Fifty years of public life. The life and times of Lewis Cass

Preface

The following pages contain the life of an eminent citizen of the Kepublic. The compiler's object has been to present him, as he moved along, from point to point, in his own thoughts and actions.

Most of General Cass's time has been passed in public occupation; and, hence, the propriety of bringing out this work during his life-time.

It is believed that no topic of public concermnent, for fifty years past, has been introduced, upon which General Cass has not expressed his views. In most instances, official position required him to do so. Readers may diifer as to the value of these views; but all will concede that his history would be imperfect without them. To do justice to him, the compiler, in some instances, has presented his entire argument — especially upon the British claim to the right of visitation and search.

Questions of the most exciting character have arisen, to which General Cass was necessarily a party. lie never shrinked from his just responsibility: but, in so doing, he has often been criticised, and his opinions and actions, sometimes, roughly assailed. In this compilation^ the writer has not avoided these points.

IV PREFACE.

Without intention to open afresh any wound that time may have healed, events, as they occurred, have been impartially given.

In short, the intention has been, to give a true and unreserved record of the life and times of a man, who has made his way through the world and attained a lofty position in its annals, unaided by the influence of family or wealth, indebted solely to his own judicious efforts and native abilities : thus furnishing another example in proof of the priceless goodness of a government that diffuses its blessings upon all alike, the low as well as the high — the poor as well as the rich.

Chapter I

Introductory — Birth of Mr. Cass — His Ancestors — His Father in the Wars — His Parents Emigrate to Ohio — Mr. Cass's Education — Exeter Academy — A Test of his Disposition — The Everetts and Daniel Webster — His Health and Amusements — Dependent upon his own Resources — Goes South — His Residence iu Delaware — School Teaching — Success — Views of Slavery — Crossing the AUeghanies — Stops at Marietta — Acquaintance with Judge Meigs — Reads Law — Mr. Baccus — Admission to the Bar — Professional Life — His Marriage — Blcnnerhassett — Aaron Burr — Elected Member of Legislature — Burr's Conspiracy — Mr. Cass's Action — Mr. Graham — President Jefferson — Mr. Cass appointed Marshal — His Success as an Advocate — His Politics — An Important Question — Impeachment of Judges — Mr. Cass's Argument, 13

Chapter II

Indian Confederacy — Tecumseh and the Projihet — Relations between the United States and Great Britain — Gov. Meigs's Proclamation — War of 1812 — Mr. Cass's Views — Volunteers his Services — Commissioned Colonel — His Speech to the Troops at Dayton — Its Effect — General Hull — Plan of the Campaign — Rendezvous at Urbana — March to the Maumee — Hardships and Trials — Declaration of War — Disaster on Lake Erie — Council of War — Col. Cass present — Advises the Invasion of Canada — Disinclination of Gen. Hull — Advice of Col. Cass adopted — Passage of Detroit River — Landing in Canada — Hull's Proclamation — Col. Cass urges prompt movement on Maiden — Hull's Delay — Col. Cass visits Maiden with Flag of Truce— Return to Camp — Leads a Detachment against the Enemy — The Engagement at the Aux Canards — His Heroic Conduct — His Report to Hull— Col. Cass's Courage— Hull's Timidity, 33

Chapter III

Armistice on Ifiagara Frontier— Hull favors the Re-crossing of Detroit River— Col. Cass Remonstrates — Battle of Brownstown — Evacuation of Canada — Engagement in the Woods of Maguaga — Col. Cass volunteers to lead a Detachment

VI CONTENTS.

through the Wilderness to the River Raisin — Gon. Brock's arrival at Sandwich— Summons the American Fort at Detroit — Bombardment — Hull's Surrender — Indignation of Col. Ca8S and the Troops — His return from the River Raisin — Dispositiou to Fight — Breaks his Sword, 41

