The First Chouteaus: RIVER BARONS OF EARLY ST. LOUIS [Paperback]

William E Foley (Author), C David Rice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2000

For more than half a century, Auguste and Pierre Chouteau dominated trade and enterprise in the Mississippi Valley. In their various roles as merchants, Indian traders, bankers, land speculators, governmental advisors, public officials, and community leaders, the Chouteau brothers exerted a tremendous influence on westward expansion. This is the first full account of their lives and illustrious careers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A work of enduring value ... The First Chouteaus is personal and local history at its best, richly detailed and exacting in its accuracy." -- Thomas F. Andrews, History: Reviews of New Books "This thoroughly researched and gracefully written monograph has become the definitive study of the early Chouteau family." -- Patrick E. McLear, Missouri Historical Review "In their study of these complex, long-lived, and remarkable men, whose influence spanned over sixty years in Missouri history, Foley and Rice make a long overdue contribution to the history of the political and economic development of the Mississippi valley... An important book and a credit to its authors." -- Tanis Thorne, Pacific Historical Review "This work is superb narrative history... An important contribution to our knowledge of frontier businessmen and to the general field of western history." -- John Haeger, Journal of Economic History "Any library with an American history collection should have this on its shelves. The text is eminently readable, and historians of westward expansion as well as anyone interested in Missouri or Saint Louis history will find the book both fascinating and informative." -- Missouri Folklore Society Journal ADVANCE PRAISE "Students of the West need wait no longer for a definitive work on the beginnings of the Chouteau empire. A superb treatment." -- Donald Jackson, editor of Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; 1 edition (July 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252068971
• ISBN-13: 978-0252068973
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #723,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting perspective of the early history of St. Louis, April 7, 2005

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Paul Eckler (princeton jct, nj United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The First Chouteaus: RIVER BARONS OF EARLY ST. LOUIS (Paperback)

"The First Chouteaus: River Barons of Early St. Louis," by William E. Foley and C. David Rice, University of Illinois Press, 2000. This is the story of two step-brothers, Auguste and Pierre Chouteau, who were the leading fur traders in the early days of St. Louis. The book tells the story of St. Louis from their point of view from its founding by their stepfather, Pierre de Laclede Liguest, in December, 1763, until Missouri statehood in 1821.

Laclede was a French businessman from New Orleans. He set out to establish a fur trading post in Upper Louisiana for the New Orleans firm of Maxent, Laclede and Company. France had already lost the French and Indian War, which resulted in France ceding all claim to territory in North America, but the treaty had not yet been completed. France was expected to cede claim to territory East of the Mississippi, but retain rights to Louisiana Territory on the West Bank. Hence, French settlers from Illinois settlements at Cahokia and Kalkaskia who sought to avoid British rule, moved to the new colony named after Louis IX, patron saint of King Louis XV of France. Word that the western territory had been ceded to Spain in the Treaty of Fountainbleau did not reach the colony until 1764.

Laclede and later the Chouteaus were first rate diplomats. Their business consisted of trading manufactured goods to the Indians-especially the Osages-in exchange for furs. The furs were then shipped to Europe via New Orleans. Competitive British traders operated out of Montreal and the Great Lakes. They were better supplied with trade goods by their British suppliers. Success of the business depended on the relationship developed with the Indians. The power of the Chouteaus was enhanced by intermarriage of family members with other traders in the area. Their contacts served them well in dealing with the various changes in government-both with the Spanish and later with the Americans.

Although Laclede died with debts outstanding, the Chouteaus enjoyed reasonable profits through most of their business careers. The fur trading business was continued by their sons, but after the Louisiana Purchase brought the territory into the US, the US recognized Spanish land grants. The Chouteaus became major land owners. Real estate investment became a major business line.

In the 19th Century, St. Louis grew to be a major river city, primarily because of its position as the gateway to the west and access by steamboat. Robert Fulton's steamboat was invented in 1807; by 1818 steamboats traveled throughout the Mississippi River system. Surprisingly, the book makes not a single reference to steamboats. Apparently the Chouteaus continued to ship their furs by bateau and made little or no use of steamboats. Similarly, they were not steamboat investors. Although they sometimes shipped their furs to Montreal rather than New Orleans, there is no mention of business dealings with New York or Philadelphia. We are left wondering who brought the first steamboats to St. Louis and who built the famous wharves.

It seems likely the Chouteaus had excellent language skills. They spoke French, they apparently spoke the Osage language, they probably spoke Spanish, but did they speak English? Maybe not. This aspect is not clarified.

This book is a paperback edition of the book originally published in 1983. It provides an interesting perspective of the early history of St. Louis. References. Index. Genealogy. Maps. Pictures.