History of Virginia :: :: University of Virginia Library

British Occupation of the Northwest Territory. — The
vast domain north of the Ohio River, Virginia claimed
belonged to her by the terms of the charter of 1609, in
which her territory was said to reach "up into the land
from sea to sea." But the British had taken possession
of this country, and had captured from the French the
military forts at Kaskaskia and Vincennes. Still, in sentiment,
the people were anti-English, and were ready to
acknowledge the authority of Virginia.

The "Hannibal of the West." — Before the Revolution
ended this territory was brought under the jurisdiction of
the Old Dominion, as the result of a most daring enterprise,
which was successfully carried through by a native
Virginian, George Rogers Clark, whose exploits gave
him the title of the "Hannibal of the West." He had
moved to Kentucky, which had been made a county of
Virginia, and, finding that the Ohio Indians, instigated
as he believed by the British, were invading the country,
he conceived the daring project of protecting it by
conquering the Northwest Territory for Virginia. So he
journeyed back to Virginia, and unfolded his plan to Governor
Henry, who enthusiastically indorsed the scheme,
and took steps to equip an expedition to carry it out.
Clark was commissioned colonel, supplied with money,
and authorized to enlist men in any county of the commonwealth

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till he had raised seven companies of fifty
each. After much difficulty he equipped three companies,
and with these he started; but on his way he was
joined by some Kentuckians, which raised his force to
nearly two hundred.

Capture of Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes. — After a
long march through the wilderness, he reached Kaskaskia,
and attacked the place by night. He thus describes the
result. "I immediately divided my little army into two
divisions; ordered one to surround the town; with the
other, I broke into the fort, secured the governor, Mr.
Rocheblave, in fifteen minutes had every street secured;
sent runners through the town, ordering the people on
pain of death to keep close to their homes, which they
observed; and before daylight, had the whole town disarmed."
The people, after being assured by Colonel
Clark that their rights would be respected, readily took
an oath of allegiance to Virginia. They even organized a
company of volunteers, who marched to Cahokia, a French
town sixty miles north of Kaskaskia, and this settlement
gave in its submission. Vincennes, having grown weary
of British rule, now surrendered without a struggle, the
inhabitants agreeing to garrison the fort, which Clark left
in charge of one of his men.

Clark gets Control over the Indians. — The Indians were
amazed at what had happened, and their chiefs, within a
circuit of five hundred miles, hastened to Cahokia to see
the big warrior of the "Long Knives," as they called the
Virginians. Clark met them in council, and, showing them
a peace belt and a war belt, bade them take their choice,
manifesting at the same time no concern as to which they
might select. One after another declared for peace; and
thus Clark obtained control over them.

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Clark at the Indian Council

The British recapture Vincennes. — Clark made this conquest
in 1778; but toward the end of the year, Colonel
Hamilton, governor of Canada, descended the Wabash
River with eight hundred men, and recaptured Vincennes.
After this he made preparations for a grand campaign
when the spring opened, his plan being to take Kaskaskia
from Clark, subdue Kentucky, and then, coming further
into Virginia, overrun the settlements west of the Alleghanies.
This alarming news Clark obtained from Colonel
Vigo, a Spanish merchant of St. Louis, who also informed
him that for the winter Hamilton had with him at Vincennes
only eighty men to garrison the place, having sent his other
troops away until he should need them in the spring.

Clark surprises Hamilton. — Clark decided, as he himself
stated, that he would take Hamilton before Hamilton

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could take him, and so he at once set out for Vincennes
with his little army. In midwinter he made a march of
two hundred and fifty miles, which for hardship has rarely
been paralleled. The rivers were swollen by the winter
rains, and the Illinois prairies were full of water and ice.
For miles in the low grounds of the Wabash River, the
troops were compelled to wade through water breast high;
but under the influence of their intrepid leader, they persevered
in spite of all obstacles. Great was Governor
Hamilton's surprise when Clark appeared and demanded
his surrender. He made the best defense he could, but
finally was forced to submit. Clark sent him to Virginia,
a prisoner of war.

Civil Government Organized. — As soon as Virginia had
established her claim to her Northwest Territory, Governor
Henry appointed Colonel John Todd to administer the
civil government. Courts of justice and military companies
were organized at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes; and
the machinery of a complete civil government set into
operation.

Importance of the Conquest. — For the conquest of the
country north of the Ohio, Congress never furnished a
dollar nor a soldier. The glory of the undertaking belongs
exclusively to Colonel Clark and to Virginia. Its
importance can hardly be overestimated; for the fact that
Virginia was in possession of the country at the close of
the Revolution enabled the United States to hold it when
peace was made with England. Had it not been conquered
by Virginia, it would doubtless be Canadian territory
to-day.

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QUESTIONS

1. What was the extent of Virginia's Northwest Territory?
2. Who took possession of this territory?
3. What was the sentiment of its people?
4. By whom was it restored to Virginia, and by what title was he
known?
5. Who was George Rogers Clark, and what was his plan?
6. Give an account of the capture of the three forts.
7. What did the inhabitants agree to do?
8. How did Clark get control over the Indians?
9. What happened soon after he made this conquest?
10. How did Clark surprise Governor Hamilton?
11. What was the result?
12. What did Virginia do as soon as her claim was established?
13. To whom does the glory of this conquest belong, and why was it
such an important one?