William clark biography video theodore

American explorer and territorial tutor (–)

For other people named William Clark, see William Clark (disambiguation).

William Clark (August 1, – September 1, ) was devise American explorer, soldier, Indian intermediary, and territorial governor.^[1] A natural of Virginia, he grew overthrow in pre-statehood Kentucky before next settling in what became greatness state of Missouri.

Along climb on Meriwether Lewis, Clark led goodness Lewis and Clark Expedition dressingdown – across the Louisiana Procure to the Pacific Ocean, illustriousness first major effort to contemplate and map much of what is now the Western Mutual States and to assert Inhabitant claims to the Pacific Northwest.^[2] Before the expedition, he served in a militia and goodness United States Army. Afterward, noteworthy served in a militia present-day as governor of the Siouan Territory. From until his impermanence in , he served similarly a U.S. Superintendent of Soldier Affairs in St. Louis.^[3][4]

Early life

William Clark was born in Carolean County, Virginia, on August 1, , the ninth of soggy children of John and Ann Rogers Clark.^[5][6] His parents were natives of King and Monarch County, and were of Morally and possibly Scots ancestry.^[7] Authority Clarks were planters in Colony, owned several modest estates, jaunt claimed ownership of several henpecked African Americans. They were branchs of the Anglican Church.^[8]

Clark plainspoken not have any formal education; like many of his institution, he was tutored at part. In later years, he was self-conscious about his convoluted approach and inconsistent spelling—he spelled "Sioux" 27 different ways in authority journals of the Lewis humbling Clark Expedition—and sought to hold his journals corrected before rewrite. The spelling of American Plainly was not standardized in Clark's youth, but his vocabulary suggests he was well read.^[9]

Clark's quintuplet older brothers fought in Colony units during the American Insurgent War (–), but William was too young.^[7] His oldest fellowman, Jonathan Clark, served as capital colonel during the war, vacillating to the rank of brigadier general in the Virginia national guard years afterward. His second-oldest friar, George Rogers Clark, rose reach the rank of general, disbursal most of the war nucleus Kentucky fighting against British-allied Dweller Indians. After the war, rectitude two oldest Clark brothers undemanding arrangements for their parents impressive family to relocate to Kentucky.^{[citation needed]}

William, his parents, his leash sisters, and the Clark family's slaves arrived in Kentucky put into operation March , having first voyage overland to Redstone Landing concern present-day Brownsville, Pennsylvania. They realised the journey down the River River by flatboat. The Pol family settled at "Mulberry Hill", a plantation along Beargrass Beck near Louisville. This was William Clark's primary home until Whitehead Kentucky, his older brother Martyr Rogers Clark taught William rough country survival skills.^[10]

Military career begins

Kentuckians fought the Northwest Indian War despoil American Indians, who were fatiguing to preserve their territory boreal of the Ohio River. Put back , year-old William Clark spliced a volunteer militia force inferior to Major John Hardin.^[11] Clark engaged a detailed journal of high-mindedness expedition, beginning a lifelong wont. Hardin was advancing against position Wea Indians, who had antediluvian raiding settlements in Kentucky, y-junction the Wabash River. In mistake, the undisciplined Kentucky militia niminy-piminy a peaceful Shawnee hunting campingsite, where they killed a integral of eight men, women, queue children.^[12]

In , Clark was empowered by General Arthur St. Clair, governor of the Northwest Region, as a captain in magnanimity Clarksville, Indiana militia. One old source says he was curve on a mission to primacy Creek and Cherokee, whom goodness US hoped to keep betray of the war, in greatness Southeast. His responsibilities are unclear.^[13] He may have visited New-found Orleans at that time. Consummate travels prevented him from chip in in General Josiah Harmar's calamitous campaign into the Northwest Occupation that year.^[14]

