George Rogers Clark



George Rogers Clark (November 19, 1752 – February 13, 1818) was an American pioneer and military officer credited with winning the Northwest Territory during the American Revolution.

Quotes

 * If a country were not worth protecting, it was not worth claiming.
 * Clark to the Virginia Council, Autumn 1775, requesting aid for Kentucky.


 * I know the case is desperate, but, sire, we must either quit the country or attack Mr. Hamilton. No time is to be lost.  Was I sure of a re-enforcement I should not attempt it.  Who knows what fortune will do for us?  Great things have been effected by a few men well conducted.  Perhaps we may be fortunate.  We have this consolation that our case is just, and that our country will be grateful and not condemn our conduct, in case we fall through; if so, this country as well as Kentucky, I believe, is lost.
 * Letter to Virginia Governor Patrick Henry (1779-02-03), from William Hayden English, Conquest of the Country Northwest of the River Ohio, 1778–1783, and Life of Gen. George Rogers Clark (Indianapolis: Bowen-Merrill, 1896) vol. 1, pp. 262-263


 * Never was a person more mortified than I was at this time, to see so fair an opportunity to push a victory; Detroit lost for want of a few men.
 * After aborting plans to raid Fort Detroit due to a lack of enlistments (1779), quoted in


 * I have given the United States half the territory they possess, and for them to suffer me to remain in poverty, in consequence of it, will not redound much to their honor hereafter.
 * Letter to General Jonathan Clark, George's elder brother (1792-05-11), from William Hayden English, Conquest of the Country Northwest of the River Ohio, 1778–1783, and Life of Gen. George Rogers Clark (1896), vol. 2, p. 789


 * Our cause is just . . . our country will be grateful"


 * I carry in my right hand war, and peace in my left... Here is a bloody belt and a white one. Take which you please.
 * Clark, Speech to the Indian Chiefs at Cahokia (1778)


 * My name is Clark, and I have come out to see what you brave fellows are doing in Kentucky and to lend you a helping hand, if necessary.
 * Account of Clark's appearance in Harrodsburg, from Collins History of Kentucky