Governor Patrick Henry, although leaving every thing in the last resort to Clark’s discretion, had evidently been very doubtful whether a permanent occupation of the territory was feasible, [Footnote:  In his secret letter of instructions he orders Clark to be especially careful to secure the artillery and military stores at Kaskia, laying such stress upon this as to show that he regarded the place itself as of comparatively little value.  In fact, all Henry’s order contemplated was an attack on “the British post at Kaskasky.”  However, he adds, that if the French are willing to become American citizens, they shall be fully protected against their foes.  The letter earnestly commands Clark to treat not only the inhabitants, but also all British prisoners, with the utmost humanity.] though both he, and especially Jefferson, recognized the important bearing that its acquisition would have upon the settlement of the northwestern boundary, when the time came to treat for peace.  Probably Clark himself had not at first appreciated all the possibilities that lay within his conquest, but he was fully alive to them now and saw that, provided he could hold on to it, he had added a vast and fertile territory to the domain of the Union.  To the task of keeping it he now bent all his energies.

    Clark Prepares for Defence.

The time of service of his troops had expired, and they were anxious to go home.  By presents and promises he managed to enlist one hundred of them for eight months longer.  Then, to color his staying with so few men, he made a feint of returning to the Falls, alleging as a reason his entire confidence in the loyalty of his French friends and his trust in their capacity to defend themselves.  He hoped that this would bring out a remonstrance from the inhabitants, who, by becoming American citizens, had definitely committed themselves against the British.  The result was such as he expected.  On the rumor of his departure, the inhabitants in great alarm urged him to stay, saying that otherwise the British would surely retake the post.  He made a show of reluctantly yielding to their request, and consented to stay with two companies; and then finding that many of the more adventurous young creoles were anxious to take service, he enlisted enough of them to fill up all four companies to their original strength.  His whole leisure was spent in drilling the men, Americans and French alike, and in a short time he turned them into as orderly and well disciplined a body as could be found in any garrison of regulars.

He also established very friendly relations with the Spanish captains of the scattered creole villages across the Mississippi, for the Spaniards were very hostile to the British, and had not yet begun to realize that they had even more to dread from the Americans.  Clark has recorded his frank surprise at finding the Spanish commandant, who lived at St. Louis, a very pleasant and easy companion, instead of haughty and reserved, as he had supposed all Spaniards were.