Chapter IV

Gen. Brock's surprise at his Success — His Report — Col. Cass a Prisoner of War — On his Parole — Interview with Gen. Brock at Maiden — Geu. Hull ordered to Montreal — His Report — Effect of the News — The Ohio Volunteers on Parole — Reach Cleveland — Col. McArthur, senior officer, orders Col. Cass to Washington — Col. Cass departs — Sickness at Martinsburgh — The War Department Informed — Messenger despatched — Col. Cass reaches Washington — His Official Letter — Hia Return to Marietta — His Conduct — Opposition to his Report — Mr. Rush — Col. Cass's Letter to the Editor of the National Intelligeucer — Mr. Eustis — His Clerk — False Impressions, 48

Chapter V

Action of War Department — Of Congress — General Assembly of Ohio — Confidence in Col. Cass — Colonel in U. S. Army — Raises a Regiment — Elected Major General of the Militia — Appointed Brigadier General in U. S. Army — Joins the Army, under Gen. Harrison at Seneca Town — Ardor of his Command — Gen. Harrison's Confidence in him — The Enemy at Lower Sandusky — Major Croghan — His Gallant Defence — Artifice of the British Officers — Gen. Harrison marches to Sandusky — Perry's Victory — Embarkation on Lake Erie — Harrison assigns Command of the debarkation to Gen. Cass — Arrival at Maiden — Proctor's Retreat — Council of War — Pursuit of Proctor — Battle of the Thames — Defeat and Flight of Proctor — Pursued by Gen. Cass — Harrison's Testimony to Gen. Cass's Personal Exertions — His Bravery, 66

Chapter VI

Gen. Cass in Command of the North-western Frontier — Fixes his Head Quarters at Detroit — Letter from Gov. Meig.s— Surprise of Gen. Cass— Appointed Governor of the Territory of Michigan— Acceptance— Resigns the Office of Marslial— Summoned to Albany as a Witness on Hull's Trial— His Journey — Cuts open the Mail Bags — Reports the Burning of Bufiiilo, from Cold Spring— Incident at the Genesee River, near Rochester— Arrival at Albany— His Testimony— The Charges—Sentence of the Court Martial — President's Action — An Examination of the Trial, its Proceedings, and Hull's Defence — His ImbeciUty, 81

Chapter VII

Gen. Cass returns to Detroit— Situation of the Fortress— Resigns the Command of Brigadier General— Superintendent of Indian Affairs— His Policy— Appointed Commissioner to Treat with the Indians— Holds a Treaty at Greenville— Sur-

CONTENTS. Vll

rounded by Five Thousand Indians — Their Threats — His Intrepidity — The Treaty — Sends Reiuforcements to Gen. Brown — The Inroads of Hostile Indians — He disperses them — His Pet Indians — Colonel James — Correspondencn — • Gen. Cass's rejection of British Interference in the Civil Affairs of Michigan — Treaty of Peace — Removal of his Family to Detroit — British Arrogance — Boarding of American Vessels — Gen. Cass Remonstrates — Its Effect, 97

CHAPTER VITI.

The North-west Territory — Civil Government of Michigan — Land Titles — Condition of Michigan at close of the War — Currency — Extent of the Territory — Gen. Cass feels the Responsibility of his Position — Imputed Frauds on the Indians — How he performed his Duties — Appointed to treat with Ohio Tribes of Indians — Treaty of Fort Meigs — Aversion of the Chiefs to Remove — "Wisdom of Commissioners — Large Cession — Military Road — The detroit Gazette — The People against a Change of Government — Public Survey — Emigration into the Territory — The Six Nations — Gen. Cass's views of the duties of an Indian Commissioner — Negotiates a Treaty at St. Mary's — Council at Saginaw — His Popularity with the Indians — Election of Delegate to Congress — Its Benefits, 106

Chapter IX

Gen. Cass's Indian Superintendency Extended — His views of Governmental Policy — He recommends a Peaceful Expedition into the Superior Country — His Letter to Secretary of War — The Secretary's Reply — Expedition — Plaster of Paris Discovered — His Letter upon the Subject — Ordered to Procure Cessions of Land at Sault St. Marie — Departure of Expedition — Arrival at the Sault — Indian Council — Gen. Cass's Fearlessness — His Success — Journey to the Sources of the Mississippi — Return — Report to the War Department, 117

