Democratic banner., 1848-06-05

piece was loaded and missed FIRE, or the
act was an empty, but significant tocan OF
is not known.
Pursuing his course down the river, he
reached Prairie du Chen, and found the
there in a state of extreme alarm.
A large boat on the Mississippi had tefn
attacked by a numerous band, and escaped
capture only by a gallant but bloody de-
fence; and a whole family had been muir
dered and scalped, on the skirts of the viii
lage. Having organized the inhabitants IN
the best manner, Cor their own defence,
there being no garrison at the time, he de-
scended the Mississippi to St. Louis, where
the means of defence, were to be obtained
and at his suggestion a large detachment
of United States troops was moved up the
river. in time to prevent further bloodshed.
In the mean time, Gov. CaSs returned to
the bay, in the same Canoe, by the way OF
Illinois and Lake Michigan, having made
a circuit of about eighteen hundred miles
with unprecedented rspidity. His selerity>
of movement, and the alacrity with which
the United States troops seconded his call,
probably averted a war that might have
embraced the who'll north west frontier.-
A negotiation followed, which restored
tranquility. The apparent violence offer
ed to him by the Indians on the Wisconsin,
is the only instance of that nature which
had occurred during his long and intimate
intercourse with the Indians.
In 1928 another treaty was held by him
at Green Bay; and another at st. Joseph's,
by which a session was procured for lndl-
ana. In these various treaties, Gov. Csss
had been instrumental in acquiring for the
United States, and rescuing from the Will
derness, for the great agricultural purposes
of the country, many millions OF acres of
land; and in a manner which ought to leave
no consciousness on his mind, that he has
aggravated the lot of a single tribe ofIndi-
ans.
The first council of Michigan met in
1922. This body relieved the government
Of the territory a more republican FORM
Gov. Cass's messages to the several coun-
ellis, convened under his administration,
were always written in a chaste and digni-
fled stiIe; indeed, all the public documents
that came from his pen, while governor Of
the territory, may be regarded as good
specimens of executive composition, and
exhibit a highly cultivated literary tasts.-
But his literary reputation rests on a broa-
der and more appropriate basis than Lis
gubernatorial writings.
Some time in the year 1925, John Dunn
Hunters narrative appeared, which, al the
I time, attracted much attention, Gov. Cass,
in the course Of his tours through the West
had satisfied himself that this work was an
,imposture. In determining to expose it to
Il the world, his mind was led to dwell on the
ample subject of Indian character, Ian
5 guage, and condition, and he wrote the ar
ticle which appeared in the fftieth number
of the North American Review. The sub
= iect was full of interest, and in a style I'M
? commonly earnest and eloquent; and the
P public was gratifed to find that a theme,
r so interesting and important, had engaged
I the attention of so, cultivated and liberal a
/ mind. Another article of his, presenting
the Aborigines under new aspects appeared
in the fifty fifth number of the same peri
odical. This article, which was altogether
; of a historical and statistical character, at
tracted equal attention with its precursor.
Some time in 1928, a historical society
was formed in Michigan, of which Gov.
Cass was elected the president. He deliv-
cred the first address before it in 1920
This address, embodying the early history
of Michigan, brings it down to the period
when the United States came into possess
ION of it. its publication excited a spirit
ofresearch and inquiry, which has already
produced the most beneficial results.
In 1880, Gov. Cass was invited by the
alumni of Hamilton College, New York, to
deliver an address at their anniversary
t meeting. He accepted the invitation, and
$ in the address which he delivered, display
ed an a~fluence of reading and reflection
D which proved his hsbituAl acquaintance
{ with most Of the departments Of human
knowledge. From that college he subse-
slauently received the honorary degree Of
r L. l.. D. He had previously been admit
{ ted honorary member of the American Phi
s losophical Society. in Philadelphia; of the
New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Indiana
t Historical Societies; of the American Antiq-
: uarian Society, and the Columbian Ins!i-
n ,tute.
In July 1881, having been appointed
Secretary of War BY President Jackson,