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THE FREE PRESS PRINTING HOUSE. 

1866. 
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iHeati) of (General €a00. 



It is our melancholy duty to announce the 
death of one of the most distinguished of 
American statesmen and oldest residents of 
Detroit, Lewis Cass. His long life of useful- 
ness and honor terminated on Sunday mora- 
ine-, June 17th, about four o'clock, death smit- 
ing him at the ripe age of eighty-three. Few 
men succeed in weaving their names with the 
history of their age as intimately as he, and 
fewer still leave to their posterity the legacy 
of such an unblemished fame. In all his 
positions of responsibility, and in all the ex- 
citement of active political life, he preserved 
intact a rare personal integrity, and his remains 
will be placed in the grave, followed by the 
unalloyed esteem of a nation, and amid the 



4 



mournings of an entire people. It is now our 
sorrowful task to chronicle the chief events 
of the life that has ceased — -events familiar to 
every student of American history. 

Lewis Cass was a native of New England, 
having been born at Exeter, New Hampshire, 
on the 9th of October, 1782. His patriotism 
was hereditary — his father, Jonathan Cass, 
having enlisted, at the age of nineteen, in the 
ranks of the Continental Army, and served 
through all the arduous campaigns of the 
Revolution, attaining the position of Captain. 
At this time, so great were the privations of 
the family that his first-born was cradled in a 
common sap trough. At the establishment of 
peace, Captain Cass received a commission in 
the army as major, and was assigned to duty 
under Wayne, in the territory northwest of 
the Ohio river. His family remained at Exeter 
for some time, Lewis, his eldest son, attending 



5 

the academy at that point, and laying the 
foundations of a substantial education. In 
1799 the family removed to Wilmington, Dela- 
ware, where Major Cass was temporarily sta- 
tioned, and where Lewis, then hardly seventeen 
years of age, obtained occupation as a teacher. 
The native common sense of the father led 
him to foresee the coming greatness of the 
Northwest, and he accordingly decided that 
his family should aid the development and 
share the destinies of that vigorous section. 
Soon their faces were turned westward, and, 
traveling partly upon foot and occasionally 
by boat, they reached Marietta, the pioneer 
settlement of southern Ohio, in the month of 
October, 1800. Major Cass soon removed to a 
tract of land granted him by the Government 
for his military services, situated on the Mus- 
kingum river, near the present site of the 
town of Zanesville, and Lewis entered upon 



the study of Irav with Governor Meigs, at 
Marietta. In 1803 he was admitted to the 
bar, being but twenty years of age, and com- 
menced his legal practice immediately at Zanes- 
ville. His abilities as a jurist and pleader 
speedily manifested themselves, built up for 
him a lucrative business, and gave him a wide- 
spread reputation in the thinly settled district 
north of the Ohio. Becoming established in 
his profession, in 1806 Mr. Cass united him- 
self in marriage to a Virginia lady, named 
Elizabeth Spencer, and in the winter of that 
year commenced his public life by taking his 
seat as a member of the Ohio legislature. At 
this moment Aaron Burr, guilty of Hamilton's 
homicide, disappointed in his soaring ambition, 
stained with detestable vices — a genius with- 
out principle, and the Lucifer of American 
statesmen — was employing his brilliant powers 
in maturing that seditious scheme, whose extent 



7 



and design are still elouded in uncertainty, 
and which derived much of its importance 
from the sinister fame of its author. The 
young State of Ohio was one of the chief 
theatres of his incipient operations. This im- 
portant subject elicited several communications 
from President Jefferson to Governor Tiffin, 
of Ohio, which were submitted by the latter 
to the legislature in a special message at the 
commencement of the session. The matter 
was referred to a committee, of which Mr. 
Cass was a member, and he drafted a bill 
embodying the most vigorous and decisive 
provisions for the prompt suppression of the 
would-be treason, which was reported to the 
legislature and passed by them. Under this 
act measures were taken that resulted in the 
summary breaking up of the Ohio branch of 
the conspiracy. The legislature furthermore 
adopted an eloquent and glowing address to 



8 

the President from the pen of Mr. Cass, which 
elicited from Mr. Jefferson a warm reply, and 
gained a place in his esteem for its gifted 
author. Accordingly, in March, 1807, he con- 
ferred upon him the appointment of United 
States Marshal of Ohio. 

During Mr. Cass' incumbency of this office 
the preliminary troubles of the war of 1812 
commenced, and in the latter part of 1812 a 
band of hostile Indians, instigated by British 
emissaries, attacked the American camp on the 
Wabash. Volunteers were called for the de- 
fense of the frontier, and Mr. Cass, one of the 
first at the rendezvous, was chosen colonel of 
the Third Ohio Infantry. In May, 1812, Gen. 
Hull, Governor of the Territory of Michigan, 
was appointed to the command of the Army 
of the Northwest, and immediately joined the 
Ohio militia. Leaving their rendezvous at 
Dayton, the latter soon proceeded to the fron- 



tier settlement of Urbana, and having been 
reinforced by a detachment of regulars, com- 
menced in June their march for Detroit. 
Their route lay through an unexplored wilder- 
ness, teeming with morasses and dense forests. 
Col. Cass' demeanor as a regimental com- 
mander secured for him the love and respect 
of his subordinates, and when, after a month's 
toilsome journeying and terrible hardships, 
the expedition reached Detroit, on the 5th of 
July, he led the finest regiment in the army. 
War had already been declared with Great 
Britain, and on the 12th of July, 1812, Gen. 
Hull invaded Canada. The force under his 
command consisted of the three Ohio regi- 
ments under Cols. Cass, McArthur and Findlay, 
numbering 1200 men, 300 United States 
regulars, and 700 Michigan volunteers. The 
crossing was effected opposite Bloody Run, 
and the first armed man on British soil was 



io 






Col. Cass, and by him the American flag was 
raised on the site of the present town of 
Windsor. A stirring proclamation, written by 
Col. Cass, was addressed by Gen. Hull to the 
people of Canada, and preparations were com- 
menced for further military operations. On 
the 17th of July Col. Cass advanced to the 
Riviere aux Canards, four miles this side of 
Maiden, and fired the bridge defended by the 
enemy under Tecumseh. He led his detach- 
ment across the stream by a ford four miles up, 
fell upon the enemy, routed them from three 
successive positions, and only stopped the pur- 
suit with nightfall, thus winning the first victory 
of the war for the American arms. He then 
urged Gen. Hull to immediately advance upon 
and storm Maiden, but the latter being with- 
out cannon, and hesitating to advance so far 
from his base, held the project to be attended 
by too great risk, and recalled Col. Cass. 



11 



After further delays, which entirely destroyed 
Hull's popularity, and nearly resulted in open 
mutiny among his subordinates, the invading 
army retreated across the river to this city 
on August 8th. 

Meanwhile, a small force of Ohio militia, 
under Capt. Brush, escorting supplies to Hull's 
army, was surrounded by the enemy at the 
river Raisin, and two attempts to succor them 
had failed. On the 14th of August Col. 
Mc Arthur, with 350 men, left Detroit for their 
relief, accompanied by Col. Cass as a volun- 
teer. On the same day, the vigorous and 
capable Gen. Brock, turned loose upon the 
unfortunate Hull by Gen. Dearborn's foolish 
armistice with Provost, took command of the 
hostile forces at Sandwich; on the 15th crossed 
the river to Springwells, and on the 16th 
Hull surrendered to him the post and his 
entire army, including the expeditionary force 



12 

then absent. Tradition asserts that when the 
news of this act reached Col. Cass, he broke 
his sword and threw it away, rather than yield 
it up under the terms of a surrender which 
he deemed most disgraceful. History, how- 
ever, shows that this action was actually that 
of the brave and hot-blooded Col. McArthur. 
However, his indignation even could not have 
exceeded that of Col. Cass, who, on being 
paroled, proceeded immediately to Washington, 
and in a very able and bitter, if not wholly 
just, letter to Mr. Eustis, the Secretary of 
War, furnished the public with the first 
authoritative account of the campaign. Al- 
though time has established the fact that Hull 
was not a traitor nor a coward, and that the 
scorching accusations of his subordinate were 
in the main unjust, no one can deny that the 
course of Col. Cass in this brief and dark 
campaign was eminently brave and patriotic. 



— 



*3 



Col. Cass was exchanged in the early 
part of 1813, and appointed a colonel of the 
Twenty-seventh regular infantry. The State 
of Ohio also appointed him major-general of 
her militia. In March of the same year he 
was commissioned a brigadier-general in the 
regular service, and attached to the army 
under Gen. Harrison. He distinguished him- 
self by his personal bravery at the battle of 
the Thames, being especially mentioned in 
Gen. Harrison's report, and subsequently led 
the pursuit after the fugitive Proctor. On 
Harrison's departure for Buffalo, Gen. Cass 
was placed in command of the military post 
of Detroit, and shortly after (October, 1813), 
President Madison appointed him governor of 
the Territory of Michigan. He thereupon 
resigned his marshalship of Ohio, and, shortly 
after, his commission in the army. Before 
passing from the recital of his military services, 



H 

it is necessary to speak of the court-martial 
of Gen. Hull, which took place at Albany in 
1814. The president of the court-martial was 
Henry Dearborn, then commander-in-chief, and 
the special judge-advocates were Alexander J. 
Dallas and Martin Van Buren. Gen. Cass 
was the chief witness and accuser, and Hull 
was found guilty of cowardice and neglect of 
duty, and sentenced to be shot, but recom- 
mended to the mercy of the President. His 
sentence was commuted by the latter to the 
striking of his name from the rolls of the army. 
Posterity has done justice to Hull by declaring 
him to have been rather the victim of the 
mistakes of others than personally responsible 
for the mishaps with which he was charged. 
It was on the occasion of this court-martial 
that Gen. Cass and Mr. Van Buren met for 
the first time, and it is said that some asperi- 
ties of personal intercourse, during this trial, 



*5 

laid the foundation for the political hostility 
which constituted such an important element 
in the future careers of both those distinguished 
statesmen. 

In 1814 Gen. Cass commenced the dis- 
charge of his gubernatorial duties, the present 
State of Wisconsin being included within the 
limits of his jurisdiction. Detroit at that 
time — a century from its settlement — was 
little more than a mere Indian station, con- 
sisting of 250 houses, while the total number 
of white inhabitants of the Territory was 
scarce 6000. Not a foot of land had been 
yet sold by the United States, and the whole 
interior of the Territory was a vast wilderness, 
affording ambush for 40,000 hostile savages. 
The Indian proprietorship still continued, and 
settlers could obtain no certain titles to their 
locations. No surveys had been made, and 
prevalent opinion declared the interior of the 



i6 



country to be sterile and swampy. No roads 
had opened the inland regions to immigration 
and improvement, and the sparse population 
was confined to points upon the lake shores. 
Moreover, the effects of the war had been 
most disastrous. The barbarous savages, led 
by the great Shawnee warrior Tecumseh, 
whose oath of vengeance against the United 
States was as implacable and as well kept as 
that of Hannibal against Rome, had followed 
every advantage by the most terrible atroci- 
ties, and their proverbial treachery repressed 
all efforts at expansion, and checked the 
revival of prosperity. Gov. Cass assumed the 
responsibilities of government under these dis- 
couraging circumstances, and continued in their 
discharge for eighteen years, during the suc- 
cessive administrations of Madison, Monroe, 
Adams and Jackson, with results that it is not 
hyperbole to describe as both marvelous and 



l 7 



magnificent. His management of Indian af- 
fairs, which merits and will receive distinct 
consideration, secured the cession by the vari- 
ous tribes to the United States of the immense 
regions of the Northwest, thus vesting the 
American people with an undeniable title 
thereto. Surveys were instituted, methodical 
and simple in their character, and of remarka- 
ble accuracy. Public lands were brought into 
the market, and reliable data obtained as to 
the physical and climatic peculiarities of this 
newly-explored section. Roads were devised 
and constructed, radiating from Detroit through 
the most important portions of the lower 
peninsula, which was thus opened for settle- 
ment and development. 

Military works were improved and en- 
larged, lighthouses erected, counties and town- 
ships organized, and all the machinery of 
legitimate government and of internal im- 

3 



i8 



provement created and placed in motion. 
The doubtful titles of the old French residents, 
based in many instances upon grants of uncer- 
tain authenticity, were confirmed and secured. 
Immigration, assiduously fostered and quick- 
ened, commenced its magical work. The 
settler's cabin replaced the wigwam, and 
primeval forests yielded to fertile farms. 
Hardy families followed the trail of the ad- 
venturous voyugeur and the devoted missionary. 
Agriculture cleared the path, and commerce 
with its potent influences followed. Villages 
commenced to appear at important points, 
and the Territory entered upon that career 
of prosperous development in which we are 
to-day privileged to participate. During Gov. 
Cass' administration the population of Michi- 
gan increased from 6000 to 35,000, and from 
a mere chain of trading posts the Territory 
became a community of promising commercial 



*9 

importance. The entire system of territorial 
government was also matured during his in- 
cumbency. Under the ordinance of 1787 the 
authority of territorial governors was almost 
despotic, these officials being entirely beyond 
popular control. Still, so equitably did Gov. 
Cass administer his extraordinary powers, that 
there is not on record a single instance of 
authenticated complaint. In 1823 a legislative 
council was added, and in 1827 the right to 
choose the members thereof was conferred 
upon the people of the Territory. The land 
o-rants, which constitute the foundation of our 
present splendid educational system, were also 
obtained during his governorship. In 1815 
he removed his family from Ohio to this city, 
and purchased 500 acres of land (now known 
as the Cass farm) for $12,000, paying in 
cash $10,000 and giving his promissory note 
for $2000, borrowed from his Ohio relatives— 



20 



the first and only note of hand ever given by 
him during his long and active life. He has 
been since specially identified with the growth, 
welfare and history of our substantial city. 
The services rendered to this State by Gov. 
Cass can hardly be over estimated. Our pres- 
ent wealth, prosperity and importance are due 
to him more than any other single individual. 
His administration was characterized by rare 
executive ability, enviable integrity, marked 
sagacity of judgment, and a powerful spirit of 
energetic and courageous enterprise. The sub- 
stantial value of the work accomplished speaks 
far more forcibly upon this point than can the 
most complimentary language of praise. His 
services certainly far surpass in importance those 
that New York received from De Witt Clinton, 
and fairly entitled him to repeat the honorable 
boast of Themistocles, that he possessed the 



21 



true art of statesmanship, u the making small 
States great." 

The management of Gov. Cass in his exten- 
sive dealings with the savages constitutes the 
proudest chapter in the history of our Indian 
relations. For nearly twenty years he was ex 
officio Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the 
present States of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illi- 
nois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and the Government 
imposed upon him the duty of extinguishing 
the Indian title to this enormous region by 
treaty and purchase. The work was attended 
by gigantic difficulties, and was only accom- 
plished after twenty-two distinct treaties had 
been negotiated and ratified with the various 
tribes of the Northwest. One or two striking 
displays of personal bravery on the part of 
Gov. Cass, by which he checked and punished 
the insolence of certain disaffected chiefs, gained 
for him the respect of the savages, and the 



22 



strict rectitude of his course secured for him 
the confidence of their sachems. The princi- 
pal Indian treaties concluded by him were as 
follows: At Greenville, in 1814, re-establishing 
amicable relations with the Ohio tribes; of 
1817, whereby the Chippewas and Wyandottes 
ceded 4,000,000 acres in Ohio, Michigan and 
Indiana, the barrier between the Ohio and 
Michigan settlements being thus removed; of 
Saginaw, in 1819, by which the Chippewas 
yielded up their rights to 6,000,000 acres in 
Michigan; of Chicago, in 1821, wherein the 
Chippewa, Ottowa and Potawottamie tribes 
ceded the land south of Grand River and west 
of the Saginaw cession; of 1823, with the Del- 
awares, who yielded up their lands in the valley 
of the Muskingum ; a treaty of general pacifi- 
cation at Prairie du Chien, in 1825, and that of 
St. Joseph, in 1 828, whereby the larger portion 
of Indiana was ceded by its original possessors. 



2 3 

In the administration of the extensive financial 
trusts, attendant upon these enormous transac- 
tions, Gov. Cass displayed the most scrupulous 
honestv — -so delicate that not onlv would he 
never mingle the public with his private funds, 
but that he would not even permit the small 
sum, allowed him by Government for contin- 
gent office expenses, to be transferred to his 
private account until the vouchers had been 
formally signed and transmitted to the proper 
accounting officer at Washington. 

The first reliable knowledge of the regions 
of the extreme Northwest, aside from the exag- 
gerated narratives of occasional and adventu- 
rous pioneers, was furnished the public as the 
result of a series of explorations, planned and 
personally shared in by Gov. Cass. On May 
24th, 1820, an expedition left Detroit in three 
bark canoes for the exploration of the upper 
lakes and the head waters of the Mississippi. 



H 



It consisted of Gov. Cass, the celebrated geol- 
ogist Schoolcraft, and six other gentlemen, 
with the necessary escort of Indians and voya- 
geicrs. They arrived at Mackinac on the 10th 
of June, proceeded thence to the Sault, coasted 
along the southern shore of Lake Superior to 
Fond du Lac, ascended the St. Louis to its 
head waters, descended a tributary to Sandy 
Lake to the Mississippi, passed up to the Upper 
Red Cedar Lake, thence down the Mississippi 
to Prairie du Chien, thence up the Wisconsin 
River to the Portage, over into the Fox River 
and Green Bay, from whence the party returned 
to Detroit, via Chicago, having traversed, in ca- 
noes, over five thousand miles of unexplored 
territory. Besides this journey along a savage 
frontier, other minor expeditions were set on 
foot and carried out, in connection with Gen. 
Cass' innumerable interviews with the Indians. 
The results of his travels were published to the 



2 5 



world in two articles in the 50th and 55th num- 
bers of the North American Review, in 1828-29, 
and added, in no slight degree, to the well- 
earned fame of their author. They also formed 
the subject of a very valuable paper read by 
him before the newly-founded Historical Soci- 
ety of Michigan. The literary ability of these 
articles was of the highest order. 

In 1831 the rupture between President 
Jackson and Vice President Calhoun culmi- 
nated in the dissolution of the Yah Buren-Ing- 
ham Cabinet, and, in the re-organization, Gov. 
Cass was called to the position of Secretary 
of War, George B. Porter succeeding him as 
Governor of Michigan. The fact that at that 
time the main questions devolving upon the 
War Department, concerning the policy to be 
pursued towards the Indians, undoubtedly dic- 
tated the choice for that secretaryship of one 
whose ability in that especial direction had 

4 



26 



been forcibly demonstrated. In his first mes- 
sage, Mr. Cass advocated the removal of all the 
southern Indian tribes to the districts west of 
the Mississippi, a policy which Gen. Jackson 
had always warmly favored, but which had en- 
countered much opposition. Mr. Cass' scheme 
embraced the guaranteeing to the Indians of 
the permanent possession of their new homes, 
and the encouragement of agricultural and 
business pursuits among them, with the aim of 
developing a higher grade of civilization. This 
policy originated with Jefferson, had been en- 
dorsed by most of his successors, and is now 
generally deemed to have been both wise and 
just. It became a leading measure of the Jack- 
sonian administration, and in its execution Mr. 
Cass was the chief agent. The seeming injus- 
tice of forcing the red man from the hunting 
grounds and burial places of his forefathers af- 
forded, however, a convenient theme for parti- 



2 7 

zan attack, and the Congressional minority, led 
by Clay, Calhoun and Webster, neglected no 
opportunities for fierce oratorical assault upon 
this measure. The Administration prevailed, 
however, and in 1836 Gen. Jackson, in his mes- 
sage, announced that all the Indian tribes were 
domiciled west of the Mississippi. The burden 
of the labor in this matter had fallen upon the 
Secretary of War, and the performance of his 
duties had been marked by some striking epi- 
sodes. In 1832 the Black Hawk war broke 
out, whereupon Secretary Cass immediately or- 
dered a large military force to the scene of dis- 
turbance, and before the expiration of summer, 
the hostile Indians had been completely subju- 
gated, and their celebiated chief was a hostage 
at Washington. The removal of the Chero- 
kees from Georgia was also attended with se- 
rious embarrassments, and at one time political 
agitation nearly resulted in a conflict of autho- 



28 






rity between the general government and the 
State. By judicious management, however, the 
threatened crisis was averted, and ultimately, in 
1835, a treaty was concluded with the Chero- 
kees, which secured their transmigration beyond 
the Mississippi. This treaty was violently op- 
posed by Messrs. Clay, Calhoun, Webster, and 
their friends, and was confirmed in the Senate 
by only the bare two-thirds vote necessary 
therefor. 

Mr. Cass cordially endorsed all the distinc- 
tive features of Gen. Jackson's administrative 
policy, and has been ever classed among his 
most able and consistent supporters. In the 
nullification troubles he occupied the high, 
patriotic ground of his chief, and the disloyal- 
ists of 1832, unlike those of 1861, derived no 
confidence from the presence of a Floyd in the 
War Department, In 1836, Mr. Cass sub- 
mitted a rather celebrated report to Congress 



2 9 



upon our military and naval defenses, em- 
bracing an elaborate resume of our existing 
martial resources, both offensive and defensive. 
His recommendations were the erection of a 
strong chain of coast fortifications, and the 
building of a powerful navy. Subsequent 
events have established the wisdom of his sug- 
gestions. Shortly after this, Mr. Cass, finding 
his health impaired, resigned his secretaryship, 
to the great regret of President Jackson. 
Among the minor improvements introduced by 
him into the routine of his department and the 
general management of the army, we may 
mention the abolition of the grog ration — a 
measure which he specially labored to effect. 

