Clark’s capture of Vincennes was the finishing stroke of his conquest. He had succeeded in one of the boldest enterprises ever undertaken in America. All the vast region he had set out to conquer remained under American control until the end of the Revolution, when, by treaty, it formally became a part of our country.

In carrying out his plans Clark had not only risked his health and life, but he had used up all his property. In spite of the great service he had done his country, his last years were spent in poverty. For a while he lived alone in a rude dwelling on Corn Island, but later his sister took him to her home near Louisville. Here, in 1818, came to an end the life of this heroic soldier and loyal American.

Some Things to Think About

  1. What was Clark’s brilliant plan?
  2. Imagine yourself with him on the evening when he captured the fort at Kaskaskia, and tell as fully as you can what happened. Tell something of his hard task in the days that followed.
  3. Can you explain how it was that he had such a powerful influence over men?
  4. In imagination go with Clark on his wonderful march from Kaskaskia to Vincennes and give an account of your trials and sufferings.
  5. How do you account for Clark’s remarkable success? What do you admire about him?
  6. Are you making frequent use of the map?

CHAPTER XI

THE NEW REPUBLIC

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At the end of the Revolution Washington, as we have already noted, returned to his beautiful home, Mount Vernon, overlooking the Potomac. Here he again took up the many-sided duties which his large plantation made necessary for him. His busy day began when he arose at four o’clock in the morning and ended when he went to bed at nine o’clock in the evening. But his life was not so quiet as we might think. For he had so many visitors that at the end of two years he wrote in his diary one day: “Dined with only Mrs. Washington, which I believe is the first instance of it since my retirement from public life.”

George Washington.