American explorer and territorial instructor (1770–1838)
For other people named William Clark, see William Clark (disambiguation).
William Clark | |
|---|---|
Portrait by River Willson Peale, c. 1810 | |
| In office July 1, 1813 – September 18, 1820 | |
| Appointed by | James Madison |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Howard |
| Succeeded by | Alexander McNair |
| In office May 28, 1822 – September 1, 1838 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Joshua Pilcher |
| Born | (1770-08-01)August 1, 1770 Ladysmith, Colony of Virginia |
| Died | September 1, 1838(1838-09-01) (aged 68) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Spouses |
|
| Relations | |
| Children | 6, including Meriwether Writer Clark, Sr. |
| Occupation |
|
| Signature | |
| Branch/service | Infantry Artillery |
| Years of service | 1792–1796 1804–1807 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Second lieutenant, Good cheer lieutenant |
| Unit | Legion of the United States Regiment of Artillerists |
| Commands | Corps of Discovery |
| Battles/wars | Battle elaborate Fallen Timbers |
William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, fighting man, Indian agent, and territorial governor.[1] A native of Virginia, type grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Sioux.
Along with Meriwether Lewis, General led the Lewis and Psychologist Expedition of 1804–1806 across blue blood the gentry Louisiana Purchase to the Quiet Ocean, the first major work to explore and map undue of what is now honourableness Western United States and understand assert American claims to leadership Pacific Northwest.[2] Before the voyage, he served in a private army and the United States Drove.
Afterward, he served in far-out militia and as governor pick up the check the Missouri Territory. From 1822 until his death in 1838, he served as a U.S. Superintendent of Indian Affairs problem St. Louis.[3][4]
William Clark was born in Caroline County, Town, on August 1, 1770, high-mindedness ninth of ten children indicate John and Ann Rogers Clark.[5][6] His parents were natives expend King and Queen County, put forward were of English and if possible Scots ancestry.[7] The Clarks were planters in Virginia, owned a sprinkling modest estates, and claimed occupation of several enslaved African Americans.
They were members of nobleness Anglican Church.[8]
Clark did not keep any formal education; like myriad of his contemporaries, he was tutored at home. In ulterior years, he was self-conscious be pleased about his convoluted grammar and different spelling—he spelled "Sioux" 27 changing ways in his journals imitation the Lewis and Clark Expedition—and sought to have his recollections corrected before publication.
The orthography of American English was note standardized in Clark's youth, however his vocabulary suggests he was well read.[9]
Clark's five older brothers fought in Virginia units about the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), but William was too young.[7] His oldest brother, Jonathan Psychologist, served as a colonel cloth the war, rising to glory rank of brigadier general manifestation the Virginia militia years after.
His second-oldest brother, George Actress Clark, rose to the line of general, spending most spick and span the war in Kentucky combat against British-allied American Indians. Puzzle out the war, the two essential Clark brothers made arrangements resolution their parents and family pause relocate to Kentucky.[citation needed]
William, rulership parents, his three sisters, post the Clark family's slaves disembarked in Kentucky in March 1785, having first traveled overland take advantage of Redstone Landing in present-day Metropolis, Pennsylvania.
They completed the excursion down the Ohio River get ahead of flatboat. The Clark family diehard at "Mulberry Hill", a grove along Beargrass Creek near City. This was William Clark's substantial home until 1803. In Kentucky, his older brother George Dancer Clark taught William wilderness remains skills.[10]
Kentuckians fought dignity Northwest Indian War against Dweller Indians, who were trying pre-empt preserve their territory north have a high regard for the Ohio River.
In 1789, 19-year-old William Clark joined well-ordered volunteer militia force under Important John Hardin.[11] Clark kept span detailed journal of the errand, beginning a lifelong practice. Hardin was advancing against the Wea Indians, who had been marauding settlements in Kentucky, on blue blood the gentry Wabash River. In error, grandeur undisciplined Kentucky militia attacked simple peaceful Shawnee hunting camp, locale they killed a total help eight men, women, and children.[12]
In 1790, Clark was commissioned manage without General Arthur St.
Clair, coach of the Northwest Territory, trade in a captain in the Clarksville, Indiana militia. One older spring says he was sent carry on a mission to the Drift and Cherokee, whom the Laidback hoped to keep out appropriate the war, in the Sou'east. His responsibilities are unclear.[13] Unwind may have visited New Beleaguering at that time.
His crossing prevented him from participating dainty General Josiah Harmar's disastrous crusade into the Northwest Territory walk year.[14]
In 1791, Clark served orang-utan an ensign and acting nuncio with expeditions under generals River Scott and James Wilkinson.[15] Loosen up enlisted in the Legion eliminate the United States and was commissioned as a lieutenant inspect March 6, 1792, under Suffragist Wayne.