Immediately after his resignation as Secre- 
tary of War, President Jackson appointed Mr. 
Cass Minister to France, and in the latter part 
of 1836 he sailed for Paris. Diplomatic rela- 
tions with France had been for some time in 



3° 



suspense in consequence of the indemnity dis- 
pute, and in arranging this matter, Mr. Cass 
found abundant employment for his time du- 
ring the first year of his embassy. Having 
finally settled this question by obtaining the 
interest on the indemnity, withheld when the 
principal was paid, Mr. Cass took a trip along 
the Mediterranean shores. The expenses of 
the vessel during this tour, it may not be gen- 
erally known, were paid by Mr. Cass from his 
private fortune. His income while in France, 
resulting from sales of property in Detroit, was 
about $30,000 per ainnnn, which he, with a 
generous national pride, expended in addition 
to his salary in supporting the expenses of the 
embassy, which dispensed a splendid hospi- 
tality, and maintained a style that compared 
favorably with that of the older and richer na- 
tions represented at that brilliant capital. His 
ministry was during the reign of that amiable 



3 1 

prince, Louis Phillippe, with whom his relations 
were always personally pleasant, and of whom 
he published a very just account in the Demo- 
cratic Review of 1840, his article being subse- 
quently issued in book form. 

The most notable event of Mr. Cass' di- 
plomatic career was the celebrated Quintuple 
Treaty controversy, that ultimately led to his 
resignation. Great Britain had devoted itself 
most earnestly to the suppression of the abomi- 
nable traffic in slaves upon the African coast 
and the high seas. The United States cordially 
sympathized with this object, and a clause in 
the Treaty of Ghent (which closed the war of 
1812) had pledged both nations to u their best 
endeavors for its early accomplishment." Ma- 
terial differences of opinion, however, arose as 
to the method for attaining the proposed end. 
Great Britain had originally desired the mutual 
concession of both nations of the " right of 



3 2 



search" of suspected vessels, then conceded to 
be a purely belligerent right and thus permis- 
sible in time of peace by explicit consent only, 
The very term, however, was hateful to the 
American nation, its memories being coupled 
with the most tyrannical and obnoxious pre- 
tensions of English maritime supremacy, and 
the United States steadily refused to enter into 
any compact of the desired character. There- 
upon Great Britain claimed the " right of visit" 
(i e. of examining suspected vessels sufficiently 
to ascertain the genuineness of the colors dis- 
played), as a natural maritime right, and there- 
fore existing in time of peace,, and announced 
its intention of exercising it upon the vessels of 
all nations. The United States denied that 
there was any actual difference in this adroit 
technical distinction, and President Tyler, in 
his message of 1841, declared that the Govern- 
ment would protect the inviolability of its flag. 



33 



I 



Great Britain, in carrying out her policy, sought 
to establish the " right of visit" as a European 
usage, and accordingly negotiated a "Quintuple 
Treaty " with France, Austria, Prussia and Rus- 
sia, which was signed by the various plenipo- 
tentiaries, at London, on December 20th, 1841, 
each mutually conceding the " right ,: within 
certain geographical limits. On the receipt of 
the news of this diplomatic event at Paris, Mr. 
Cass immediately filed his protest against its 
ratification by France, with M. Guizot, claiming 
that the British interpretation of the u right of 
visit" would inevitably lead to war with the 
United States, and that the treaty, under the 
circumstances, was an openly hostile measure. 
He followed this by a lengthy pamphlet, written 
in the most vigorous and bitter style, accusing- 
England of intending, under false pretenses, to 
assert a despotic sovereignty on the sea, and to 
revive the old impressment controversy. This 

5 



34 



pamphlet was published in English, French and 
German, and subsequently obtained an enor- 
mous circulation. The protest was made with- 
out consultation with the home government, 
but Mr. Cass based his action upon, and justi- 
fied it by, President Tyler's message previously 
mentioned. At the conclusion of his protest, 
he announced that if not sanctioned in his 
course he should resign, and in his dispatch 
home he recommended immediate preparations 
for war. The French Chambers, suspicious of 
Great Britain, and always hostile to the "right 
of search," refused to ratify the treaty, and the 
bold course of the American Minister, united 
with his extensive personal influence, undoubt- 
edly aided in no slight degree in procuring this 
result. At this time Lord Ashburton arrived at 
Washington, armed with full powers to settle 
amicably all questions in dispute between the 
United States and Great Britain. The Webster- 



35 



Ashburton Treaty was the result of his ne<ro- 
tiations with our able Secretary of State, the 
eighth clause of which disposed of the trouble- 
some question of the u right of visit," by wholly 
ignoring it, providing for a joint squadron upon 
the African coast, thus securing the presence of 
an American man-of-war to examine suspected 
vessels carrying the United States flag. Mr. 
Cass was dissatisfied with this compromise, 
which he deemed a quasi disavowal of his 
course, and in the latter part of 1842 resigned. 
His conduct in this important matter has been 
variously interpreted and criticised. It brought 
upon him the most savage storms of English 
indignation, and he was vindictively attacked 
by the press of that nation. Lord Brougham 
assailed him in Parliament, in a strain of bitter 
invective, which subsequently elicited a spirited 
reply from Mr. Cass, upon the floor of our 
Senate. In France, naturally hostile to Great 



36 



Britain, it vastly increased a popularity already 
remarkable for an alien. At home the protest 
was formally sustained by the Government, and 
generally endorsed by the people, except cer- 
tain of the Abolitionists, whose views may be 
inferred from the fact that Mr. Greeley, in his 
u American Conflict," declares it to have been a 
u disguised bid for the favor of the slave 
power." Mr. Cass' resignation, however, did 
not receive similar unanimous support, and his 
strictures upon the Ashburton Treaty resulted 
in a sharp correspondence between himself and 
Mr. Webster, the negotiator of that important 
international compact. 

Mr. Cass reached our shore from Paris, in 
December, 1842. He arrived in the midst of 
intense political excitement. The success of 
Harrison at the previous Presidential election, 
the treachery of Tyler, the certainty of Clay's 
nomination in 1844, the tremendous efforts 



37 

being put forth by Mr. Van Buren, and a mul- 
tiplicity of minor causes combined to render 
that epoch one of unusual interest. Mr. Cass' 
antecedents, and the especial prominence of his 
name at that moment attracted public attention 
to him at once, in connection with the coming 
Presidential contest. At New York and Phila- 
delphia public receptions were tendered him, 
and great anxiety was evinced as to his opinions 
concerning the leading questions of the hour. 
Mahkm Dickerson, a prominent New Jersey 
politician, addressed a letter to him upon this 
question shortly after his landing, to which Mr. 
Cass replied by declaring himself to be a " Jef- 
fersonian Democrat," opposed to a National 
Bank, and in favor of a specie basis. After a 
short delay at the east, he started for this city, 
his journey home being marked by ovations 
at all the principal towns along the route. 
At Cincinnati, resolutions were passed formally 



38 



presenting his name for the Presidency, and 
pledging him to the one-term principle. He 
reached Detroit on February 15th, 1843, was 
received by the municipal and State authorities, 
and by the Legislature, which was then in ses- 
sion, and was formally welcomed home by the 
lamented Douglas Houghton, then mayor of 
this city. 

Meanwhile the political agitation of the 
country increased, and the opposition to Mr. 
Van Buren soon concentrated upon Mr. Cass, 
as the most available candidate to defeat that 
wily and experienced politician. The annexa- 
tion of Texas was the question of the hour. 
This measure — in reality an intrigue of Mr. Cal- 
houn and his school, to reinforce the slave 
power — created great excitement, and all the 
public men of the day were called upon to 
take their positions. Mr. Clay, in his Raleigh 
letter, opposed annexation, but for other than 



«!■»« 



39 

anti-slavery reasons. Mr. Van Buren, in his 
Lindenwald letter, also took hostile ground. 
Mr. Cass, in a letter to the Hon. Edward Han- 
negan, United States Senator from Indiana, 
declared himself unequivocally in its favor. 
Under these circumstances, the Democratic Con- 
vention met at Baltimore in May, 1844. The 
first ballot resulted as follows: Van Buren, 
146; Cass, 83; R. M. Johnson, 29; Buchanan, 
4; The opponents of Mr. Van Buren, how- 
ever, succeeded in carrying the two-thirds 
rule, and accordingly his majority availed him 
nothing. On the subsequent ballots, Mr. Cass 
steadily gained, and on the eighth, the result 
was: Cass, 114; Van Buren, 104; Polk, 44. 
The friends of Mr. Van Buren thereupon 
changed to Mr, Polk, and at this the delega- 
tion from Michigan, through Hon. Edward 
Bradley, withdrew Mr. Cass' name, and Mr. 
Polk was unanimously nominated on the next 



I 



4o 



ballot. In the stirring campaign which fol- 
lowed, Mr. Cass energetically u stumped' the 
whole Northwest in behalf of the Democratic 
ticket, which ultimately triumphed, partially 
through fraud, and partially through the disaf- 
fection of the Abolitionists, on account of 
Mr. Clay's seeming tergiversation upon the 
annexation question in his Alabama letter. 

After this contest, Mr. Cass became the 
representative man of the Democratic party of 
this State, and in March of the following year 
(1845) was chosen successor to Hon. Augustus 
S. Porter in the United States Senate, receiving 
sixty votes in joint ballot by the Legislature 
to eight for Hezekiah G. Wells, and two for 
Epaphroditus Ransom. He took his seat in 
December following, and almost his first Sena- 
torial speech was upon the resolution of Mr. 
Allen, of Ohio, reaffirming the Monroe doctrine 
in all its latitude. Of this measure, it is need- 



4* 

less to say that Mr. Cass was a most strenuous 
advocate. The question of the hour, however, 
was that of the Oregon boundaries. This 
vexed international dispute, which the ability 
of Gallatin and Rush, or of Robinson and Ad- 
dington, had failed to quiet — the diplomatic 
Gordian knot which even the sagacity of the 
great European Mediator, the late King of the 
Belgians, could not unloose, and which the 
London conventions of 1818 and 1827 rather 
complicated than softened by their indefinite 
postponement — had been adroitly transformed 
from a national into a partisan issue by the 
Democratic Convention of 1844. The platform, 
adopted by that body at Baltimore, ignored Mr. 
Gallatin's proposition for the forty-ninth par- 
allel as the basis of a boundary compromise, 
declared the right of the United States to the 
ivhole of Oregon to be clear and unquestion- 
able, and u 54° 40' or fight" became a portion 



4^ 

of the party shibboleth during the campaign. 
Mr. Polk's inaugural renewed the American 
claim with emphasis, but in the practical policy 
adopted, the Administration displayed a signal 
lack of backbone. England had been greatly 
incensed by the tone assumed by the dominant 
American party, and the negotiations, com- 
menced by Messrs. Upshur and Calhoun with 
Mr. Richard Pakenham, had suddenly ceased. 
They were resumed almost immediately, how- 
ever, by Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Polk's Secretary of 
State, who voluntarily resumed Mr. Calhoun's 
proposition of the forty-ninth parallel. Mr. 
Pakenham refused to accept it, and when 
these facts became public, a storm of Demo- 
cratic displeasure was aroused. Mr. Cass im- 
mediately placed himself in the van of the 
u 54° 40' movement, and became its chief 
apostle. The Administration quailed before 
his attack, which was of the most formidable 



43 

character, and Mr. Polk, in his subsequent mes- 
sage to Congress, again returned to the bel- 
ligerent language of his inaugural. The ques- 
tion came before the Senate upon a resolution 
abrogating the Gallatin- Addington Convention 
of 1827, and the struggle, which lasted for 
sixty-nine days, is among the most famous in 
American annals. John C. Calhoun and Thomas 
H. Benton organized and led a strong faction 
of Democrats, who favored a compromise, and 
the Administration was again guilty of stultiii- 
cation, and placed itself in their hands. The 
Whigs, marshalled by Webster, John M. Clay- 
ton, Corwin and Crittenden, united with them 
in solid phalanx. Mr. Cass found himself sup- 
ported by a minority of less than one-third, but 
he made a most able and formidable resistance 
attacking with great skill and effect the many 
vulnerable points of the Administrative po- 
sition. The resolution of abrogation was ulti 



44 

mately passed, but coupled with a most pacific 
proviso. Great Britain, mollified by this na- 
tional change of front, herself acceded to, and 
renewed the forty-ninth parallel proposition, 
and a treaty was speedily concluded upon this 
basis, by Messrs. Buchanan and Pakenham, and 
ratified by the Senate, Mr. Cass and thirteen of 
his political friends voting in the negative. 
The solution of the Oregon controversy was 
doubtless wise and beneficent, but in all the 
points of manliness, consistency and courage, 
the bold course of Senator Cass shines bril- 
liantly in comparison with the contemptible 
vacillation of Mr. Polk. 

The war with Mexico was also one of the 
exciting issues before this important Congress. 
Mr. Cass was the leader of the war party, de- 
manding in this, as in all diplomatic questions, 
the most extreme assertion of all American 
claims, and their prompt vindication by the 



45 



national arms. It was in reply to Mr, Cass 
that Mr. Corwin delivered his celebrated speech 
containing the u bloody hands to hospitable 
graves" passage. Mr. Webster subsequently 
declared that it was within Mr. Cass' power to 
have averted the Mexican war, and sought to 
attach to him the chief responsibility therefor. 
It is at least true, that he was its most important 
and able Senatorial advocate. Connected with 
this question was the famous Wilmot Proviso, 
destined to exercise great influence upon the 
political fortunes of Mr. Cass. The territory 
which the victories of Scott and Taylor prom- 
ised to add to the Union, was free from the 
curse of slavery. John C. Calhoun, eagerly 
watching all opportunities to strengthen the for- 
tifications with which his profound intellect and 
mighty influence had surrounded the Southern 
institution, had devised a new political dogma, 
namely, that the Constitution from its own 



4& 

nature carried slavery into every territory of 
the Union. The fact that Texas was already a 
slave State, had not rendered this ably devised, 
but detestable theory necessary during the an- 
nexation struggle, but its importance to the 
slavery propagandists, in connection with the 
new Mexican territory, was manifest. The anti- 
slavery influence, hourly increasing in strength 
and political importance, became alarmed at 
this daring scheme, and determined to assume 
the offensive. 

Accordingly, at the close of the first session 
of the Twenty-ninth Congress, 1846, Mr. "Wil- 
mot moved to add to the bill, appropriating 
$2,000,000 for the purposes of Mexican pacifi- 
cation, a proviso, forever prohibiting slavery in 
the acquired territory. This measure passed 
the House on the last day of the session, by a 
vote of 85 to 80, and was sent to the Senate, 
when Mr. Davis, of Massachusetts, obtained the 



47 

floor, and from some unexplained reason, spoke 
against time till the hour of adjournment had 
arrived, thus practically defeating the proviso. 
Mr. Cass, it is positively certain, at that time 
considered the proviso an admirably calculated 
means of permanently settling the question of 
slavery extension, and would have supported it, 
had it been put to vote. In fact, on his journey 
homeward, he repeatedly expressed his regret 
that Mr. Davis had seen fit to take the course 
which certainly astonished that gentleman's 
friends. At the second session, the bill and 
proviso were again presented and passed the 
House. In the Senate, Mr. Cass now opposed 
the proviso, and it was ultimately stricken out 
with his aid, his opposition then relating not to 
the principles of the measure, but to the expe- 
diency of its adoption under those circum- 
stances. 

We are not entitled to speak of the mental 



48 



processes which caused and accompanied Mr. 
Cass' change of judgment concerning this vital 
public question — a change soon to assume a 
more striking phase — but the revolution in 
opinion of the masses of the great Democratic 
party at this time, is a matter of common politi- 
cal history. The views of Mr. Calhoun and 
his school, daily increasing in ultraism, and 
pressed with great ability and urgency, were 
manifestly untenable as a principle of party 
creed. The leading spirits of the organization 
became also fearful of the Free- Soil movement, 
then hourly acquiring importance and gaining 
in numerical strength, as tending to undermine 
their power in the Southern States. Between 
this Scylla and Charybdis, the Democratic 
managers deemed the middle or "conservative" 
course the safest. A new political dogma or 
Constitutional theory was therefore devised, 
which has since become famous and placed a 



44 ■ 

radically different phase upon the existing ques- 
tions of that day. This was first enunciated 
by Mr. Cass in a letter to the Hon. A. 0. I*. 
Nicholson, of Tennessee, written shortly after 
the meeting of the Thirtieth Congress, and 
made public immediately through the instru- 
mentality of Henry Stuart Foote. In this our 
Senator declared his belief that Congress should 
not interfere with the question of slavery, but 
leave the matter entirely at the disposal of the 
people of each Territory. Thus was first pro- 
mulgated the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty, 
of which the only permanent fruit was the ele- 
vation of Pierce and Buchanan to the White' 
House, and upon which Stephen A. Douglas sub- 
sequently erected the imposing fabric of his pre- 
cocious renown. This dogma, which amounted 
to a virtual nullification of the Constitutional 
clause vesting Congress with full control over 
the Territories, was instantly accepted by the 

7 



5 Q 

great mass of the Democratic party, and Mr. 
Cass became the acknowledged leader of that 
mighty political organization, mere factions 
alone clinging to his rivals, Mr. Van Buren and 
Mr. Calhoun. Shortly after the publication of 
the Nicholson letter, the principle of the Wil- 
mot Proviso was brought before Congress in a 
resolution introduced by Mr. Putnam, of New 
York, but was defeated in the House by the aid 
of the Cass Democrats in that body. During 
this Congress, Mr. Cass resigned his seat in the 
Senate to accept the Presidential nomination. 

The political strategy of 1847 had rendered, 
certain Mr. Cass' nomination by the Democratic 
party in 1848. Mr. Van Buren, whose re-nomi- 
nation Mr. Cass had defeated in 1844, was en- 
abled by a skillful use of the side issues of the 
hour to destroy the Democratic preponderance 
in the nation, and retaliate upon his rival by 
becoming an instrument for the election of the 



5 1 

Whig candidate. The Democratic Convention 
assembled at Baltimore on May 22d, 1848. It 
was of unusual ability for a partizan convention, 
including many of the most distinguished names 
in the political annals of that period. Andrew 
Stevenson, of Virginia, presided, and although 
the nomination was a foregone conclusion, upon 
other questions there was a close contest, and 
the sessions of the convention were exciting 
and prolonged. The dissensions in the Demo- 
cratic politics of New York State, which had 
originated in the maltreatment of Silas Wright, 
by Mr. Polk and his peculiar friends, hud cul- 
minated in open war over the grave of that 
justly esteemed statesman. Of these contend- 
ing factions, the followers of Mr. Wright, led 
by the Van Burens, peve et jih, were nicknamed 
u Barnburners," while the term "Hunkers' 1 was 
applied to the Administration Democrats of that 
State, whose movements were guided by such 



5 2 



admirable politicians as Croswell, Marcy and 
Dickinson. Full delegations from both these 
wings of the party presented themselves at Bal- 
timore, and demanded each the right of repre- 
senting the Empire State in that convention. 
A confused and discordant debate attended the 
consideration of this question, and ultimately 
the friends of harmony, hoping thus to blunt 
the wedge that threatened to divide the party, 
carried by a small majority a resolution admit- 
ting both delegations. This, however, simply 
dissatisfied without conciliating. The Barn- 
burners indignantly withdrew, and called a 
bolting convention at Utica for June 2 2d. The 
Hunkers declined to vote, but finally acquiesced 
in the Baltimore nominations and platform. 
( >n the first ballot for a Presidential nominee, 
the two-thirds rule being in force, Mr. Cass 
received 125 votes to 55 for Mr. Buchanan, 53 
for Mr. Woodbury, and a number scattering for 



53 



Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Dallas and Gen. Worth. He 
gained steadily in each successive ballot, until 
on the fourth 179 votes were cast for him, when 
he was declared unanimously nominated. Gen. 
William 0. Butler, of Kentucky, was placed 
upon the ticket as Vice President, and a plat- 
form adopted, which reiterated old Democratic 
principles, supported the Mexican war, and am- 
biguously endorsed Popular Sovereignty. The 
dissatisfaction of the Free-soil Democrats with 
the action of the convention was great, and 
from this time may be dated the distinctive pro- 
slavery character of the Democratic party. 

The Whigs held their convention at Phila- 
delphia in a few days, nominated Zachary Tay- 
lor and Millard Fillmore, voted out the Wilmot 
Proviso, and refused to adopt any platform. 
The anti-slavery element of the North, thus 
rejected by both conventions, became indignant 
and determined upon independent action. The 



54 



mass of the New York Barnburners were free- 
soil in sentiment, and the Van Buren opposition 
to Mr. Cass adroitly determined to avail itself 
of this pregnant fact. Accordingly, by the 
skillful management of Mr. John Van Buren, 
upon the sincerity of whose free-soilism his sub- 
sequent course is a sufficient commentary, the 
Utica Convention of the Baltimore bolters 
placed Martin Van Buren and Senator Henry 
Dodge, of Wisconsin, in nomination, committed 
themselves to the free-soil movement, and au- 
thorized their delegation to attend the anti- 
slavery convention, called to meet at Buffalo on 
August 8th. This body, composed of original 
Abolitionists and Whigs, and Democratic dis- 
senters, was important in both the number and 
character of its members, and the dignity and 
intent of its actions. It adopted a Wilmot Pro- 
viso platform, and selected as its ticket Martin 
Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams. Sena- 



55 



tor Dodge had previously withdrawn his name, 
and joined the supporters of Mr. Cass. The 
antecedent and subsequent pro-slavery record 
of the Van Buren family leave no doubt that 
the elders acceptance of the Buffalo nomina- 
tion was simply a measure of personal revenge 
against Mr. Cass t while the action of the anti- 
slavery men in their strange selection was more 
easily defensible upon grounds of expediency 
than of principle. The result before the people 
was the election of Gen. Taylor by an electoral 
vote of 162 to 127 for Mr. Cass. The success- 
ful candidate, however, received only a plu- 
rality of the popular vote, which stood as fol- 
lows: Taylor, 1,362,242; Cass, 1,223,795; 
Van Buren, 291,378. Mr. Van Buren received 
more votes than Mr. Cass in New York, and 
undoubtedly gave to the Whigs the electoral 
vote of that State. Calculations based upon 
supposed events are most unprofitable, but the 



■— 



56 

best informed political staticians agree that the 
Van Bureii defection alone prevented a Demo- 
cratic triumph in 1848. 

