Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-01

without the French, VINO wero in syro-
PATTY with Clark. were still less. Rut
the distance. the uncertainty, tho wilder
ness, and the Indians made the expedition
one OF terrible hardship, and the adrolt.
ness with which Clark protested In "a
conciling both the Indians and French in
habitants and surprising both posts. ana
the indomitable energy displayed b. hin,
and his soldiers In overcoming the rlxors
OF winter and the terrors OF rain and
food cannot but command admiration.
General George Rogers Clark Is much
OF a hero in Mr.. English's eyes and d.
servedly so. In courage, in resolution. In
real ability he has had few superiory
But there Is no reason why wo should
shut our eyes to HIS faillngs. Tho young
may be taught 10 emulate his good ~.
ample, as well as to avoid his bad. De-
ception in times OF war may DO exeusel
but II Is hardly at any time a thing 90
boast OF. Now. that Clark was scrii1u-
louS with his words, can hardly be pre-
tended, since he makes in his Journal an
open parade OF his articles 20 deceive
his own soldiers. as well as the enemy
His letter In reply 20 Lieutenant-Co,ou
Hamilton. the British commander al Vim
cennes. is also lacking in dignity. It
sounds small TO address the c0mmard.r
OF the opposing forces az mere "Mr."
Mr.. English does not advert % these
faults with condemnation. but he doe,
say that. In after years. Clark's 4 spo-
siton was greatly soured. lie excuses
them by explaining how his tust g..
mands for advances made by HIN IN ,r.
course or the war were neglected bv
Congress and Virginia This produced
disappointment. which brought on *.
cessiye indulgence In strong drink, pro-
F0king the utterance from time l. Tine
or bitter reproachcs against bis n1t.,e
state. IL Is evident that Clark va. FAR
from the ideal OF a Washington. who's.
head could not be turned by success. ~
Lee, whose noble majesty of mind
could not be degraded by defeat or ais.
appointment
Clark, after his conquest OF the North
west. figured in many other intersstIng
encounters with the Indians and English
one fact Mr. English brings OUT very
interestingly-the constant peril u IA,
FRONTIERS ana the numbers OF men %
must nave required OF Virginia TO pro-
tect the outlying settlements Tho New
Englanders. for instance. had nothing hut
the English TO look after, while Virginia
had another foe IN the shape OF the rner-
CHESS savage. The fear " attack from
TINS source neutraliZsl The whole ropu-
lation west OF the Alleyhanles. and par
TALLY that west OF the Blue Ridge "a.
lighting force against the British. ana
produced a constant drain upon the people
on this side " the mountains 10 keen
them provided with powder and supplie4
When TO this is added the easy mean,
afforded the enemy Of approaching tbs
heart Of the State By ths great river,
compelling the expense OF a navy which
a
easily seen that the sacrifices u Nfr.
ginia with its scattered population. r,,e,
have been immense; ard Yet sh. con.
tlnued more troops In the Continental
army. according 20 a recent statement
Of Dr. a. r. Spofford. the Librarian ol
Congress, than even Massachusetts WITH
her compact population did during the
two most trying years OF tho war-l,.i
and 1873.
Both volumes OF Mr.. English's work
are copiously Illustrated with portrait,
and stirring views. il IL valuable die.
tonary OF Indiana history, and the ori-'.
nal documents published by Mr.. English
furnish valuable background TO his mar.
rative. Yet, after all Mr. English has
FAR from exhausted the subject OF Clark's
career He seems 10 have been entirely
Ignorant OF the three volumes of original
duplicates Of nearly all the matter that
he purchased at an expense % $1,000 and
scores OF documents besides equally -
important. In these books he would havo
found the fun muster Of all the COM
panions OF Clark's Battalion, their paw
rolls. and scores OF letters OF Thoma,
Jefferson, Of George Rogers Clark. Of
Major Joseph Bowman, Neutenant-Coi.
onel John Montgomery, and many others
associated IN the protection or the west
ern frontier during the whole period OF
the Revolution. Nrginia's history has
only yet begun 10 be written. When all
the material is collected, aud when all IS
written, the story OF the superb sacr.
fees OF the State will surpass. II IL fondly
believed. The glorious record OF any State.
either in ancient or modern times. Tia
Northwest Territory, with which the
names or Clark and Henry are lnseps a.
bly, connected. doubled the area Of the
Union, ana II was the first or those cr.
lossal additions made by Virginia TO the
Union, which. through them and their
successors. Jefferson. Monroe. and Tyler
stretched the Empire Of Republics from
ocean 10 ocean and from the Lakes 10
the Gulf of Mexico.
LYON @. TYLER.
William and Mary ColleZe.