The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-10


sagaey and sound judgment. however which have al
ways marked the conduct OF General Cass he purchased
about 1913 or lsi4, two adjoining small French farms,
which Detroit became in part located and it from
the rapid increase OF the town, and the consequent rise
IN the value OF the land that he principally derived his
fortune which, however, has been and is greatly
| estimated. Uf
ed. II is charged that General Cass improperly and per-
tinacously claimed and allowed. large amounts as
extra compensation, for services superintendent OF In
han affairs while holding the office and receiving the
alay of governor amounting. according to some state
nens 10 100000 and according to one, in speech
of honorable member of the House of Representatives
from Pennsy lvania, to $6o,4l2.
3D. That amounts claimed by Gen. Cass were disaow-
ed by Mr. Calhoun, when Secretary of War but which,
when Gen. C. appointed TO that position by Gen.
| Jackson, he allowed and paid to himself.
The efforts made in these and similar charges in rela-
ton to the same NATTER to njure honorable and high
minded man. merely because he is the chosen candidate
of an opposing political party have seldom been equaled
in magnty of spirit and INSCRIPTIONS perverson Of
truth But. from the intelligence and magnanimity of
the American people, such wilful and wanon attempts
imposition invariably recol upon their bareiaced and
orable gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr Andrew
Sewart who has been referred and who has achieved
unenviable notorety, second only that of his ell
ustrous predecessor" the late Mr.. Ogle, they have
been proven before the House of Representatives by the
Hon. Mr. McCelland of Michigan to be not only tissue
of gross errors but some particulars, direct misquo
tation and classification of the public records 1t is
only necessary read the able and conclusive speech
r ~ ILL L. 4 Al
,ce has been done to Gen. Cass, and that the slight
est reliance is to be placed in the statements put forth by
the wing papers and orators in regard to the subject
der consideration Strange it may appear the mate
rial upon which these misrepresentation based is
drawn from public documents printed by order of Con-
grsss, slight examination of which by any one will
show the gross that have been committed These
documents those numbered 10 and 2i4 of the House
Of Representatives, Sd session 25h Congress, and
Der G, Sd session 9th Congress-; and they contain
ments OF all the allowances made to Gen Cas- AS super
ntendent of Indian affairs, while governor of Michigan
They of the Secretary OF War and the &C
counting officers to calls Of Congress for statements of
the allowances Of various kinds made various classes
of public officers, and which, far General Cass
concerned, embrace very nearly the same information
Thus the items and amounts in his case, contained in
document pa, and those in document 6, except the
extent of $l27l2, only repetons of the same that
are included in document la. is is clearly shown by
the documents themselves and yet the papable imposi-
ton is attempted to make it appear that they relate to
and embrace distinct and different items and amo UNITS
and the latter have been adroity combined together in
order to make up the large represented have been
received by Gen. Cass. and the language Of the items al
tered for the purpose of carrying out the deception
Gen. Cass reluctantly relnquished the prospect of an
honorable military career, for which he had shown him
self to be emneny qualified, and accepted the unsolici
ted appointment of governor of Michigan, under circum-
stances the most trying and difficult those well know
who acquainted with the state of affairs on our north
western frontier at the time The Territory was almost
without law organization; its exhausted BY
the war the condition and prospects OF its white nhab
depressed and unpromisng and the great portion
the numerous bodies of Indians in that quarter restless
Disconnected and hostile. To'conduc the affairs of the
Territory under circumstances ADVERSE TO bring about
good understanding and organization among its in
habants, with view to their safety, welfare and pros
pery; and to keep the treacherous Indian population in
check-ncited to discomfort and hostility. as it was by
the agents of the British government and Hudson Bay
Company-required no ordinary ability, judgment, and
energy But fortunately for the country, Gen. Cass was
the man for the times He met the various trying emer
gencies in which he placed with promptness deci.
sion, and success Under his sway peace preserved
though almost beyond hope law and order established
and the Territory rapidly advanced in population re.
sources, and prosperity The measures which led to
these results he accomplished almost single handed for
il may be said with truth that for considerable period
he in fact himself the upon that then re-
mote fronter and his efficient and successful admin.
straon of affairs in that quarter may be mainly arbu
ted the early and sweeping tide of emigration and rapid
increase Of population in the northwest which has now
become sufficient for empire.
In addition to his duties governor General Cass was
by law o0ico superintendent of Indian affairs within
the territorial organization which extended over less ter
rory than is embraced in the State for which SER
vices salary allowed and at first no provision
made for the heavy and necessary expenses TO which
he subjected Detroit was the great place of resort
for all the Indians in that quarter, well from Canada
as from own territory, who had complaints to make,
favors to ask. or curiosity to crafty. AS a matter
of policy, il not of necessity they had to be- and al
ways treated kindly Presents of tobacco and other
articles had to be made to hem and they had frequently
10 be ed-all OF which Gen, Cass had to do at his own
cost as there allowance by the general govern
ment for these uncertain and incidental expenses His
own house was frequently overrun and his family driven
from part of it to another, by Indians visiting him
In addition these he r;I,e