will come here as soon as navigation opens, and will cause this place to be cleared, in order to form our settlement after the plan that I shall give you." In the late winter, Chouteau fitted out a boat and led a party of 30 men across the river, where they landed on February 14, 1764. The next day, February 15, Chouteau directed the men to start clearing and founded the European city of St. Louis. (It was on a site long occupied by indigenous tribes, as demonstrated by the numerous massive earthwork mounds left from the Mississippian culture of the 9th-12th century.) Laclède was at Fort de Chartres until early April, recruiting French settlers from the east side villages. Because of a large migrating band of Osage, Laclède went to St. Louis to negotiate their departure from the fledgling post. Within months, Laclède had built a home for his common-law wife Marie-Thérèse, who traveled to the outpost from New Orleans, arriving in September 1764. Auguste Chouteau lived here until his death. In addition to Auguste, Marie-Thérèse had an additional four children (by Pierre Laclède, but under the surname of Chouteau). Among these four were three girls and a boy, Jean Pierre Chouteau, who later became a partner with Auguste in business and politics. After Laclède's death in 1778, Chouteau took over the business of trading, adding greatly to the family fortunes. He quickly expanded the business to include agricultural properties, and banking, and owned an early grist mill in St. Louis. He built the mill along Mill Creek in what became the Mill Creek Valley. Chouteau's Pond was a local attraction until 1852. Chouteau played a significant role in the growth of other, outlying towns, such as St. Charles, Missouri. Chouteau also remained on good terms with the Spanish government in Saint Louis. In 1780, Chouteau played a small role in the Battle of St. Louis, in which the village was defended against a British-led Native American attack. Chouteau negotiated with the Spanish government for greater defense of the city, and for his efforts was commissioned a captain and later a colonel. Expansion of trade operations In the early 1780s, Auguste Chouteau played a pivotal role in trade between the village and Native American tribes. His efforts to maintain peace and promote trade led him to establish (along with his brother, Pierre) numerous trading forts along the Missouri River.