Chapter X

Progress of Settlement — Land Sales — Gen. Cass's Purchase — Scarcity of Roads — Public Surveys — The Population of Michigan — Extinguishment of Indian Title — His Journey to Chicago — Treaty with the Indians — He prohibits the Use of Whisky — The Pardoning Power — New Counties — Public Conveyances — Travelers — He recommends a Change of Government — Legislative Council, 141

Chapter XI

First Session of Legislative Council — Gen. Cass Delivers his Message — His recom - mendations — His views of Political Power — Of Schools and Education — The Copper Mines — Treaty with the Chlppewas — Council of Prairie du Chien — Gen. Cass's Prudence and Tact — The Gopher — Hunter's Narrative — Its Exposure — The Customs and Traits of the Indians — Their Language, Religion, and Depopulation — Gen. Cass's Description, 143

VUl CONTENTS.

Chapter XII

The Year 1826— Gen. Cass again traverses the Lakes— Holds an Indian Council at Fon Du Lac— Indians Appear with the British Flag— A Treatj^ Concluded— Repairs to the Wabash — In Council with Pottawatomies and Miamies — His Speech to them— Concludes Treaties— The Legislature— Territorial Boundaries— The Message— Accountability of Public Officers— Qualifications Requisite- Democratic Tone of his Messages, 174

Chapter XIII

Another Negotiation with the Indians — Journey to Lake Winnebago — Hostile Feeling among the Winnebagoes — Descends the Wisconsin River — Personal Danger at an Indian Village — Providential Escape — Attack on the Miners— War Messages — Gen. Cass organizes the Miners for Defence — Alai'm at Fever River — He hastens to St. Louis — Gen. Wilkeson orders on Troops — Rapidity of Gen. Cass's Movements — Arrival at Green Bay — Treaty of Butte De Morts — Singular Occurrence — Cause of Indian Difficulties — British Agents — The North American Re- " view — Article of Geu. Cass, 185

Chapter XIV

Effect of the Article in the Review — The Lake Communication — Gen. Cass's Literary Efforts — Treaty of Green Bay — His Labors — Historical Society of Detroit — His Address — Hamilton College — Oration before the Alumni — Degree of LL. D. 207

Chapter XV

Gen. Cass resigns the Office of Governor — President Jackson invites Gen. Cass to the Head of the War Department — His Acceptance — Public Demonstration at Detroit — Address of Major Biddle in behalf of People of Michigan — The Reply — The Congratulations, 031

Chapter XVI

Gen. Ca.ss assumes the Duties of Secretary of War — The Cabinet — Reforms Introduced — His Family — His Indian Policy — His First Report — Indian Difficulties in Georgia — Gen. Cass reviews the Decision of the Supreme Court — Its Influence, 239

Chapter XVII

Black Hawk War — Peace — Treaties of Cession with the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes — Gen. Cass's efforts to effect Reforms in the Army — The United States Bank— Nullification— Letters to Gen. Scott — The Action of South Cii-olina — Letter to Mr. Ritchie— The Virginia Legislature — The Mission of Mr. Leigh— The Happy Termination, 263

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter XVIII

Gen. Cass calls the attention of Congress to Intemperance in the Army — Richard M. Johnson moves formation of National Temperance Association — State of Society in Washington — Gen. Cass invited to deliver an Address in the Capitol — Accepts — Extracts from the Address — Entire Interdiction — Gen. Jackson Reinaugurated — Gen. Cass ofFtirs to Vacate — Gen. Jackson refuses Permission — The Alabama Trouble— Letters, 276

Chapter XIX

Removal of theDeposites — Popularity of the Administration — Mr. Clay's Resolutions — Their Effect on Gen. Jackson's Mind — The American Historical Society — Gen. Cass delivers an Oration — Extracts — The Auditory — Their Feelings on the Occasion, 283

Chapter XX

The Florida "War — Its Origin — Its Conduct, ■whilst Gen. Cass was Secretary of "War — An Examination of Testimony given before a Military Court of Inquiry at Frederick 296

Chapter XXI

Battle of New Orleans — Intimacy between Gen. Jackson and Gen. Cass — The Latter at the Request of the Former prepares an Authentic Account of the Battle — Appears in the Democratic Review — Defences of the Country — Gen. Cass's Report on the Subject, 314

Chapter XXII

Gen. Cass's Health — Desire to leave the Cabinet — Accepts the French Mission — Voyage across the Atlantic — Reception at the Court of St. Cloud — Gen. Cass as a Diplomatist — His Duties — His Memoranda of Court Customs — French Life — An Emeute — French Manners — French Knowledge, 323

CHAPTER XXni.