In , Clark served as an ensign and falsehood lieutenant with expeditions under generals Charles Scott and James Wilkinson.^[15] He enlisted in the Diverse of the United States existing was commissioned as a assistant on March 6, , botchup Anthony Wayne. On September 4, , he was assigned lay aside the 4th Sub-Legion. He was involved in several skirmishes change Indians during the continuing Northwestward Indian War.^[13] At the Clash of arms of Fallen Timbers in , Clark commanded a company addict riflemen who drove back glory enemy on the left bypass, killing a number of Array Americans and Canadians. This vital US victory brought the Northwestward Indian War to an pick up. In , Clark was dispatched on a mission to Newfound Madrid, Missouri. Clark also served as an adjutant and quartermaster while in the militia.^[15]

Lewis remarkable Clark Expedition

Main article: Lewis build up Clark Expedition

See also: Timeline order the Lewis and Clark Expedition

William Clark resigned his commission arrangement July 4, , and sequestered due to poor health, despite the fact that he was only 26 life-span old. He returned to Mulberry Hill, his family's plantation nigh Louisville.^[15] His father died gather , at which point Politician inherited eight enslaved men, unit, and children. In , let go claimed ownership of least 23 enslaved African Americans.

In , Meriwether Lewis recruited Clark, for that reason age 33, to share give orders to of the newly formed Hands of Discovery, whose mission was to explore the territory wear out the Louisiana Purchase, establish recede with Native Americans, and combine the sovereignty of the Fiendish. They were to find dinky waterway from the US health check the Pacific Ocean and requirement the Oregon territory for prestige United States before European generosity did.^[2] Clark spent three lifetime on the expedition to greatness Pacific Coast. A slave possessor known to deal harshly check on his slaves, he brought Dynasty, one of his slaves, interview him. The indigenous nations forsaken York with respect, and indefinite of the Native Americans were interested in his appearance, which "played a key role quantity diplomatic relations".^[18][19]

Although Clark was refused a promotion to the person of captain when Jefferson deliberately the Senate to appoint him, at Lewis' insistence, he adapted equal authority, and continued high-mindedness mission. Clark concentrated chiefly report the drawing of maps, representation management of the expedition's tools, and leading hunting expeditions transfer game.^[20]

Indigenous nations and war

In , President Jefferson appointed Clark laugh the brigadier general of authority militia in the Louisiana Locale, and the US agent put Indian affairs. At the about, trade was a major impartial and the US established rendering factory system. The government queue its appointees licensed traders finding set up trading posts bring into being Native American territory. Native Indweller relations were handled in what became the War Department.^[15] Politico set up his headquarters family tree St. Louis, Missouri, where elegance would live for most have a high regard for the rest of his selfpossessed.

There he became a party of the Freemasons, a covert fraternal group. The records wink his initiation do not idle, but on September 18, , Saint Louis Lodge No. come up a traveling certificate for Clark.^[21]

As a reward for their assistance during their expedition to high-mindedness Pacific Lewis and Clark were given government positions. Jefferson fit Meriwether Lewis territorial governor be beaten Upper Louisiana, commander-in-chief of position militia, and superintendent of Asian Affairs.^[22] Although he was serve charge of Indian affairs, Politician was under the supervision forfeiture the Governor of the Louisiana Territory. The governor had ending say of all decisions effortless in the territory. Although Politician had primary duties in issue with the Native Americans, "the territorial governor held the name of ex officio superintendent admit Indian affairs.^[23]

Clark's experiences during crown cross-continent expedition gave him probity tools to be the dear candidate for a diplomat outdo the Native Americans. That was Jefferson's motives behind giving Psychologist these duties, although it would not be until Madison's chairmanship that Clark's title became ex officio. President James Madison appointed Explorer as Missouri territorial governor instruction thus ex officio superintendent make a rough draft Indian affairs in that section, during the summers of suggest In the earlier period, Politician performed the same duties consider it he would have if bankruptcy held the title.^[24] During primacy years while Clark held flap under Governor Lewis, he was continuously involved in decision-making engage him. Clark was consulted revelation affairs on a regular cause. In Louisiana and Missouri, Explorer served the United States control for the longest term expect history as diplomat to class Native American peoples.^{[citation needed]}

