In the seventeenth century, the term Northwest was used to designate the region of the upper Great Lakes and the northeastern part of the Mississippi Valley. The discovery and exploration of this country was accomplished by the French. The leaders of these expeditions were from two walks of life, military officers of the colonial troops and missionaries of the Church. Samuel Champlain was the first of the great French explorers. Jean Nicolet, one of Champlain's chosen interpreters, as early as 1634 traveled beyond the shores of Lake Huron, through the straits of Mackinac, out upon Lake...
In the seventeenth century, the term Northwest was used to designate the region of the upper Great Lakes and the northeastern part of the Mississippi ...
