The sieur de Sauvolle, aka M. De Sauvolle or Sauvole, had accompanied the brothers Iberville and Bienville on their first voyage to Louisiana in 1699, and their explorations inland; on May 2, 1699 he had been appointed commander of the new Fort Maurepas and on January 1700 had become the territory's governor.

His journal is one of the earliest sources for the history of the region.

Meanwhile, Henri de Tonti, having experienced several financial difficulties in the 1690s, in early 1700, had commenced a journey down the Mississippi to make contact with d'Iberville; reaching French Louisiana, he has joined the colony.

After Sauvolle's sudden death in August 1701, Bienville ascends to the governorship of the new territory for the first of four terms.

By this time, only one hundred and eight persons remain in the colony, the rest having died from malnutrition and disease.

Iberville leaves the administration of the new Louisiana colony to Bienville, while he brings in reinforcements and supplies.