The State guard., 1848-06-27

by four successiue PreeidentS, and apa, each time contfrmed by the Senate scith out c disseating uote. He formed twenty one treaties with the Indians, as Superin. tendent of Indian Affairs, and extinguishet the title to nearly one hundred millions O acres of land, upon terms so just and sat isfactcry to the Indians that no complaint has ever been made by them against him,
 In 1881 he was called by Gen. Jackson to seat in the Cabinet, as Secretary ol War. His colleagues were Livingston Mclean, Woodbury and Fancy. In all the difficult and perplexing questions which arose during the continuance of Gen. Class in the Department of War, his conduct was markedly characteristic promptness and energy.
 1 In 1886 he was appointed Minister to France,i and immediately resigned his place in the Cabinet, on which occasion he received letter from Gen. Jackson, commenting his whole official conduct and expressing toward him warm personal feelings.
 His first official act as Minister was to l procure the interest upon the ''French h. demnity," and though this great controver- sy was settled, which at one time threat ened to disturb the friendly relations of the two Governments.
 In 1S41, the question of the Quintuple treaty arose, in which Gen. Cass acted a conspicuous and efficient part. This lrea- ty Gen. Jackson characterized as "a hea- v intended by Gred Britain 10 change our international iaws, make her mistress of the seas, and destroy tie national indepcn- deuce not only of our country, bm of aH Europe, and enable her 10 become the tyr- ant of ercry ocean," The object of the British Government was to form treaty to which England, France, Russia, Prls- sia and Austria should be parties which, under the pretence of suppressing the slave trade, would, enable her ships of war to search and examine. and ultimate. ly seize the vessels of other nations at her pleasure. This treaty was entered into and Signed by the five powers, be- fore thernature of the treaty was fully un- derstood by the world. Gen Cass prcsen- ted protest against its ratification to the French Government, and published a pamphlet which laid bare the nature and effect of the treaty, which pamphlet was translated into French and German, and circulated extensively upon the Continent. It awakened public attention, and created great excitement, even in England. The organs of the British Government, and the Federal organs at home attacked it, as an unwarrantable interference with the af. fairs. of other nations but the world ap- proved it, and awarded to Gen. Cass a generous approval for his manly defence of the interests of his own Government, and indirectly the interests of every Gov. ernment in Europe not a party to this mar time combination to rule the seas by the law of British cruizers. Gen. Cass was without instructions on this particular question, and his course was therefore pre- dicated upon what he believed to be his daty to his country. This he declared to the French Government, and informed them upon the receipt of despatches from his Government, he would be able to de- clare ''either that my conduct has been approved of by the President, or that my mission is terminated" His course was approved of by the President, and warm- ly approved by the people.
 The French Government gave way and refused to ratify a treaty negotiated under its own direction and signed by its own ministers, and Lord Palmerston, in the House of Lords, subsequently declared that the efforts of the American minister had contributed in great degree to the rejection of the treaty. F
 When tis remembered that this Urea. ty directly involved one ot the most pre- cious rights of the United States--that of sailing the ocean undisturbed in peace, the value of Gen Cass' services in the premises will be appreciated. The con. sumation of the measure would have des- troyed our commerce in the attitudes spe- cifed in the treaty, as every American ship would have been subjected to seizure and confiscation by the summary process known only to British cruisers. For our. selves, we yield to Gen. Cass, for this in- reference, our most cordial and earnest approval. He lacted nobly, boldly, and with a degree of independence which should for this act endear him to every A. American citizen.
 In December ls42, Gen. Cass returned to the United States, and was received by the citizens of New York and Boston with every demonstration of respect. He was everywhere hailed as the champion of "Free trade and Sailor's rights." At New York he was addressed on political questions, to which he fornished brief reply, stating his unshaken adherence to the principles of the democratic party.
 On his route to the West, he was rec eiyed at Harrisburg, Pa., and Columbus, Ohio, by the Governors and Legislatures of those States who came out to meet him. At Detroit the Governor, FLegislature, city authorities and people came out to well come him home, 'sas children welcoming tn ereturn of a. long absent father." F
 On the sth of January, 1s43, he was addressed by committee of the Indiana