Notorious Woman: The Celebrated Case of Myra Clark Gaines

III. "A Pair of Unscrupulous Adventurers"

Ill "A Pair of Unscrupulous Adventurers" Returning to New York in early summer 1833, Myra and William spent the next six months with Whitney's family in New York. General and Mrs. Whitney welcomed Myra wholeheartedly. The family held a ball to introduce their son's wife to Binghamton society—"the greatest social event that had ever been held in Broome County"—and among the guests was Governor Clinton. Other family members also entertained the newlyweds during their stay. Myra never forgot the warmth of her welcome into William 's family. Long after his death she remained close to his parents, and as her case grew in notoriety, she tried to advance the interests of his brothers.1 Myra's welcome at Delamore Place did not match that offered in Binghamton . Colonel Davis angrily denied knowing anything about the second will made by Clark. In testimony given in court three years later, Davis recalled that he expressed doubts about the success of any legal action to obtain a legacy for Myra. Her husband remembered more specific objections . Colonel Davis, William believed, actively opposed Myra's lawsuits, even writing their opponents with an offer to testify against her.2 When Whitney accused the colonel of conspiring with Myra's opponents , he was referringto the executors of Clark's 1811 will, Richard Relf i. Seward, Binghamton and Broome County, 44-50. i. Samuel B.Davis,deposition of May 4, 1836, cross-interrogatories 40 and 43, Richard Relfv. W. W. Whitney, case no. 3451, United StatesDistrict Court, reprinted in Transcript of Record, Gaines v. City of New Orleans, 2: 2.055. "A Pair of Unscrupulous Adventurers" 47 and Beverly Chew. Ultimately the Gaines case comprised more than eighty legal actions in United States courts, and hundreds of defendants demurred , answered, or made other pleadings in response to the various lawsuits . But these two men stand out among all the other defendants. Their activities as executors and attorneys for the heirs of Daniel Clark under the 1811 will provided the basis for all the litigation. Richard Relf left Philadelphia for New Orleans in 1789 at the age of fourteen . He boarded in the household of William Hulings, United States viceconsul for Louisiana. Hulings's friendshipwith Daniel Clark brought Relf to Clark's notice, and Clark prevailed on his friend to allow young Richard to assist in his business. Relf served as Clark's confidential clerk for several years, and according to one longtime New Orleans resident, "gained [Clark's] esteem and confidence."3 Merchants such as Daniel Clark occupied an important position in the New Orleans economy. They sold staple crops for planters, accepting cash, bills, or goods in remittance. They purchased, stored, carted, or shipped goods on consignment, earning a commission on their services. Incoming products ordered by Louisiana planters required similar services . Merchants also procured insurance, collected debts, provided credit, and drew, endorsed, and negotiated bills of exchange. With specie in short supply and banking services nonexistent before 1803, Clark and his fellow merchant-traders furnished the means by which New Orleans became the trading center of the Mississippi Valley.4 In 1801 Richard Relf formed a partnership with a new arrival to the city, Beverly Chew. Born in Virginia to a family that held several influential positions in state politics, Chew came to Louisiana in 1797 with the same intention as most American immigrants—to make his fortune. Backed by Daniel Clark, the firm of Chew & Relf soon became the leading merchant house in New Orleans. Advertisements indicating the extent of their ventures filled the front pages of New Orleans newspapers. The firm operated its own general store located on St. Louis Street, between Royal and Chartres . Clark, though a silent partner in the firm, could be found in the store virtually every day. The shop sold a wide variety of merchandise: wine, cloth, tableware, furniture, and other consumer items. Staple products— 3. Daniel W. Coxe, deposition ofAug. 15, 1849, ibid., i: 1501; Hubert Remy, deposition of Apr. 14, 1834, ibid., i: 1674. 4. J. Clark, New Orleans, 306. 48 Notorious Woman tobacco, cotton, and foodstuffs (especially flour)—also traded in the shop, either for the account of Chew 8t Relf or on consignment.5 As planters' agents Chew & Relf kept accounts balanced between overseas importers and Mississippi Valley planters—shipping staples to the former and manufactured goods to the latter. They corresponded with the Philadelphia firm of Reed & Forde, and the...