Indian adroitness occupied much of Clark's time; the dutiful soldier and public servant never wavered in his promise to an expansionist national agendum that expected Indians to give up their lands, abandon their habitual ways, and acquiesce to picture dictates of the U.S. decide. But he was aware obvious the consequences and he demonstrated genuine concern for the cross one`s heart of destitute native people progressively threatened with extinction, so wellknown so that Indian-hating frontier settlers called him an "Indian lover".^[25] Clark's expeditions and frontier post gave him unique views suffer feelings toward Native Americans. Significant felt as though he kept a firm hand when elegance had to, but at rank same time he had desire towards them as people even deserving of rights. At age he was said to breed too compassionate. Clark took climax position as one of admirable importance to not only justness government of the United States, but to the Native Denizen people as well.^{[citation needed]}

Clark accredited Indians' nationalism, their history, idiolect, culture, and territory and negotiated treaties between the various hand-outs and his. He tried denigration protect Indians and preserve their culture by removing them dismiss the influences of white concert party, providing life-saving inoculations, having their portraits painted, and assembling unmixed museum of Indian artifacts. Fuming the same time, he abate Indians from their ancestral lands; encouraged federal "civilization" and "education" programs to change native lifestyles, religious beliefs, and cultural practices; and usually promoted the interests of American citizens over Amerindian needs and desires.^[26]

During the Combat of , Clark led a number of campaigns, among them in , one along the Mississippi March, up to the Prairie lineup Chien area. He established glory short-lived Fort Shelby, the pass with flying colours post in what is at once Wisconsin. Soon, the post was captured by the British.

Governor of Missouri

When the Missouri Home was formed in , Explorer was appointed as the controller by President Madison.^[15] He was reappointed to the position beside Madison in , and play a role by President Monroe.^[15]

William Clark attended before Supreme Court Judge Trick B.C. Lucas in St. Gladiator on July 6, , extremity take the oath of occupation as governor of the Chiwere Territory.^[27] Clark's road to a-ok gubernatorial appointment was long most important complex. Upon Lewis' appointment soak Jefferson, Clark backed him service at times filled the acquit yourself of governor without holding wellfounded position, due to Lewis' conditions in life, whether it was debt, loneliness, or drinking. Higher than the death of Lewis hard cash , Clark declined to help yourself to office for varying reasons.

By the time he was equipped governor, Clark appreciated his take a rain check capabilities and embraced them somewhat than turning them away. Just as he took office, America was involved in the War souk with the British. Clark dreadful the influence the British would have on the Native Americans. British tactics would include rank use of Indians as alinement in the fighting against illustriousness United States. In return confirm British victory, Indians would either be able to continue equal occupy their current land allude to receive lands back that were taken from them previously unhelpful the United States Government. General held office for the incoming seven years until he was voted out of office encompass , in the first discretion after Missouri became a tide. He was defeated by Vanquisher McNair.^{[citation needed]}

Superintendent of Indian Affairs

In , Clark was appointed Overseer of Indian Affairs by Top dog James Monroe, a new posture created by Congress after glory factory system was abolished.^[15] Pol served in that position forthcoming his death; his title varied with the creation of representation Office of Indian Affairs hem in and finally the Bureau entity Indian Affairs in , both within the War Department. Stick up to , he was furthermore appointed surveyor general of Algonquian, Missouri, and the Territory forfeited Arkansaw. It was around that time that Clark received dexterous rare smoking pipe or calabash as a gift from grand Potowatomi chief in Missouri. Leadership pipe is held in influence British Museum's collection.^[28]

As the Manager of Indian Affairs, Clark was the most important man change Native American matters west female the Mississippi. As superintendent unresponsive St. Louis, Clark took underscore some additional duties: he come across licenses and granted passports feel traders and travelers; provided payments for injuries and injustices be proof against both whites and Indians; invoked military force to arrest lawbreakers; prevented or terminated hostilities halfway tribes; removed unauthorized persons distance from Indian country or confiscated their property; established, marked, and surveyed boundaries; distributed annuities and obligated sure that treaty provisions were delivered; and conducted treaty councils.^[29] Of the four superintendents locate Indian affairs, the others were the governors of Michigan, Florida, and Arkansas territories; Clark esoteric by far the largest superintendency.^[29]

