case might be, which offer many of them bravely declined, preferring to endure imprisonment rather than forswear themselves.

The offer of immunity from Hamilton was found by one of the fellow-soldiers of the dead man who, properly, took it to Col. Logan who concealed it, fearing that his men, worn out by long service, anxiety and privation, might be tempted by the promise of immunity.

George Rogers Clark, then the only real military genius of the western frontier, searching for the best means of securing the stations in Kentucky from attack, decided that the forts of the British in the northwest should be attacked and reduced. But he must have definite information as to the location and garrison of these several stations before making an effort to capture them. To this end he sent two spies into the Northwestern territory with instructions to thoroughly investigate conditions there and, as soon as possible, make a report to him. On the return of these men, Clark learned the truth of what he had all the time suspected: That the British at Detroit were responsible for the Indian attacks. He also conceived the idea, based upon the reports of his scouts, that he could capture these posts without the use of large bodies of troops. He learned that the numerous French inhabitants of the territory in question were disposed to be friendly toward the Americans, though the British had used every effort to prejudice them against the Virginia and Kentucky people, whom they represented as more barbarous than the Indians. Clark was encouraged by this information and believed that he could ally the French with the American cause, if they could be removed from the influence of the British emissaries.

With this belief in mind, which he kept entirely to himself, Clark, on October 1st, set out for Williamsburg, Virginia, where he arrived some two months later, and at once met Governor Patrick Henry. When Clark last

met Henry, his modest request was for five hundred pounds of powder, which, as has been seen, he secured and safely conveyed to the beleaguered colonists in Kentucky. He now came with a more ambitious scheme: A descent upon the posts of the enemy north of the Ohio river and the capture or destruction of his forces. To this end, he asked for both men and money to fit out an expedition for the performance of what no one else had dreamed of and which seemed almost impossible.

Clark says, in his memoirs, that Governor Henry was, at first, fond of the scheme, but feared the result of sending a force to so great a distance into the enemy's country. Nothing but secrecy, he claimed, could make it a success, and to lay Clark's proposal before the assembly would be to make it public and ere long the Indians would know of it and would prepare themselves to resist the proposed movement in which, of course, they would have the assistance of their British allies. But Governor Henry knew Clark and had confidence in his military judgment and sagacity. Therefore he did not decline his proposition, though for the reasons stated, he did not submit it to the assembly. He did better by calling together Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe and George Mason, to whom he requested Clark to submit his views. These stalwart patriots and statesmen considered Clark's plans for several weeks, finally approving them and on January 2, 1778, communicating them with a favorable decision, to the council, urging the taking of all necessary steps at once and with the utmost secrecy, for their execution.

On the same day Colonel Clark received two sets of instructions, the first being a blind to the enemy, while the second was for his private use and contained his real instructions. For copies of these two sets of instructions thanks are due to McElroy's "Kentucky in the Nation's History." The first paper intended as a blind is as follows:

"LIEUT. COL. GEORGE ROGERS CLARK-You are to proceed without loss of time to enlist seven companies of men, officered in the usual manner, to act as militia under your orders. They are to proceed to Kentucky, and there to cbey such orders and directions as you shall give them, for three months after their arrival at that place; but to receive pay. etc., in case they remain on duty a longer time.

"You are empowered to raise these men in any county in the commonwealth, and the county lieutenants, respectively, are requested to give you all possible assistance in that business.

"Given under my hand at Williamsburg, Jan. 2, 1778. P. HENRY."

"(Signed)

The private instructions, which really meant. business, were as follows:

"IN COUNCIL, WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 2, 1778. "Col. George Rogers Clark:-Sir:-You are to proceed with all convenient speed to raise seven companies of soldiers to consist of fifty men each, officered in the usual manner and armed most properly for the enterprise, and with this force, attack the British force at Kaskasky.

"It is conjectured that there are many pieces of cannon and military stores to a considerable amount at that place, the taking and preservation of which would be a valuable acquisition to the state. If you are so fortunate, therefore, as to succeed in your expedition, you will take every possible measure to secure the artillery and stores and whatever may advantage the state.

"For the transportation of the troops, provisions, etc., down the Ohio, you are to apply to the commanding officer at Fort Pitt for boats, etc. During the whole transaction you are to take especial care to keep the true destination of your force secret. Its success depends upon this.

"It is earnestly desired that you show humanity to such British subjects and other persons as fall in your hands. If the white inhabitants of that post and the neighborhood will give undoubted evidence of their attachment to this state, for it is certain they live within its limits, by taking the test prescribed by law and by every way and means within their power, let them be treated as fellow citizens and their persons and property duly secured. Assistance and protection against all enemies whatever, shall be afforded

that has heretofore distinguished Americans, and which it is expected you will ever consider as the rule of your conduct and from which you are in no instance to depart.

