ; but they are
neither round nor well pierced, with the exception of seven or eight,
which are as large as small peas, and have been bought for more than
they are worth."2
Daniel
Coxe's description, in 1722, of pearl resources in America,, is of
special interest because of the extended experience of his father as a
trader in the country. He states :
Pearls
are found to be in great abundance in this country ; the Indians put
some value upon them, but not so much as on the colored beads we bring
them. On the whole coast of this province, for two hundred leagues,
there are many vast beds of oysters which breed pearls, as has been
found in divers places. But, which is very remarkable, far from the
sea, in fresh water rivers and lakes, there is a sort of shell fish
between a mussel and a pearl oyster, wherein are found abundance of
pearls, and many of an unusual magnitude. The Indians, when they take
the oysters, broil them over the fire till they are fit to eat, keeping
the large pearls they find in them, which by the heat are tarnished and
lose their native lustre; but, when we have taught them the right
method, doubtless it would be a very profitable trade. There are two
places we already know within land, in each of which there is a great
pearl fishery. One about one hundred and twenty leagues up the River
Meschacebe [Mississippi], on the west side, in a lake made by the river
of the Naches, about forty miles
1 P.
F. X. de Charlevoix, "History of the Country of Illinois to the Mouth
of the New France," New York, 1900, p. 129. Mississippi," Cleveland, 1900, p. 141.
2 Voyage of Father Gravier in 1700 From
