In 1781, he arrived in St. Louis and soon became wealthy. He laid claim to over 1 million acres of Upper Louisiana land. The government offered $8 million (In 2011 $US) in response to Clamorgan's land claims. Clamorgan refused to accept the money. Due to Clamorgan's power in the region he was given a seat in the Court of Quarter Sessions, a governmental body that existed for St. Louis composed of Judicial, Executive and Legislative powers.