After Mr. Cass' defeat as a Presidential 
aspirant, the Legislature of this State, on its 
assembling in January, 1849, elected him to 
fill the Senatorial vacancy occasioned by his 
own resignation during the previous .year, 
which had been temporarily supplied by the 
appointment of Hon. Thomas Fitzgerald. On 
the joint ballot, Mr. Cass received 44 votes to 
17 for Epaphroditus Ransom, 17 for Joseph R. 
Williams, 2 for Kinsley S. Bingham, 2 for Fla- 
vius J. Littlejohn, and 1 for S. A. Holbrook. 
He resumed his seat in the Senate in December, 
1849, at the commencement of the memorable 
first session of the Thirty-First Congress. In 
point of ability, that body, as then constituted, 
has never been surpassed in our annals. A 
future President occupied the presiding chair. 



57 

Webster and Calhoun — the most gigantic of 
American intellects and the most metaphysical 
of political reasoners — were entering upon the 
last vigorous months of those lives, whose grand 
proportions no true mind, though it may disap- 
prove the spirit, can fail to admire. Clay had 
left Ashland to return to the arena, of which 
he had been, and was still to be, the mightiest 
and most honored champion. Mr. Seward took 
his seat for the first time as Senator. An ex- 
President of a Texan Republic, and the future 
President of a Slave Confederacy, were among 
his colleagues. Stephen A. Douglas had en- 
tered upon the third year of his Senatorship — 
young and influential, like the great State he 
so ably represented. Two men were distinct- 
ively classified as anti-slavery, Salmon P. Chase 
and John P. Hale, while the colleague of the 
former was the eloquent patriot, whose death 
the nation has recently and deeply mourned — 

8 



58 

Thomas Corwin. On the roll were other names, 
then and since widely noted — Benton, Bell, 
Jtainlin, Mangum, Dickinson, Dayton, Hunter, 
Bright, Mason. In this body, a council of the 
Titans of the past and of the Hercules of the 
future, Mr. Cass became immediately one of 
the leading spirits, a fact which is at once the 
most pregnant tribute to his ability, and the 
most striking evidence of his success. 

The conservative spirit of the times had 
taken fright at the increasing strength of the 
slavery agitation, and statesmen believed they 
had found in compromise, the political opiate 
that should lull into fatal sleep all the forebod- 
ing dissension. The events of that ten months' 
session are familiar matters of history : Mr. 
Clay's compromise measures gathered into the 
Omnibus Bill, bound with the Committee of 
Thirteen, that aimed to weld still firmer the 
bonds of Union ; the suicidal speech of Daniel 



59 

Webster on March 7th, and the passage of the 
Fugitive Slave Law, the apple of discord at a 
feast so solemnly dedicated to harmony. At 
this juncture Mr. Cass' influence was great, 
the Democrats possessing the majority of the 
Senate. He was a strong advocate of compro- 
mise, became Mr. Clay's chief ally, and opposed 
both the Southern Rights dogmas and the Wil- 
mot Proviso. The latter of these he had been 
instructed by our Legislature to support, but 
he declared in the Senate, that he should resign 
his seat, in case this direct conflict came be- 
tween his duty and his principles. Originally 
Mr. Cass was the most prominent candidate for 
the Chairmanship of the Committee of Thirteen, 
but himself urged the appointment of Mr. Clay 
to that position. The passage of the resolution 
constituting that Committee, was, by the testi- 
mony of its mover, Henry Stuart Foote, chiefly 
due to his prompting and assistance. He sup- 



6o 



ported the various measures that it originated, 
save the Fugitive Slave Law, on the passage 
of which, in the Senate, he declined to vote, 
though present in his seat. His course at this 
time greatly endeared him to his old political 
opponent, Mr. Clay, who declared, that u after 
Mr. Fillmore, Mr. Cass was his choice for 
President in 1852." Subsequent events have 
proved that the compromise of 1850 was but a 
national representation of the ancient tableau, 
iC Ajax defying the lightning," sublime in spirit, 
grand in its accessories, but wholly impotent. 
A decade later the bolt fell with augmented 
fury. During this session, Mr, Cass developed 
again his peculiar foreign policy, by introduc- 
ing a resolution suspending diplomatic relations 
with Austria, on account of her tyranny and 
injustice toward Hungary. His speech upon 
this question was among his finest efforts, but 
the Senate did not take the proposed action. 



6i 



The proceedings of the second session of this 
notable Congress were as tame as those of the 
first had been exciting, and Mr. Cass' career 
was marked by no events aside from the ordi- 
nary routine of public life. 

In the early part of 1851, Mr. Cass 1 first 

senatorial term expired, and he was re-elected 

by our Legislature, receiving on joint ballot 53 

votes to 28 for Joseph R. Williams, one for 

Epaphroditus Ransom, and one for Kingsley S. 

Bingham. The Thirty-second Congress was not 

especially noteworthy in its proceedings, and 

affords no material for this brief biographical 

sketch. Considerable legislation was secured 

by Mr. Cass and his colleagues for the benefit 

of our State, the Sault Ste. Marie canal grant 

being among such measures. On June 1st, 

1852, the Democratic National Convention met 

at Baltimore. The party pledged itself to the 

Compromise measures of 1850, and entered 



62 



upon a prolonged struggle for the nomination 
of a candidate. Gen. Cass was again pressed 
by his friends for the nomination, and his sup- 
porters were a plurality of the convention. 
The opposition was divided chiefly between Mr. 
Buchanan and Mr. Douglas, the latter having 
embroiled himself with the older party leaders 
by his course in the Democratic Review, which, 
under his supervision, was most vigorously sup- 
porting the cause of the "Young American" 
Democracy, distinctively so called. On the first 
ballot, Mr. Cass received 116 votes to 23 for 
Mr. Buchanan, 20 for Mr. Douglas, and a large 
number scattering. On the fourth ballot, his 
strength commenced to steadily decline, and on 
the twenty-ninth his vote was but 27. He 
gained rapidly from that, and on the thirty- 
fourth ballot received 130 votes. It soon be- 
came apparent, however, that he could not be 
nominated, and on the fortieth ballot Franklin 



<3 

Pierce was taken up as a compromise candidate, 
and received an unanimous vote. This de- 
feat terminated Mr. Cass' aspirations after the 
Chief Magistracy of our Republic. Gen. Pierce 
received his most cordial support throughout 
the contest that followed. 

From 1853 Mr. Cass remained a member of 
the Senate until the expiration of his term in 
1857, rather, however, as a veteran of past con- 
flicts than a champion in the immediate strug- 
gles of the hour. The great names with which 
his had been so long associated, and will ever 
be classed, had become historical. The issues 
over which they had fought the battles of giants 
were becoming eclipsed by questions more vital 
and portentous. He was surrounded by men 
who were infants when he was famous. Under 
such circumstances, it was but natural that he 
became a less active participant in the Sena- 
torial debates. His vote was invariably re- 



64 



corded with that conservative sentiment that he 
had so successfully created and led. An effort 
was made to induce Gen. Cass to introduce the 
celebrated Kansas-Nebraska bill, but he refused. 
He warmly supported it, however, when pre- 
sented by Mr. Douglas, and regarded its pass- 
age as a glorious triumph of the principles 
expounded by him in the Nicholson letter. The 
legislature instructed him to vote against this 
measure, but he declined to obey, in this respect 
directly violating the views expressed by him 
in 1850, when he conceded the binding force 
of legislative instructions. This step completed 
the disaffection of the Free-soil Democrats of 
this State, led by Kingsley S. Bingham, who 
had disapproved Gen. Cass' desertion of his for- 
mer slavery-restriction position for the inge- 
nious subterfuge of Popular Sovereignty, and 
beheld with dismay the transformation of the 
great Democratic organization into a purely 



&5 

pro-slavery engine. In July, 1854, therefore, a 
union was effected at Jackson by this party 
with the liberal Whigs, whose national organi- 
zation had been annihilated by Scott's crushing 
defeat. The fusion adopted an anti-slavery 
platform, and Mr. Bingham was placed before 
the people as a candidate for Governor. From 
this germ, planted in the fertile soil of that 
period, has sprung the great Republican party, 
the present bulwark of our national honor and 
power. Michigan, always in sympathy with 
the spirit of progression, endorsed the new 
movement most emphatically, and elected Mr. 
Bingham and an anti-slavery Legislature. The 
power of this party has since steadily increased 
in our State, the government of which it to-day 
controls. The result of this political revolution 
was, that on the presentation of Mr. Cass' name 
to the Legislature for re-election in 1857, his 

recent record was most signally repudiated, but 
9 



66 



sixteen votes being cast for him to eighty -nine 
for Zachariah Chandler. 

Mr. Buchanan immediately placed Mr. Cass 
at the head of his Cabinet as Secretary of State, 
and with the early policy of this Administration 
he substantially agreed, and must therefore be 
identified. The secret history of this period is 
yet unwritten, but Mr. Cass certainly never 
made public the slightest disapprobation of the 
Dred Scott decision (which was indeed at first 
claimed to be a new and admirable exemplifi- 
cation of popular sovereignty), of the Lecomp- 
ton outrages upon Kansas, or of the govern- 
mental connivance in effect with the filibus- 
tering schemes of the notorious Walker. In 
the Presidential contest of 1860, Mr. Cass did 
not openly declare himself in favor of either 
Mr. Douglas or Mr. Breckenridge, but the 
secret influences of the Administration were all 
exerted in hostility to the able hero of the anti- 



67 

Lecompton struggle. In the disunion move- 
ments that followed Mr. Lincoln's election, Mr. 
Cass was, as in 1850, a friend of compromise, 
sustaining especially the resolutions of his for- 
mer colleague, Mr. Crittenden. He also origi- 
nally, in the Cabinet, approved (or at least did 
not pronouncedly disapprove) President Buch- 
anan's message, denying the existence of any 
power in the Constitution by which the Gen- 
eral Government could coerce a State. Eight 
days later (December 14, 1860), however, he 
re-asserted the Jacksonian principles of 1832-3, 
and upon Mr. Buchanan's refusal to dispatch 
troops and supplies south, to reinforce Major 
Anderson and re-provision Fort Sumter, he 
promptly resigned. This act, which received 
the enthusiastic endorsement of every patriot, 
will be always considered as the noblest of his 
eventful life. It was certainly the severest 
rebuke that the contemptible weakness of James 



68 



Buchanan received. Mr. Cass returned to this 
city in the following February, and was enthu- 
siastically received by all parties, being met at 
Toledo by a large delegation- of leading citi- 
zens, and formally welcomed home by Halmer 
'XL Emmons, Esq. The response of Gen. Cass 
was still conciliatory in its tone, but breathed 
the strongest spirit of devotion to the Union, 
from whatever source it might be assailed. 

Since 1861 Mr. Cass' life has been marked 
by the strictest privacy, and his resignation as 
Secretary of State constitutes the upper boun- 
dary of a public career of fifty-six years dura- 
tion. During the Rebellion his sympathies 
were always with the national arms, and the 
prolongation of his days to witness our ultimate 
triumph he considered among the greatest 
blessings of his life. His last appearance upon 
a public occasion was that of the reception 
accorded by this city to Col. Mark Flanigan, 



69 

upon his return after his terrible wounding at 
Gettysburg. He has remained in Detroit con- 
stantly since his return from Washington, save 
a short trip a year or two since to Newport and 
the east for the benefit of his foiling health. 
His residence has been in the wing, specially 
built for his accommodation, upon the house of 
his daughter, Mrs. Canfield, corner of Fort and 
First streets. The old homestead has been lat- 
terly occupied by his son, Hon. Lewis Cass, Jr. 
In the political campaign of 1864, Mr. Cass 
took no active part, but at its outset committed 
himself in favor of Gen. McClellan in a brief 
letter, addressed to a large Democratic meet- 
ing held at Merrill Hall in this city. Latterly 
he absented himself from all society, and also 
declined all visitors, save those of his most 
intimate friends, and occasionally of distin- 
guished strangers, who called to pay then- 
respects. 



7Q 

Probably the most salient characteristic of 
the deceased statesman was his robust strength, 
physical and intellectual. The vigor of his 
constitution, inherited from hardy parents, and 
fortified by an active and stirring life, is attested 
by his longevity and the uniform excellence of 
his health. His personal appearance gave evi- 
dence of the possession of great bodily strength 
and rare powers of endurance. His habits were 
unexceptionable. He neither used tobacco in 
any form, nor ever tasted ardent spirits as a 
beverage, and he died with a system unweak- 
ened,and a soul untainted by licentiousness in 
any guise. The traits of his intellect were also 
of the virile type. No public man of his gen- 
eration surpassed him in potent, resolute and 
tireless energy. His executive abilities were 
remarkable, and the multifarious duties of his 
life were invariably discharged with fidelity 
and dispatch. His personal intrepidity became 



7 1 

proverbial, and found many opportunities for 
effective display in the war of 1812, and in his 
twenty years intercourse with the North Ameri- 
can savages. This marked mental attribute, 
joined to an indomitable will, exercised a 
decisive influence upon the most important 
crises in his diplomatic and senatorial career. 
Mr. Cass' intellectual powers were neither pro- 
found nor brilliant, but essentially practical and 
substantial. His scholarly attainments, though 
extensive, were not exhaustive nor critical. In 
metaphysics and the cognate mental sciences, 
he remained voluntarily a tyro. In his reason- 
ing, therefore, he never sought to rise above 
the common plane, nor relied upon novel logi- 
cal devices, but in the beaten arena, and with 
familiar weapons, ever did yeoman's service. 
He certainly cannot be classed among the 
world's original thinkers, and we cannot claim 
for him the paternity of any durable, social or 



7 2 



political system. Of popular sovereignty, he 
was rather the herald and champion than the 
father, and the thunderclap of war has already 
annihilated that vaporous theory. The positive 
attributes of his mind were an apt faculty of 
appreciation, clear and common sense powers 
of thought, and an independent spirit. The 
agility of an athlete or the proportions of an 
Apollo may have been wanting, but there was 
no lack of servicable strength. His career was 
throughout, therefore, straightforward, and in 
the point of consistency, history can produce 
but few political records that will not suffer by 
comparison. His peculiar temperament also 
rendered him in all warfare, forensic as well as 
martial, eager to take the offensive, and he 
never acknowledged defeat, while a resource of 
resistance remained. Among men of genius 
and of superlative talents he shone, therefore, 
through qualities less brilliant, but none the 



73 

less valuable. Constant activity, important 
achievements, rare capacity for labor, and the 
American pugnacity, rendered him a prominent 
actor upon a stage, trod by some of the might- 
iest of earth's giants. 

Mr. Cass' business habits were cast in a like 
mould. In his dealings with others he was 
always just and liberal. During his life he 
never sued a debtor, and in the great commer- 
cial crisises which have periodically convulsed 
the financial fabric, his course towards those 
with whom he was connected in business rela- 
tions, was invariably generous beyond all com- 
mon precedent. Were the recital permissible, 
we might mention striking instances of this fact 
in our own city. His great wealth was the 
result of early purchases of lands made in this 
region, and the subsequent increase in value of 
his real estate. It is estimated that at the time 
of his death, Gen. Cass was worth considerably 
10 



74 

over $1,000,000. In 1864 his income was 
returned at about $33,000. 

Until about two years ago, Gen. Cass was, 
to all appearances, hale and hearty, and not 
unfrequently might have been seen enjoying 
an early morning or evening walk. A short 
time subsequent to the above date, his health 
began to fail, and it failed very rapidly since 
the cold weather set in last fall. During the 
month of January he was very ill, and at one 
time it was thought that he would not live to 
see the end of the month. 

At times his mind was slightly affected, 
owing to the very painful nature of his disease, 
but these occurrences were rare. As a general 
thing, he retained his mental faculties until 
death relieved him of his sufferings. About 
half an hour before he died he spoke, but mani- 
fested an aversion to being troubled by any 
one. He frequently referred to his past life, 



75 

and would occasionally relate anecdotes to Dr. 
Farrand, of whom he appeared to be particu- 
larly fond. Having been informed of the inva- 
sion of Canada by the Fenians, he, upon several 
occasions expressed his unqualified disapproval 
of the movement, and characterized it as absurd, 
unwise, and calculated to do more mischief than 

^ood. 

The last conversation of any moment that 
the dying statesman had with his relatives or 
friends, was on Wednesday evening last, at 
which time he appeared to be fully himself, and 
recognized those who surrounded his bedside. 
He talked quite freely with them. 

During his illness he was attended by Dr. 
Zina Pitcher and Dr. D. 0. Farrand, the latter 
having remained by his bedside almost con- 
stantly for several months past. His disease 
was not " softening of the brain," as was 



7 6 



reported at that time, but a disease consequent 
upon old age. 

About nine o'clock on Saturday night it was 
quite apparent that dissolution would take 
place. At about ten minutes before four o'clock 
on Sunday morning a marked change occurred, 
and eight minutes later the soul of the states- 
man had passed into the presence of its Maker. 
When the bells of the city struck four o'clock, 
the pulse had ceased to beat and all was over. 

There were present at the bedside, when 
Gen. Cass expired, his daughters, Mrs. Canfield 
and Madame Yon Limburg, and Mr. George S. 
Frost, Mr. William Foxen and Dr. D. 0. Farrand. 

Gen. Cass' wife died in March, 1855, and 
left four children, all of whom are now living. 
They are : Major Lewis Cass ; Mrs. Ledyard, 
wife of Henry Ledyard, Esq., formerly mayor 
of this city ; Madam Yon Limburg, wife of the 
resident Minister of the Netherlands ; and Mrs. 



77 

Canfield, widow of Captain Canfield, formerly 
of the United States Topographical Engineers. 
The time for the funeral obsequies has not 
been settled upon, but it is probable that 
Wednesday or Thursday will be selected. The 
body has been embalmed, and can remain for 
an indefinite time in a state of perfect preser- 
vation. The family desired to have a private 
funeral, but at the request of a number of citi- 
zens, who expressed a strong desire to have an 
opportunity offered the public to attend, they 
waived their preferences. 

Acting Mayor Dr. William Brodie has called 
a meeting of the Common Council for this 
evening, to take such action as they may deem 
proper in the premises. It is very probable 
that other bodies, including the Masonic frater- 
nity, of which Gen. Cass was an honored mem- 
ber, will also convene and decide to take part 
in the ceremonies. 



78 

The military will be largely represented, 
A meeting of the Light Guard is called for this 
evening, which it is hoped will be largely 
attended. The other military organizations 
will meet as soon as they can be called together, 
—Detroit Tribune {Republican), June 18, 1866. 



[From the Detroit Free Press (Democratic), June 19, 1866.] 

We have the melancholy duty to announce 
the death of this distinguished man, who has 
for more than half a century borne such a con- 
spicuous part, not only in the history of his 
country, but of the world. The General, who 
has been very low for some days past, his death 
being hourly expected, expired Sunday morn- 
ing, a few minutes past four o'clock. 



79 



The death of such an aged man, although 
not unanticipated, always produces a shock, a 
pang of extreme regret, It is rare indeed that 
a man of his activity of mind lives until upwards 
of four-score years, in the full possession of his 
mental powers, to as proudly review his career, 
and so calmly and serenely await the future. 
He was a man of extraordinary abilities, and 
has made his mark upon almost every page of 
our history for the long period of half a cen- 
tury. 

General Cass was born at Exeter, New- 
Hampshire, on the 9th of October, 1782, and 
had, therefore, more than completed his eighty- 
third year. At the age of seventeen he left 
New Hampshire, and sought a new home in the 
west, fixing upon Marietta, Ohio, where he soon 
after commenced the study of the law, and was 
in due time admitted to practice. He speedily 
gained a high reputation as a lawyer, being dis- 



8o 



tinguished for his eloquence and a remarkably 
clear comprehension of the principles of his 
profession. He was destined, however, for a 
very different field of usefulness. He had 
scarcely taken his position at the bar before the 
citizens of Marietta called upon him to repre- 
sent them in the State Legislature. In the leg- 
islative halls he was called upon to grapple 
with great questions at once. Aaron Burr had 
already formed the project of founding a new 
empire, making Xew Orleans its capital, and 
the whole of the great West which bordered 
on the Mississippi or its tributaries as a part of 
the new empire. In discussing the laws which 
it was deemed necessary for the State of Ohio 
to pass, to enable the authorities to nip this pro- 
ject to dissolve our Union in the bud, Gen. Cass 
displayed such statesman-like abilities as to give 
him, even thus early, a national reputation. The 
address of the Ohio Legislature to President 






8i 

Jefferson, assuring him of the cordial support 
of Ohio in crushing this conspiracy of Burr, 
was the death-blow to Burr's designs and pro- 
jects. This address was from the mind and 
pen of Gen. Cass, and displayed all that fervid 
devotion to the Union which remained with 
him during life. Soon after the adjournment 
of the Ohio Legislature, in the spring of 1807, 
Mr. Jefferson, then President, offered Mr. Cass 
the appointment of Marshal for that district, as 
it required more than ordinary energy to watch 
the conspiracy of Burr, and thwart the efforts 
making by those engaged in it. From 1807 to 
1811 Gen. Cass filled this responsible position 
to the entire satisfaction of the Government, 

In the fall of 1811 he commenced his mili- 
tary career. Our country was on the eve ol a 
war with England, and two regiments of troops 
were authorized to be raised in Ohio for the 
protection of the frontier. As soon as this 
li 



82 



authority was given, Gen. Cass at once can- 
vassed the State of Ohio, then sparsely settled, 
for volunteers, and soon had the pleasure of 
announcing to President Madison that his regi- 
ment had been raised, and he was immediately 
appointed Colonel and was ordered to march for 
Detroit. This was no slight undertaking. For 
more than two months he toiled through the 
dense forests of Ohio, cutting his roads and 
bridging the streams, and when at last he came 
in sight of Lake Erie, he received the intelli- 
gence that war had already been declared. He 
arrived at Detroit on the 5th of July, and 
reported to Gen. Hull, who was then in com- 
mand of this military department. It was 
expected that Gen. Hull would at once take the 
initiative and invade Canada, and capture Fort 
Maiden, but in this all were most grievously 
disappointed. Delay after delay occurred, to 
the mortification and disgust of the officers 



83 

under Gen. Hull, until at length he surrendered 
his whole army to Gen. Brock, without striking 
a single blow at the enemy, or making a single 
effort to avert such a terrible calamity. Col. 
Cass and his regiment, although absent from 
Detroit on duty, were included in the surrender 
as prisoners, but this gallant officer made his 
escape, and as soon as possible made his way to 
Washington, to report in person the disaster 
which had fallen upon the nation. For the gal- 
lant services he and his regiment performed, he 
was at once appointed Brigadier-General. He 
remained in Washington, rendering efficient 
services in the War Department, until he was 
exchanged as a prisoner of war, when he was 
appointed by President Madison, Governor of 
the Territory of Michigan. He performed the 
duties of this difficult position with such marked 
ability that he was successively reappointed by 
Presidents Monroe, Adams and Jackson, and 



8 4 



finally surrendered it at the solicitation of Gen. 
Jackson, who appointed him Secretary of War 
in the year 1831. It is unnecessary to say to 
our readers how satisfactorily he had discharged 
his duties as Governor. The approbation of 
the Government was manifested in his promo- 
tion to higher and more important duties ; the 
approbation of the people here was manifested 
by deep regret at his leaving. For nearly 
twenty years he had discharged the duties of 
Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, 
and yet there was not a complaint worthy to 
be called such, and the regret at his departure 
was almost universal. 

