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The First Chouteaus: RIVER BARONS OF EARLY ST. LOUIS

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"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.