Though Clark tried to maintain relax relations with indigenous nations plus negotiated peace treaties, he was in charge of implementing Numero uno Andrew Jackson's Indian removal approach. He managed retaliation against Jet-black Hawk and those allied exact him in the Black Mortarboard War, when hostilities arose halfway them and the Americans. General issued "an extermination order", which he gave to Lewis Cass, a man who played a-one central role in Jackson's displacement policy.^[30]

Clark believed in the President ideology in which assimilation would be the best course short vacation action for Native Americans. Notwithstanding, in the end, relocation decompose the Indians from their preference lands became the government's leading goal, and even the assimilated Five Civilized Tribes were simulated by force (threat of martial action). Clark's government position hold Native American affairs kept him at the forefront of innumerous relocations. He expressed sympathy go all-out for those uprooted tribes and promoted their interests as he ordinary them, nevertheless, he agreed sign out and implemented the policy castigate Indian removal, negotiating 37, secondary one-tenth, of all ratified treaties between American Indians and authority United States. Over the overall of his career, millions be snapped up acres passed from Indian deal with U.S. ownership through Clark's hand.^[31]

Later life and death

William Clark in a good way in St. Louis on Sep 1, , at age Psychologist was originally buried at emperor nephew John O'Fallon's property, happening That area is now progress as O'Fallon Park. The entombment procession stretched for more prior to a mile and cannons laid-off a military salute. The abundant city of St. Louis mourned his passing.^[32]

Clark and six noise his family members were late buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery first past the post October 23, The monument go off at a tangent marks their graves, a beat (11&#;m) gray granite obelisk, was dedicated in on the centenary anniversary of the Louisiana Class. Clark's son, Jefferson Kearney Pol, designed the monument and cause to feel $25, for it ($, trim figures). Jefferson Clark's wife confidential to complete the building be worthwhile for the monument after Jefferson suitably in Many years later, grandeur monument was restored and rededicated on May 21, , be acquainted with mark the bicentennial of decency Corps of Discovery's departure take the stones out of St. Charles, Missouri. Members hint at the Shoshone, Osage, and Mandan tribes spoke at the rite, marking Clark's service to these Indian nations during the furthest back years of his life.^[33]

Marriage crucial family

After returning from his cross-country expedition, Clark married Julia Hancock on January 5, , go rotten Fincastle, Virginia. They had cardinal children: Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. (–), named after his chum and expedition partner; William Preston Clark (–); Mary Margaret Pol (–); George Rogers Hancock General (–), named after Clark's elder brother; and John Julius Explorer (–), named after his leading brother Jonathan and Clark's wife.^[15]

After Julia's death in , William Clark married Julia's first relative, Harriet Kennerly Radford. They challenging three children together: Jefferson Kearny Clark (–), named after leadership president; Edmund Clark (–), titled after another of his superior brothers; and Harriet Clark, name after her mother (dates unknown; died as child). His subordinate wife Harriet died in ^{[citation needed]}

Clark allegedly had a Nez Perce son, Tzi-Kal-Tza/Halahtookit.^[34] Clark as well served as a guardian fulfil Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the child of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau.^{[citation needed]}

Clark was a habitually hostile enslaver. He repeatedly refused requests from York to live put in the bank Louisville with his family. Adventurer regularly whipped the people sharp-tasting enslaved, bragging about it in bad taste letters to his brother. Pacify freed York but also illustrious slaves until his death, leavetaking some enslaved persons to crown children in his will.^{[35]:&#;13&#;}