Gen. Cass carried into the Cabinet of Gen. 
Jackson a most thorough knowledge of the 
Indian character, and from his energy and deci- 
sion undoubtedly saved the country from the 
expense and horrors of a protracted Indian 
war. He ably supported Gen. Jackson in all 



._ 



85 

his measures to crush out nullification. He 
remained at the head of the War Department 
until near the close of General Jackson's second 
Presidential term, when he was appointed our 
Minister to France. While there he was fur- 
nished with a ship of war by the Government, 
and made an extensive tour up the Mediterra- 
nean, and visited the Holy Land. The United 
States have never had a Minister at the Court 
of France so universally respected, and who 
wielded such a powerful influence with that 
government as Gen. Cass, since the days of 
Franklin. It was owing to this influence that 
he was able to defeat the celebrated Quintuple 
Treaty, which was a blow aimed by England, 
under the guise of her anti-slavery leaders, at 
the freedom of American ships on the ocean. 
This was so clearly and ably demonstrated by 
Gen. Cass in his justly celebrated article on the 
"Right of Search," that Louis Phillippe, the 



J 



86 



King- of France, at once withdrew from the 
Treaty, and it fell to the ground, to the great 
mortification of England. So intense was the 
feeling in England against Gen. Cass for defeat- 
ing this darling project of hers, that he was 
warned that it would not be safe for him to 
visit that country on his way home from France. 
He, however, did not heed these threats, but 
leaving Paris in the fall of 1841, visited Eng- 
land, and arrived in Detroit, his home since that 
time, during the winter of 1842. 

Gen. Cass was greeted with such a warm 
welcome by the people, for the services he had 
rendered in defeating the machinations of Eng- 
land, that he had scarcely landed on our shores 
before he was extensively mentioned as a can- 
didate for the Presidency. At the assembling 
of the Democratic National Convention at Bal- 
timore, in 1844, it was found that the delegates 
were much divided in opinion, although a large 



87 

majority of the delegates were in favor of 
ex-President Yan Buren or Gen. Cass. A large 
number of ballotings took place, and when it 
was found that neither Yan Buren nor Cass 
could obtain the required two-thirds vote, 
James K. Polk was brought forward as a candi- 
date, and Gen. Cass promptly authorized his 
friends to withdraw his name for the sake of 
producing unity and harmony in the party. 
During the canvass which followed the nomina- 
tion of Mr. Polk, Gen. Cass took a very active 
part, and by his powerful speeches in Ohio, 
Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, contributed 
largely to the success of the Democratic can- 
didate. 

In the winter of 1845, Gen. Cass was 
elected United States Senator from Michigan, 
and although he had had no experience in such 
deliberative bodies, at once took a high stand- 
ing in a Senate graced with a Webster, a Claw 



88 



a Calhoun, and a Benton, and was greatly dis- 
tinguished in the numerous debates in that 
body. 

On the meeting of the Democratic National 
Conyention in Baltimore, in May, 1848, Gen, 
Cass was nominated on the fourth ballot, hav- 
ing received the requisite two-thirds vote of 
the convention. Upon accepting the nomina- 
tion, he at once resigned his position in the 
Senate. The contest between Gen. Cass and 
Gen. Taylor was in many respects a most 
remarkable one, and had it not been for the 
defection of ex-President Van Buren, who 
accepted a nomination from his friends in New 
York, Gen. Cass would have been most tri- 
umphantly elected President. As it was, the 
withdrawal of Yan Buren's supporters from the 
Democratic nominee lost Gen. Cass the vote of 
New York, and he was defeated, although he 
carried fifteen out of the thirty States which 



89 

then composed the Union. The effect and final 
consequences of this breaking up of the Demo- 
cratic party cannot be calculated. 

Immediately upon the assembling of the 
Legislature of Michigan, in the winter of 1849, 
Gen. Cass was re-elected to the Senate, where 
he remained as one of the leaders of that body 
until the fourth of March, 1857. Michigan, 
like almost every one of the Northern States, 
had become Republican. Mr. Buchanan had 
been elected President in the fall of 1856. 
Upon the expiration of Gen. Cass' Senatorial 
term, President Buchanan placed him at the 
head of his Cabinet as Secretray of State, 
which he finally resigned in December, 1860, 
after it became evident that the country was to 
be involved in a civil war, and Mr. Buchanan 
either lacked the nerve or the inclination, to use 
the power and resources of the Government to 
save it. From that time until his decease he 

12 



9° 



resided in this city, and although feeling a deep 
interest in the mighty questions which were 
being settled by the sword, he was too infirm 
to take any active part in public affairs. He 
made several public speeches during the war, 
full of patriotism and zeal for the Union, and 
contributed liberally to every fund which was 
raised for the support of the volunteers. 

We have thus drawn a brief picture of the 
political course of one of the most remarkable 
men of this country. From the year 1807 to 
1860, the long period of more than half a cen- 
tury, he was almost continuously in the public 
service, and it can be well and truthfully said 
that he performed the work assigned him by his 
country well. Had he been elected to the 
Presidency in 1848, it seems now probable that 
the country would have been saved the contest 
we have just emerged from. But this, for the 
wise purposes of Providence, was not to be. 



9 1 

Gen. Cass was not only a statesman ot 
enlarged views and capacity, thoroughly ac 
quainted with the history of his own country, 
but conversant with every question which could 
in any manner affect the United States. He 
was a ready debater, an able writer. There 
were few better scholars, few men who had a 
better knowledge of every subject. It mat- 
tered not, in private conversation, what subject 
was started, from the definition and derivation 
of a word to the abstruse sciences of natural 
philosophy, astronomy and chemistry, he seemed 
to have thoroughly mastered them, and at once 
was listened to with pleasure and delight. He 
doubtless had his faults, and who has not ? but 
with them all we know not a man in the nation 
who was his equal in honesty of purpose, in 
purity of character — both public and private— 
in profound knowledge and statesmanship ; and 



9 2 

the nation may well weep over the tomb of this 
great and good man. 



[From the Boston Post (Democratic), June 19, 1866.] 

Few of the last generation of American 
statesmen are left. Although it is several years 
since Gen. Cass took any active part in public 
affairs, and that interval seems so much longer 
than it is by reason of the unparalleled events 
that have been crowded into it, yet the impres- 
sion left by the character and course of so distin- 
guished a man, on his country's history, cannot 
be obliterated even by the exciting experience 
which has supervened. 

He was a statesman of large and philosophic 
views, and a sterling and unwavering patriot. 
The political traditions of his day are not now 



93 

respected as they soon will be again, for a dif- 
ferent school of men, proceeding with their 
government theories from very different prem- 
ises, have succeeded to a power which they 
have shown themselves incompetent to direct 
in the appointed constitutional channels. The 
announcement, therefore, of the decease of one 
of the last remaining statesmen of the strictly 
constitutional era, revives a host of reminis- 
cences and excites to profitable reflection. 

We furnish a biographical sketch of Gen. Cass 
in another column. The recital it contains 
reminds the reader that his political life was 
passed in the midst of some of the most import- 
ant events in our history. The high positions 
in the Government, to which he was called, 
properly attest the distinguished merits he pos- 
sessed. His attainments were large and solid, 
his sagacity remarkable, and his judgment 
sound. In the Senate, or in council, a repre- 



Li 



94 



sentative of the country abroad, or the executor 
of its will on the frontier, he filled every post 
with honor and faithfulness, leaving the abiding 
impress of his work behind. Although so long 
in official life, he was no slave to the routine, but 
rather gave to every position he occupied the 
strong expression of his individual character. 
His loss to the country will not be felt so mark- 
edly, now that he has so long dwelt in the shad- 
ows of a green old age, and his cotemporaries 
have so many of them gone before him ; but 
his name and services will shine out on the 
page of our national history, while there are 
men to read of the successful application of the 
principles of constitutional liberty to the growth 
of a democratic republic. 

The announcement that Lewis Cass is no 
more will create a profound sensation through- 
out the United States. Until within the past 
few years, during which the increasing infirmi- 



95 

ties of age have compelled retirement and 
repose, no name was more familiar in the every 
day conversation of the people, no man occu- 
pied a larger share of the public attention, than 
Gen. Cass. Owing to habits of strict tem- 
perance, and a constitution made sturdy by a 
constant attention to its requirements, Gen. Cass 
has outlived all the statesmen who were the 
rivals of his prime, and was the last survivor of 
the heroes who won military fame in the second 
war with England. A period is now put to 
that green and hearty old age, and no one of 
that brilliant galaxy which so illuminated the 
Senate twenty years ago now remains. What 
a record, replete with triumphs in more than 
one field of official duty, has the veteran left 
behind him! Warrior, legislator, cabinet min- 
ister, diplomatist; in each of these distinguished 
branches of public service he so conducted him- 
self as to win the confidence of his own party, 



9^ 

and the veneration of all men irrespective of 
party, Nor was he less worthy of respect in 
the virtues which his private life revealed to 
those who were privileged to penetrate his con- 
fidence. He was a champion through life of 
the principle of temperance, and exhibited in 
his own habits what he always urged upon 
others. During a political career unsurpassed 
by any statesman in length and in the bitterness 
of partisan conflict, we are quite sure that no 
whisper ever traduced his political honesty — 
certainly none attacked his probity and loftiness 
of moral purpose. He was ever devout, ever 
frank and open, ever genial, ever magnanimous. 
His good temper never permitted him to con- 
vert political into personal animosity ; some of 
his most intimate associations were with politi- 
cal adversaries. His activity, from his earliest 
entrance upon public life, up to the day upon 
which he retired from the Department of State, 



97 

was ceaseless, and when we consider the length 
of his career, was wonderful. His zeal never 
slept, he Avas never found wanting-. Those who 
saw him, as we have often seen him, moving 
briskly along the street, his step light and 
buoyant, his face beaming with earnestness and 
energy, when he had long passed three-score 
and ten, know how, to the last, he retained an 
absorbing interest in the trusts which were 
committed to him. Holding the highest cabinet 
office when he was almost an octogenarian, it is 
impossible to discover that our foreign affairs 
were conducted with less promptness and com- 
pleteness than under the charge of his vigorous 
predecessor in the office. And when he retired 
from public life, and his veteran counsels were 
wanting to the official acts of the Government, 
his mind still retained its clear comprehension, 
and still zealously directed public opinion from 



13 



98 



his retreat in that western home where he was 
so much honored and beloved. 

Lewis Cass was one of those wise men who 
emigrated from New England to the west in its 
early youth, and who carried to the new territory 
the perseverance and industry of Yankee charac- 
ter. He was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, on 
the 9th of October, 1782. His father had been 
a distinguished soldier in the revolution, and the 
son thus came by the military taste as an inheri- 
tance. Lewis received a good education at 
Exeter, and, after graduating from the academy, 
taught school a short time at Wilmington, Dela- 
ware. His love of books was intense ; his am- 
bition to rise absorbing. At the age of seven- 
teen, he went on foot over the Alleghanies, 
settled in Ohio, and studied law at Marietta, 
where he commenced the practice, and soon 
became a noted advocate. He was, so early in 
life, intrusted with the most important cases, 



99 

and gained especial applause for his defence of 
Justice Brown, whom he cleared of impeach- 
ment. At twenty-five young Cass found him- 
self in the Ohio Legislature, and took active 
part in the prosecution of Aaron Burr. From 
this time his advancement was rapid. In 1807 
he was appointed by Jefferson, Marshall of 
Ohio. The war with England broke out. Ohio 
was called upon, from its contiguity to Canada, 
to be especially active. Mr. Cass at once threw 
himself with ardor into the cause, and was 
chosen as Colonel of the Thirty-second Ohio 
regiment His conduct during the campaigns 
which followed, although not brilliant, was meri- 
torious, and elicited the warm approbation of 
his superior officers. 

He led his regiment in person, and submit- 
ted to every privation which they suffered. To 
him belongs the credit of having first invaded 
the hostile territory, and of opening the cam- 



L.ofC. 



)()0 



paign with a victory. The efficient manner in 
which his duties of Colonel were performed in 
the western campaigns, caused him to be com- 
missioned a Brigadier General in 1813, and he 
then co-operated with General Harrison, and 
participated in his campaigns. His substantial 
aid to the country was recognized in October, 
1813, by his appointment as Governor of Michi- 
gan Territory. His administration of this office, 
difficult and harrassing, commended him to the 
Government, and to the settlers who enjoyed 
his energetic rule. He fearlessly exposed him- 
self when necessity required it, and succeeded 
in quelling the disturbances which the Indians, 
not yet driven to the far west, created. From 
the time when Michigan was well nigh a wil- 
derness — when there were few settlers and many 
Indians, down to the time when it was nearly 
prepared for admission as a State, Gen. Cass 
continued its executive officer; and to him, 



i 01 



almost alone, is to be attributed the complete 
transformation of a wilderness into a civilized 
and prosperous community. No wonder that 
Michigan should strive to honor her great origi- 
nator. Gen. Jackson had observed the ability 
and activity of the Governor of Michigan ; in 
1831, when he re-organized his Cabinet, he sum- 
moned Gen. Cass to the head of the War 
Department. For the first time he occupied a 
post of national importance ; and the manner 
in which, for five years, he presided over the 
military branch of the executive, proved his 
right to take a place in the front rank of Ameri- 
can statesmen. The War office, during his Sec- 
retaryship, was mainly occupied by the Indian 
difficulties, the Black Hawk and Seminole wars 
taking place within that period. Gen. Cass 
very much strengthened the Jackson adminis- 
tration by the vigorous policy which he adopted, 
and by his concurrence with the President in 



102 



the bank and nullification questions. With a 
delicacy and tact, yet a promptness highly 
praiseworthy, Gen. Cass took such steps as 
would, if possible, avoid armed collision with 
South Carolina, and yet which would thoroughly 
suppress rebellion should it rise. It was, per- 
haps, owing to his wisdom, that that State con- 
tinued submissive to the national authority. 
Gen. Cass had now attained the eminence of 
being a leader of the most powerful party in 
the country. The harrassing cares of the War 
Department wore upon even his fine constitu- 
tion, and in 1836 he felt constrained to retire 
from the executive council. His services were, 
however, too great to be passed over without 
recognition ; and President Jackson at once 
tendered him the French mission. Already a 
successful soldier, governor, and executive 
statesman, he now achieved other and equally 
great distinction as a diplomatist. His readi- 



1Q 3 

ness of comprehension, the breadth of his views, 
his ripe learning, his affable and dignified man- 
ners, and his pertinacity in labor, made his 
sojourn at the court of Louis Phillippe honor- 
able to himself, and of great benefit to the 
country. His vigilance to detect and frustrate 
schemes inimical to the prosperity of America, 
his refutation of the right of England to domin- 
ion and search on the high seas, the care with 
which he preserved the hereditary friendship 
between France and the United States, mark 
his diplomatic career as one of the most suc- 
cessful which American envoys have enjoyed. 
The versatility of his abilities was conspicuously 
proved, and upon his return in 1842, after a 
residence in Paris of six years, he was at once 
recognized as a prominent candidate for the 
highest honors of State. His name was already 
mentioned in connection with the Presidency. 
Prominent Democrats urged him to stand as a 



104 



candidate for nomination. A large meeting in 
Cincinnati, early in 1843, endorsed his claims 
to the position. When the Democratic National 
Convention met at Baltimore in May, 1844, 
Gen. Cass and Mr. Van Buren were the leading 
candidates on the first ballots. The contest 
between these two became so animated that 
their supporters perceived that neither could 
receive the requisite number of votes. Mr. 
Polk was taken up as a compromise. Gen. 
Cass, unwilling to be in the way of complete 
union, promptly withdrew his name. During 
the campaign Gen. Cass supported the nominee 
with zeal, frequently addressing western meet- 
ings, and taking an active part in the canvass. 
Simultaneously with the inauguration of Presi- 
dent Polk, Gen. Cass took his seat for the first 
time in the National Congress, as Senator from 
Michigan. 

From the moment of assuming this position, 



io 5 






he was the constant support of the administra- 
tion, and took a leading part in the demurs on 
the exciting questions which succeeded each 
other in rapid succession, during President Polk s 
term. The annexation ot Texas, the war with 
Mexico, the Oregon question, the relations with 
Great Britain, the internal appropriations, agi- 
tated the political circles, and on each of these 
subjects Gen. Cass spoke with conspicuous 
ability, maintaining throughout a consistent ad- 
hesion to the political principles of which lie had 
always been the advocate. Such were the ser- 
vices rendered to the party and the country by 
Gen. Cass, that he received the nomination of 
the Democratic Convention at Baltimore, in May, 
1848, on the fourth ballot, as their candidal 
for President of the United States. Gen. Wil- 
liam 0. Butler, of Kentucky, was placed on the 
ticket as a candidate for Vice President, ften. 

14 



io6 



Cass, on accepting the nomination, resigned his 
seat in the Senate. After an exciting cam- 
paign, Gen, Taylor was elected. In the follow- 
ing spring Gen. Cass was returned to the Senate 
by his devoted fellow- citizens of Michigan, and 
continued in that body, the recognized leader of 
the Democratic side, participating constantly in 
the debates, and sustaining himself with his 
habitual force and ability, until called to the 
head of the State Department by President 
Buchanan, in 1857. The light of his intellect 
and experience was shed upon all the important 
questions which from time to time arose for the 
benefit of the country. His term of office, 
while Secretary of State, was comparatively a 
quiet one in our diplomatic annals, our relations 
with the powers of the globe being friendly, 
and our representatives abroad, capable in the 
discharge of their duties. It was a fitting close 
to a public life in every respect pre-eminently 



i.07 

successful, that the veteran statesman should 
occupy for a while the high and not at that time 
arduous dignity of Secretary of State. Some 
weeks before the close of President Buchanans 
term, Gen. Cass retired from the Cabinet, and 
from that time up to his death lived in private 
life in his adopted State, receiving every evi- 
dence of the continued reverence and affection 
of its citizens. More than half a century of his 
life had been spent in official station, and he 
had distinguished himself in every department 
of the public service. The political principles 
which he adopted very early in his career, he 
clung to till the day of his death. Conscien- 
tious and inflexible, he accepted defeat with 
equanimity, and success with moderation. Sin- 
cere and earnest, he refused to use the arts of a 
demagogue, although possessed of an honorable 
ambition. Pure in public and private life, cour- 
teous in manner, faithful in friendship, prudent 



io8 



and prompt in counsel, he belonged to the most 
brilliant generation of American statesmen, and 
was a worthy adversary of Webster, Clay and 
Adams, and often coped successfully with them 
in debate. To his wisdom the Democratic party 
owed a g*reat debt for increased strength and 
popularity, and repaid it by showering upon him 
the highest rewards in their power to bestow. 
Gen. Cass did not confine himself, however, to 
politics. A man of rare literary culture, he deliv- 
ered many lectures abounding in grace of com- 
position, learning, and interest of style. He 
wrote many trenchant reviews, some of which 
appeared in the columns of the North American 
Revieiv, and his descriptive powers were abun- 
dantly recognized, as well as the lucidness and 
simplicity with which he expressed his thoughts. 
As a member of society he was benevolent, 
social and active in projects having for their 
aim the alleviation or progress of the commu- 



109 

nity. Gen. Cass, at the time of his death, Waa 
in his eighty-fourth year, America has pro- 
cluced few statesmen whose records were so 
stainless, whose servics to the State were so 
substantial, whose acts were so deserving of 
gratitude, and a fame lasting far beyond the 
grave. 



[From the Boston Herald, June 18, 18G6.] 

