New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-14
H. CONQUEST CLARKE.

| Kellogg can fail to observe how much OF
the neatness, order, accuracy and dispatch
of business is owing to the efficiency of the
| Governors private secretary. Though he
| is always over eyes and ears in business, a
given. He is one of the hardest workers
connected with the machinery Of the State
government and one of the most thorough
and accurate.
Though young in years-only about thir-
ty-two years of age-Mr. Clarke has led a
life of adventure. Some of the most re-
markable events of the past ten years have
passed under his immediate eye, and should
he see tit to tell his story it would be found
replete with startling incident and interest
ing detail.
H. Conquest Clarke was born in England,
in the old Cathedral to wn of Peterborough,
in 1871. His father, Mr.. John Clarke is the
proprietor and editor of one of the Oldest
country newspapers in that section. Young
Clarke was educated at the college in his
native town, but at the early age of sixteen
he laid aside his studies and became a
printer in his fathers office. In his leisure
/. hours he applied himself to the study of
photography. His proficiency in this art
soon obtained for him position as short
hand writer on the Manchester Guardian,
he being assigned the important and re-
sponsible task OF reporting for that journal
the debates of Parliament
Growing restless in this treadmill life.
after year or two, Mr.. Clarke sought
broader and more exciting field for the en-
ployment of his talents, and so crossed the
Atlantic and became attached to the New
York Herald. Here he was employed III the
department of the city editor, until the keen
observation of Mr.. Bennett, senior prompt
ed him to place the young Englishman at
the head Of the foreign news department.
Shortly occurring the movement of some
of the European powers against Mexico
Clarke was dispatched to tbs Aztec capital
with the expedition which eliminated in
the placing Of the unfortunate Austrian
Archduke Macmillan upon the perilous
throne Of Augustin. He won the confidence
of Macmillan, and was admitted on his
personal staff, receiving, as compliment
the commission of Colonel in the imperial
army and also the decoration of the Lady
of Gaudaloupe.
In his position as a confidential staff Off
Ger of the Emperor Mr.. Clarke came to
know much of the secret political history
of Maximilian's reign and its connection
with Louis Napoleon, Bazaine aud others;
and his intercourse with Macmillan in
spired in Mr.. Clarke a strong feeling of
sympathy and affection for the warm
hearted, generous, liberal minded ruler.
who woke from his dreams OF delusion at
last to find himself the discarded play
thing of an ambitious foreign ruler.
Mr.. Clarke accompanied Macmillan dur
ing his campaign through Mexico, and when
at last, through the infamous treaehery of
Miguel Lopez, Queretaro fell into the hands
of the liberal army of Escobedo and Maxi
with him. 1t would doubtless have gone
hard with Clarke had he not been recos-
nized by Colonel Greene, an American,
commanding the Legion of Honor-Juarez
body guard-who claimed him as one Of his
party, took him away from tne guards, ana
finally delivered him sale at the Mexican
capital.
The empire at an end. Macmillan shot,
and the mission of Clarke to Mexico ac-
complished, he returned to New York to
receive the compliments of his employers.
His sketches OF his Mexican adventures
were published in the HereH, and also
formed series of articles in the Atlantic
Hoattiy. He retained his place on the Her.
ali for time, but becoming dissatisfied
with the routine of Office life. he accepted
an invitation to accompany General Steed-
man ON trip through the South as the Sec
rotary of that officer, who was sent on this,
mission by the President. He subsequently,
resumed lis connection with the Herald
as it's New Orleans correspondent, mean
time plying his avocation as a phono-
grapher, and being, it is said, the first to in
troduce the present prevailing system of
short hand writing in our courts.
When Hon Benz. +. Flanders became
Mayor of the city, in 1870, he rendered,
unsolicited to Mr.. Clarke the appointment
of private secretary, and at the same time
be was chosen secretary to the Council
His care. prudence and reliability in the
performance of the arduous duties of these
positions led to his retention for some time
by the present Democratic Councillor
until such time as he rendered his uncon-
ditional resignation, which the Council &C.
copied, with resolutions Of regret.
Upon the installation of Governor Kel-
logg at the head OF our State government,
he very wisely secured the services of MIR.
Clarke as his private secretary. in which
POSITION that gentleman is rendering val.
liable aid to the executive and to the Re-
publican party
The Rev Canal and the Forfeited Lease.
Few people in our city understand the
matter concerning the State of Louisiana
against Richard Taylor, lessee of the New
canal. A Democratic Legislature, as a kind
of reward of merit, gave General Tay Tor a
fat lease to the New canal, when that inter