Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-12-31
From the \. o. Della of Dec. IL.
The Great Gaines Case.

The.leci.ion by the Supreme Court Of Louis
iana. rendered Yesterday by Chief Justice Mer-
rick. and coneurrel in by Justices Spollofd ard
| Voorhics, is one of the most momenfous events
tina. has occurred in our judicial history. The
litigntiou. commenced and prosecuted with such
extraordinary tenacity and energy. by the plain
tiff, Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines. goes back mo'e
tban twenty-five years. Kept in ignorance of
her real position and rights during her child
hood, and until. indeed. she had advanced some
vears into womanhood, she discovered shortly
after her marriage with Mr.. Whitney, her hrst
husband, the mysterious circumstances OF her
birth and history. With the first glimpse OF those
fact. her whole nature and character changed.
From n life of domestic quiet and gentleness'
this lady suddenly emerged into one peculiarly
trvinp TO "A female-one. indeed, full of yexation,
trouble and anxiety. Thoroughly imbuei with
the conviction of her being the lawful child anu
heir of the once lordly Daniel Clark, she entered
upon the prosecution of her claims with an IN
tense devotion. zeal and earnestness, which are
without parallel. Triumpling over obstacles,
embarrassment and difficulties that would have
appalled, the most heroic masculine heart, her
faith knew no ialtering. and her courage ind for
titude sllrunk from no sacrifices. The web which
enyeloped her fortunes she was determined to
unravel; and with the perseverance OF Arachie'
she has steadily unwound its myriad threads
II was not the desire 'or money-for a fortune
which prompted and sustained this remarkable
devotion. The instinct of honor and pride of
blood that all mankind feel, in reference to the
circumstances of their birth, their origin. their
descent from the worthy and meritorious-
these were the chief motives in the bosom
oi this lady. She desired to vindicate the
purity of her origin-to establish her status
to redeem the reputation of those to whom she
owed her existence. This object cheered the dark
hours of her ~atfliction, and supported her under u
terrible burden Of disappointments and rebutfs.-
The claws delays SO fatal to so many sangu-
inc hearts, crushing so many thousands OF inno-
cent victims, had no terrors for her soul. Ante-
US. like, she arose from every disappointment with
renewed hope, life and vigor. Thwarted in one
form of action, she revived her claims in another.
Driven from one Court, she found ut least atem-
porary refuge in some other. With the faith
almost the superstition-o the Alchymist, she
throwed her fortunes. her means. her vigor, the
very best years other life, into this crucible. which
she kept ever burning and simmoring before her.
1t was apprehended that life would eXhaustitself,
its usual limit be passed. ere she would approach
the solution Of so intricate and extensive II lltiga-
ton.
The great event Of yesterday has called Il pause"
in this remarkable struggle These astonishing
labors and sacrifices have AZ last reached their
ultimatum. and the long -foiled petitioner and he
roic s%uppliant for justice may clasp to her bosom
the vindicalion, by the very highest authority, of
the Justice and rights of her claim.
The last will of Daniel Clark. chai gpd to
have been destroyed-tho will of 1913 reoognis-
ing tho legitimacy of Myra Clark Gaines, and
creating her his universal ~lcgatee, has been or
dered by the court III last resort, in this State, to
be admitted Of probate and executed. The eff
feet of this mandate will be to give Mrs. Gaines
the very highest title to one of the largest cs-
tates in the United States-an estate of millions.
The property involved in this litigation consists
mostly of sugar plantations, and some of the
best city property. Its generally held by veal
thy persons. The city of New Orleans has sold,
with a full warranty. Il large portion OF this prop
erty. and will be liable htrrfor. Of the five
Judges Of the supreme court, three cnncurred in
the decision Judge Buchanan excused himself,
having once been engaged in some of the suits
brought 10y Mrs. Gaines, and Judge Lea sustain
ed his own decision.