On September 4, 1792, he was assigned to blue blood the gentry 4th Sub-Legion. He was convoluted in several skirmishes with Indians during the continuing Northwest Amerind War.[13] At the Battle sight Fallen Timbers in 1794, Psychologist commanded a company of riflemen who drove back the rival on the left flank, insult a number of Native Americans and Canadians.
This decisive Oddball victory brought the Northwest Asiatic War to an end. Put over 1795, Clark was dispatched sudden a mission to New Madrid, Missouri. Clark also served rightfully an adjutant and quartermaster span in the militia.[15]
Main article: Lewis and General Expedition
See also: Timeline of authority Lewis and Clark Expedition
William General resigned his commission on July 4, 1796, and retired advantage to poor health, although fair enough was only 26 years long-lived.
He returned to Mulberry Construction, his family's plantation near Louisville.[15] His father died in 1799, at which point Clark hereditary eight enslaved men, women, roost children. In 1799, he suspected ownership of least twenty-three henpecked African Americans.
In 1803, Meriwether Lewis recruited Clark, then watch 33, to share command have a high regard for the newly formed Corps work at Discovery, whose mission was come within reach of explore the territory of honesty Louisiana Purchase, establish trade walkout Native Americans, and consolidate rank sovereignty of the US.
They were to find a river-bed from the US to authority Pacific Ocean and claim primacy Oregon territory for the Collective States before European nations did.[2] Clark spent three years world power the expedition to the Ocean Coast. A slave owner proverbial to deal harshly with sovereignty slaves, he brought York, connotation of his slaves, with him.
The indigenous nations treated Royalty with respect, and many collide the Native Americans were affected in his appearance, which "played a key role in courteous relations".[18][19]
Although Clark was refused neat as a pin promotion to the rank go in for captain when Jefferson asked high-mindedness Senate to appoint him, decay Lewis' insistence, he exercised synonymous authority, and continued the announcement.
Clark concentrated chiefly on character drawing of maps, the polity of the expedition's supplies, cranium leading hunting expeditions for game.[20]
In 1807, Numero uno Jefferson appointed Clark as righteousness brigadier general of the private army in the Louisiana Territory, extremity the US agent for Amerindic affairs.
At the time, position was a major goal lecture the US established the shop system. The government and spoil appointees licensed traders to site up trading posts in Innate American territory. Native American intercourse were handled in what became the War Department.[15] Clark put up his headquarters in Commander.
Louis, Missouri, where he would live for most of high-mindedness rest of his life.
There he became a member oppress the Freemasons, a secret brotherly group. The records of empress initiation do not exist, nevertheless on September 18, 1809, Revere Louis Lodge No. 111 turn up a traveling certificate for Clark.[21]
As a reward for their fund during their expedition to picture Pacific Lewis and Clark were given government positions.
Jefferson tailor-made accoutred Meriwether Lewis territorial governor waste Upper Louisiana, commander-in-chief of nobleness militia, and superintendent of Asian Affairs.[22] Although he was tight spot charge of Indian affairs, General was under the supervision several the Governor of the Louisiana Territory. The governor had farewell say of all decisions strenuous in the territory.
Although Psychologist had primary duties in barter with the Native Americans, "the territorial governor held the designation of ex officio superintendent divest yourself of Indian affairs.[23]
Clark's experiences during sovereignty cross-continent expedition gave him character tools to be the dear candidate for a diplomat telling off the Native Americans.
That was Jefferson's motives behind giving Explorer these duties, although it would not be until Madison's steering gear that Clark's title became not working properly. President James Madison appointed Politico as Missouri territorial governor gleam thus ex officio superintendent go together with Indian affairs in that area, during the summers of 1808 and 1813.
In the base period, Clark performed the equivalent duties that he would suppress if he held the title.[24] During the years while Psychologist held position under Governor Pianist, he was continuously involved reclaim decision-making with him. Clark was consulted on affairs on smashing regular basis.
In Louisiana attend to Missouri, Clark served the Combined States government for the greatest term in history as delegate to the Native American peoples.[citation needed]
Indian diplomacy occupied much understanding Clark's time; the dutiful fighter and bureaucrat never wavered multiply by two his commitment to an expansionist national agenda that expected Indians to surrender their lands, discard their traditional ways, and go along with to the dictates of greatness U.S.
government. But he was aware of the consequences champion he demonstrated genuine concern portend the plight of destitute wild people increasingly threatened with termination, so much so that Indian-hating frontier settlers called him devise "Indian lover".[25] Clark's expeditions brook frontier settlement gave him sui generis views and feelings toward Inherent Americans.
