Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-02


action commenced. Gen. Cass volunteered his
services, together with Commodore Perry, TO as
sist Gen. Harrison; and al The moment OF The
charge OF Col Johnson's regiment, which decided
the tate Of The day. General Cass took position
with The right wing OF il commanded by Lieut.
Colonel Johnson, and accompanied il in its
charge upon the British line. II was danger
Gus experiment TO charge line OF disciplined
British soldiers by undisciplined mounted Amer
leans; bot valor supplied The place Of discipline;
and, Notwithstanding The resistance that brave re-
gimenl broke through the line, and instantly The
enemy was thrown into confusion, and threw
down their arms, happy 10 escape with their
lives. The British General, Proctor, fed almost
al the commencement OF the action, and was pur-
sued BY General Cass, with detachment, Tor
some miles but could not be oveTtaken.
Ii is well known, that in this important battle
General Cas- bore prominent part, fully shar-
ing in The exposure and dangers OF the conflict
An eyewitness writing some twelve years since,
says:
Cas-, Of the northwestern army, commanded by
Harrison and Shelby He was conspicuous al
the landing ct Inc troops upon the Canada shore,
below Maiden on the 9th OF September, and
conspicuous al the battle OF the Thames, as The
volunteer aid OF the commanding general.
saw him in the midst of The battle, in the deep
woods upon the banks of The Tha mes, during The
roar and clansor OF FIRE arms, and savage yells
of the enemy. Then was green youth o. Sc
veneen, and a volunteer from Kentucky"
Gen. Harrison, in his report of The battle of the
Thames, dated October 9, 1913, says:
IL have already stated, that Gen. Ca.s and
Commodore Perry assisted me in forming the
troops for the action. The former is an officer
Of the highest promise, and the appearance OF The
brave Commodore cheeIed and animated every
breast"
The Baulc OF The Thames terminated the
Northwestern campaign and put an end 10 the
war in that quarter, but not 10 the difficulties or
importance OF The command. The U. States be.
ing once more in the possession OF the Territory
OF Michigan and OF The province OF Upper Ca
NADIA, Gen. Cass was assigned, temporarily, the
command of the district, and Gen. Harrison with
drew with kis army. On The 9ih Of October,
1913, he was appointed by President Madison
govelnor of Michigan, al that time one OF the
most important civil offices within The gift OF the
Executive. He was The civil as we'll as military
governor OF large territory, having many hun
dred miles oil exposed frontier, filled and almost
surrounded with numerous tribes Of hostile In
dams, iE The pay OF The British government, and
constantly excited to ac!s CT hostility BY British
agents.
As proof OF The detenceless stale OF the coun.
try, il may be mentioned, that incur.ions were
made by the indians, and some persons made
prisoners, and others killed within sigh, Of the
town OF Detroit, and three expeditions OF mount
ed militia, hastily collected, were led by Govern
or Cass in pursuit OF the Indians and some Of
them we're killed within hearing OF the town.
A single incident will show the nature OF
these excursions in the forests in pursuit Of he
nd rh, rnl. ,,,,
mediatelv in his rear, had u personal rencon,re
with an Indian who started FROM behind a Tree,
and having discharged his rifle, attacked him
with the but end, and was killed AFTER a short
conflict.
Bnl peace came 10 put an end 10 this Stale OF
things. The executive power OF the Territory
was aimos, unli mite, and the legislative power
was IN The hands Of The governor and judges IN
Ill lSi9 That Governor Cass performed well
mis- highly imp )ranl and delicate duties, the
whole BODY oil The people of Michigan will bear
US witness; and lhs fact u his having been seven
times nominated by four successive Presidents
and seven times confirmed by the Senate, with
out single vote against him in that body, or a
single representation against him from the PEG
pie over whom he presided state Of things un.
erampled in The history OF our territorial govern
menls-is sufficient proof of The wisdom Of hi:
administration.
In the discharge of his duties as Superintend.
ent of Indian Affairs, Governor Cass was called
upon TO enter into many negotiations with the
Indian tribes, and often un.er circumstances Of
great peril and responsibility. He formed
twenty enc treaties with them, and extinguished
their title to nearly on. hundred millions OIL
acre, Of land-a vast domain acquired for the
United States, but upon terms so just and salts
Sha Id tkat ali
ever made BY them upon the subject
There are two incidents connected with the
formation Of these treaties, which strongly il.
lustrate Governor Casss judgment and decision
Of character. In the expedition of 1920, il
became hi. duty 10 inform tn. Indians at Sault
de Ste. Marie Of the intention Of our Govern.
ment TO establish military post there, and to
fix upon the site for the same. / he Chief OF
the tribe was openly opposed to the United
States, and in the pay of the British Govern
ment. In consequence Of this, they heard the
intention of Governor Cass with apparent ill.
will, and broke up the councils with the most
hostile feeling On returning TO their encamp-
ment they removed their women and children
into Canada; and having prepared themselves
for battle, raised The British Gag, as token Of
defiance. Governor Cas- had but small de-
tachment of soldiers with him, while the In.
dams numbered eight hundred warriors. Uns
accompanied, except BY his interpreter, he ad
vanced directly into their midst, and with hi
own hands pulled down the flag, trampei it un
der his feet, and afterwards burned it, ordering
the interpreter to inform the Indians that "ihey
were within the Jurisdic ion of the United
States, and that no other flag than theirs could
be permitted to wave over it." The moral
influence Of this bold act had the desired
effect the Indians returned the next day
10 the council, and the treaty was conclu.
ded, without any further threats or insults
On arriving a; Green bay, in 1927, for the pur-
pose of forming treaty. Gov. Cas- found that the
Winnebago Indians had no! yet come in; and as
the object OF The treaty was 10 settle difficulties
among some OF the tribes The nun-appearance Of
the Winnebagoes was an evidence OF their de-
sire for war rather than peace He immediate.
ly re embarked on board bis birch canoe, for their
camping ground, 10 prevent any hosiilities, and
TO bring them 10 the treaty ground. de rapidly
pursued hi. voyage up the Fox river, across the
portage, and down the Wisconsin, 10 The place Of
sncampmeai Taking with him only his inter
prefer, he went up 10 the encampmeni, where he
found them in warise mood and determined no,
TO treat. Threats and entreaies were alike un-
awaiting with this eIaspera,ed tribe. tie lett
them, aud returned to his canoe As ne turned
10 20 TO The river, young warrior raised his gun,
and taking deliberate aim al him, pulled the
trigger; but providen,ia!lY. the gun missed hre
This is the only instance OF violence ever offered
to him during The long period OF bis intercourse
with The Indians. He proceeded Immediately 10
Prairie Gu Chen, where he organized The inha-
oiian,s, aud placed them in condition oil de.
ishce, and returned 10 the treaty ground. By ms
promi, and energetic movements, he prevented
extensive hosiilies, the enc OF which no man
could know.
In 1881, General Cass was called by General
jackson 10 lake charge of The War Department,
ami his removal from Michigan Territory was
marked BY universal expression OF regret. His
colleagues 10 the cabinet were Mr.. Livingston,
Mr.. McLane, Mr.. Woodbury., and Mr.. fancy
men who possessed the confidence Of the Presi.
dent, and soon acquired that OF the counlry. The
characteristic traits Of General Jaekson's admin
lstratIon have now passsd into history. Ii was
bold, prompt, honest and national II sought no