Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-06-09
TERMS, % SO i'm advance.
WHOLE NO. 1913.

ment TO establish a military post there, and 70
fix upon the site for the saline. The chief of
the tribe was openly opposed to the United
States, and in pay of the British government.
In consequence of this, they heard the inten-
!, ton of Gov. Cass with apparent ill-will, and
broke tip the councils, with the most hostile
feeling On returning TO their encampment
they removed their women and children into
Canada; and having prepared themselves for
battle, raised the British flag, as a token OF
defiance. Gov. Cass had but a small detach-
ment of soldiers with him, while the Indians
numbered 500 warriors. Unaccompanied,
except by his Interpreter, he advanced direct
ly into their midst, and with his own hands
pulled down the flag, trampled it under his
feet, and afterwards burned it, ordering the iR-
terpreter to inform the Indians that " they
were within the jurisdiction of the U States,
and that no other flag than theirs could be per-
mltted to wave over it." The moral influence
of this bold Get had the desired effect the In
dams returned the next day to the council, and
the treaty was concluded, without any further
threats or insults
On arriving at Green Bay, in 1927, for the
purpose OF forming treaty, Governor Cass
found that the Winnebago Indians had not yet
come IN; and as the object of the treaty Was
to settle difficulties among some of the tribes,
the non-appearance of the Winnebagoes was
an evidence of their desire for war rather than
peace. He lmme iiately re- embarked on board
his birch canoe, for their camping ground, to
prevent any hostilities, and to bring them TO
the treaty ground. He rapidly pursued his
voyage up the Fox river, across the Portage,
and down the Wisconsin, to the place of en-
campment. Taking with him only his inter-
| no TO tba 11-ho
he found them in warlke mood, and determin-
ed not to treat. Threats and entreates were
alike unavailing with this exasperated tribe
He left them and returned to his canoe. AS
he turned to 60 to the river, young warrior
raised his gun, and taking deliberate aim at
him, pulled the trigger; hut providentially the
gun missed fire. This Is the only instance of
violence ever offered to him during the long
period of his intercourse with the Indians
He proceeded Immediately to Prairie du Chen,
where he organized the inhabitants and placed
them in a condition of defence, and returned to
the treaty ground. By his prompt and ener-
getic movements he prevented extensive hos
tilities, the end of which no man could know.
In 1881, Genl Cass was called by General
Jackson TO take charge of the War Depart
ment, and his removal from Michigan Terrific
ry was marked by universal expression of
regret His colleagues in the cabinet were
Mr.. Livingston, Mr.. McLane, Mr. Woodbury.,
and Mr.. Taney-men who possessed the con-
tidence of the President, and soon acquired
that of the country. The characteristic traits
of Gen Jackson's administration have now
passed into history 1t was bold, prompt, hon
est, and national. 1t sought no dangerous
constructive powers, and it endeavored care
fully to exercise those of which it was the
trustee for the American confederation. The
great questions of the bank, of the removal OF
the depOsites, of notification, OF the French
indemnity, and of the Creek and Cherokee
ditficulties-three of which involved delicate
points connected with State rights-occupied
its attention, and were all happily disposed of
Few, if any, now call in question the wisdom
of Gen. Jackson's course upon these important
subjects, though it is difficult now to realize
the intense anxiety they excited, and the mo-
mentous consequences which hung upon their
decision SO far as the War Department ne
cessarily took any immediate course in these
questions, it was prompt and energetic, and
met with the appreciation of the country. AT
the portentdus period of notification, the mil
itary orders were firm, but discreet, and it ap.
peared by message from the President, in
answer TO call upon that subject, that no or
der had been at any time giUen to "res'St the
constituted authorities of the State of South
Carolina, arittin the chartered limits Of said
State" The orders to Gen. Scott informed
him that; " should, unfortunately, a crisis a.
rise when the ordinary po1Ger IN tie hands of
the ciuii officers should not be sufficient for the
execution of the ld1Us, the President 1rould de-
termine the course to be taken, and the measures
to be adopted till then he aras prohibited from
acting"
The same caution marked the order to the
troops when there seemed to be danger of a
collision with the authorities of Alabama, ari-
sing out of occurrences upon the lands Of the
United States in that State. In proof of this,
we quote the following extract OF letter from
the War Department, written by Governor
Cass to Major Mcintosh, and dated October
90, 1893:
SIR: Your letter of the 21st instant TO
Major General Malcomb has been laid before
me, and, in answer, have to inform you that
you will interpose no obstacle 10 the service
of legal process upon any officer or soldier I'M
der your command, whether issuing from the
courts of the State of Alabama or of the Uni
ted States. On the contrary, you will give all
necessary facilities to the execution of such
process. 1t is not the intention of the Pres.
dent that any part of the military force OF the
with the civil authority. In all questions of
jurisdiction it is the duty of the former TO sub
NIT to the latter, and no consideration must
interfere with that duty IT, therefore, an Of
fcer of the State, or of the United States, come
with legal process against yourself, or an Off
Ger or soldier of your garrison. you will freely
admit him within your post, and allow him to
execute his writ undsturbed."
In 1886, Gen Cass was appointed Minister
as Secretary of War. On retiring from the
Department he received letter from General
Jackson expressing warm personal feeling TO
wards him, and commenting his whole official
conduct. He sailed from New York IN the
month of October AS diplomatic relations
had not been fully re-establishel with France,
he was directed to proceed TO Eng land. and
there ascertain the views OF the French gov
eminent He found that French Minister
had been appointed to this country, and he i'm
mediately repaired to Paris and took up hi.
residence there After his recognition, his
first official duty was TO procure the interest
due upon the twenty five millions of francs
indemnity, which had been retained when the
principal was paid. After some hesitation tins
was effected and thus this great controversy
which at one time threatened such grave con-
sequences, was happily closed.
In 1887, Gen. Cass made tour to the east.
He visited Italy, Sicily. Malta, Greece the Is,
lands of the Archipelago, Constantlnople, and
the Black Sea, Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.
He was at Florence. Rome, Palermo, Athens,
C..h EIouSia SalamiS and the hattie fields