Another connecting link between the pres- 
ent and the past has been severed by the death 
of Hon. Lewis Cass, one of the ablest statesmen 
of the second crop of gigantic intellects of the 
republic. He commenced his public career 
almost at the beginning of the present century, 
and continued it in almost uninterrupted suc- 
cession down to the eventful year of the rebel- 
lion. He was thoroughly a self-made man— 



no 

taught in his youth in the common schools in 
New England, and fitted to become a leader 
among the pioneers of the great west, by those 
qualities of mind which are always acknow- 
ledged as suited to command in a free govern- 
ment. No man took a more active and promi- 
nent part in the political measures and discus- 
sions of his times, and few men have left the 
service of the public with cleaner hands, or with 
a fuller measure of the respect of his country- 
men. Always a partisan, he was still more a 
patriot, and his prompt decision as to his own 
course at the opening of the late sad conflict, 
was sufficient evidence that love of country, and 
reverence for the works of the fathers of the 
republic, were the guiding sentiments of his life. 
We append a brief outline of his public 
career : He was born October 9, 1782; at Exe- 
ter, New Hampshire, and obtained a common 
school education, with perhaps a few terms at 






I II 



the academy, in his native place. Removing 
with his father to Wilmington, Delaware, he 
began life on his own account by teaching 
school there ; again removing with his father to 
Ohio, he studied law at Marietta, and estab- 
lished himself, after admission to practice, at 
Zanesville. In 1806 he married, and the same 
year entered the Ohio Legislature, where he 
attracted attention by an address denouncing 
Burr's conspiracy. This led to his appointment 
as United States Marshal. In 1812 he was 
elected Colonel of an Ohio volunteer regiment, 
at the head of which he marched into Canada, 
and commanded in the affair where the firsl 
blood was shed. His behavior at the surrender 
of Hull is a twice-told tale. He was appointed 
into the regular service in 1813, the same year 
was made a Brigadier General, placed in com- 
mand at Detroit, and appointed Governor of 
Michigan. For a number of years subsequently, 



112 



he was engaged in extensive and successful 
negotiations with the Indians. In 1831 he was 
appointed Secretary of War by Gen. Jackson, 
filling that post until 1836, when he accepted 
that of Minister to France. Here he distin- 
guished himself by his efforts to defeat the 
"Quintuple Treaty," resigning at the close of 
1842. In 1844 the two-thirds rule defeated his 
nomination as the Democratic candidate for 
Presidency, a majority having voted for him. 
He took his seat as United States Senator from 
the State of Michigan in 1845, resigned in 
1848, on receiving the Presidential nomination; 
on his defeat was re-elected to the Senate for 
his unexpired term and a second term, and 
finally closed his active and useful public life as 
Mr. Buchanan's Secretary of State. 



1J 3 



[From the Washington Intelligencer (Conservative Republican), 

June 19, I860.] 

[O F F I C I A L. | 

Department of State, ^ 
Washington, June 18, 1*06. $ 
The President directs the undersigned to 
perform the painful duty of announcing to the 
people of the United States that Lewis Cass, 
distinguished not more by faithful service in 
varied public trusts than by exalted patriotism 
at a recent period of political disorder, departed 
this life at four o'clock yesterday morning. The 
several Executive Departments of the Govern- 
ment will cause appropriate honors to be ren- 
dered to the memory of the deceased, at home 
and abroad, wherever the national name and 
authority are acknowledged. 

William H. Seward. 



In the death of General Cass has passed 
from us one more of the very few surviving 
members of that constellation of statesmen 
who, in the golden era of our annals, sited light 
upon diplomacy and legislation. 

15 



li 4 



Lewis Cass was born at Exeter, New T Hamp- 
shire, October 9, 1782, and was consequently, 
at the time of his death, in the eighty-fourth 
year of his age. He sprang, on both his 
father's and his mother's side, from New Hamp- 
shire Puritan stock. His father, Jonathan Cass, 
at nineteen years of age, marched to the field, 
immediately after the battle of Lexington, was 
at the battle of Bunker Hill, and, serving 
throughout the war, rose from private to cap- 
tain, was retained in the service after the war, 
and rose to the rank of major. In 1799 the 
father was on duty at Wilmington, Delaware, 
and Lewis, who had been at Exeter Academy 
from the age of ten years up to this time, went 
with his parents and taught school in that vicin- 
ity. In 1800 Major Cass resigned his commis- 
sion, and, accompanied by the son, the family 
emigrated to the west, descending* the Ohio 
from Pittsburgh in a flatboat, and arriving at 



ll S 



the pioneer settlement of Southeastern Ohio in 
October of that year. The family took up 
their home on a tract of land near Zanesville, 
which had fallen to Major Cass as a military 
bounty, but the son remained at Marietta and 
entered on the study of the law, coming to the 
bar in December, 1802. In 1806 he married 
Elizabeth Spencer, whose parents, emigrating 
from Lansingburg, New York, had settled on 
the Virginia side of the Ohio. In the same 
year he was a member of the Ohio Legislature, 
where he distinguished himself in connection 
with the investigations of Burr's schemes in 
that country, and his services were recognized 
by Jefferson in his appointment as United States 

Marshal of Ohio. 

In 1812 the troubles with the Indians and 
the exasperated feeling towards Great Britain 
led the State to organize three regiments of 
volunteers, of which Mr. Cass was made the 



ii6 






Colonel of the Third regiment These volun- 
teers. 1200 in all, together with three hundred 
regulars under Col Miller, after a inarch of 
more than two hundred miles through a swampy 
country, arrived at Detroit in July, and on the 
11th of that month marched into Canada under 
Gen. Hull, the proclamation issued on the occa- 
sion being written by Col. Cass. The retreat 
of Hull, and the surrender of his whole force 
ignominiously on the 16th of the succeeding 
month, at Detroit, is well known. CoL Cass, 
temporarily absent for the relief of a provision 
train at the time of the surrender, was, however, 
with his command, included in the capitulation, 
and when returning and learning the result, he 
indignantly broke his sword and flung it away. 
His regiment was dismissed on parole, and he 
proceeded at once to Washington, to vindicate 
himself and men from any responsibility in the 
disastrous termination of the campaign. Col. 



1*7 



Cass was exchanged in February, 1813, and com- 
missioned about the same time as Colonel in the 
regular army ; soon promoted to be Brigadier 
General, he joined Gen. Harrison's army in July, 
and shared in the pursuit of Proctor and the 
victory of the Thames. His testimony on the 
trial of Hull was severe on that unfortunate 
officer, and has been at times harshly criticised. 
Gen. Cass was put in command at Detroit, and 
soon appointed Governor. The settlement was 
mostly French. In June, 1815, Governor Cass 
moved his family to that place, which was ever 
after his home. In 1816 he purchased five hun- 
dred acres of land for $12,000, a tract upon 
which much of the city now stands, and which 
immediately made him a man of great wealth. 

Gen. Cass was Superintendent of Indian 
Affairs on the west territory, over which lie was 
Governor, and in the expedition of 1820, for 
exploring the northern shores of Lake Superior 



ii8 

and the upper waters of ' the Mississippi, of 
which Schoolcraft has recorded the account, 
and of which Gov. Cass was a participant, was 
set on foot, and from that time down to 1831, 
he was the great leading and guiding spirit in 
all the affairs of that vast country — travelling 
on one occasion, in 1827, in the space of two 
months, more than four thousand miles in birch 
canoes. 

In 1831 he was appointed Secretary of War 
by Gen. Jackson, and in 1836 was transferred 
from that post to that of Ambassador at the 
French court. In 1841, in consequence of his 
opposition to the Quintuple Treaty, he gave 
great offence to the French government, and, as 
the result of his bold position on this question, 
he resigned and returned home in 1842, As 
the attack which he made upon this treaty is 
the most remarkable incident, and, as we con- 



ii 9 



ceive, one. of the most honorable, not only in 
his diplomatic, bnt entire public career, the 
nature of the controversy may properly be in 
brief recalled. 

The Quintuple Treaty, it is well known, 
originated in connection with efforts to suppress 
the slave trade. Subsequently to 1815, Great 
Britain instituted vigorous efforts for its sup- 
pression, but soon found that the right of search- 
ing suspected vessels was a very necessary 
means towards accomplishing their object. This 
right of search was not only resisted by the 
United States, but the British admiralty courts 
decided that it was a purely belligerent right, 
which did not exist in times of peace. Hence 
a treaty in 1824 between the two countries. 
granting a mutual right of search "on the coast 
of Africa, West Indies, and America," of ves 
sels suspected to l?e slavers. The Senate of the 
United States, in ratifying the treaty, struck 



120 



out the word "America," which caused its 
rejection by the British government, in the 
hope — never realized — of obtaining larger con- 
cessions. The American people associated 
impressment and search together, and repudi- 
ated both. Meanwhile Great Britain, France, 
Spain and Portugal united in such a treaty, 
conceding the right of mutual search, and in 
the prosecution of the attempt to incorporate 
this usage in the international code of Europe, 
and to make it the public law of Christendom, 
a treaty was signed in London in 1841, by 
which Great Britain, France, Russia, Austria, 
and Prussia mutually conceded this right, under 
certain restrictions and between certain lati- 
tudes. When the signing of this treaty was 
made public, Gen. Cass attacked it with all 
his powers. He filed a protest against it in 
the French Office of Foreign Affairs, and, in 
the hopes of defeating its approval by the 



121 



French Chambers, denounced it in a powerful 
printed pamphlet, accusing great Britain of the 
aim, under guise of suppressing the slave trade, 
to secure the lordship of the seas. In the 
attack he revived the impressment controversy, 
and with acrimony and keenness grappled upon 
Lords Palmerston and Aberdeen, who, in their 
correspondence with the American Minister at 
London, had then just set up the astonishing 
doctrine, that while they had no right of search 
for the suppression of the slave trade, they did 
have the right to visit suspected vessels for the 
purpose of verifying the flag, and testing the 
right to bear it. This claim Gen. Cass was sup- 
ported in denouncing in the animadversions 
made on it in President Tyler's annual message 
of December, 1841. In communicating with 
his Government, Gen. Cass pressed immediate 
preparations for war. The French public and 

16 



122 



French Chambers were aroused by Gen. Cass' 
indignant and earnest appeals, and their preju- 
dices against Great Britain were so inflamed, 
that Louis Philippe not venturing to ratify the 
treaty, it thus fell to the ground. Gen. Cass 
was sustained in his course by the President, 
though much obloquy, in the midst of the pas- 
sions of the hour, fell from some quarters upon 
him. The Ashburton treaty, negotiated shortly 
after this signal triumph of Gen. Cass, provided 
that the United States should maintain a squad- 
ron on the coast of Africa, to co-operate with 
the British in the suppression of the slave 
trade ; and Gen. Cass deeming this provision, 
without another requiring a specific renuncia- 
tion on the part of Great Britain of the right of 
visit, as in some sort a disavowal of his protest 
and pamphlet, he resigned and came home in 
1842, as we have already stated. Lord 
Brougham, much exasperated on account of 



123 

"the protest," "the pamphlet," and Consequent 
failure of the Quintuple treaty, stigmatized Gen. 
Cass at that time as "the impersonation of mob 
hostility to Great Britain," and multitudes of 
Americans joined in the assault, who now 
doubtless vindicate the justness of his opposi- 
tion to that treaty. 

In 1844 he was a powerful candidate in the 
Baltimore Convention against Yan Buren for 
President, and after an angry contest, Polk was 
nominated as a compromise candidate. Mr. Cass 
was very active in support of Mr. Polk on 
the stump, and was elected to the United States 
Senate from his State. He took his seat in 
December, 1845, and soon became conspicuous 
on the Oregon question, then in controversy 
with Great Britain, in which he set up the 
famous " 54-40 or fight" demand. 

In 1846, when the Wilmot Proviso was 
brought into Congress, Gen. Cass was its advo- 



. 



124 

cate, and in 1847 appeared his famous Nichol- 
son letter, in which he set up the exclusive 
rig-lit for the Territories to determine their own 
domestic institutions as if they were States. 
He declared himself opposed to the Wilmot 
Proviso, conceding that he had changed his 
views on that question. In 1848 he was nomi- 
nated for the Presidency over Levi Woodbury 
and Buchanan, but was beaten by Gen. Taylor 
before the people. He had resigned his seat 
in the Senate, but was re-elected in June, 1849, 
for the remainder of the term he had resigned, 
and at the ensuing session of Congress, being 
instructed to vote for the Wilmot Proviso by 
the Legislature of his State, he replied elabo- 
rately, defending his Nicholson letter doctrine, 
and, moreover, pronouncing the Wilmot Pro- 
viso unconstitutional. He declared himself a 
believer in the doctrine of instructions, "when 
fairly expressed and under proper circum- 



lag 

stances," and announced that he should resign 
or obey. The instructions were subsequently 
reconsidered by the Legislature. He was a 
member of Mr. Clay's compromise committee 
of 1850, and supported all the measures of that 
committee, refusing, however, to vote for the 
bill on its final passage, on the ground that it 
did not provide for the trial by jury of the 
fugitive after being taken back to his master. 

In 1851 he again came into the Senate for 
a new and full term. In 1852 he was again 
a candidate for the Presidency, but meeting 
Mr. Douglas in the Baltimore Convention, much 
as he had himself met Van Buren in the con- 
vention of 1844, the conflict between himself, 
Mr. Marcy, Mr. Douglas and Mr. Buchanan, was 
so exasperated, that, after forty-nine ballots and 
five days' conflict, the convention, turning to a 
new man, nominated Gen. Pierce. 



i 



126 

Gen. Cass was opposed to the introduction 
of the Kansas-Nebraska bill into the Senate by 
Mr. Douglas, but finally voted for it when they 
put into it the principle of his Nicholson letter, 
and on the famous night of its passage, con- 
gratulated the Senate on the triumph of ''squat- 
ter sovereignty." In the maddened tempest 
which swept over the country after the passage 

of this measure, he soon found the majority of 
his State against him, and when instructed by 
the Republican Legislature of his State to vote 
against the policy of his party on the Kansas 
question, he declined to regard the instructions, 
on the ground that such instructions, to be of 
binding force, should have come from the party 
to whom he owed his seat. As a consequence, 
he failed of a re-election to the Senate in 1857. 
In 1856 he was no longer a candidate for the 
Presidency, and cordially concurring in the 



127 



selection made at Cincinnati, he was appointed 
by Mr. Buchanan at the head of his Cabinet as 
Secretary of State. 

Gen. Cass resigned his office as Secretary of 
State on the 12th of December, 1860, because 
the President refused to reinforce the forts in 
Charleston harbor. The question on which he 
thus went into retirement, was, unquestionably, 
the most embarrassing subject that had ever 
come before Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet. No overt 
act of secession had then been committed. The 
State Convention of South Carolina did not 
assemble till December 17th, and the passage of 
an act calling that convention, was the only 
official act looking to secession which that State 
had then committed. The voice of the people 
of the country was overwhelming in favor of 
conciliation, forbearance and compromise. The 
party determined on a rupture, was, however, 
not small, and its leaders were both able and 



128 

desperate. This condition of public sentiment 
had continued for some time, and those favor- 
ing an amicable adjustment shrank from coer- 
cive measures under the influence of views sub- 
sequently expressed in the emphatic language 
of Mr. Douglas: "You must do one of two 
things: either settle the difficulty amicably or 
by the sword. An amicable settlement is a 
perpetuation of the Union. The use of the 
sword is war, disunion, and separation, now and 
forever." General Cass insisted firmly that a 
military and naval force should be immediately 
sent to Charleston harbor ; Mr. Buchanan hesita- 
ted and refused, and thus the rupture. 

Gen. Cass immediately retired to his home in 
Detroit, and when the Board of Trade of Detroit 
unfurled the national flag over their rooms on 
the 24th of April, 1861, he was called upon to 
address the people, and he urged that the Union, 
the Constitution, and the national flag should be 






129 



defended under all circumstances ; that in a crisis 
such as was then impending, it was the duty of 
every citizen to stand by the Government, 

u In the midst of this prosperity," were his 
words on the occasion at Detroit, u without a 
single foe to assail us, without a single injury at 
home caused by the operations of the Govern- 
ment to affect us, this glorious Union, acquired 
by the blood and sacrifice of our fathers, has been 
disowned and rejected by a portion of the States 
composing it — Union which has given us more 
blessings than any previous Government ever 
conferred upon man." And then, after a lofty 
and thrilling tribute to the national ensign float- 
in^ above him, as the emblem of this country's 
power and glory, the following are his noble 
words of conclusion : " That flag, your worthy 
Mayor has, by the direction of the municipal 
authority, hung out upon the dome above ua 

17 



*3° 

The loyal American people can defend it, and 
the deafening cheers which meet us to-day are a 
sure pledge that they will defend it. [Ap- 
plause.] A stern determination to do so is 
evinced by the preparations and patriotic devo- 
tion which are witnessed around us, and in the 
echoes which are brought here by every wind 

that blows. 

" You need no one to tell you what are the 
dangers of your country, nor what are your duties 
to meet and avert them. There is but one path 
for every true man to travel, and that is broad 
and plain. It will conduct us, not indeed with- 
out trials and sufferings, to peace and the resto- 
ration of the Union. He who is not for his 
country is against her. [Applause.] There is no 
neutral position to be occupied. It is the duty 
of all zealously to support the Government in 
its efforts to bring this unhappy civil war to a 
speedy and satisfactory conclusion, by the res- 



*3 l 

toration, in its integrity, of that great charter of 
freedom bequeathed to us by Washington and 
his compatriots. His ashes, I humbly trust, will 
ever continue to repose in the lovely tomb of 
Mount Vernon and in the United States of 
America^ [applause] which he loved so well and 
did so much to found and build up. Manifest 
your regard for his memory, by following, each 
with the compass of his power, his noble exam- 
ple, and restore his work as he left it, by devo- 
ting heart, mind, and deed to the cause.' 1 [Loud 
continued cheering.] 

These views he maintained from the beginning 
to the end of the struggle ; threw the weight of 
his great name unreservedly for his country, 
never doubting, even in the darkest hours of the 
long agony, of the final consummation. 

In the last years of his life, till disease in the 
last months clouded his understanding, lie 
retained in a remarkable degree, the vigor both 



>3^ 

of body and of mind, the strict temperance of 
his life having in a wonderful manner, secured 
to his old age confirmed health, robust constitu- 
tion, and a marvellous capacity for labor. 



[From the Cleveland Daily Leader (Democratic) June 20, I860.] 

We are called upon to chronicle the death of 
the oldest and one of the ablest of American 
statesmen. Lewis Cass entered upon a public 
career in the early part of the century, while his 
life reached back to the Revolution. He was 
the compeer not only of Clay and Webster, but 
of Monroe and Adams, and his death is an im- 
portant event in our political history. 

He was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, 
October 9th, 1782, and died at the age of 83 
years. His parents belonged to the rugged 
class of New England farmers of the revolution- 



*33 

ary period, and he was brought up to their 
regular course of hard labor and virtuous con- 
duct. His education was gained at the some- 
what famous Academy at Exeter, where he was 
a fellow-student for some time with Daniel 
Webster. In 1799 he went to Wilmington, 
Delaware, where he taught school. He after- 
wards lived at Harper's Ferry, and in October, 
1800, went to Marietta, Ohio, and became a law- 
student under Governor Meigs. In 1802 he 
was admitted to the practice of law, and for 
several years before his death he was the only 
survivor of the Ohio bar of that period. He 
was a hard student, a man of sound mind, and a 
good speaker, and diligent labor soon made him 
one of the foremost men of Southern Ohio. He 
was very popular, and his reputation rapidly 
extended throughout the entire west, 

In 1806 he was elected to the Legislature, 
and by him was made the first public arraign- 



naa 



>34 



ment of Aaron Burr's loyalty, in a speech deliv- 
ered soon after to the House of Representatives. 
In 1807 he was appointed U. S. Marshal for 
Ohio, by President Jeiferson, in compliment for 
his service to the Government in denouncing 
Burr's scheme, though he still continued the 
practice of his profession. 

In 1812 he was among the first to favor a war 
with Eugland, and volunteering for service upon 
the call for troops, was made Colonel of the 
Third Ohio regiment. He was afterwards made 
a Colonel and promoted to a Brigadiership in the 
regular army, and in the war achieved a 
brilliant reputation. He was engaged under 
General Hull, near Detroit, and afterwards with 
General Harrison, in his successful northwestern 
and Canada campaigns. 

During the continuance of the war, late in 
1813, he was appointed by President Madison, 
Governor of the Northwestern Territory. He 



l 3S 

then resigned his Marshalship, and soon after 
removed his family to Detroit, where he after- 
wards resided. He was also appointed Super- 
intendent of Indian Affairs, in which office his 
tact and energy were tested to their full extent. 
When the territory of Michigan was created, he 
was retained in the chair of Governor. In July, 
1831, he resigned his executive duties, after 
nearly 18 years of service, during which time 
he built up a national reputation, as a man of 
strong will and force of character, of uncommon 
judgment and administrative abilities, as an elo- 
quent orator, a wise thinker and writer, and a 
patriot of unflinching courage and integrity. 
His conduct of Indian Affairs— involving the 
negotiations of nineteen different treaties, some 
of them very important— and his organization 
of everv branch of the Michigan Government, 
had given him a name among our noblest 
statesmen. 






*3 6 

In August, 1831, President Jackson appoin- 
ted General Cass Secretary of War, and he 
entered the Cabinet with such colleagues as 
Edward Livingston, Levi Woodbury and Roger 
B. Taney. It was during his five years of ser- 
vice at the head of the War Department, that 
we had the Blackhawk and Florida wars and 
nullification troubles with South Carolina, and 
the performance of his duties at those periods, 
was highly satisfactory. The Cherokee out- 
break in Georgia also happened during his term, 
but his course therein, while fully in accordance 
with President Jackson's idea, has not been 
generally approved by the people. He stood 
by the State authorities in their refusal to obey 
the decree of the National courts. 

Failing in health, in 1836 he resigned his 
seat, and was sent out to France as our Minister. 
The latter office he filled with dignity until 
1842, when he asked to be recalled. His 



l 37 

course toward the close of his ministry was not 
approved in all respects by our Government, and 
the disagreement led to a spirited correspon- 
dence between Mr. Webster, then Secretary of 
State, and General Cass. The latter was, how- 
ever, heartily sustained by the Democratic 
party. 