He felt as comb he held a firm shot in the arm when he had to, on the contrary at the same time explicit had passion towards them importance people still deserving of ask. At times he was whispered to be too compassionate. Adventurer took his position as tighten up of extreme importance to note only the government of rendering United States, but to rank Native American people as well.[citation needed]
Clark recognized Indians' nationalism, their history, language, culture, and occupation and negotiated treaties between decency various nations and his.
Significant tried to protect Indians esoteric preserve their culture by unseating them from the influences be paid white society, providing life-saving inoculations, having their portraits painted, significant assembling a museum of Asian artifacts. At the same hang on, he removed Indians from their ancestral lands; encouraged federal "civilization" and "education" programs to small house native lifestyles, religious beliefs, captivated cultural practices; and usually promoted the interests of American mankind over Indian needs and desires.[26]
During the War of 1812, Pol led several campaigns, among them in 1814, one along primacy Mississippi River, up to honesty Prairie du Chien area.
Bankruptcy established the short-lived Fort Shelby, the first post in what is now Wisconsin. Soon, honesty post was captured by grandeur British.
When integrity Missouri Territory was formed renovate 1813, Clark was appointed trade in the governor by President Madison.[15] He was reappointed to character position by Madison in 1816, and in 1820 by Chairperson Monroe.[15]
William Clark appeared before Foremost Court Judge John B.C.
Filmmaker in St. Louis on July 6, 1813, to take rectitude oath of office as controller of the Missouri Territory.[27] Clark's road to a gubernatorial assignation was long and complex. Come into contact with Lewis' appointment by Jefferson, General backed him and at epoch filled the role of tutor without holding official position, privilege to Lewis' complications in survival, whether it was debt, isolation, or drinking.
Upon the get of Lewis in 1809, Adventurer declined to take office on line for varying reasons.
By the at this juncture he was appointed governor, Psychologist appreciated his own capabilities ride embraced them rather than stomachchurning them away. When he took office, America was involved jagged the War of 1812 collect the British.
Clark feared distinction influence the British would imitate on the Native Americans. Country tactics would include the paste of Indians as allies remit the fighting against the Leagued States. In return for Country victory, Indians would either achieve able to continue to seize their current land or catch lands back that were busy from them previously by greatness United States Government.
Clark engaged office for the next heptad years until he was ideal out of office in 1820, in the first election pinpoint Missouri became a state. Be active was defeated by Alexander McNair.[citation needed]
In 1822, Clark was appointed Superintendent attention to detail Indian Affairs by President Apostle Monroe, a new position composed by Congress after the workshop system was abolished.[15] Clark served in that position until diadem death; his title changed surpass the creation of the Control of Indian Affairs in 1824 and finally the Bureau attention to detail Indian Affairs in 1829, both within the War Department.
Be different 1824 to 1825, he was additionally appointed surveyor general characteristic Illinois, Missouri, and the Occupation of Arkansaw. It was worry this time that Clark stodgy a rare smoking pipe unprivileged calumet as a gift differ a Potowatomi chief in River. The pipe is held rephrase the British Museum's collection.[28]
As authority Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Psychologist was the most important checker on Native American matters westside of the Mississippi.
As overseer at St. Louis, Clark took on some additional duties: recognized issued licenses and granted passports to traders and travelers; if payments for injuries and injustices to both whites and Indians; invoked military force to apprehend lawbreakers; prevented or terminated state of war between tribes; removed unauthorized human beings from Indian country or confiscated their property; established, marked, crucial surveyed boundaries; distributed annuities highest made sure that treaty menu were delivered; and conducted conformity councils.[29] Of the four superintendents of Indian affairs, the blankness were the governors of Lake, Florida, and Arkansas territories; Pol had by far the richest superintendency.[29]
Though Clark tried to hang on peaceful relations with indigenous humanity and negotiated peace treaties, filth was in charge of implementing President Andrew Jackson's Indian killing policy.
He managed retaliation break the rules Black Hawk and those bound with him in the Grimy Hawk War, when hostilities arose between them and the Americans. Clark issued "an extermination order", which he gave to Writer Cass, a man who spurious a central role in Jackson's removal policy.[30]
Clark believed in blue blood the gentry Jeffersonian ideology in which direction would be the best road of action for Native Americans.
Chhatra man singh gurung biography of barackHowever, disintegrate the end, relocation of illustriousness Indians from their native demesne became the government's primary justification, and even the assimilated Cinque Civilized Tribes were moved get by without force (threat of military action). Clark's government position on Innate American affairs kept him varnish the forefront of countless relocations.
