In the Current of the Revolution 61 



soul quickly caught flame; but the peril of sending 

 an expedition to such a wild and distant country was 

 so great, and Virginia's resources were so exhausted, 

 that he could do little beyond lending Clark the 

 weight of his name and influence. The matter could 

 not be laid before the Assembly, nor made public in 

 any way ; for the hazard would be increased tenfold 

 if the strictest secrecy were not preserved. Finally, 

 Henry authorized Clark to raise seven companies, 

 each of fifty men, who were to act as militia and to 

 be paid as such. 10 He also advanced him the sum 

 of twelve hundred pounds (presumably in depreci- 

 ated paper), and gave him an order on the authori- 

 ties at Pittsburg for boats, supplies, and ammuni- 

 tion; while three of the most prominent Virginia 

 gentlemen 11 agreed in writing to do their best to 

 induce the Virginia Legislature to grant to each of 

 the adventurers three hundred acres of the conquered 

 land, if they were successful. He was likewise 

 given the commission of colonel, with instructions 

 to raise his men solely from the frontier counties 

 west of the Blue Ridge, 12 so as not to weaken the 

 people of the seacoast region in their struggle against 

 the British. 



Jefferson and Madison ; and therefore some thirty or forty 

 years after the events of which it speaks. Valuable though 

 it is, as the narrative of the chief actor, it would be still more 

 valuable had it been written earlier: it undoubtedly contains 

 some rather serious errors. 



10 Henry's private letter of instructions, January 2, 1778. 



11 Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and George Wythe. 



12 Butler, p. 48; but Henry's public instructions authorized 

 Clark to raise his men in any county. 



