The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-28

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place OF discipline; and notwithstanding the resistance,
that brave regiment broke through the line, and instantly
the enemy was thrown into confusion, and threw down
their happy to escape with their lives. The British
general Proctor fled almost the OF the
action, and was pursued by General Cass, with de-
tachment, for miles, but could not be overaken.
1t is well KNOWN that IN this important battle General
Cass bore prominent part fully sharing IN the expo
sure and dangers of the conflict An eyewitness,
writing some twelve years since, says
SIN the of 1873 well recolect General Cass OF
the northwestern army, commanded by Harrison and
shelby lie was conspicuous at the landing Of the troops
upon the Canada shore, below Maiden the 9Th OF Sep
ember, and conspicuous the battle of the Thames
the volunteer id of the commanding general saw him
the midst of the battle, in deep woods upon the
banks of the Thames during the and clansor OF fire
arms, and savage yes OF the enemy Then was green
General Harrison, in his report oil the battle OF the
Thames, dated October o, 1913, says
81 have already stated that General Cass and Conmo
dore Perry assisted in forming the troops for the action
The former officer of the highest promise and the APP
peaance of the brave Commodore chcered and animated
The battle of the Thames terminated the Northwestern
campaign and put end to the in that quarter, but
not to the difficulties or importance OF the command
The United States being once more in the possession OF
the Territory Of Michigan, and of the province OF Upper
Canada, General Cass assigned, temporarily the
command of the district and General Harrison withdrew
with his army. On the 9th OF October 1919, he APP
pointed by President Madison governor of Michigan al
that time of the most important civil offices within
the gilt OF the Executive lie was the civil as well as
military governor OF large territory having many hun
ded miles OF exposed frontier filled and almost surround
ed with numerous tribes of hostile Indians in the pay of
the British government and constantly excited to acts OF
hostility by British agents
AS proof of the defencelesa of the country it
may be mentioned, that ncursons made by the In
dans, and per made prisoners, aud others kill
ed within sight oil the town OF Detroit and three exped
tons of mounted militia hastily collected led by
Governor Cass in pursuit of the Indians, and of
them were killed within hearing of the town.
single incident will show the nature of these
sions in the forests in pursuit of the Indians General
Casss servant, who rode Immediately IN his had
al Ind rh1a ho
hind tree and having discharged his rifle, attacked him
with the but-end and killed after short conflict.
But peace came to put end to this state of things
The executive power of the Territory was almost un
limited and the legislative power in the hands OF the
governor and Judges until 1919. That Governor Cass
performed well ms highly important and delicate duties
witness and the fact of his having been seven times
nominated by four successive Presidents and times
confirmed by the Senate without single vote against
him in that body, or single representation against
him from the people whom he presdeda state of
things uneXamped IN the history OF territorial gov
ernmentsis sufficient proof OF the wisdom OF his ad
mnisraton.
Ia the discharge OF his duties as Superintendent of In
dian Affairs Governor Cass called upon 10 enter into
many negotiations with the Indian tribes and often
der circumstances of great peril and responsibility He
formed wentyone treaties with them and exhngushed
their title to nearly one hundred millions Of acres OF
landa domain acquired for the United States, but
upon terms just and satisfactory to the Indians that
complaint was ever made by them upon the subject
of these treaties, which strongly illustrate Governor Casss
Judgment and decision of character In the expedition of
1920, became his duty to inform the Indians at Sau de
Ste Marie of the intention of government TO estab
sh military post there and to fix upon the site Tor the
same The chief of the tribe openly opposed to the
United States, and in the pay OF the British government
In consequence of this, they heard the intention of Gov
Cass with apparent illw and broke up the coun
ellis, with the most hostile feeling On returning to their
encampment, they removed their women and children
into Cana1a and having prepared themselves for battle
raised the British flag, token of defiance Governor
Cass had but small detachment of soldiers with him,
afpI,a ,horat md
accompanied except by his Interpreter, he advanced d.
rectly into their midst, and with his own hands pulled
down the flag trampled it under his feet and afterwards
burned it, ordering the interpreter to inform the In
dams that 'they were within the jurisdiction OF the
United States, and that no other flag than theirs
could be permitted to it." The moral infu-
dams returned the next day to the council, and the treaty
concluded, without any further threats or insults
On arriving at Green bay, 1927 Tor the purpose OF
forming treaty, Governor Cass found that the Wnne
bago Indians had not yet in; and the object of
the treaty was to settle difficulties among some OF the
tribes the appearance OF the Wnnebagoes was an
evidence of their desire for rather than peace He
Immediately reembarked board his birch Canoe for
their camping ground to prevent any hoshties and to
brny them The treaty ground He rapidly pursued his
voyage up the Fox rver across the portage and down
the Wisconsin, to the place of encampment Taking
with him only his interpreter he went up to the encamP
ment, where he found them in warlike mood, and de-
temined to treat Threats and entreaties alike
unavaling with this exasperated tribe He left them,
and returned to his canoe AS he turned to go to the
river young warrior raised his gun, and taking debe
ate at him, pulled the trigger but, providenally
the gun missed fire. This is the only instance OF vlo-
Ience ever offered him during the long period OF his
tercourse with the Indians He proceeded Immediately
to Prairie du Chen, where he organized tie inhabitants,
and placed them condition OF defence, and returned
to the treaty ground By his prompt and energetic move
ments he prevented extensive hosttes the end OF which
no man could know
In 1881, Gen Cass called by Gen. Jackson TO take
charge of the War Department and his removal from
Michigan Territory marked by universal express
sion OF regret. His colleagues in the cabinet were Mr..
Living ston, Mr.. McLane, Mr.. Woodbury., and Mr.. Ia
neymen who possessed the confidence of the President,
and soon acquired that of the country The characteristic
traits of General Jackson's administration have now
passed into history 1t bold, prompt, honest, and
national II sought dangerous constructive powers,
and it cndeavored carefully to exercise those of which it
was the trustee, for the American confederation The
posies of nullcaon of the French indemnify and Of
the Creek and Cherokee ditcues-three of which in
voved delicate points connected with State rghtsoccu-
pied its attention, and were all happily disposed of. Few,
if any, call in question the wisdom OF Gen Jacksons
course upon these important subjects, though is diff
cult realize the intense anxiety they excited, and
the monentous consequences which hung upon their
decision So far the War Department necessarily took
any immediate these qucstlons 1t was prompt
and energetic and met with the appreciation of the
try AT the portentous period of nulitcahon the militia
~ orders were firm but discreet, and ii appeared by
message from the President in answer to call upon that
subject that no order had been at any time g,ren TO
s The constituted authorities Of the State of South Caro-
Ina ,g,tn the chartered iims Of SAID State" The or
ders to Gen Scott informed him that, should, unfortu
ndteiy a CRISIS arise when The ordinary po,er an the
hands of The eipa officers should not DC SUFFICIENT for Me
execution of the iatrs, the President tcoud determine The
no be adOpted. MI