Gen. Cass visits Italy — Greece — Egypt — Syria— His Tour — His Memoranda — General Reflections — His return to Paris, 337

Chapter XXIV

Gen. Cass resumes his Official Duties — His Position at Court — Intimacy with the King — Jealousy of England — His Memoranda Relative to Louis Philippe, his Court and Government — The Reasons for Publication — Charges made against Gen. Cass Examined— Their Refutation, 374

Disappointment of England — The Washington Treaty — Gen. Cass resigns his Mission — The Correspondence — England's Construction of the Treaty, 435

Chapter XXIX

Gen. Cass retires from the French Court — Public Dinner — Arrival at Boston — Enthusiasm of the People — Tlieir Address to Gen. Cass — Arrival at New York — Public Demonstration — Letter of Mr. Dickerson — Gen. Cass's Reply — The Public Press — Arrival at Washington — Tour to Detroit — Reception at Home,.. 481

Chapter XXX

Private Aflfiiirs — Gen. Cass's Pecuniary Troubles — His Wish — Named for the Presidency — Letter to the Indiana Committee — The Cincinnati Meeting — Gen. Jacksou's Letter, 488

Chapter XXXI

Gen. Cass delivers an Oration at Fort Wayne — The Celebration — Preparations for the Presidential Election — The Candidates — The Texas Question — Gen. Cass's Views — The National Democratic Convention of 1844 — Letter of Gen. Cass to the Delegates from Michigan — The Whig Convention — The Democratic Ticket- Support of Gen. Cass— The Result, 496

Harbor Appropriations — Views of Gen. Cass — The Chicago Convention — The Famous Letter- Gen. Cass's Official Acts for Harbor and other Public Improvements- His Speeches and Votes — His Vindication, 619

Chapter XXXVII

Foreign Governments — Gen. Cass's Sympathies with the King-ridden People — Austiian Intercourse — Gen. Cass favors Suspension — Extracts from his Speech — Ireland — The Distress of the People — Gen. Cass moves an Appropriation in their behalf — His Relations with Mr. Polk's Administration — Yucatan, 637

Chapter Xxxviii

The Baltimore Convention of 1848 — The New York Difficulties — Gen. Cass again Named for the Presidency — His Nomination — Resigns his Senatorship — The Canvass before the People— The Buffalo Convention— The Clay Letter of 1825— The Result, 648

Chapter XXXIX

Re-election to the Senatorship — Gen. Cass proceeds to Washington — Reception in New York City — Campbell P. White and others Address him — Invited to a Public Dinner — His Letter of Declension — In the Senate again — Wilmot Proviso — Instructed to vote for it — Declines — Instruction repealed — Gen. Cass's Motives Impugned — Charged witli Inconsistency — The Refutation, 662

Xll CONTENTS.

Chapter XL

The Compromise Measures — Committee of Thirteen — The Report — The Debate— The Union Party, * 694

CHAPTEE XLI.

Opposition to the Compromise Measures — California — Public Meeting in New York — Gen. Cass Present — What he said to the People — How they received it — Re-elected Senator for Six Years, 709

Chapter XLII

Gen. Cass again at his Post — Preparations for another Presidential Contest — Gen. Cass a Candidate — His Friends — The Nominating Canvass — Baltimore Convention—The Result— The Cuban Question— The Views of Gen. Cass, 717

Chapter XLIII

President Pierce — His Inaugural — The Nebraska-Kansas Bill — Gen. Cass's Position, Views, and Votes — The attack of Col. Benton — Gen. Cass repels it— His Speech —Extracts, 727