Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-30
VIRGINIA. ARGUS.
Is Disputes .jan,ais, CO soupem chscufe-.
Richmond, March 40. 1916.

HichnOnd, MARCH 80, 1876
Some account .efthe achievements of he csiebros.,
pirginian hero, George Rogers Clarke. IN th.
Western Country.
The year 177S constitutes a remarkable epoc
IN the revolutionary annals OF confeclersted Ane
rica. In that memorable year, the savage For.
| esters, VINO inhabited the vicinity of the Amer.
can settlements, could not be induced to remain
inactive spectators of the contest between Grea,
brita,n and the States that had lately shaken off
WeT dependence upon her. Early accustomed ia
rap'ne, exuit'ng IN destruction and blood, they
wanted no more than their incuicated ferocity
and their hereditary resentments agains, ..tbe
Whites m general to hurry them into hostilities
hut to these Inherent principles of rancor. and
o mat fondness for war were added the corr,lDt.
ing liberal ty and insidous promises of Bril;sh
Emissaries, VINO seeking refuge among them.
ehdeavored to 'nfuse into their hearts the malipr
nan. ana vindictve passions which ragged in their
own bosoms. The north western frontier suf.
| Tered extremely from their ruthless incursons.--
Like beasts otiprey, they unexpectedly fell upon
,neir intended victims; and after Cutting with
piood their ferocios appetites and intlictne all
Vhe misery IN their power they most frequently
retired, unpursued and UNPUBLISHED, TO Their wild
and remote fas nesses.
IN thls fearful crisis, it was fortunate for yir.
S'nia 10 possess, on her western borders one of
with equal energy of body and mind-wth geni,
rs TO plan, and activity to execute Col. George
| hogers Clarke saved her back settlements from
indian fury He did more. He planted her 81 an.
dard far beyond the banks of the Ohio--and adj
ded profitable conquests to the glory ofchastising
cruel and insoent foe, and of ensuring tran.
| guilty to whole frontler.
Previous apprehensions and iudicio s v,ews
lad induced the Legislature 10 place unde-
L M g tka
!. 1T was we'll known that the Governor o.
| the settlements planted by the Canadians on
| The Upper Mississippi, in the Illinois Counfrv
was an ndefatigable agent of British ambition
and BIZ fish cruelty paying largely for the scaps
of Amercans-and, BY every possible method.
stimulating the neiglrbouring Indians Ia annoy and
| ravage the frontier. To strike an Irnexnected
and decisive blow at this mIschieyons enemy. had
long been fayourite scheme with Col Clarke =
fhe petty warfare which he had hitherto wared.
satished neither his PATRIOTISM, nor his comnelhIs.
Bile love of Flame Even on the present occasion
lac could obtain small force only---betyeen Q &
300 men But, like HIMSELF, these few patriots
were Injured to fatigue regardless of danger.
and painting after their country's applause. No
dihculty conld damp their srdor D.scendin.
the Monongahela, and the Ohio, dow, the p,resi
falls of the latter--they there hid their boats
and shaped Intercourse northwardly Their pro
visions, which they carried on their backs. were
Coon consumci-for two days, they subS,sted on,
roots, and, in state of famine, reached the town
OF kaskaskias, on the banks of the Mississppi
Hitherto fortune had smiled on their enterorize
no detachment ct savage warriors, no stray
| Cling forester, had discovered their approach-
This success heightened their hopes, stimulated
their courage The town and ForS might have re.
sisted "a much larger band of assaiIants--bnt
Clarke and hts adventurous comp2nions advanced
INTO hsakasSias unseen and unheard-The mid
night hour fayoured their design. They found
tue lnhSo ltaats reposing in the lap Of that sec,l
rity, which the idea of vast distance from the
American settlements was calculated To create :
The town and the forts were TAX en- in Silence
and without opposition The surprize was So
judic'ously conducted, and so completely effect
cd, tnat not single person escaped TO spread the
alarm through the neighbourng settlements
Clarke, seizing the golden moment, Immediately
mounted detachment of his men on horses
found at kaskaskas, and three other towns, fur
ther upthe Mississippi, were reduced with equal
success. Rochablaye, the obnoxious Governor
| was sent to Virginia, with the written instruc.
tons which had been forwarded to him from Que
bee, Detroit and Michillimackinack, for excit
\ ing the Indians, and paying to them the price oil
blood. The settlers readily transferred their al
legisnce, and, as this territory belonged to Vir
| gina by charter and conquest, the General As
sembly, at their autumnai session, created II m.
1 ~ DC Cailed the county oil
lilnois-A temporary form of government wa,
| adapted to the circumstances Of the psople.--
To the Governor Of the Commonwealth, the an
piontment Of county Lieutenant, &, through him
of all military agents, to act during pleasure was
attributed. The choice and support of the tis,la
civil officers were left to the inhabitants. Tn,
treasury of the State was to defray exiraordinar,
expences. In criminal cases, the County Lieute
nsnt might grant pardon, except in condemna
lions for murder and treason, when he could onl,
suspend execution until thesense ofthe Governor
in the first instance, and that of the General Az
sembly,in thesecond, should beobtaned To sunni,
the wants Of the inhabitants and of the friendl,
Indians in the neighborhood, trade, on public
account, was opened with New Orleans, and othel
places, but without precludng private CONNER
Gal enterprise the eventual deficiencies of which
| the public trade was only intended TO cover
THIS new port, il properly protected and main
tained, evidently promised 70 check the inroads
and dzpredatioDs Of the Indians on the Inhab
ants of the western frontier of Virginia. Levie,
OF infantry and cavalry were, therefore. drec led
70 be speedily made, and TO reinforce tl,e BRAY
and triumphant handful ofPatriots who had eff
fecteh this important reduction, and whose ser
vices were so justly rewarded with the aDplaus.
OF their grateful country The dls,orieI IN
IN the House ef Deteyales, .Vsv. g. f7za.
\ Whereas authentic. lnforrnotfor h.a. 49,. -.