BIENVILLE, JEAN BAPTISTE LEMOINE, de ; 1680-1768; one of the four brothers who were conspicuous in the exploration and settlement of the French province of Louisiana. The others were lberVille, Sauvolle, and Chateaugay, all sons of Charles Lemoine. With Iherville and Sauvolle, B. went from France in 1608, and made the first settlement at Biloxi. Leaving Sauvolle in command, B. went to explore the country, and in 1700 built a fort ti4 m. from the mouth of the Mississippi. The next year he succeeded Sauvolle as governor or director of the colony, fixing the seat of government at Mobile. Chateaugay joined him in 1704 with 17 settlers from Canada. and 20 women arrived from France to he married to the colonists. 13. was dismissed in 1707, but his successor died at sea and left him still in authority. With a view to improve the culti vption of the soil lie proposed to the French government the exchange of Indians for negro slaves, giving three of the former for two of the latter. About this time the col
onists were sorely pressed by famine, and in 1712 the king granted the monopoly of trade to Anthony Crozat, with liberty to import negroes from Africa. In 1712, Cadil lac was made governor, and 13. kept as lieutenant-governor. They quarreled, and Cadillac sent B. against the warlike Natchez tribe, expecting that hewould be killed;' but he made friends with the Indians. who built a fort for him. In 1718, B. was made governor, and with the aid of men sent out by Law's "Mississippi company"'founded the city of New Orleans, which became the seat of goverm»ent in 1723. Recalled the next year, lie went to France to answer certain charges, leaving colony a code regn lating slavery, prohibiting all religious except the Roman Catholic, and banishing Jews. In 1726, he was removed, hut re-appointed in 1733, and made lieut.gen. In 1743, he was finally superseded, and he passed the remainder of his life in France.