5858114 Launching of the Griffin. July 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.2 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA; (add.info.: Henri de Tonti (1649/50-1704) Italian lieutenant to Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643-87) French explorer and fur trader in North America The expedition built a ship at the mouth of the Chippeway River, 4 miles above Niagara falls, where the Iroquois had a portage route bypassing the rapids).