Daniel Clark (290)

Daniel Clark (1766–13 August 1813) was a merchant, slaveholder, and diplomat, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1769. Born in Ireland to a wealthy family, he was educated in England before hard times hit Ireland, and the Clarks moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania. Thereafter, Daniel Clark took up a position in his wealthy uncle’s counting house in New Orleans, Louisiana. Quickly earning a partnership in the firm and becoming a respected member of French society, Clark was able to build a relationship with the provincial Spanish government. His political connections enabled him to circumvent strict Spanish trade regulations and greatly benefit both him and his American trading partners. In 1798, he became vice-consul to New Orleans, sending reports to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison about the goings-on in the provincial Spanish government. When the Spanish cut off New Orleans’ port to American traders, he advocated for immediate American intervention to secure Louisiana's planned transfer to the French. Utilizing his connections with the French elite there, he was able to do just that. During this turbulent time, he grew suspicious of William Charles Coles Claiborne, governor of the Mississippi Territory. He refused service on the governor's council in 1804, which was taken as an insult by Claiborne. Clark and Claiborne’s feud escalated: grievances regarding Claiborne’s leadership were submitted to Congress and led to the establishment of an elective legislature for Louisiana, which seemed only to worsen the gridlock between Clark and Governor Claiborne. In spite of Claiborne, the Louisiana legislature elected Clark as a delegate to Congress in 1806, wherein he advocated for Claiborne’s removal. Thereafter, Governor Claiborne challenged Clark to a duel and was subsequently wounded by the victorious Clark. Clark’s political career would end not long after that; his criticism of General James Wilkinson and association with Aaron Burr led to his condemnation by Thomas Jefferson. He continued to run his merchant business until retiring to one of his plantations and dying shortly after that. (ANB)