Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-29
The Great Gaines Law SuIl.

BY the recent decision Of the Supreme Court q
the United States for the plaintiff, in the case q
Myra Clark Gaines, against the city Of New Or
leans and Others in the eiectment suits which havt
been pending there during the present term, W,
suppose this case, which has been tigated for tbs
past thirtyfye years has been SET al rest forever
This lady, we venture 10 say, has contended W it'll
greater energy and fortitude for her rights of prop
erty against the combined efforts Of whole people
than any other woman in America.
She has risen from every partial defeat witt
strength renewed and reenered the arena of strife
with firm reliance in the justice Of her cause, and
confidence that truth would at last prevail. Aftel
lifetime of effort il has prevailed; and now al
least the defendants, III these and all other cases
will realize the utter futility of contending against
one so strong in the right If those who contested
her claims had met Mrs. Gaines in the same spirit
Of compromise which she repeatedly profered e
them, q settlement would have long since been eff
fected, and fortune saved 10 them that has beer
expended TO swell the fortunes OF attornes.
This has been one Of the most remarkable case
IN the history Of American Jurisprudence. The re-
cital Of the origin OF tho proceedings, and thei
prosecution 10 final Judgment in favor Of the plain
ill in the Supreme Court of Louisiana, over thir
teen years ago, was at that time published in tn,
New Orleans Delta. 1t is from the pen of one o.
the abest jHrists Of Louisiana, and is replete with
interest.
From the New Orleans Delta, Nov. q, 1855:
1.-THE decision rendered by the Supreme Court o.
Louisiana, yesterday by Chief Justice Merrick, an6
concurred in by Justices Spotord and Vorhies, il
one Of the most mOmentous events that has occurred
in our judicial history. The litigation commenced
and prosecuted with ouch extraordinary tenacity
and energy by the plaintiff, Mrs Myra CLARK
Gaines, goes back more than twenty-five years
Kept in Ignorance Of her real position and rights
during her childhood and until, indeed, she had
advanced some years in womanhood, she discovered
shortly after her marriage with Mr.. Whitney, ber
FIRST hu band, the mysterious circumstances of hel
birth and history. With the first glimpse of those
facts her whole nature and character changed
From life of domestic quiet and gentleness this
lady suddenly emerged into one peculiarly trying
| TO female-one, indeed full of vexation, trouble
and anxiety. Thoroughly imbued with the con
! viction Of her being the lawful child and heir o.
the once lordly Daniel Clark she entered upon the
prosecution Of her claims with an intense devotion
zeal and earnestness which are without parallel
Triumphing over obstacles, embarrassments and
difficulties that would have appalled, The most he
roic masculine heart her faith knew no lsltering
and her courage and fortitude shrunk from no sac.
rifces. The web which enveloped her fortunes she
was determined 10 unravel; and with the persever-
RnCe Of Arache, she has steadily unwound its myri-
sd threads. IL was not the desire for nloney-fol
a fortune-whch prompted and sustained this re-
markabe devotion.
That instinct of honor and pride of blood thai
all mankind feel in reference 10 the circumstances
of their birth, their origin their descent from The
worthy and meritorious-the were the chief mo
tives in the bosom Of this lady. She desired e
vndcate the purity of her origin, 10 establish hel
status, 20 redeem the reputation Of those 10 whom
she owed her existence. This object eheered The
dark hour of her affection, and supported her un
der terrible burden Of disapp0intments and re
bufis
The alaw's delays SO fatal 70 50 many sanguine
hearts crushing SO many thousands Of innocent vic
tins, had no teTrors for her soul. Anteus-ke, she
arose from her disappointment with renewed hope
life, and yigor. Thwarted in one form Of action
she revived her claims in another. Driven from
one court she found, at least, temporary refuge
in some other. With the faith, almost the super
stilion, Of the AlchemisL she threw her fortunes
her means her vgor Che very best years of her life
into this crucible, which she kept ever burning and
simshering before her II was apprehended that
life would exhaust itself, is usual limit be passed
ere she would approach the solution Of SO intricate
and extensive litigation.
The great event Of yesterday has called pause
in this remarkable struggle. These Astonishing Ia
bors and sacrifices have at last reached an ultima
tlu and the long foiled petitioner and heroic sup
plant for justice may clasp TO her bosom The yndi
cation BY the very highest authority Of the justice
and rights Of her claim. The last will of Daniel
CLARK, charged 20 have been destroyed-the viii OF
lsl3-recognizing the legitimacy of Myra Clark
Gsine and creating her universal legatee has been
ordered by the court Of last resort in this State %
10 admitted of probate and executed.
The effect Of this mandate viii be 10 give Mrs.
Gaines the very highest title 20 one Of the largest
estates in the United States estate Of millions
The property involved in this litigation consists
mostly Of sugar plantations, and some " the best
city property. Il is generally held by wealthy
persons. The city Of New Orleans has sold, with q
full warranty, large portion Of this properly, and
will be liable therefor"
Tho lifelong devotion, dauntless courage, and
laudable ambition Of Mrs. Gaines were even then
denied complete success Through the wiles OF
lawyers new obstacles were interposed, new suits
were commenced and the breaking out Of the var
of the rebellion found her once more Just about to
realize a permanent and entire victory. With pa
thence undated and heroic hopefulness- she walled
until the resumption Of the jurisdiction OF the Su
preme Court OF the United States upon sppesis
from Louisiana, and now is rewarded for ell haI
toll, her devotion, and her sacrifices. All who
know this estimGble lsdy viii rejoice al her final
success Hon ors and distinction have been accord
ed to heroic men, but the women Of America owt
II TO their sex 10 emulate The example Of this true
woman in the uniiring pursuit Of the right.