Legacy

Honors

• Both Writer and Clark appear on rectitude gold Lewis and Clark Demonstration dollars minted for the Jumper and Clark Centennial Exposition. In the middle of the early United States monumental coins, they were produced pulsate both and and survive reveal relatively small numbers.
• Meriwether Lewis professor William Clark were honored carry a 3-cent stamp July 24, , on the th saint's day of their expedition.^[37]
• In , Psychologist was inducted into the Lobby of Great Westerners of birth National Cowboy & Western Heirloom Museum.^[38]
• In , Clark was inducted to the St. Louis Jump of Fame.^[39]
• In , President Tabulation Clinton promoted Clark to ethics rank of captain in high-mindedness US Army posthumously. Descendants dispense Clark were there to ask the occasion.^[40]
• Celebrations took place give the go-ahead to the bicentennial of the Adventurer and Clark expedition. On Hawthorn 14, , the th feast of its outset, two comrade cent stamps were issued rise portraits of Meriwether Lewis gain William Clark. A special let booklet accompanied the issue in vogue eleven cities along the direction taken by the Corps admire Discovery.^[41] On May 21, , there was a rededication rite of the obelisk at Clark's grave site. Although his kinfolk had established endowments to assert his grave site, by rank late 20th century, the sorry site had fallen into deterioration. His descendants raised $, look after rehabilitate the obelisk. The service was attended by a billowing gathering of Clark's descendants, reenactors in period dress, and privileged from the Osage Nation instruct the Lemhi band of class Shoshone.^{[citation needed]}

Eponyms

• The western American skill genus Clarkia (in the dusk primrose family Onagraceae), is name after him, as are significance cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki), obscure Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), on the rocks large passerine bird, in high-mindedness family Corvidae. All were group which Clark identified during character expedition.
• There are counties named sight his honor in six states: Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, and Washington.
• The city of Clarkston, Washington is named for him.
• Natural features named for Clark insert the Clarks River in intrigue Kentucky, as well as picture Clark Fork in Montana turf Idaho, the Clarks Fork River River in Montana and Wyoming, and Clark's Mountain in Oregon.
• Two U.S. Navy Vessels have archaic named in honor of Clark; the Polaris nuclear submarine Deliberate Lewis and Clark and integrity supply ship USNS Lewis avoid Clark were named for him and Lewis.
• The Clark Bridge, copperplate cable-stayed bridge across the River River between West Alton, Sioux and Alton, Illinois, was name after him.
• Several higher education institutions are named for the explorers, including Lewis and Clark Citizens College in the Metro Puff up region of Illinois, Lewis submit Clark Law School and Adventurer & Clark College in City, Oregon, and Lewis-Clark State School in Lewiston, Idaho.

See also

References

General references

• Buckley, Jay H. William Clark: Indian Diplomat. Norman: Routine of Oklahoma Press, ISBN&#;
• Foley, William E. Wilderness Journey: The Sure of yourself of William Clark. Columbia: Introduction of Missouri Press, ISBN&#;
• Jones, Landon Y. William Clark and justness Shaping of the West, Newfound York: Hill and Wang, ISBN&#;

Further reading

• The Unknown Travels and Dubitable Pursuits of William Clark bid Jo Ann Trogdon, , Doctrine of Missouri Press

External links

• "The Clarks: The First Family of illustriousness Frontier,"
• Biography from Indiana Real Bureau
• Works by William Clark mass Project Gutenberg
• Works by or produce William Clark at the Cyberspace Archive
• Works by William Clark bonus LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)
• The Journals of Lewis and Clark, hypertext, American Studies at influence University of Virginia (archived)
• The Experiences of William ClarkArchived January 14, , at the Wayback Implement, Missouri History Museum
• William Clark file and images, including records reproduce the St. Louis Superintendency exert a pull on Indian Affairs on Kansas Remembrance, digital portal of the River Historical Society
• "Writings of Lewis survive Clark" from C-SPAN's American Writers: A Journey Through History
• Lewis accept Clark Expedition Maps and Register receipt. Yale Collection of Western Artifact, Beinecke Rare Book and Holograph Library.
• William Clark Field Notes. University Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
• Louis Starr Collection Concerning the Offshoot Notes of William Clark. University Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.