The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-10

Iueec5oO, ioi SHhoi Sc'iScS ihc See
rotary of War; General p b. Porter, submitted the claim
to the consideration of the Attorney General the upright
and distinguished Mr.. Writ who deciled as follows
81 understand the facts stated in Governor Cass's letter
of the 26h OF November be admitted and, II So eau
perceive ground which hts claim properly be re-
sisted His salary governor is compensation Tor gov
hut the services for which he claims do not belong
TO his duty governor the Michigan Terdoryi and av-
ing been employed by government TO perform these ser
vices, he has fair claim for them the principles oil
qtanfum mera The ftcts conceded his right is undc-
| nabe."
Though this decision covered the whole amount of the
claim, the Secretary of War allowed but Sl0,5Oo being
at the rate of 81 500 per annum for the time embraced in
the account; and that accordingly paid to Gen
Cass. Mr. Calhoun had this claim under consid-
eraon 1t presented long after he left the War De-
partmen; and yet this is the demand which, with a
shameful and wanton disregard of truth and fairness
it is alleged Mr. Calhoun refused to allow and which
General Cass allowed himself when he became Sec
rotary of War. Such vicious and INSCRIPTIONS at
empts to defame upright and honorable man.
who during his whole life has been distinguished
for his strict integrity and elevated moral charac
ter, can only excite the disgust and contempt of all
who have any regard for truth and justice Contin-
uing to perform these heavy and onerous extra duties till
the end OF his service as superintendent OF Indian af
fairs General Cass continued fairly entitled to the al
owance according to the principles and stated by
Mr.. Writ. His account for the amount from 1928 not
having been passed when he became Secretary of War;
he refused to permit il to be acted and allowed while
he held that position, endorsing on il as follows
"In the peculiar position in which stand in rela
ton to the department. although the charge is only
exceptionabe in ITSELF but supported by previous dec
sion of the War Department, yet willing il should
ma suspended. and acted
be decided"
In 1897, year after his leaving the country minis
ter to France, taken up and allowed matter of
course The mere statement of the delicacy and pro-
prety thus manifested by him in this matter is the best
commentary that could be made upon the infamous charge
which has been noticed The whole amount received
by General Cass under this head $l4,375 of which
probably required least onehalf pay the heavy
expenses which he subjected in the performance
of the arduous and difficult duties for which the allow
lowed him in any manner shape, compensation or
emoument for extra services superintendent of In.
dian affairs.
| Notwithstanding General Cass was thus subjected to
the performance of double servce-iirs his legitimate
and legal duties governor of the Territory of Mchi-
gan and o6eio superintendent of Indian affairs within
ANU stCOHu, " anu make ucdVy
disbursements for large number of Indians not within
his superntendency which services required of
him by law-here still other classes of duties
which, with exception, did not pertain to him more
than any other citizen, that at various periods occa-
sion required, be specially appointed called upon
to PERFORM because OF his experience and peculiar fitness
for them For these services allowances made to
him-par as compensation and part as expenses-ac-
cording to the nature and circumstances of the case
These services performed, and expenses incurred al
various periods from 1914 to 1922 shown by one of
the documents referred to-No 6. The services COM
prised principally the negotiation of treaties with most
OF the various tribes of Indians in Ohio Indiana Illinois
Michigan, and the vast, and then UNEMPLOYED, region
north of these States both east and west of the Msss
spp. The object, in cases, to acquire lands
from the Indians for occupation and settlement by our
rapidly advancing and increasing population; and in
Others 10 arrange boundaries, feuds, and difficulties fire
quently of serious and dangerous character between
different tribes In consequence of the preudices of the
Indians, and other counervailing circumstances well
known and understood at the tme these duties were of
very difficult and perplexng nature, and frequently attend
ed with great danger and those acquainted with the facts
and circumstances we'll aware that in most instances
it was in great measure, owing to the tact, experience
sound Judgment and perseverance of Gen. Cass and the
extraordinary influence he possessed over the Indians
that the objects OF the government were eected-in all
of which, sought to be accomplished by him. the die
tates of humanity and benevoence and the obligations
OF public duty towards our Indian population were never
lost sight Of An examination of the various treaties in
which he had agency well of the history Of his
management of Indian affairs generally, cannot but salts
fly the most casual observer of the benevolent and
paternal character of the man, as displayed in all his
dealings with the Indians Stpuatons for their security
and welfare, and for their education and moral elevation
and Improvement stand out conspcuousy in all of the
treaties in which he could prevail upon the Indians to
permit them to be inroluced while the history of his
connexon with the indians OF the northwest shows,
that in all the varied circumstances under which he ex
ercsed control over or was associated with them, he
kept steadily in view the same benevolent and philan
thropc policy and objects 1t is striking fact that
during the long period of his connexon with the Indians
in that section when Indian disturbances and hosties
were rife in other portions of the Union there were no
difficulties or disturbances in that quarter of more
serious character than such as are liable to occur in
newysetted countries, among frontier population
There be doubt that it was, in no slight degree
owing to the wisdom of his measures and to his extra
ordinary energy and influence, that peace and tranquility
preserved in that extensive frontier region for 80
long period. The Black Hawk war, which cost MANY
lives, and large amount of public money! did not