Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-01
From the New Orleans Delta, Dec. Is.
The Gren Gaines Case


The decision by The Supreme Court of Louis
lana, rendered yesterday BY Chief Justice Mer-
rick and concurred in by Justices Spofford and
VOORHEES,, is one Of the most inomentous events
that has occurred in our Judicial history. The
litigation, commenced and prosecuted with such
extraordinary tenacity and energy by the plain
iili, Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines, goes back more
than twenty FIVE years Kept in ignorance of
her real position and rights during her child
hood and until, indeed, she had advanced
some years into womanhood, she discovered
shortly after her marriage with Mr.. Whitney,
her first husband, the mysterious crcum-
stances of her birth and history. With the
first glimpse of those facts, her whole nature
and character changed
From life of domestic quiet aud gentleness,
this lady suddenly emerged into one peculiarly
trying to female--one, indeed, full of VEGA
ton, trouble and anxiety. Thoroughly imbued
with the conviction of her being .he lawful
child and heir of Daniel Clark, she entered
upon the prosecution OF her claims with an in
tense devotion, zeal and earnestness, which
are without parallel. Triumphing over OBJ
stacles enbarrassments and difficulties that
would have appalled, the most heroic mascu-
line heart her faith knew no fatering and her
courage and fortitude shrunk from no sacrifices.
She desired to vindicate the purity of her
orign--to establish her stat1is--to redeem the
reputation of those to whom she owed her ex-
istence. This object cheered the dark hours
Of her affection, and supported her under
terrible burden of disappointments and rebuffs.
The claws delays" SO fatal to so many SAN
guine hearts, crushing SO many thousands of
innocent victims, had no terrors for her soul.
Anteus like, she arose from every disappoint-
ment with renewed hope, life and vigor.
Thwarted in one form of action, she revive}
her claims in another. Driven from one court,
she found at least temporary refuge in some
other.
The great event OF yesterday has called q
"pause" in this remarkable struggle. These
astonishing labors and sacrifices have at last
reached their ultmdtum and the long foiled
petitioner and heroic supplant for justice may
clasp to her bosom the vindication, by the very
highest authority, of the justice and rights Of
her claim.
The last will Of Daniel Clark, charged to
have been destroyed-the will Of 1913, recog-
nizing the legitimacy of Myra Clark Gaines,
and creating her his universal legatee, has
been ordered by the court of last resort, in this
State to be admitted to probate and executed.
The effect of this mandate will be to give Mrs.
Gaines the very highest title TO one Of the
largest estates in the United States-an estate
OF millions The property involved in this
litigation consists mostly OF sugar plantations,
and Of some Of the best city property. 1t is
generally held by wealthy persons. The city
Of New Orleans has sold, with full warranty,
a large proportion Of this property and will be
| liable therefor.
or the i've judges Of the Supreme Court,
three concurred in the decision; Judge Buch-
anan excused himself, having been engaged in
some of the suits brought BY Mrs. Canes, and
Judge Lea sustained his own decision.