Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-04
miscellaneous.
From the New York Merchants Ledger.
HISTORY OF THE CASE OF
MRS. MYRA CLARK GAINES,

FOR THE RECOVERY OF HER FATHERS ESTATE
DANIEL CLARK was native OF the province
of Ulster in the north of Ireland and was of a
family in very good circumstances, with some
preteusions to honorable and eminent origin and
connections. The family name necessarily sug-
gests English rather than Irish origin; but he
claimed descent probably through a maternal
ancestorl from the ancient Irish kings of Ulster
The Normans, who were planted in that country
by conquest at various periods, from the time of
the earlier Plantagenets sometimes intermarried
with the native Irish nobility, las did the Ftz
Geralds, the Boteers, and the De Burghs or De
Borrowes,) and secured stronger hold on their
acquisitions of territory, by giving their children
q maternal affinity TO the original lords of the
conquered soil, SO that in q few generations their
descendants seemed to forget their English ORR
gin in devoted attachment to the land of their
birth. and in patriotic pride as lrishmen though
not Cells. There are many Of Scottish ancestry
in Ulster; but the name of Clark, q very cuu-
mon name in England implying the possession
of superior education by those who first assumed
it as family designation,) is not in the usual
form of the similar appel.ation in Scotland,
where the proper name Is spelled CLERK as the
common noun is in England, from which the
prevalent orthography OF Clark has been corrup-
ted, to suit the vulgar pronunciation.
Daniel Clark was sent in his early youth to re-
ceive a complete university education He is
said to have passed through his preliminary elias.
steal instruction at the ancient and celebrated
school of Eton, near Windsor Castle, founded
by King Henry w. and was thence transferred
to the University Of Oxford, where he is suppos
ed to have graduated in due course He always
gave evidence Of the possession OF a very thor
ough and finished education, in his language and
tastes, and in the books with which he enter
tanned his leisure. But his requirements were
by no means limited to the narrow though pro-
found course OF instruction furnished and entorc-
ed in an English University. He was very ac-
compshed scholar in modern literature spoke
the French Spanish, and at least two other mod
ern languages of the European continent with
great case and accuracy, and at the same time
had complete education in mercantile affairs, SO
TO be qualified for all the business of a COM
mercial life. This unusually varied and thorough
education, not only shows the possession OF some
thing like wealth in his family, but evlnces also
more than ordinary intellectual power and versa
tility Of genius as well zeal in the pursuit Of
knowledge and implies that Daniel Clark was
no ordinary man.
Soon after " finishing his education" he was
induced to EN- crate to the city OF New Orleans
in Louisiana, then province under European
domnion,) by the invitation of an uncle who had
for some years resided there, and had acquired
in commerce property of 100000. With the
expectation and promise OF becominghis uncle's
heir, he accordingly lett the country of his birth
and that of his education, and went to Louisiana
where he became merchant and planter. He
soon acquired large property, independently o.
his expectations. His uncle, dying few years
after, left him all his wealth and with these ad
dltonal means, Daniel Clark went on, increasing
his business, rapidly augmenting his estates, buy
ing land and land-claims, until he became mar
OF extensive possessions, great in actual amount
q or Nnl
But his active mind and varied requirement.
soon found higher fields Of successful exerton
His good knowledge of the French and Spanish
languages gave him excellent facilities for be
coming acquainted with the inhabitants Of New
Orleans and the old province of Louisiana, AM
OF learning how far their capacities correspondent
to the circumstances in which they were placed
and to the advantages of the county they occu
pied, and whether with such a population tn
actual resources and real value of that wonder
full country could ever be developed.
lie soon saw that the vast regions on the ives
tern banks Of the Mississippi were worthy Of
more magnificent destiny than that attaching 1
them as mere colonial appendage of Franc
and Spain, between which kingdoms they ha
passed back and forth as an occasional make
weight IN new treaty. Though British b
birth and education, all his sympatheS and hope
were soon enlisted with the rising republic {
the United States, then fast pouring an activ
and enterprising population towards the MISS
sippi. To this nation he looked as the prope
occupants OF the whole valley of the Great Ri,
or, and as alone capable Of properly realizin
the hidden value of the country. These view
were cherished by him for some years, until Ill
accession OF Thomas jefferson to the Presdel
cy furnished an occasion for the accomplishing
OF the great scheme by which Daniel Clark ha
long hoped to make the country which he ha
chosen as the field of his enterprise more wo
thy Of his ambition and genius. He opened
correspondence with President Jefferson, al
first suggested 10 him the acquisition Of the pro
ince and territory Of Louisiana by the Unite
States. The result is known; but the prin
mover and the original agency that produced tn
great result, have hitherto been strangely u
known or overlooked. To Daniel Clark the Tn
ted States owe the suggestion and noyeme
which led to the possession OF all the terrific
now held by them west of the Mississippi.
Daniel Clark is still well remembered by son
of the most respectable citizens Of New YoI
who knew him personally, or by reputation,
the days of his most prosI erous enterprise, il
medately after the purchase of Louisiana by 4
United States. He was frequently in this Gil
and in Philadelphia and Baltimore, at that pc