First of Scotland, and was then one of the stoutest clans; and the leader, for his daring deeds, obtained the name of Mac of the Clearlands, having cut his way through some of the most formidable of the border chiefs, and, after the victory, received the crest of the hand and dagger and a bird in flight, signifying promptitude of action. This was the highest honor that could be conferred at that period of history, then under the Thanes of Scotland. Their motto was, 'Faithful and steady.' After the lapse of years, and enjoying their titles, some of the descendants emigrated to the north of Ireland, the province of Ulster, county of Antrim, and Londonderry, and held landed possessions to a considerable extent; but, fonder of war and adventure than a rural life-not blessed with the virtue of frugality -and disliking the forms of the British government, most of them bade adieu to the land of their nativity, and, as most ardent spirits do, sought adventure in foreign lands; the name having been abridged in the latter days to M'Clernand, and in the Highland Gaelic to M'Carnon, but all implying the same meaning or derivation."

John A. M'Clernand was brought up at Shawneetown. His education was acquired in the village schools, where he was kept by his mother as often as a teacher could be procured. In the then condition of the country, colleges and academies of learning were unknown. When not at school he worked on a farm, or in other ways, sometimes in hauling with a team. The teacher to whom he was most indebted for his acquisitions of knowledge was the late William Jefferson Gatewood, senator of the General Assembly of Illinois.

In 1829 he commenced the study of law in the office of Henry Eddy. This step was approved by his friends. He holds himself especially indebted to a revered friend, Judge Jepthah Hardin, for inducing him to enter immediately upon this pursuit. This gentleman says that he once came accidentally upon Mr. M'Clernand when he was splitting rails, and encouraged him to enter as a student of the profession. The latter informed the judge that he had already resolved to do so, and he was induced to apply to Mr. Eddy as a student, proposing to place himself immediately under his instructions. The proposition was accepted, and that gentleman not only took the young student into his library, but encouraged him by every

kindness to accomplish his purpose. He remained with Mr. Eddy four years, and in 1832 was admitted to the bar.

In 1832, at the age of twenty years, Mr. M'Clernand volunteered in what is known as the Black Hawk War, against the Sac and Fox Indians. He served in the ranks as a private until the war was closed by the battle of Bad Axe, so called. During the campaign, General Posey selected him to bear a hazardous express for nearly one hundred miles through a wild country infested by hostile Indians, a service which he gallantly performed.

Ill health rendered it necessary, after his return from the war, that he should defer professional practice until he should be restored by more active life. Accordingly, for two years, during 1833-4, he traded upon the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The pecuniary means thus acquired better enabled him to engage in his profession.

In 1835 he established the first Democratic press that ever existed in Shawneetown. The paper published, of which be was the editor, was called the "Democrat." In the same year he opened an office in Shawneetown, and commenced the prac tice of law in the several courts of the judicial circuit. He continued to practice his profession with success until his eleetion to Congress in 1843. In the mean time, he formed a partnership with Albert G. Caldwell, a gentleman who had finished nis studies in Mr. M'Clernand's office.

His political principles are inflexibly those of a Democrat. "Born one of the people," he says, "he continues one of the people." The late General Ewing, formerly senator in Congress from Illinois, when referring to him upon an exciting po litical question, said, "M'Clernand we can count upon; he is always for the democracy and his friends."

In 1836 he was elected to the State Legislature from the county of Gallatin. He was then twenty-four years of age. Politics ran high. General Jackson's administration was violently opposed. The Whigs expected to overthrow it, and. with it, the ascendency of the Democratic party. In this crisis, Governor Duncan, who had been repeatedly elected to Congress as a Democrat and political friend of General Jackson, made a violent attack upon him, in his message to the Legislature of 1836. He denounced him for the abuse of ex