Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-07


pacity in the last war; it is only necessary to hear
the statement made that he was gallant officer
and YOU know how swimmingy itgoes through
the Senate. 1t is in vain to disguise it. we are all
more or less influenced by these considerations
and while will not yield to any other person my
respect for those who fought and suffered in their
country's cause, mean to show that this principle
has not been carried cut by the appointing power,
but that the other considerations are necessary
TO ensure success devotion to the dominant
party.
Sir, if it can be shown that no man lives at the
present day, nor did any one live at that time, to
whom this nstion is more indebted for the preser-
walton of that very fleet, which, under the COM
mand of the gallant and lamented Perry, first
broke the power of Great Britain on the North
western frontiers than to the late Treasurer Clark,
it will not surely he considered strange that
should offer resolution calling on the President,
in respectful terms, to submit to the Senate the
reasons that induced him to make the removal;
and, to show that have not been making lncor-
rect or unwarranted statements, | beg leave to
read few paragraphs from the Pennsylvania Re
porter. a paper edited by Samuel c. Stambaugh,
and published at the seat of Government OF Penn
sylvania. offer this article as part OF my ar
gument-lst, because it enters more mlnutely
than can do from recollection, into all the par
ticuars Of the service performed by MIR. Clark;
and secondly, because | believe majority of
the Senate will considerit as coming from an or
thodox source. The statement which propose
to read is dated the 4th January, 1928, at the very
heat of the last Presidential election. The paper
in which the article is published did as much, and
perhaps more, than any other in the State, to sup
port the election of General Jacksonville editor
of the paper being as warmly attached to General
Jackson and his cause as man could be: yet, JUS
tice to Mr. Clark induced him to make the fol-
lowing statement of facts:
ssDuring the late war, William Clark held the
office of Brigade Inspector Of the first Brigade,
10th Division Pennsylvania Militia, composed Of
the five Northwestern Counties of Pennsylvania,
and the following duties were performed by him:
He received general orders, dated 18th May, 49,
IL, to draft and organize forthwith four hundred
and twenty eight men, which was done without
delay, and muster rolls were transmitted to the
Adjutant General. On the 18th July. 1879.
Governor Snyder ordered Major Clark to draft
and march forthwith two classes of his Brigade,
not detached under orders of the 18th May,
aforesaid, to guard and protect the frontier settle
ments bordering on Lake Erie; also to purchase
powder, and lead for balls, together with all ne
cessary equipments and subsistence consequent
to the service. This order was promptly execut-
ed. No money, however, having been furnished
by Government to carry the order into effect, Ma
jor Clark applied his own money, borrowed large
sums, and, in addition, gave his individual obi
cations, TO the amount of many thousand dollars;
thus organizing, equlpping. and subsisting the
troops for several months before he received re-
enumeration from Government.
H. IL e
received an order from General Kelso, who held
Clark. from time to time, for such numbers of
militia as circumstances might require, for the
defence of the frontier; to furnish two hundred
additional troops for the defence of the town of
Erie. Having arrived at Erie with the detach-
ment required, and whilst engaged in providing
subsistence for it, an express arrived from the
west with news of the surrender of the north
western army, BY Gen. Hull, to the British forces
under the command of Gen. Brock, and that the
British and Indians were passing down upon the
American settlements bordering upon Lake Erie,
both by land and water. Immediately on the
receipt of this disastrous intelligence, Gen. KelsO
ordered Major Clark to call out as soon as prac-
ticable all the military forces he could possibly
raise Speedily to execute this order, he left
Erie on the morning of the alarm, and arrived at
Meadville at about l l o'clock, A. NJ. distance
of forty miles, dispatched expresses in every di-
rection through his brigade. put Capt. Witheram's
light infantry company under march by O'Clock,
P. NJ, which arrived at Erie the following day
by 10 o'clock, A. NJ. made arrangements for sub
sistence of such troops as misht pass through
Meadville for Erie. Left Meadvile for Erie at
p. M. with a number of mounted men, and
arrived at Erie before sunrise next morning.
Thus having rode 80 miles within "a hours, be-
sides having performed the enumerated duties, the
consequence of which was that upwards of two
thousand troops arrived at Erie thirty-six hours
after issuing the order. These troops were also
partially subsisted by Major Clark, he having re-
ceived no money from Government. After the
fears of the frontier inhabitants hal somewhat
abated, these patriotic men returned home, leav-
ing but small force for the defence of the from
tier.
But few days more had elapsed, when the
British brig Hunter came to anchor close to the
bar of Erie Harbor, and within cannon shot dis
lance. Her decks appeared crowded with men,
her boats were lowered, and every appearance
of determination to land troops were exhibited.
On this occasion, Maj. Clark. after supplying
Al Al