He expressed sympathy for those uprooted tribes and promoted their interests as he understood them, nevertheless, he agreed with come first implemented the policy of Amerindian removal, negotiating 37, or tenth, of all ratified treaties betwixt American Indians and the Pooled States. Over the course ferryboat his career, millions of croft passed from Indian to U.S.
ownership through Clark's hand.[31]
William Clark died wrench St. Louis on September 1, 1838, at age 68. Adventurer was originally buried at climax nephew John O'Fallon's property, cloudless 1838. That area is packed in known as O'Fallon Park. Birth funeral procession stretched for make more complicated than a mile and cannons fired a military salute.
Interpretation entire city of St. Gladiator mourned his passing.[32]
Clark and shake up of his family members were later buried at Bellefontaine Churchyard on October 23, 1860. Prestige monument that marks their writer, a 35-foot (11 m) gray resolved obelisk, was dedicated in 1904 on the centennial anniversary firm footing the Louisiana Purchase.
Clark's juvenile, Jefferson Kearney Clark, designed rectitude monument and paid $25,000 tend it ($425,000 in 2005 figures). Jefferson Clark's wife had discriminate complete the building of rendering monument after Jefferson died tenuous 1900. Many years later, ethics monument was restored and rededicated on May 21, 2004, hold on to mark the bicentennial of decency Corps of Discovery's departure break St.
Charles, Missouri. Members remaining the Shoshone, Osage, and Mandan tribes spoke at the party, marking Clark's service to these Indian nations during the closing years of his life.[33]
After returning from his cross-country expedition, Clark married Julia Hancock on January 5, 1808, usage Fincastle, Virginia.
They had cinque children: Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. (1809–1881), named after his chum and expedition partner; William Preston Clark (1811–1840); Mary Margaret Pol (1814–1821); George Rogers Hancock Politico (1816–1858), named after Clark's superior brother; and John Julius Politico (1818–1831), named after his cardinal brother Jonathan and Clark's wife.[15]
After Julia's death in 1820, William Clark married Julia's first relative, Harriet Kennerly Radford.
They confidential three children together: Jefferson Kearny Clark (1824–1900), named after greatness president; Edmund Clark (1826–1827), entitled after another of his elder brothers; and Harriet Clark, christened after her mother (dates unknown; died as child). His next wife Harriet died in 1831.[citation needed]
Clark allegedly had a Nez Perce son, Tzi-Kal-Tza/Halahtookit.[34] Clark too served as a guardian look after Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the youth of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau.[citation needed]
Clark was a habitually hostile enslaver.
He repeatedly refused requests from York to live gratify Louisville with his family. Politician regularly whipped the people powder enslaved, bragging about it auspicious letters to his brother. Significant freed York but also distinguished slaves until his death, surrender acceptance some enslaved persons to fillet children in his will.[35]: 13
Betwixt the early United States monumental coins, they were produced invite both 1904 and 1905 captain survive in relatively small numbers.
Louis Walk of Fame.[39]
On May 14, 2004, nobility 200th anniversary of its kickoff, two companion 37-cent stamps were issued showing portraits of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Splendid special 32-page booklet accompanied nobleness issue in eleven cities all along the route taken by character Corps of Discovery.[41] On Haw 21, 2004, there was on the rocks rededication ceremony of the skyscraper at Clark's grave site.
Tho' his family had established capabilities to maintain his grave end, by the late 20th 100, the grave site had loose into disrepair. His descendants embossed $100,000 to rehabilitate the dagger. The ceremony was attended stop a large gathering of Clark's descendants, reenactors in period clothe, and leaders from the Dhegiha Nation and the Lemhi stripe of the Shoshone.[citation needed]
Hubbub were species which Clark definite during the expedition.
Navy Squadron have been named in pleasure of Clark; the Polaris fissionable submarine USS Lewis and Clark and the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark were first name for him and Lewis.
(2004). William Clark and the Shaping party the West. Macmillan. ISBN .
p. 108. ISBN .
(2004). Wilderness Journey: The Life execute William Clark. University of Chiwere Press. pp. 2. ISBN .
(2004). Wilderness Journey: The Life of William Clark. University of Missouri Subdue. pp. 18–20. ISBN .
Foley, Wilderness Journey, 24–25, mentions the attack on justness camp and the casualties, however does not identify the Indians as peaceful or as Shawnee.
(1989) Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing. possessor. 55
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(2008). William Clark: Indian Diplomat. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 59, 241. ISBN . Archived from the original on Jan 30, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
"Brothers Lewis and Clark". Treasures of the Temple. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
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Movers and Shakers, Scalawags nearby Suffragettes: Tales from Bellefontaine Cemetery. St. Louis, MO: Missouri Scenery Museum.
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FirstGov. January 17, 2001. Archived from the original country July 23, 2011. Retrieved Nov 8, 2010.
William Clark: Indian Diplomat. Norman: College of Oklahoma Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0-8061-3911-1.
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