In 1844 he was a prominent candidate for the 
Presidential nomination, and it is said to have 
been through the iufluence of his friends that 
his principal competitor, Van Buren, was 
defeated, and Polk's selection brought about. 
In 1845 he was almost unanimously elected 
United States Senator from Michigan, and soon 
after took his seat among the great men of that 
Congress. His celebrated "Nicholson letter/ 5 
proclaiming the Democratic doctrine of " Squat- 
ter Sovereignty,' 1 was written in December. 
1847. In 1848, after a warm contest between 



18 



*38 

Cass, Buchanan and Woodbury, the former 
received his party nomination for the Presi- 
dency. At the election he polled nearly a 
million and a quarter of votes — the entire Dem- 
ocratic strength — but was defeated by General 

Taylor. 

In 1850 he was the second member on Mr. 
Clay's famous Committee of Thirteen, and did 
substantial service in the preparation and pass- 
age of the Compromise Measure — though 
declining to vote for the Fugitive Slave Bill. 
That the enactment of that Compromise was 
wholly wrong seems now to be generally conce- 
ded, but the motives of such of its supporters 
as Clay, Cass and Dickinson, have never been im- 
peached. In 1851 he was re-elected to the 
Senate, and in 1852 was among the leading men 
of his party, who were defeated for the execu- 
tive nomination, by that man hitherto unknown 
to fame and fortune, Franklin Pierce. In that 



l 39 

year, too, he delivered a eulogy on Henry Clay, 
perhaps the most finished and eloquent effort of 

his life. 

In 1854, when Mr. Douglas introduced the 
Nebraska bill, he found in General Cass one of 
its staunchest supporters. In 1857 he retired 
from the Senate to become Secretary of State 
under the Buchanan administration. He entered 
upon the arduous and responsible duties of the 
Premier at the age of seventy-four years, as vig- 
orous in body and mind as any of the younger 
leaders of his party. His health continued good 
and he remained at the head of the Cabinel 
until December, 1860, when his loyalty brought 
him in contact with the President, and he re- 
signed. Had his advice at that time been follow- 
ed, we might have been spared many of the 
disgraceful scenes which marked the executive 
branch of the Government during the next 
winter, and doubtless much of the bloodshed of 
the late war. 



140 

After taking leave of public life, at the age of 
seventy-eight, he retired to his place in Detroit. 
Rarely attending public meetings, though occa- 
sionally writing letters which were given to the 
public, he spent the last years of his life beyond 
the pale of politics, in the congenial sphere of 
social and religious intercourse at his own home. 
Always a model in manner of living, in healthful 
exercise, in temperance and in those amenities 
of conduct which shed a pleasant light upon the 
path of life, he enjoyed excellent health and 
cheerful spirits, and passed the evening of his 
days as all statesmen might hope to do — in that 
peace which is at once a rest and a reward. 
While many — probably the majority — of his 
fellow-citizens could not endorse his political 
principles, all honored the public career and 
respected the private character of the venerable 
man. And now that he is dead, he is mourned 
by the whole nation. He was the last of a long 



141 

line of eminent men, whose experience had been 
for a quarter of a century wrought into the his- 
tory of the country. Presidents, cabinets and 
senators, statesmen, soldiers and writers with 
whom he was associated, and with whose names 
his will ever be remembered, have long been 
gathered to their fathers. And now, full of 
years and of honors, he has taken his place 
among them. 

The characteristics of General Cass were 
force and clearness of thought, energy and 
strength in administration, a healthful organiza- 
tion, physically and mentally, thoroughness of 
conviction and a courteous firmness in decision. 
He was not brilliant, though strong feeling 
sometimes made him eloquent; and he was not 
learned, though long reading and experience 

had given him a great fund of information. Mr 
was a good speaker, of dignified presence, 
though not pleasing expression, and delivered 



l 4 2 

many lectures and addresses on agricultural, lit- 
erary and historical subjects. He was always 
ready, always at self-command, never falling 
below his reputation, and frequently rising 
above expectation. As a soldier, civil officer, 
and citizen, he filled the measure of his large 
capacity — as a patriot and christian, he was an 
honor to the country and the age. 



[From the North American.] 

Hon. Lewis Cass died at Detroit, Michigan, 
on June 17th, at the age of eighty-three years. 
His death, following fast upon that of General 
Scott, sweeps away almost the last, if not the 
last, of that galaxy of men whose abilities and 
continuance in public service built up for us a 
sort of Elizabethan era of our own. 

Mr. Cass was born at Exeter, New Hamp- 
shire, October 9, 1782, of old Puritan and Rev- 



H3 



olutionary stock. He studied at the Exeter 
Academy, made famous by Daniel Webster's 
pupilage, as well as his own, until 1799. His 
father, who rose to be a Major in the Federal 
army, removed to Wilmington, Delaware, in 
1799, and young Lewis taught there for a while, 
then he removed with his parents to Marietta, 
Ohio; was admitted to the bar, and opened an 
office in Zanesville, in 1802. In 180G he was 
elected to the Legislature, and aided in break- 
ing up Burr's great western expedition. He 
was then made United States Marshal for Ohio. 
In 1812 he was chosen Colonel of the Third Ohio 
volunteers in the Avar with Great Britain, and 
served with General Hull. He entered Canada, 
and when Hull made his capitulation, broke his 
sword in anger. He was exchanged, and made 
Colonel in the regular army in 1813, and pro- 
moted to Brigadier General. He was with 
Harrison, and in the battle of the Thames. 



1 44 



Subsequently he was appointed Governor of the 
Territory of Michigan, with about 5,000 Avhite 
inhabitants. He quieted the Indians by treaty 
in IS 14, and the next year moved to Detroit, 
where he purchased 500 acres of land, lie was 
made Superintendent over some 40,000 Indians, 
and seeured their eoniidenee and kept the peace. 
Jn 1817, he seeured the cession of 4,000,000 
acres of Indian lands, and in 1819 of 0,000,000 
acres more in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. 
Schoolcraft's Exploring Expedition was framed 
by him. In 1821 he extinguished the Indian 
tittle in Michigan. By 1831 he had made 19 
Indian treaties, and published articles on. the 
Indian races, which drew attention to him. In 
1831, General Jackson, reconstructing his Cabi- 
net, made General Cass Secretary of War, and 
the Secretary advocated the removal of the In- 
dians. In L836 he was sent as Minister to 
France, where his diplomacy was successful, and 



»45 

the next year he traveled extensively along the 
coasts of the Mediterranean- He wasa friend of 
LoutePhilippe, and signalized himself by assailing 
the treaty of 1841. which was by hk efforts frus 
trated. The Aihburton treaty led to hia resign** 
lion. On his return, General Gabs pronounced 
in favor of the annexation of Texas, and wai a 
candidate for the ftreskleacy against Mr. Polk in 
1844. Be was chosen Senator from Michigan 
in 1845, and took higfo ground on the Oregon 
question, opposing the treaty by which the 
Whigs settled it. The Mexican war Followed 
fest on the heek of this adjustment, and hk Nich- 
olson letter of December^ 1847, proposed to leave 
the question of slavery in the States to be 
acquired from Mexico, to be settled by them 
selves. He then opposed the Wilmot Proviso, 
which he had previously approved In l s l s - 
he was nominated by Hie Democrats for Presi 



19 



146 



dent at the Baltimore Convention, but was 
defeated by General Taylor, owing to a secession 
of Mr. Van Buren's friends in New York. In 
1849, he was re-elected by his State to the Sen- 
atorship, which he resigned when accepting the 
nomination for the Presidency. He then argued 
the doctrine of State instructions to Representa- 
tives, opposing the Wilmot Proviso as unconstitu- 
tional. In 1850 he belonged to Clay's Compro- 
mise Committee, and joined hands with "Webster 
and other political opponents, though opposed 
to the clause for rendering back fugitive slaves. 
He was re-elected to the Senate in 1851, and 
was again a candidate for the Presidency in 1852, 
when General Pierce was nominated. When 
Mr. Douglas introduced the Kansas Nebraska 
bill in 1854, General Cass opposed it, as calcu- 
lated to renew dangerous difficulties, and only 
gave his assent when the principles of the Nich- 
olson letter were applied to the new States, 



147 



leaving them to approve or exclude slavery. 
The Republican party, organized in opposition to 
slavery and the principles of this bill, led to his 
defeat as a Senator from Michigan. He was not 
a candidate for the Presidency at the Cincinnati 
Convention of 1856, and was appointed Secre- 
tary of State by Mr Buchanan in 1857. In this 
position he secured from Great Britain an assent 
to his theory on the marine right of visit, and 
transacted much other business of an important 
character. For the last few years, worn out by 
age and oppressed by its infirmities, he, like 
General Scott, whose death is so soon followed 
by his own, had retired from public notice. In 
the great emergency of the country, however, 
the old statesman followed his own judgment 
rather than party creed, and took strong and 
hiffh ground in favor of the war. lie may not, 
perhaps, be said to have left his party, and yet 
his language and opinions framed themselves 
well into the platform of Union conduct. 



] 4 8 



General Cass was about the last, if not the 
very last, of a school of great men which was 
controlling- for a long time. Clay, Webster, 
Calhoun, Marcy, Buchanan, Everett, Benton, 
Wright — these, and such as these were his com- 
petitors, and if he did not stand as chief iu such 
a galaxy, it is certain that he occupied the most 
distinguished secondary place. He was a man 
of more than ordinary cultivation, and politics 
did not wean him from successful attention to 
literature. In person, he was not imposing, and 
had a heavy and lethargic appearance, which 
was dispelled only on important occasions. His 
intimate relations to the affairs of the country 
for a long period will cause his death to be 
greatly noticed, though he has so long lived 
retired from active exertions. 



[From the Providence Press, June 18th, 1866.] 

In the death of Lewis Cass, another of those 
links which bind the present to the past through 



149 












. 



our great men and public servants, is severed. 
The venerable statesman departed this life at 
his home in Detroit, Michigan, on the 17th inst, 
at the ripe age of eighty-three years. He has 
been identified with the history of this country 
from nearly the commencement of this century, 
having first entered upon public life in 1807, as 
a member of the Ohio Legislature, receiving 
during the same year the appointment of Marshal 

of that State. 

At the breaking out of hostilities between 
this country and Great Britain, in what is known 
as the war of 1812, he offered his services to the 
Government, rising in grade until he won his 
title of Major General of volunteers. Although 
he never prided himself upon his military 
achievments, seeking in civil life as best adapted 
to his gifts and tastes, the honors which he cov- 
eted, yet his military career was an honor to 
himself and his country. His active military 



ICO 



life commenced by his being elected Colonel of 
the Third regiment of Ohio volunteers. By a 
difficult and forced march he reached Detroit ; 
urged the immediate invasion of Canada; was 
the writer of the proclamation announcing that 
event; was the first to land a small detachment 
of troops upon that soil, and fought and won 
the first battle, that of Toronto. 

The failure of the campaign culminated dur- 
ing his absence on important service, and unex- 
pectedly he found himself and his command 
included in the terms of capitulation. Repair- 
ing at once to the seat of government, he made 
report of the causes of the disaster, and was 
appointed Colonel in the regular army, from 
which he was soon promoted to a Brigadier 
Generalship. His exchange and release from 
parole enabled him to repair to the seat of war, 
and he engaged actively in hostilities for the 
recoverv of Michigan. As a volunteer Aide-de- 



^ 



Camp to General Harrison, he won laurels at the 
celebrated battle of the Thames. 

In his civil life he has been still more marked 
and successful. While in his first Representa- 
tive position, in the Ohio Legislature, he origi- 
nated the bill which arrested the treasonable 
proceedings of the celebrated Aaron Burr, 
which, according to Mr. Jefferson, was the first 
blow aimed at the conspiracy. 

In 1813, he was appointed by President Mad- 
ison to the Governorship of Michigan, a position 
requiring at that time great executive ability 
and versatility of talent. He fulfilled the trust 
with great credit and honor to himself, preserved 
the peace between the whites and the treacher- 
ous and disaffected Indian tribes, and under his 
wise rule the territory was rapidly developed. It 
became a part of himself and has since been his 
home and the State of his love. 

In 1831 he received the appointment of Sec- 



is* 



retary of War, taking his seat as such in the 

Cabinet of Jackson. In 1836 President Jackson 
gave him the appointment of Minister to France, 

the duties of which he performed with credit to 
himself and his country, being recalled at his 
own request in 1842. In 1845 he was elected 
by the Legislature of Michigan to the Senate of 
the United States, and served his State in that 
capacity until he resigned the position to accept 
the nomination for the Presidency tendered him 
by the Democratic party, with which he had 
long been identified. He was defeated at the 
polls by General Taylor, and was at the subse- 
quent session of the Legislature of his State re- 
elected to the Senate for the unexpired portion 
of his original term. 

Upon the elevation of Mr. Buchanan to the 
Presidency he was offered the portfolio of Sec- 
retary of State, which he accepted and acquitted 
himself in that position as in all others, credita- 



*53 

bly to himself. His crowning act, one which 
has endeared him to his countrymen, more than 
all his previous acts, was his giving up his 
position at the head of Buchanan's Cabinet, 
when treason had invaded its councils and he 
found himself powerless to prevent its mad 
designs. That act will cause his memory to be 
embalmed in the affections of a people, like 
himself loyal to liberty, and imbued with a pat- 
riotism which sacrifices all for country. 

General Cass was a man of more than ordin- 
ary ability of great perseverance of character, 
an indefatigable worker and an honest man. 
His writings are very voluminous, for he devo- 
ted as much of his time as his public duties 
would allow to literary pursuits, and his State 
papers, writings and speeches are very volumi- 
nous. They will form a fitting monument for 
the distinguished statesman. His New England 



20 



!54 



birth — having been born in Exeter, New Hamp- 
shire, October 9th, 1782— joined to his Western 
cultivation and growth, gave him the proper 
elements of character and surroundings, while 
his ambition and zeal fully improved them. 

He was a partizan, for his middle and mature 
life was spent among some of the strongest 
partizan intellects of the age. But he was the 
refined and courteous gentleman, and worthy the 
association of such men as Webster, Clay, Cal- 
houn, Benton, Clayton, Crittenden, and that 
class of great minds who made the councils of 
this nation honored at home and abroad. He 
was human, and not without mistakes, but his 
deep devotion to, and love for his country, will 
cause his grave to be green even among his par- 
tizan opponents, when the memories of many of 
his partizan associates shall become an arid 
desert of infamy, in consequence of their trea- 



son. 



l 5S 

[From the Michigan Argus, (Democratic) June 22d, 1866. ] 

It is our painful duty to record the death of 
one who has been for over half a century iden- 
tified with the political interests of our State 
and country, whose name is known in every 
corner of the land, and throughout the civilized 
world. Gen. Lewis Cass died at his residence 
in Detroit, on Sunday morning last, at a few 
miuutes past four o'clock; and, though not 
unexpected, the announcement of his decease 
startled the public as does always the death of 
a man filling, or who has filled, exalted posi- 
tions. As is natural, the thoughts of all intui- 
tively revert to the events of his life ; but to 
record these would make a volume rather than 
an obituary notice, and we must, therefore, con- 
tent ourself with the merest summary. 

Gen. Cass was born at Exeter, N. H., on the 
9th of October, 1782, and was, at the date of 
his death, eighty-three years, eight months, and 



eight days old. His father, Jonathan Cass, was 
a soldier in the revolutionary war 7 having enlis- 
ted at the age of nineteen, just after the battle 
of Lexington, and participated in the battle of 
Bunker Hill. Lewis Cass entered the academy 
at Exeter at the age of ten years, where he 
remained until seventeen, making good use of 
his time, and laying the foundation of a schol- 
arship tested by years of service in public life. 
In 1799 his father removed to Wilmington, 
Delaware, where Lewis taught school for a few 
months. In 1800 his father again removed, this 
time to Marietta, Ohio, where Lewis entered 
upon the study of law, and subsequently upon 
its practice, being admitted in 1802. He re- 
moved soon to Zanesville, where, in 1806, he 
married Elizabeth Spencer. He was elected 
member of the Legislature the same year, and 
took his seat in December. As a member of 
the Legislature, he was instrumental in procur- 



157 



ing the passage of a law which broke up the 
expedition of Aaron Burr. His conrse secur ed 
him the notice and friendship of Jefferson, and 
the appointment of United States Marshal. 

In April, 1812, he was enrolled as a volun- 
teer in one of the three regiments raised because 
of the threatened Indian and British war, and 
was commissioned as Colonel. His regiment 
shared the fate of Hull's army at the treacher- 
ous surrender of Detroit, August 16th, 1812, 
and his indignation was such that he broke his 
sword and threw it away. Being exchanged in 
January, 1813, he was soon after commissioned 
Colonel in the regular army, and his promotion 
to Brigadier General soon followed. He joined 
Gen. Harrison's army in July, and shared in the 
victory over Gen. Proctor at the battle of the 
Thames. He was placed in command at Detroit 
and was soon after appointed Governor of the 
Territory, which position he held until L831- 



to— 



■58 

He moved his family to Detroit in 1815, and 
has ever since resided there, except when absent 
on official business. 

As Governor he was, ex officio, Superintend- 
ent of Indian Affairs in the territory now con- 
stituting both the States of Michigan and Wis- 
consin, the duties of which office were humanely 
and wisely discharged. 

In 1831 he was appointed Secretary of War 
by Gen. Jackson, and in 1836 was commissioned 
as Ambassador to the French Court, which posi- 
tion he held until late in the year 1841. His 
service at the French Court was signalized by 
his protest against, and defeat of, the Quintuple 
Treaty, by which England, under the guise of a 
crusade against slavery, sought to establish the 
right to search all vessels traversing the high 
seas. 

In 1837, while Minister to France, he em- 
barked in the Government frigate Constitution, 



T 59 



and made a voyage through the Mediterranean, 
visiting Constantinople, Alexandria, Cairo, and 
intermediate ports, extending his tour through 
the "Holy Land," and visiting Jerusalem. This 
episode in a life mostly devoted to public ser- 
vice was frequently alluded to in his addresses 
and even in his political speeches. 

In 1844 the name of Gen. Cass was presen- 
ted to the Baltimore Convention as a candidate 
for President, and the friends of Martin Van 
Buren, attributing his failure to receive the 
nomination to that fact, remembered it against 
Gen. Cass and defeated him at the polls in 
1848, and secured the election of Gen. Taylor, 
giving the latter the State of New York and 3G 
majority in the Electoral College. The pre- 
tense for this treachery was the refusal of Gen. 
Cass to vote as United States Senator— to 
which place he was elected in 1845- -for the 
"Wilmot Proviso, 11 coupled with his famous 



i6o 



" Nicholson letter," in which he announced the 
doctrine of " squatter sovereignty," afterwards 
fathered upon Senator Douglas. After his nom- 
ination, and pending the election, he resigned 
the office of Senator, but in June, 1849, was 
re-elected for the remainder of his term, the 
Democratic party in this State having meantime 
endorsed his refusal to obey the legislative in- 
structions to vote for the "Wilmot Proviso." 
He was a member of the famous compromise 
committee of thirteen in 1850, and voted for 
all the measures reported by that committee, 
except the fugitive slave bill, declining to vote 
for that bill because it refused a jury trial to 
the alleged fugitives. He was a third time 
elected Senator, for the term commencing in 
March, 1851, and ending March, 1857, and dur- 
ing; his term sustained — as we always believed, 
against his better judgment — the Kansas Ne- 
braska bill, the passage of which resulted in 



i6i 

the breaking up of the Democratic party, and 
brought in its train a multitude of evils upon 
the country. 

In the Senate Gen. Cass ranked as the peer 
of Clay, Webster and Benton, and conferred 
honor on the position, his State and the coun- 
try. His term expired on the 4th of March, 
1857, and he left the Senate to become Secre- 
tary of State under President Buchanan. The 
manner in which he discharged the duties of 
that office is familiar to all, as are the reasons 
for retiring from the Cabinet — growing out of 
and connected with the indisposition of Mr. 
Buchanan to interfere with the plottings of the 
rebel conspirators to take the Southern States 
out of the Union. This act was approved by 
his friends — perhaps we should except a few 
who thought he ought to have remained at his 
post and taken a bolder stand. 

21 



162 

We last met Gen. Cass at his office in the 
State Department, Washington, in the spring of 
1860, after the explosion of the Democratic 
Convention at Charleston, and prior to its re- 
convening at Baltimore. He was full of for- 
bodings, and, like the war-horse, snuffed the 
coming storm. He foresaw the defeat of the 
Democratic party, and consequent upon that 
the rupture of the Union, with the horrors that 
followed. Often have we thought of that con- 
versation, and seen anew the tears course down 
the venerable old man's cheeks, as with trem- 
bling voice he portrayed the future. Thank 
God, he lived to see the rebellion put clown, 
and we would that he could also have seen the 
Union restored. But he has gone, and peace 
to his ashes. 

The wife of Gen. Cass died, we think, in 
1855. He leaves one son, Lewis Cass, who so 
long represented our Government at Rome, and 



1 63 

three daughters : Mrs. Canfield, a widow, with 
whom he has of late resided, Mrs. Henry Led- 
vard, and Mrs. Baron Yon Limburg. 

His funeral was largely attended on Wednes- 
day afternoon, and the business of the city in 
which he has so long resided— both public and 
private — was generally suspended during the 
ceremonies. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

At a meeting of the New York Historical 
Society, held in its hall on Tuesday evening, 
June 19, 1866, the following preamble and res- 
olutions were adopted unanimously : 

Whereas, On Sunday, the 17th day of Juno, 1866, 
Lewis Cass died at Detroit, in Michigan, in the eighty- 
fourth year of his age. He was born in New Hamp- 
shire in 1782, and, when twenty years old, was admitted 
to the practice of the law in Ohio, to the Legislature oi 
which State he was soon afterwards elected. When our 



164 



war with Great Britain broke out in 1812, Mr. Cass was 
chosen to be Colonel of a regiment of Ohio volunteers, 
and bravely commanded the first American detachment 
which invaded Canada. Soon afterwards he was ap- 
pointed Colonel, and then Brigadier General in the 
regular army of the United States. At the end of that 
war, Gen. Cass was commissioned to be Governor of the 
vast Territory of Michigan. For the next ten years he 
was occupied in administering its chaotic affairs, in treat- 
ing with its Indian tribes, and in exploring its north- 
western wilds, near Lake Superior and the upper Missis- 
sippi. His conspicuous ability caused him to be selected 
as Secretary of War, in 1831, by President Jackson, 
who, in 1836, appointed him to be Minister of our coun- 
try in France. This station Gen. Cass dignified until 
1842, when he distinguished himself as an American by 
baflling the attempt of Great Britain to be allowed the 
right to search, at her pleasure, all the vessels of other 
nations which might dare to navigate the open ocean. 

