The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-04-22
STORY TYPICAL PIONEER
GEORGE CLARK CONQUER.
OR NORTHWEST
Frontier Statesman Made Mis-
sissippi Boundary Possible In
independence Treaty
[Associated Press Dispatch. ]

ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l
Madison, Wis, April 1.-THE tasks
and accomplishments of George Rog-
ers Clark, the conqueror of the
northwest, were reviewed at the Mis-
sissippi Valley Historical association
today by DR.. J. G.. Randall. Of the
History department of the University
of Illinois. DR.. Randall called atten-
to the vast importance of Clark's
work and pictured him as an ideal
combination of the typical piopeer
and the frontier statesman. "The
Middle west" said DR.. Randall, "owes
its very existence as an American
community to General Clark, who
wrested the western posts from the
British during the Revolution, max
ing a Mississippi boundary possible
IN IN the treaty OF independence, while
equal debt Of honor and gratitude"
Results Of Research
DR.. Randall reported to the asso-
citation the results of his researches
in the original records at Richmnod,
Virginia, and at Washington, in which
he gave particular attention to
Clark's service Of supply.
the difficulties confronting Clark's
moving against Kaskaskia, Cehokia,
and Vincennes in 177S.s Clark was
acting primarily for Virginia, but
such was the administrative chaos in
the Old Dominion, that he enver Sc
cured adequate support financially or
otherwise. from the state govern
|ment.
EVEN less help was obtained from
the Continental Congress" said DR..
Randall. CLARK was thus thrown
largely on his own resources in the
administrative as well as the military
phases of his expeditions. For the
support of his troops he required, be-
sides food, variety OF commodities
including boats, tar, powder, cannon,
guns, pistols, knives, wagons, horses,
paint, blankets, material for forts,
needed also the service Of hunters
who furnished the meat supply,
blacksmiths, men skilled in rifle re-
pairing, carpenters, guides and in
Not only did he have to support
his troops on the march and during
the long periods of inactivity but
gifts had to be made to the Indians
to preserve their friendship. and the
posts had to be kept In good humor
The task of meeting all these de-
mands in an unsettled frontier coun
try. in the absence of adequate gov
ernmental support, practically with
out money, and in the face of British
intrigue, was one which called for
the highest Craftsmanship and in
volved an exacting amount Of admin
istratiye and clerical work.
La.A A~a~Al aALsa-
Hard money was almost entirely
lacking and the supplies had to be
paid for In Virginia paper currency,
which had fallen to scale of about
one to one hundred as compared to
gold in land warrants, in drafts on
the Virginia agent in New Orleans,
or in promises. A financial break
down was merely one of the many
difficulties which Clark resolutely
Such supplies as were not derived
from the Inhabitants Of the country
through which he passed were for
the most part obtained by Clark from
New Orleans by way Of the Missis-
sippi. The presence of British sloops
Lof war on the river, the danger of
Indian attack, and the perils of navi-
cation made this method of com
munication very hazardous. Some.
valuable provisions were lost. Once
a 'batteau" Of supplies had to be
stopped after its departure up the
river on account OF a Tory plot to
capture the cargo.
I'm all Of these administrative
operations there is one man who
stands out clearly as General Cark's
main prop In matters Of business.
This man was Oliver Pollock. a
uyaolfhu offizan nf ponnavlvanfo xvhO
served Clark. Pollock was the agent
of Virginia at New Orleans, then a
Spanish port. and 1t was due to his
activity and sacrifices that the posts
In the Illinois country were held by
the Americans. Drafts drawn on
Pollock constituted Clark's most I'M
portant means Of financing his expe-
ditii?ns, and to meet these drafts as
we'll as to procure and forward sup.
Poilccks energies, making him poor
Drew on French Firm
disappointed In his expectation of
funds from the Virginia treasury,
Pollock drew in vain on French
firm who had been extending some
credits to America. He then borrow
er to meet Clarke's urgent needs.
ing his own slaves far under their
value to obtain funds. Virginia and
the Continental Congress failed to
give him the relief which. he sought
In 1888 he was imprisoned for debt.
'In 1871 he returned to his home
IN Pennsylvania poor man. His
later years, like those OF Clark him
ished by a lack Of adequate recogni-
tim Of aorvicas frealy given f11rfn D