The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-17

CFrom the original cut with scissors by
Miss De Hart OF ElizabethtOwn, y. j., in
1888 presented by Mrs. Washington to
Mrs Duer, daughter Of Lord Stirling.
no purchased and was bought OF a gen.
tleman who had used it but little, and
Judged it to be elegant and costly. ] sim
cerelv congratulate you on your successes
and wish YOU a continuation Of them, and
a happy return to your friends and coun-
try; and am, sir, with great regard, your
most obedient servant,
JOHN PAGE. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr.. English thinks that at some later
time when Clark was suffering from
poverty and sickness. and indignant at
the rejection of what he regarded as his
lust financial claims against Virginia he
may have destroyed this sword. Thirty
three years later Hon. Charles Fenton
Mercer introduced into the Virginia Leg
islature the following resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted February 20,
1872.
whereas the General Assembly OF Vir-
ginia have ever entertained the highest
respect for the unsulied integrity, the
valor. the military enterprise and skill
OF General George Rogers Clarke, 10
whom. and TO his gallant rcgimcnt( aided
bv the Justice Of the cause and the favor
of Heaven). the state of Virginia was in
debted for the extension OF her bounda-
ries from the Atlantic to the Mississ-
sippi and,
been informed that the hand Of misfor-
tune has overtaken this veteran chief, and
that he, whose name was once host
filling his friends with confidence and his
foes with dismay, Is now himself a vic
tim of age and OF diesase and a depen-
dent on the bounty OF his relatives,
BE II therefore enacted, That the Gov
erpor of this Commonwealth shall be
and Is hereby authorized ana requested
TO have manufactured. at the armory Of
this state, a sword with suitable devices
engraved thereon. and cause the same 10
he presented to General George Rogers
clark. accompanied by an expression OF
the gratitude and friendly coincidence OF
the General Assembly OF Virginia.
And be Il further enacted. That General
George Rogers Clark SHAH be and Is
hereby placed on the list OF pensioners.
and that he shall be entitled 20 receive
annually from the public treasury one
half OF the full pay which he received an
colonel OF the Illinois regiment; that is.
Immediately after the passage OF this
act the sum Of four hundred dollars, and
annually thereafter on the first day OF
January OF every year, the sum OF four
hundred dollars: and the Auditor Of Pub
lie Accounts Is required 10 issue his war
rants therefor. payable out OF any money
In the treasury.
"Thls act shall be in force from the
passage thereof
THREW 1T AWAY.
Mr.. Mercer the member who introduced
the bin, wrote soon after an interesting
account Of its passage TO a friend in
Kentucky. He said:
"My object was TO secure 10 him the
half pay OF a colonel for the residue OF
his life, and 70 replace the sword which
had been given him by the gate many
years ago. and which. under an impress
sion that Virginia had treated him with
an Injustice. he had proudly broken and
thrown away"
Governor James Barbour. In an elo-
ouent letter. notified General Clark OF the
action Of the Legislature. and as he had
been paralyzed and unable to write, his
brother-in-laW, Major William Croghan.
repiied to the letter, and told how
grateful the General felt az being so hon
ored by his native State. IL is said that
Mr. Mercer preserved the sword and that
General Clark looked at II long and
earnestly. and replied:
"You have made very handsome ad-
dress and the sword Is very handsome.
too. When Virginia needed a sword
gave her one. l am too old and lnfirm.
as YOU SEQ. 70 ever use a sword again,
but / am glad that my old mother State
has not entirely forgotten me, and