What significant mistake did Rene-Robert de La Salle make during his expedition?

Rene-Robert de La Salle's significant mistake during his expedition was settling in Matagorda Bay. In 1685, La Salle was attempting to establish a French colony near the mouth of the Mississippi River, believing that this location could provide a strategic advantage for trade and territorial claims. However, due to navigational errors and misunderstandings of the geography of the region, he ended up in Matagorda Bay, which was not the intended landing site.

This miscalculation severely impacted his expedition, as La Salle and his crew faced numerous challenges, including hostile encounters with local Native American tribes, difficulty in securing supplies, and the inability to find suitable land for a permanent settlement. Ultimately, the location did not offer the resources and strategic advantages that a settlement at the mouth of the Mississippi would have provided. This incorrect settlement site contributed to the eventual failure of his colony and loss of his expedition's initial goals.