The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-11-13
To a Catholic priest who asked ~

ne might nOlQ SERVICE III nlb cuurcn
Clark replied that he had nothing TO
do with any church except TO protect
II, and that under the United States
all religions were equally free. The
priest at once espoused the American
cause, swore allegiance 10 1t, and
made his parishioners do the like.
His name was Pierre Gibault. and he
became at once an intensely loyal
American.
The commandant. Rocheblave. OBJ
stinately refused to accept Clark's
terms. When Clark. meaning TO be
friendly, asked him to dinner, he sent
an insulting note in reply, and Clark.
who knew how to be severe as well
as how to be gentle. arrested the man
and sent him to Virginia as a pris-
oner.
one thing that helped Clark In all
these proceedings was the fact that
an alliance had been formed between
France and the United States. Fickle
as they were, the French in America
still held a sentimental allegiance to
their home government, and, upon
learning that France had espoused
the cause OF the Americans against
the British, they were eagerly ready
to become Americans. particularly
when and where the American power
seemed TO be dominant.
Some OF them Joined Clark as mill
tIamen. and he sent force to take
possession OF Cahokia, which was ac-
complished without difficulty.
Then the Americanized French
priest, Pierre Gibault, volunteered to
go to Vincennes and win the people
there TO the American cause. He
was completely successful.
But by that time Hamilton, the
British commandant at Detroit.
learned what was going on. He in
stantly organized force OF British.
French and Indians TO march upon
Vincennes and re-establish British
supremacy there. II required con-
siderable time for Hamilton to ac-
complsh that purpose, but after a
few months he achieved it, and Vim
cennes became again a strong British
post
This left Clark in n very perilous
position. He was in control OF half
hostile population, which had indeed
sworn allegiance to America, but
which, as he very well knew, was
ready TO change it's allegiance upon
any plausible preteXt. He was sur
rounded by hostile Indians, fully
armed and fully fed by the British.
and fully ready to do the British bid
ding. His only military base lay at
Pittsburg hundreds OF miles to the
east-and Vincennes. with its strong
garrison, lay Immediately between
him and that base.
It was Hamilton's purpose. OF
course, TO assail Clark and conquer
him, thus recovering Kaskaskia and
Cahokia to the British power.
But he decided to rest for the win
ter. Clark saw his opportunity. and
although the term OF his mems en-
listments had run out, he persuaded
them to begin a march against Vim
cennes. 1t was a terrible ordeal.
Food was scarce and there were no
tents nor blankets. The army had to
head. At last, however. they arrived
at the fort. Clark's rifles prevailed
against the defenses after a day and
night OF fighting. Hamilton and
his men were made prisoners.
Clark paroled the greater part OF
them. but he sent Hamilton and
twenty-five others as prisoners OF war
to Virginia.
George Rogers Clark was now mas
ter OF the Northwest. and by virtue
OF his extraordinary conquest OF that
/ region Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michi.
gan and Wisconsin are to-day great
! States In the American Union instead
! of being-as they otherwise must
! have been provinces OF British
America. Youths Companion.