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Part I: "Some Account of the Achievements of the Celebrated Virginian Hero, George Rogers Clark, in the Western Country," March 30, 1816

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In 1816, the Virginia Argus newspaper printed tales of George Rogers Clark’s exploits in the Revolutionary War in the Northwest Territory.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, "Some Account of the Achievements of the Celebrated Virginian Hero, George Rogers Clark, in the Western Country," Virginia Argus, pp. 3, 30 March 1816

Description

The Virginia Argus printed the story of George Rogers Clark and his Revolutionary War "achievements" in 1816 in two parts. Part I tells the story of Clark taking the British fort at Kaskaskia, as well as several other towns on the Mississippi River. The author praises Clark’s leadership and extols his achievements in the West.

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Source-Dependent Questions

  • Compare the account in this newspaper of Clark’s daring march to retake the fort at Vincennes with Clark’s account of the taking of Vincennes. What conclusions can you draw about George Rogers Clark’s military leadership?
  • What can you infer about the author's opinion regarding American Indians based on this article?
  • The authors of this article say, "Col. George Rogers Clarke saved [Virginia’s] back settlements from Indian fury." In 2012, historian William Nestor wrote, "There is certainly no question that Clark warred fiercely against the Indians. He led two campaigns that reached Indian villages, routed the defenders, and burned their homes and crops." What do these quotes suggest about Clark’s treatment of American Indians? How does your conclusion inform your opinion of Clark?
  • Using evidence from the text, summarize the author's opinion of Clark.
  • What impact does the creation of Illinois Territory have on the eventual creation of Iowa as a territory?

Citation Information 

"Some Account of the Achievements of the Celebrated Virginian Hero, George Rogers Clark, in the Western Country," Virginia Argus, pp. 3, 30 March 1816. Courtesy of Library of Congress