On his return home, Gen. Cass was elected to the 
national Senate by the State of Michigan; and in 1848 
he was nominated to the Presidency of the United States. 
After the election of Gen. Zachary Taylor, Gen. Cass 
was again returned to the Senate of our Republic, where 
he remained until the end of the administration of 
President Pierce. Having been appointed, in 1857, by 
President Buchanan to be Secretary of State, Gen. Cass 



iii i in 



165 



held that office until 1800, when he voluntarily resigned 
it, and became once more a private citizen of the United 
States, after nearly fifty years spent in the service <>t the 
nation. During his long and varied career of official duty 
Gen. Cass was always earnestly interested in the scholar- 
ship of his country, especially in everything concerning 
its history, and more particularly in the department 
which relates to its aboriginal owners. To his active 
friendship towards its commissioned agent, our own 
State of New York is largely indebted for the rich col- 
lection of documents, gleaned from the French archives, 
which now illustrates its colonial history. A sincere and 
unostentatious Christian, this venerable patriot and 
statesman now rests from his labors of more than four- 
score years, and is at peace. 

Be it therefore Resolved, That in the death of Gen. Lewis 
Cass, the New York Historical Society loses one of its 
most worthy and most eminent associates: and that 
while, in common with our whole country, the Sociei y 
sincerely mourns his decease, it justly records the sterling 
patriotism, official ability, scholarly zeal and untarnished 
private character, which illustrates his Lengthened days. 

Resolved, That an authenticated copy of this minute 
be communicated to the family of Gen. Cass. 

Extract Irom the Minutes. 

Andrew Warner, 
Recording Secretary, 



1 66 



[From the Detroit Daily Post, June 18, 1866 ] 

Action of the United States and State Courts — Board 

of Trade — Common Council— Young Men's Society — 

Masonic Fraternity and the Military. 

Rarely indeed does the death of a single man, even 

though he be of such public worth and high station, with 

a character so pure and lofty, and possessed of qualities 

so ennobling and endearing, as was Gen. Cass, excite such 

general and deserved comment, and draw forth from all 

members of the community, in which the deceased lived 

and died, such warm, sincere and heartfelt expressions of 

admiration, respect and regard. 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. 

Upon the opening of the United States District Court 
yesterday morning, District Attorney Russell arose, and 
in the following brief remarks moved that the Court, 
from respect to the memory of the illustrious deceased, 
adjourn: 

REMARKS OF UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY RUSSELL. 

May it please the Court : It is but a few days since 
this court adjourned from respect to the memory of 
Winfield Scott. To-day the duty is laid upon me to 
announce the departure of another of the great men of 
the Republic, — the last survivor of the second genera- 
tion of American statesmen. 



167 



In moving, according to custom, that the courts of 
the United States do now adjourn, it is unnecessary here 
that I should recount the events of that long and illus- 
trious career which yesterday closed. The deceased 
was our townsman and neighbor. He was the most 
distinguished citizen of our State, which, through him, 
has won the honors of the camp, the cabinet, the senate, 
and the foreign court. In Michigan, which he found half 
a century ago covered with the fbrest primeval, and left 
the prosperous home of a million of freemen— in no 
small measure such through his wise counsels and brave 
defense— his history is a household word. And in broad 
America, which he embraced in the enfolding arms of 
his patriotism, what schoolboy will not tell you of the 
poor New Hampshire youth who sought fame and for- 
tune northwest of the Ohio, and, kindled by his example, 
will not form new resolves to win his way upward by 
labor and study, and courage and fidelity ? 

In our late time of civil war, no traitor found an 
apologist in Gen. Cass! When it was imminent, after 
his noble withdrawal from the Cabinet and return home. 
he said to me, rising, with the gleam of the old lire, and 
with an emphatic gesture, " These men want a monarchy.^ 
They are tired of republican institutions. I know them I 

A temperate and studious youth, an. 1 fifty years of 
public service, found an appropriate close in a tranquil 
and honored old age. As Cicero says of the aged 



i68 



Quintus: "There was in that man dignity refined by- 
courtesy. He had been not more excellent in civil affairs 
than in arms. But he was great not only in public and 
in the eyes of his fellow-citizens, but still more admi- 
rable in private and at home. What conversations ! 
What maxims ! What deep acquaintance with history ! 
What knowledge and extensive learning ! He retained 
in memory all, not only domestic but foreign wars !" 

How they pass away, the old familiar names of our 
country ! Death is the true democrat who knows no 
distinctions. New men press forward to the seats of 
honor. New duties and responsibilities are to be met. 
Well for the nation if the fidelity and intellect to be 
exhibited shall be equal to that of Gen. Cass. 

SPEECH OF SYLVESTER LARXED. 

At the close of Mr. Russell's remarks, Sylvester 
Larned, Esq., addressed the court as follows : 

May it please the Court : It will not, I trust, be 
deemed officious that I should add a word to the elo- 
quent eulogy of the distinguished counsel for the Gov- 
ernment. The more so that I find no member of the bar 
of Michigan now present, and of the members of the 
court none, except you, its Judge, and the Clerk of the 
Circuit Court of the United States for this circuit and 
district, who have known the lamented dead from the 
earliest history of our State. I have had the honor to 



169 

have known and revered Gen. Cass from mv childhood. 

m 

My earliest recollections are connected with his high, 
pure and blameless life as a citizen in our territorial 
days, and a just pride in the honor he has conferred on 
our State and Nation abroad. 

Like autumn leaves, our patriot dead fall to earth. 
With Scott and Dickinson, his "battle of life is ended," 
and he now wears the chaplet and crown. His earthly 
part will sleep in his home in that beloved West, which, 
by his wise statesmanship, he lifted from the solitudes of 
the desert into civilization and voiceful life. 

How little thought the boy adventurer, as he crossed 
the Alleghanies afoot to that northwestern territory 
which was his future home, that the little handful who, 
with him, coasted her lakes and plowed her silent rivers 
in the bark canoe, would in fifty years become that em- 
pire of millions who to-day mourn their and the nation's 

loss ! 

" Thou hast returned late to heaven,'' Soldier! States- 
man ! Patriot! Friend! No monument needs to rear 
its head to commemorate thy fame. On the great heart 
of thine own West shall thy name and thy virtues be 
engraven forever. 

RESPONSE OF JUDGE WILKIN S. 

In reply to the motion of the District Attorney, His 
Honor Judge Wilkins said : 



22 



170 



" Your motion, sir, meets the most cordial approval 
of the Court. Profound respect for the illustrious dead 
is eminently proper, and, in this instance, an imperious 
duty on State and National authorities, inasmuch as the 
deceased was prominent in both State and National ser- 
vice. The great Captain of Israel, the conqueror of 
Canaan, exclaimed to the friends who surrounded his 
dying couch : 

' I go the way of all the earth.' 

And so also declared King David to his son Solomon, 
as the soul was departing from the body: 'Dust we are, 
and unto dust we must return, the body to the earth, 
the spirit to God who gave it.' All men die — the young, 
the middle-aged, and those whose honored almond-tree 
has been flourishing for years. But if all men die — if 
neither honor noi usefulness, or wealth, can make an 
exception to this irreversible- decree of Infinitude — it is 
equally certain that all shall live again. The death of 
such a man as Gen, Cass, at more than four-score ^ears, 
in the maturity of honor and peace, is not the fit subject 
of lamentation. His 'silver cord' is sundered, in the 
midst of his family and neighbors, whose love and sym- 
pathy soothed the departing hours of the statesman and 
the patriot. His reputation is State and national property. 
Identified with the State since the war of 1812, Michigan 
claimed him as her own, and the national record cannot 
be accurate without the frequent recurrence of his name 



171 



in the annals of the United States for more than sixty- 
rive years — from the treason of Burr to the insurrection 
of 1860. He, by timely action, exploded the one, and 
in his eightieth year aided in giving the death-blow to 
the other. In social and in public life he was alike 
prominent. The courteous gentleman, the kind neigh- 
bor, the faithful public servant. Your motion is granted, 
and the court will now adjourn*" 



CIRCUIT COURT. 

The Circuit Court being assembled, Hon. Gr. V. X. 
Lothrop formally announced the death of Gen. Cass, 
and moved the adjournment of the conrt in the following 
language : 

It seems to me to be proper, may it please your 
honor, to announce here the death of Gen. Lewis Cass. 
Gen. Lewis Cass was a member of the bar of the State 
of Michigan, and perhaps at the time of his deatli was 
the oldest member of the bar in this State. For that 
reason it is appropriate that his demise should be spe- 
cially noticed in this tribunal. It is also appropriate 
that his death should arrest our attention when we con- 
sider the many distinguished public positions he has 
held, and his long career of useful service. He left his 
Xew England home in early manhood, and took up his 
residence in Ohio. He there entered upon the practice 
of law. He early attracted the attention of Mr. Jeffer- 



172 



son, who made him Marshal of the United States for 
the district of Ohio. It was, I believe, while in the dis- 
charge of the duties of this office that he rendered his 
first patriotic services to the Avhole country in frustrating 
the treasonable designs of Aaron Burr. 

When the war of 1812 was impending, lie gallantly- 
offered his services to the Government. They were at 
once accepted. He raised a regiment of volunteers, and 
at their head marched to the defence of Michigan. 

Unfortunately his efforts here were of little avail. 
His gallantry and patriotic efforts were frustrated by 
the imbecility and cowardice of Gen. Hull. 

But his patriotism was recognized by the Govern- 
ment. And when he was exchanged he was appointed 
Governor of the Territory of Michigan. This place he 
filled, I think, for nearly eighteen years. The record of 
that service is most honorable. He had the felicity of 
so administering the affairs of this young territory as to 
win at the same time the approbation, of the Government 
and the gratitude of the people. 

From this place he was called by Gen. Jackson to fill 
the post of Secretary of War. He afterwards repre- 
sented his country at the Court of France with great 
distinction. 

Returning home he received new honors. For two 
terms he held the high office of Senator, and was once 
the candidate of a great party for the Presidency itself 



m 



He closed his remarkable public career by holding the 
office of Secretary of State. He then returned to close 
his days in our own midst. He lias now died full of 
years and honor. 

The death of such a man excites profound emotion: 

And I now move, that as a token of respect fur the 
memory of Gen. Lswrs Cass, that this court do now 
adjourn, and that this motion be entered on the records 
of this court. 

Responding to the motion of Mr. Lothrop, His Honor 
Judge Witherell said : 

I wish also to say that I have known Gen. Cass ever 
since the year 1817, and during most of the time in 
official stations. Personally his life has been blameless, 
and it can be said of him what can be remarked of but 
few who have risen in the world, that it has also been 
perfectly moral. As you say, Gen. Cass came to Michi- 
gan as a Colonel to aid in her defense. 

He raised a regiment which lie brought here, but 
subsequent events did not give him many opportunities 
to distinguish himself in military life, save in one or two 
instances^ as when he accompanied Gen. Harrison down 
the river Thames, where he went as a Brigadier, hand- 
ing his troops below Maiden, it was discovered that they 
had left their knapsacks, and as they would not be got up 
to the troops in time, Gen. Harrison would not take them 



'74 



with him, but ordered them encamped at Sandwich 

Point. Gen. Cass, however, went himself, and did most 

nobly. 

He told me himself some matters which perhaps have 

not got into history, but which ought to be there, as 
how, after the surrender of his troops and those of Ger. 
McCallj Gen. Brock told him that the way he came to 
make the dash upon Detroit, was that an Indian cap- 
tured a messenger with some papers from Gen. Hull to 
the Government ; that the commanding general stated 
in those papers and letters that he did not think it pos- 
sible he should be able to defend his position against an 
attack from the enemy if one should be made ; that, seeing 
this under the hand of Gen. Hull, it occurred to frm to 
make the dash upon Detroit. So taking the Queen 
Charlotte and seven hundred or eight hundred men, he 
made it. The British commander judged from those 
papers that Gen. Hull was unnerved, and therefore he 
was sale from everything in making: it. That if he sue- 
ceeded, it would create great damage, and if he was 
repulsed he could get under the guns of the Queen 
Charlotte, a sixteen gun vessel, and return in safety. 
Under these circumstances, therefore, he made the effort 
and succeeded. 

I think it proper that this court do now adjourn until 
to-morrow morning at ten o 1 clock, as a tribute of respect 
to the memory of Gen, Cass, and direct that the entry 
be made as requested. 



T 7^ 



COMMON COUNCIL — SPECIAL MEETING. 

A special meeting of the Common Council was hold 

in the City Hall last evening, in pursuance of a call from 

the acting Mayor. The President, William Brodie, Esq. 

in the chair. 

Present — Aid. Bagley, Campau. ('odd. Consfcline, 

Copland, Field, Gies, Hoek, Howe, Knight, Megmnity, 

Schmittdiel. 

The following communication was then read : 
To the Honorable the Common Council : 

Gentlemen — Gen. Lewis Cass, the patriot and the 
statesman, almost the last of the great men of out conn- 
try, of a generation antecedent to the present, expired 
at his residence a few minutes past four o'clock yes- 
terday morning. 

From the many public positions to which he has l>een 
called, not only by executives of our great and glorious 
Union, but by his fellow-citizens of the State of Michi- 
gan, and from his Ions* residence in our beautiful city, I 
deem it not only fit and proper, but a duty, to present 
you an opportunity of giving expression to your senti- 
ments on this mournful occasion, and to take such mea- 
sures as may appear to you to be desirable. 

Very respectfully, 

W'm. Brodie, Acting Mayor. 

The communication was accepted, and on motion of 
Aid. Knight, a committee, consisting of five members, 



176 



was appointed to prepare suitable resolutions expressive 
of the sentiments of the Council, on the occasion of the 
decease of our venerable and eminent fellow-citizen, 
Gen. Lewis Cass. The chairman appointed as such com- 
mittee Aid. Knight, Howe, Campau, Codd and Hoek. 

Aid. Knight, in moving the resolution, took occasion 
to remark that he felt a pleasure in offering it as a tribute 
of respect to one who had just passed away, after a long 
and noble career as an eminent man and a statesman. 
Although differing from him in political views, it was 
never with personal bitterness. The more he saw of 
him the greater he admired his deep and practical states- 
manship. As a man of unswerving integrity, he fully 
believed that his heart was with the American people. 
He took an intense interest in the great struggle just 
past, and was earnest in his desire for the maintenance 
of the Union, giving a heartfelt sympathy to the sol- 
diers. His feelings ripened into respect in the sublime 
contemplation. It was a magnificent sight to see the 
old sage standing among the young who were ready for 
action, giving them counsel and advice, matured by a 
ripe old age, and perfected by experience. With feel- 
ings of the highest respect, he moved the appointment 
of a committee on the proper resolutions. 

Aid. Field said that no doubt the Council would 
attend in a body, and moved the appointment of a com- 
mittee of five on arrangement. 



*77 

The chair appointed Aid. Field, Bagley, Considine, 
Gies and Copland. 

On motion of Aid. Codd, it was 

Resolved, That His Honor the Mayor be requested to 
issue a proclamation requesting that all places of busi- 
ness in the city be closed during the afternoon of the 
funeral, and that the city offices remain closed during 

the day. 

The committee of arrangement will meet this after- 
noon at two o'clock, at the Mayor's office, to carry out 
the purport of the resolution, and where they will be 
glad to confer with similar committees of arrangement 
from other bodies. 

The Council then adjourned. 

ACTION OF THE BOARD OF TRADE 

A special meeting of the Board of Trade was held 
yesterday morning, and Aid. G. F. Bagley, President of 
the Board, made the following remarks : 

SPEECH OF PRESIDENT BAGLEY. 

Gentlemen of the Board of Trade: lam pained to 
announce to you the sad intelligence that death has 
taken from our midst one of our oldest and most highly 
respected citizens, and one of the most eminent states- 
men of our country— Hon. Lewis Cass. And. although 
he was not directly connected with the commercial inte- 



no 



mirmtm i n =m 



178 



rests of our city, there was no person who was so iden- 
tified with the history of the Northwest as he, having 
held high positions of trust and honor, both National 
and State, and ably represented our country at a foreign 
court, And, although some persons may have differed 
with him in some of his public acts, he has, in his private 
life and character, left a record worthy of the approval 
and emulation of all. I think it highly proper that this 
organization should give proper expression of regret to 
the memory of the deceased, and the loss that the com- 
munity has sustained by this sad dispensation of Provi- 
dence, and have, therefore, called a meeting of the Board 
for this purpose. 

George W. Bissell, Esq., then moved that a com- 
mittee, consisting of Hon. G. Y. N. Lothrop, Franklin 
Moore, and Joseph Aspinall, Esqs., be appointed to draft 
resolutions expressive of the sense of the Association. 
The motion was agreed to, and the Board adjourned. 



Meetings of the Detroit Bar and Board of Trade — 
Personal Reminiscences — Papers and Resolutions. 

The members of the Detroit Bar met yesterday fore- 
noon, in the Law Library, in order to take proper 
measures in relation to the demise of Gen. Lewis Cass, 
Mr. A. D. Frazer in the chair. 

Mr. Romeyn briefly stated the object of the meeting, 
and, on his motion, a committee of five, consisting of 



i 7 9 



Messrs. Romeyn, Witherell, McClelland, Newberry, and 
E. C. Walker, were appointed to draft resolutions ex- 
pressive of the sympathy of the Bar at the death of 
Gen. Cass. 

The Chairman stated that a Committee of Arrange- 
ments had been appointed, consisting of Messrs. Gray, 
Hartwell, and H. M. Cheever, to make the necessary 
arrangements for attending the funeral, procuring badges, 
etc. His action on the subject was, on motion, approved 
by the meeting. 

Mr. Cheever, from the committee, reported that the 
arrangements had been perfected. 

Mr. Romeyn, from the committee appointed to draft 
resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the Bar, re- 
ported the following, which were unanimously adopted, 
and on motion a copy of them directed to be sent to the 
family of the deceased : 

Sharing with the general sorrow of the nation at the 
death of our illustrious fellow-citizen, Gen. Lewis Cass, 
and in the deeper grief of those who, in this city of his 
home, feel more afflicted because they knew and saw the 
purity and consistency of his daily walk and conversa- 
tion ; we, the members of the Bar of Detroit, claim the 
privilege of giving as a Vody expression to our senti- 
ments. 

In early life, Lewis Cass became an active practising 
member of the bar of Ohio. After his removal to Mich- 



]8o 



igan he Avas here enrolled as Counselor at Law. The 
acquaintance with legal principles and forms, the capa- 
city readily to apply and explain them, the advantages 
which this gave to his powerful and comprehensive 
intellect, when he was called upon in elevated official 
positions to expound and enforce the principles of con- 
stitutional and national law, and often made apparent in 
his distinguished career as a statesman, was perhaps 
never more so than in his protest and public appeal, 
growing out of the attempt of Great Britain to secure 
the ratification of the quintuple treaty by the leading 
powers of Europe. 

Throughout his life Gen. Cass kept himself acquaint- 
ed with the progress of jurisprudence, especially as con- 
nected with public questions and constitutional law. The 
members of our profession, in their intercourse Avith him, 
were ever made conscious that he felt for them the special 
interest that a true-hearted lawyer ahvays has for those 
of the same calling. 

He was made Governor of the Territory of Michi- 
gan, Avhen, including what is noAv Wisconsin, it contained 
less than five thousand inhabitants. In the undeveloped 
state of the country and its institutions, he was obliged 
to be more than its simple executive officer. The Cass 
Code is an evidence of his industry, legal knoAvledge and 
comprehensive administration. 

With profound grief for his death, with unaffected 



i8i 



respect for his memory, with gratitude to Almighty God 
for having so long spared his useful and honored life, and 
for having given to us the benefit of his counsel, his so- 
cial and public influence, and his example in domestic 
relations, we will, as a body, attend his funeral and wear 
for him the usual badge of mourning. 

Mr. D. B. Duffield remarked that he thought it would 
be highly gratifying and appropriate, if the Chairman 
would make a few remarks on the life of Gen. Cass, and 
mention some of the incidents of his history. 

The Chairman responded by stating that nearly forty- 
three years ago he presented himself to Gen. Cass with 
letters of introduction which he brought from the State 
of Indiana. Broken down in health and spirits, he was 
urged by his medical adviser to leave the country in 
which he was then living— in Southern Indiana— and 
seek a northern and exhilarating climate. In June, 1823, 
he started on horseback, taking the Indian trail, and trav- 
eled through a rough country without much difficulty. 
Upon arriving at Fort Wayne, he was somewhat puzzled 
to get to Detroit, when he chanced to meet another man 
who was also coming to Detroit, and they procured a 
canoe and came to Maumee. Here they met a party 
from Detroit who invited them to come here with them 
in their boat. Upon arriving here he presented his Let- 
ters of introduction to General, then Gov. Cass, and in 
a conversation with him, expressed his intention of going 



182 



back to Europe. The General, however, prevailed upon 
him with much earnestness to remain, and after staying 
a few months, and finding his health improving, deter- 
mined to take up his future residence here, and then be- 
came a citizen of Michigan. 

