Nothing but necessity could induce me to make the following request to Your Excellency, which is to grant me a small sum of money on account; as I can assure you, Sir, that I am exceedingly distressed for the want of necessary clothing etc and don't know any channel through which I could procure any except of the Executive.

The State I believe will fall considerably in my debt.

Any supplies which Your Excellency favors me with might be deducted out of my accounts." * * "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," vol.III, p.

487.
Clark had spent all his own substance and all else he could beg, borrow--or appropriate--in the conquest of Illinois and the defense of Kentucky.

His only reward from Virginia was a grant of land from which he realized nothing, and dismissal from her service when she needed him no longer.
All that Clark had asked for himself was a commission in the Continental Army.