The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-09


whose personal character is not only above re-
proach, but who possesses qualities and characteristics
which must commend him most favorably to all ntei-
gent just and impartial minds. Unpreending and frank
in his manners scrupulousy upright and correct in his
principles knowing no essential difference between man
and man, but that which is founded moral principle
and worth, he is emphatcaly man of the people-a
truly republican gentleman. His pure and irreproach
able personal character generally acknowledged
by his political opponents; and we take pleasure COM
mendng the fair and frank spirit in which of
emporaes of opposite politics have done him justice in
this particular There Others however of less magma
nmy and fairness who stand ready adopt and circulate
anything, however sanderous which they think may tend
lessen public confidence in those principles of integrity
and that chivarous honor by which, as public officer
and citizen, General Cass has been acuated and
governed, through all the vicssitudes OF long and
eventful life. Already has story been set foot the
object of which is produce such effect but which is
wholly without foundation.
II is alleged that General Cass preferred large CLAIMS
against the government for extra services supernten
dent OF Indian affairs while governor of Michigan, which
not allowed, but which, when he became Secretary
of War; he himself allowed and caused to be paid-hus
pockeng the large OF about $3.50, OOO* With those at
all acquainted with the character of the man. this bareaced
calumny would excite only contempt for the stupid and
malignant nanow-mindedness which spawned it; and
think proper to notice it only for the purpose of pre-
venting any OF unsuspecting fellow citizens from
being imposed upon, who not well acquainted with
the strict integrity and moral honesty of candidate
For some malicious idle purpose, somewhat SINH
lar story was concoced and circulated against General
n f.
France-the theatre of his great renown the bold
fearless and successful advocate of the freedom of the
and sailors rghs-the defender of honest tars
from the ruthless paw OF the British lion. Aluson be-
ing made to the matter in the House OF Representatives.
the Hon. Henry A. Wise, actuated, it is presumed, by
spirit of magnanmity and fairness towards absent
from his country in her service, well by proper
desire to ascertain whether there any ground for the
statement, submitted resolution, which was passed.
calling for statement of the final settlement of the
counts Of Lewis Cass, late superintendent of Indian af
fairs of the annual salary of said superintendent and OF
any extra compensation, commissions, other aowan-
ces and above his annual salary. which have
been credited allowed to him at the Treasury De-
partment; and at what time, and under what law
or rule of the department. said allowances made
together with any opinion which may have been given
by the Attorney General in regard to said accounts
and allowances" The resolution answered in full
on the 22d January 1885, will be by printed doc
ument No. 1l2 of the House of Representatives. Sd SEES
sion 25th Congress This document afforded complete
and triumphant refuation of the caumny Not single
auson made to the subject after the answer to the
resolution had been examined. AS this document is not
accessible to the most of readers we append with
vDrpl,m ciat &c tbo
shown by it in regard to the matter in hand.
With that almost superhuman knowledge of character,
and that noble appreciation of moral WORTH for which
Gen. Jackson greatly distinguished, he, on the
dissolution of his first cabinet selected Cen Cass solely
on account of his convictions of his ability good
Judgment and integrity to take charge of the War De-
partment, and of his advisers and councillors in
the difficult and arduous duties of the ex
ecutve department OF the government Well and safely
was this responsible trust reposed; and well satisfied
was Gen. Jackson with the choice he had made, as is
evinced in the beautiful and friendly letter which he
wrote to Gen. Cass in July, 1913, and which is con
ained in the sketch of the life and services of
the latter which recently published This sudden
call to high and distinguished position in the gov
eminent of his country took Gen. Cass completely by
surprise; but, ready to meet the requirements OF
public duty, whether in the field of battle against his
,ountrys foes, in the cabinet in the Senate chamber
he promptly repaired to Washington, and entered upon
his new of service This he did before his &C
counts superintendent of Indian affairs could be finally
settled and closed These embraced the sum OF
sl35,624 90, of which he had paid to the various
agents and sub-agens within his superntendency and
lsbursed public account, $l31 749 90, for which he
produced the requisite and proper receipts and vouchers
and received credit the books of the accounting
officers of the Treasury The balance he claimed 'for
extra services in experimenting Indian agencies not in
he Territory Of Michigan, and not belonging to his su
in the years 1929 and $780, and for the
seven first months of the year 1885, at the rate OF
81 500 per annum, amounting to $3,s75" This the
whole amount unsettled in any way connected with
my claim for services superintendent and instead
Of allowing and causing it to be paid to him, he
endorsed on the account thus: In the peculiar position
IN which | now stand with relation to the department
although the charge is not only unexceponabe in ITSELF
but supported by previous decision Of the War Depart
nent, yet am willing it should remain suspended and
not acted till with propriety be decided" The
same allowance had been made to him in previous years
only the decision of the Secretary of War; but on
opinion of the Attorney General (Mr WirtD that he
was entitled to larger amount 1t might therefore, &C
codng to the practice such cases. have been properly
allowed by the accounting officers themselves without
the action of any other higher authority; but, from
scrupulous delcacy, and puncous regard even to an