"The corps you are to command are to receive the pay and allowance of militia, and to act under the laws and regulations of this state, now in force, as militia. The inhabitants of the post will be informed by you, that in case they accede to the offer of becoming citizens of this commonwealth, a proper garrison will be maintained among them and every attention bestowed to render their commerce beneficial, the fairest prospects being opened to the dominions both of France and Spain.

"It is in contemplation to establish a post near the mouth of the Ohio. Cannon will be wanted to fortify it. Part of those at Kaskasky will be easily brought thither or otherwise secured as circumstances will make necessary.

"Wishing you success. I am
"Sir,

"Your humble servant,

"P. HENRY."

It will be noted that without naming the alleged colony of Transylvania, Governor Henry in the secret instructions to Clark, asserted authority not only over Kentucky, where the Landed Proprietors had claimed sovereignty, but also over Kaskasky and all the territory thereabout, when in speaking of the inhabitants of that post, and their possible adherence to Virginia, he used the forcible term: "for it is certain they live within its limits." Furthermore, he asserted his independence and that of Virginia, when referring to it not as a colony but as a "state." The belief in the ultimate success of Clark is cleverly set forth in the concluding paragraph of the secret instructions, wherein the artillery at that time in the possession of the British at Kaskasky is disposed of as a part of the defense at the proposed post at the mouth of the Ohio.

On the day following the receipt of his instructions, Colonel Clark received from Messrs. Jefferson, Mason and Wythe author

to accomplish it. But, if the people will not accede to these reasonable demands, they must feel the miseries of war under the direction of that humanity

rapidly recruiting the desired forces. Their letter follows:

"WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 3, 1778.

"Sir: As some Indian tribes to the westward of the Mississippi have lately, without provocation, massacred many of the inhabitants of the frontiers of this commonwealth in the most cruel and barbarous manner, and it is intended to revenge the injury and punish the aggressors by carrying the war into their own country, we congratulate you upon your appointment to conduct so important an enterprise in which we most heartily wish you success, and we have no doubt but some future reward in lands in the country will be given to volunteers

There seems even at this early day in the history of our country to have been a confusion in the public mind in relation to military titles. In the first set of instructions to Clark, the governor addresses him as "Lieut. Colonel Clark;" in the second and real set, he addresses "Col. Clark," while Wythe, Mason and Jefferson address their congratulatory letter to "George Rogers Clark, Esq." However, it mattered little to Clark one may safely believe.

who shall engage in this service, in addition to the usual pay, if they are so fortunate as to succeed. We think it just and reasonable that each volunteer entering as a common soldier in this expedition, should be allowed three hundred acres of land and the officers in the usual proportion, out of the lands which may be conquered in the country not in the possession of the said Indians, so as not to interfere with the claims of any friendly Indians or any people willing to become subjects of this commonwealth, and for this, we think you may safely confide in the justice and generosity of the Virginia assembly.

"We are, Sir,

"Your most humble servants,

"G. WYTHE,

"G. MASON, "TH. JEFFERSON.

"To GEORGE ROGERS CLARK, Esq.

He, unlike some of the "Colonels" of the present day, fairly won his rank in actual combat with the enemy, and would have scorned to wear the title of "Major General" in the days of peace, when there was a doubt that he had ever heard a hostile gun amid the perils of warfare. Clark "made good" in war, however he may afterward have been neglected when peace had come to the country he had so gallantly served.

With the official authority of Governor Henry herein quoted and the moral effect of the pledges of Jefferson, Wythe and Mason, three of Virginia's most noted civilian citizens to encourage him, Colonel Clark set to work

to enlist the force needed for his enterprise, a difficult task, as secrecy was demanded not alone in securing recruits but in arranging for carrying out the details of his expedition. Finally he secured three companies of fifty men each, one hundred and fifty in all, though it will be recalled that he had authority to enlist seven companies, or three hundred and fifty men. Early in May, 1778, he was at the mouth of the Kanawha river ready for the perilous journey down the Ohio. Here he enlisted other volunteers and was joined by a number of immigrants to Kentucky who enjoyed protection by accompanying the military expedition. Without incident of note, the flotilla made its way down the Ohio, landing some of the immigrants at different points. May 27, 1778, Clark, his command, and about eighty of the immigrants, arrived at the Falls of the Ohio.

On the high authority of Col. R. T. Durrett the statement is made that from the date of this landing, the Falls of the Ohio, or in other words, the city of Louisville, has never been without occupation by white people. It is a matter of the greatest interest that this date should be remembered. While there had been people at the Falls prior to the arrival of Colonel Clark and his men, they cannot be recognized as permanent residents. Those who came with him remained and that Colonel Durrett refers to them as, in the main, permanent residents, fixes their status. It may as well be stated here, as elsewhere, that any historical statement as to the early settlement of Kentucky that is made by Colonel Durrett, is accepted as correct by the author of this work.