Mr. Frazer said that one of the first law cases he had 
in the State was before Gov. Cass. It was an election 
case, in which Father Richard, a Catholic Priest, ran 
against Major Biddle, as Representative in Congress for 
the Territory of Michigan. The ballots were thrown 
into the ballot-box, on election day, without much form- 
ality, and upon counting up, it was found that Father 
Richard had the majority. Major Biddle presented his 
case to Gov. Cass, who was to decide and certify as to 
who was elected, and claimed his election on several 
grounds, the most important of which was that Father 
Richard was not a citizen, and consequently not entitled 
to represent the Territory in Congress. Mr. Frazer was 
appealed to by Father Richard to become his counsel, 
and claimed in answer to the above point that as he was 
onlv sent as a local agent, not having any power to act 
in Congress, but rather to look after the interests of the 
Territory, it was not necessary that he should be a citi- 
zen thereof. The argument on both sides was directed 
by the Governor to be submitted in writing, and Mr. 
Frazer stated that then, for the first time, was he struck 
with the quickness of perception and the readiness with 



1 83 



which his intellect grasped and decided upon all points 
submitted to him. Within forty-eight hours after the 
case was submitted to him, Gen. Cass rendered a long 
decision in favor of Father Richard, embracing twenty- 
five closely written folio pages. 

Mr. Frazer, together with another gentleman, was 
appointed in 1828 by Gen. Cass, then Superintendent of 
Indian Affairs, to go to Grand Rapids and pay the In- 
dians the claims which the Government owed them. 
They performed the whole journey on foot, to and from 
Grand Rapids, accompanied by Indian interpreters. 

When Mr. Frazer came here in 1823, the Bar consisted 
of about ten members, only one of whom (Judge With- 
erell), beside himself, is now living. 

Judge Witherell was called upon, and related several 
incidents in the life of Gen. Cass, both in his career as a 
military officer, and while Governor of the Territory of 
Michigan. He had traveled many thousand miles in 
canoes through Lake Superior, and to the head of the 
waters of the Mississippi. The whole life of Gen. Cass. 
he said, is one which the young man of to-day may set 
before him as a model in sobriety, fidelity to public 
trust, and promptness of action. The members of the 
Bar he always considered as his friends, and counted 
upon their presence at every entertainment which he 
gave. 



1 84 

Ex-Gov. McClelland was called upon, but stated that 
the history of Gen. Cass was so elaborately published in 
the city press, that nothing more remained to be said. 

On motion of D. B. Driffield, Esq., the following 
resolution was unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That members of the Bar of this State, 
residing out of Detroit, and members of the legal pro- 
fession from other States and from Canada, who may 
choose to be present in the city, be respectfully invited 
to join with us in our attendance upon the public funeral 
procession of the day, and that the Committee of Ar- 
rangements be requested, as far as practicable, to extend 
this invitation to such gentlemen. 

The meeting then adjourned. 

BOARD OF TRADE. 

The adjourned meeting of the Board of Trade was 
also held yesterday morning. The committee appointed 
to prepare resolutions, Messrs. G. V. X. Lothrop, Joseph 
Aspinall and Francis Moore, presented the following : 

The Board of Trade of the City of Detroit remember 
with great pleasure that the late Gen. Lewis Cass took a 
warm interest in its organization and welfare. When 
about to erect this building, he not only encouraged us 
by expressions of interest, but aided us by prompt mate- 
rial assistance. It seems therefore appropriate, for this 
reason, as well as for his eminent distinction, that this 



_- 



i8 5 

Board should, on this occasion, depart from its usual 
custom of limiting its public expression of mourning to 
the death of its own members, and join with other public 
bodies in commemoration of sentiments of respect for 
the illustrious deceased. It is therefore 

Resolved, That the Board of Trade have learned with 
feelings of profound emotion of the death of our distin- 
guished citizen, Gen. Lewis Cass, who, after a career 
unusually prolonged, and crowned with honors in so 
many fields of public service, has, by a gracious Provi- 
dence, been permitted to close it in our midst with the 
happy consciousness that he enjoyed the respect, confi- 
dence and love of all classes of our people. 

Resolved, That in our judgment it is seldom giveu to 
any man to serve with equal felicity and usefulness in 
such varied forms of public trust. A brave and gallant 
soldier, a wise, judicious and paternal ruler, a sagacious 
and penetrating diplomatist, an able and eloquent stale- 
man, a lover of letters, from youth to age, lie made all 
his gifts, all his accomplishments, and all his opportuni- 
ties the servants of an exalted patriotism. For more 
than half a century he filled some high public station; 
and he filled none that he did not adorn. It is seldom 
that any man has so remarkable a public experience. 
His life has run parallel to that of his country. His name 
is honorably associated with almost every phase of his 



24 



186 



country's history. When he crossed the Ohio river to 
make the Northwest his home, the land was a waste, 
and contained not over five thousand civilized inhabi- 
tants. He lived to see it the seat of five great States 
and the homes of over seven millions of people. He 
remembered when his country had hardly a name among 
nations. He lived to see it recognized among the great 
powers of the earth. At the outset of life he was active 
in frustrating a great treason. His years were gra- 
ciously prolonged to see a second and greater treason 
rebuked and overwhelmed. As in the first, so in the 
last, he set the example of a fervid patriotism that would 
never permit him to despair of the integrity or destiny 
of his beloved country. 

Resolved, That it is not only as a public man that we 
would respectfully cherish the memory of Gen. Cass. 
He was a model of purity and uprightness in public life. 
He was a good citizen, a faithful friend, and a kind neigh- 
bor, simple in his manners, courteous in intercourse, 
awake to public improvements, a generous friend to edu- 
cation and learning in our midst, generous in his hospi- 
tality and unostentatious in his charities, he filled the 
place in private life of the liberal, refined and Christian 
gentleman. 

Resolved, That we tender to the family of Gen. Cass our 
sincere sympathy in their great and irreparable loss. 

Resolved, That the Secretary of this Board be, and he 



l8 7 



is hereby directed to enter these proceedings upon the 
records of the Board, and to furnish a copy of the same 
to the family of the late Gen. Cass. 

Resolved, That as a further mark of respect for the 
memory of the deceased, this Board do now adjourn. 

ACTION OF THE YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY. 

At the meeting of the Young Men's Society, held 
last evening, the following resolutions were passed 
respecting the deceased : 

Whereas, It has pleased Divine Providence to remove 
the distinguished statesman, our fellow-citizen, General 
Lewis Cas», from our midst, in the fullness of years, and 
after a life of eminent public services, dating from the 
old territorial days of Michigan to the more recent and 
full development of our State institutions, in the admin- 
istration of national affairs at home and abroad ; there- 
fore 

Resolved, That it is eminently fit that the Young Men's 
Society pay some mark of respect commensurate with 
the distinction of so eminent a citizen of Michigan, and 
that in testimony of our veneration for the deceased, the 
members of this society be respectfully requested to 
attend his funeral obsequies; and it is further 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be for- 
warded to the family of the deceased under the signa- 
tures of the proper officers of the society. 



388 



Messrs, J. E. Pittman, H. A. Newland and James E. 
Fiske were appointed a committee to confer with the 
Historical Society and make arrangements, if practicable, 
for their joint attendance. 

THE MILITARY. 

The local military organizations of the city will 
attend the funeral with full ranks. The Light Guard, the 
Scott Guard and the Lyon Guard will meet at their 
armory to-night for the purpose of drilling together. It 
is important that there should be a full attendance, and 
every member of the above companies is desired to be 
promptly on hand, so as to be well up in the drill. The 
regulars from Fort Wayne will undoubtedly turn out. 

MASONIC. 

Gen. Cass having been prominently connected with 
the Masonic fraternity, that body will be present in 
large numbers at his funeral. The Grand Master of the 
State has been telegraphed to and is expected to arrive 
in the city to-day. The lodges will be under his direc- 
tion, and will appear in their appropriate regalias. 

THE MASONIC GRAND LODGE, 

At a session of the Grand Lodge of F. and A. 
Masons, for the State of Michigan, convened in Masonic 
Hall yesterday, appropriate resolutions of respect to 
the character of Gen. Cass were unanimously adopted. 
Gen. Cass was an old and exalted Mason. He is the 



i8c) 



founder of the order in the Northwest, having in the 
early part of the present century organized a Lodge in 
Ohio. He was the first Grand Master of the States of 
Ohio and Michigan, and was the Grand Master of the 
Territory of Michigan in 1826, when the various Lodges 
throughout the country succumbed before the Anti- 
Masonic feeling which grew out of the death of Morgan. 
For about twenty years the labors of the Lodge room 
were suspended, and it was not until 1846, after Gen. 
Cass returned from France, that Masonry was revived in 
this State. It was Gen. Cass who then installed Grand 
Master Mullett in his office as Grand Master of the 
State of Michigan. Gen. Cass received many of the 
degrees while Minister at the Court of France, and 
while for many years he has not attended their meetings 
he always expressed himself in the highest terms of 
praise of the benefits of the order, and ever reverenced 
the noble principles upon which it is founded, and which 
indeed constituted the enduring basis of his own well- 
earned fame as a public man. 

The Funeral Programme— Order of Procession— Proc- 
lamation of the Mayor— Action of the Cohmittkk ,,. 
Arrangements, Common Council, Wayne Co. mv Mim- 
ical Society, Masonic Fraternity and Military. 
The funeral of the late Gen. Cass will take place this 

afternoon. The procession will leave the resi.ln.ce, cor- 




190 



ner of Fort and First street, at 2 o'clock, and proceed to 
the State street Presbyterian Church, where the religious 
exercises will be held. The following gentlemen have 
been selected as pall-beareas : Hon. Ross Wilkins, U. 
S. District Judge ; Hon. B. F. H. Witherell, Judge of 
the County Court ; Hon. Robert McClelland ; Eustache 
Chapoton, Esq.; Brig. Gen. Silas Casey; Geo. E. Handy 
Esq. ; Hon. John Owen, and Shubael Conant, Esq. 

THE ORDER OF PROCESSION 

will be as follows : 

United States Troops, Infantry and Artillery. 



^ P 

•rH 

^^ .i—c 



HEARSE. 



P O 

S S 



Pall-Bearers. 

Clergy and Physicians. 

Family and Friends. 

Masonic Fraternity. 

Officers of the Army, Navy and Revenue Service. 

Detroit Union of Soldiers and Sailors. 

Officers of the State Government. 

Mayor, Common Council and City Officials. 

Board of Education. 

Distinguished Strangers. 

Judges and the Bar. 

United States Officials. 

State and County Officials. 



I 9 I 



Board of Trade. 

Historical and Young Men's Societies. 

Mechanic Society. 

Lafayette Society. 

Young Men's Christian Association. 

Typographical Society. 

Photographers' Society. 

Trades Union. 

Citizens in Carriages and on Horseback. 

Citizens on Foot. 

Societies intending to take part in the services will 
report to Gen. O. B. Wilcox, Marshal, at the Mayor's 
office, as early as 10 o'clock a. m., on Wednesday, that 
they may be assigned their positions. 

The street cars will wait below Woodward avenue, 
and follow in rear of the procession. 

His Honor Mayor Mills has issued the following 

proclamation : 

City of Detroit, ) 

Mayor's Office, June 19, 1866. ) 

Whereas, Divine Providence has removed from our 
midst our distinguished and venerable fellow-citizen, 
Gen. Lewis Cass, I hereby order all the various public 
offices of the city to be closed on Wednesday, the 20th 
inst., when the last sad funeral rites will be paid to the 
great statesman. 

I also request that all places of business, also the 
public schools be closed during the afternoon; that the 






I 9 2 



flags of the shipping and of the city be placed at half 
mast, and that the buildings and private residences be 
draped in mourning. 

Our greatest and oldest statesman has fallen. His 
name and his fame belong to his country. His many 
private virtues and his eminent public services will live 
embalmed in the hearts of his countrymen. A nation 
mourns. Let us unite in paying the last tribute of 
respect to the illustrious dead. 

M, I. Mills, Mayor. 



A meeting of the Committees of Arrangements was 
held at the Mayor's ofhce, yesterday afternoon, pursuant 
to call, to arrange for the funeral. 

There were present delegations from the Common 
Council, Board of Education, Bar, Masonic Fraternity, 
and the family were represented by Messrs. C. C. Trow- 
bridge and Geo. S. Frost. His Honor the Mayor was 
called to the chair, and H. M. Cheever, Esq., was 
appointed Secretary. 

On motion, Gen. O. B. Wilcox was appointed mar- 
shal of the procession, on behalf of the citizens, it being 
understood that Gen. Casey would have command of the 
military. 

The whole matter of arranging the procession, and 
assigning a place therein to the various civic associations 



l 93 

which had expressed a desire to be represented, was left 
to the Chief Marshal, Gen. Wilcox, after which the 
meeting adjourned. 

MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL. 

The regular weekly meeting of the Common Council 
was held last evening, the President in the chair. The 
following members were present : Messrs. Allison, Bag- 
ley, Campau, Codd, Considine, Copland, Field, Gies, 
Henkel, Hoek, Howe, Knight, McGonegal, Meginnity, 
Purcell, Schmittdiel, St. Aubin, Weir and the President 

Aid. Schmittdiel moved the suspension of the rules 
for the purpose of taking up the report of the commit- 
tee appointed at the special session of the Council on 
Monday evening. Carried. 

Aid. Knight, in behalf of the committee, reported 
the following resolutions : 

Resolved, That this Common Council have learned of 
the decease of our venerable and very eminent fellow- 
citizen, Gen. Lewis Cass, with deep sorrow that the 
earthly career of one so able, active and exemplary has 
been terminated, although we bow revently to the all- 
wise dispensation of our Heavenly Father. 

Resolved, That, in the deceased, the statesmen of our 
country may contemplate a model man, in the great ele- 
ments of character appropriate in a public servant — 
fidelity to his professed opinions, consistency in the 



25 






194 



advocacy of his opinions, an abiding sympathy with the 
people of the nation as a whole people, and unquench- 
able love for the cause of national unity and State gov- 
ernment. 

Resolved, That candid differences of opinion upon 
particular measures have never prevented those who 
knew Gen. Cass the most thoroughly, whether the emi- 
nent statesman or humble citizen, from entertaining the 
highest respect for his extraordinary sagacity, his execu- 
tive abilities and his practical statesmanship. 

Resolved, That it is to us a peculiar source of satisfac- 
tion that we can point to the distinguished dead as a 
glorious example to the young men of the country, of 
the blessings of a temperate and well ordered life. 

Resolved, That we recall with special admiration the 
last years of the public life of Gen. Cass, when, in his 
old age, as long as he felt that he could be useful to his 
country, he discharged with great success and credit the 
onerous duties of one of the highest offices under our 
National Government. 

Resolved, That the patriotic sympathy of the venerable 
statesman after his retirement from the active duties of 
life, with the National cause, and with the brave Gener- 
als, officers and soldiers of the Union armies, deserves to 
be recorded on tablets more enduring than brass, and to 



195 



be held in remembrance by us and our successors, in the 
privileges and responsibilities of citizenship of this great 
Republic for all future time. 

Resolved, That the long and eventful life of the lamen- 
ted dead is well and nobly ended; that he has passed the 
narrow bound which separates this world from the next, 
full of years and full of the honors of this present life of 
probation; that the actual incumbency of no office of 
Government could have added to his fame ; that his per- 
sonal integrity, urbanity and kindness of heart have 
placed a beautiful crown upon all his more dazzling hon- 
ors ; and that he leaves us, deeply and sincerely lamented. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, together 
with the communication of His Honor the Acting 
Mayor, be presented to the relatives of the deceased, 
properly attested, and under the corporate seal. 

Pending the adoption of the above, Aid. Wier spoke 
briefly and feelingly of his personal acquaintance with 

Gen. Cass. 

The resolutions were then unanimously adopted. 

The Special Committee on Arrangements submitted 
their report, which was adopted, and the Controller was 
directed to order eight carriages for the use of the Com- 
mon Council in attending the funeral. 

The Council then adjourned. 

THE WAYNE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, 

pursuant to call, met at the Mayor's office yesterday 



]q6 



afternoon, the President, Dr. Zina Pitcher, in the chair. 
In the absence of the Secretary, Dr. Andrews was ap- 
pointed Secretary pro tern. 

Dr. Pitcher said he had called the society together to 
place on its record some testimonial to the memory of 
Gen. Cass. To him this loss partook more of the nature 
of private affliction. Honored as he had been personally 
by the friendship of the deceased, he felt more severely 
the loss than perhaps any other member of the society. 
Gen. Cass has borne a distinguished part in the history 
of the country, but he Avas always known as the conser- 
vator of whatever is good and valuable. In civil or 
social life he had been peculiarly the friend of the medi- 
cal profession, and personally the friend of many in this 
society. He therefore thought it proper that some 
appropriate action should be placed on the record of the 
society, which perhaps should be seen and honored when 
all present are forgotten. 

Dr. Morse Stewart said he thought it appropriate 
that the President had called the society together on 
this occasion to take action with reference to the remo- 
val of the distinguished patriot and statesman. He 
therefore moved the appointment of a committee to 
report suitable resolutions. The motion prevailed, and 
the folloAving were appointed the committee : Drs. Stew- 
art, Armor and Henderson. 



*97 

After a short absence, the committee returned and 
reported as follows : 

Whereas, In the dispensation of an all-wise Provi- 
dence, Gen. Lewis Cass, distinguished as Avell for his 
love of science as for his "broad and comprehensive 
statesmanship, has been removed from our midst, after 
a life of eminent public services such as pertain to IV w 
of the <?reat statesmen in the history of this or any other 
country ; therefore, 

Resolved, That not only his unsullied character as a 
patriot and statesman, but his general literary culture, 
his respect for true and legitimate science, his abhor- 
rence of medical quackery in all its phases, his whole- 
some conservatism in everything that related to the 
harmony, good order, and well being of society, has 
won our profound admiration and respect. 

Resolved, That the sympathy of this body be tendered 
to the family of the honored dead, to whom we would 
say that our appreciation, as physicians, of the care that 
has for so many years watched with such untiring love 
and patience over the "weariness and sorrow" which by 
God's mandate marks the life of those who exceed the 
time allotted to man, is no lip service to the dead, but 
heartfelt commiseration for those who have sustained so 
great a loss. 

Resolved, That as a mark of respect, the members of 



i 9 8 

the Wayne County Medical Society attend the funeral 
in a body. 

The preamble and resolutions were unanimously 
adopted, after which the meeting adjourned. 

MASONIC. 

A very large meeting of the Masonic fraternity was 
held last evening at Masonic Hall. A committee was 
appointed to draft resolutions expressive of sorrow at 
the loss of their brother, Gen. Lewis Cass. 

The following named gentlemen were appointed to 
act as pall-bearers at the funeral exercises to-day: 

Past Masters Allen and Noble, of Zion Lodge No. 1 ; 
Burke and Elliot, of Detroit Lodge No. 2 ; Fisk and Le 
Favour, of Strict Observance Lodge No. 3 ; Bullman, of 
Ashlar Lodge No. 91; and Walker and Walker, of 
Charity Lodge No. 94. 

Mr. J. P. Whiting was appointed Grand Marshal for 
the occasion. 

On motion the meeting adjourned to convene again 

to-day at 12£ o'clock. 

THE MILITARY. 

The Fourth United States Infantry and the artillery 
from Fort Wayne will act as a military escort and lead 
the procession. They will also form the firing party at 
the grave. The Light Guard, Lyon Guard and Scott 
Guard will form an honorary guard with only side arms, 



i 9 9 



and will march beside the hearse. The members of the 
above companies are expected to be at their armory at 
1 o'clock precisely. A full turn out is desired. 

MEETING OF THE DETROIT BAR. 

A meeting of the members of the Bar of this city is 
called for to-day at 10 a. m., at the Bar Library Rooms 
to take action in relation to attending the funeral obse- 
quies of Gen. Cass. 

DETROIT SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' UNION. 

The Detroit Soldiers' and Sailors' Union will assemble 
at the Adjutant General's Office, Firemen's Hall, at 1 p. 
m. to-day, for the purpose of attending the funeral exer- 
cises of Gen. Cass. All officers, soldiers and sailors are 
invited to join in the procession. 



[From the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, June 21, 1866.] 

The last sad rites to the memory of the late General 
Lewis Cass, were performed yesterday by our citizens, 
the vast populace turning out for that purpose. By 
order of the Mayor, all the city offices were closed, and 
at his request, business was entirely suspended in the 
afternoon. Flags were displayed upon every staff at half 
mast, and very many places of business and private houses 
were draped in mourning. Upon the whole, the dem- 
onstration was an imposing one, such as was due the 
memory of the venerable deceased. 



200 



VIEWING THE REMAINS. 

Notwithstanding the brief announcement in yesterday's 
Advertiser and Tribune that the remains of the deceased 
would be seen at the residence of Mrs. Canfield, from 8 
to 11 o'clock, hundreds of our citizens nocked to the place 
and during the hours named a constant stream of people 
was passing through the house, and many who were late, 
w^ere unable to see the corpse. The coffin lay in the east- 
erly room, in a position that enabled everybody to take a 
farewell view r of the remains. 

The coffin — or rather casket — in which they were 
placed w r as very handsome. The frame was covered w r ith 
black broadcloth, the caps with black silk velvet, a val. 
ance of black silk velvet, filled with heavy silver fringe 
being suspended along the sides and ends. The base and 
corners w r ere crowned with moldings of silver, and eight 
silver handles were placed at equal distances from each 
other. A large silver plate on the lid of the coffin, upon 
which the name, date of birth, death and age of the 
deceased was engraved, completes the description. 

At two o'clock p. m., the time announced for the 
remains to leave Mrs. Canfield's residence, the bells of the 
city commenced tolling, and the streets adjacent to the 
above place, were literally packed with people. A short 
time after the hour above named, the remains were placed 
in the hearse, and, followed by the members of the fami- 
ly and a number of intimate friends, w r ere conveyed to 



!l 



201 



the State Street Presbyterian Church, at which place they 
arrived about half past two. The pall-bearers \v< 
Judge Conant, Judge Hand, Alexander Chapoton, Judge 
Witherell, Judge Wilkins, Hon. Robert McClelland and 
General Casey. 

AT THE CHURCH. 

The exterior of the church and the interior were 
heavily draped in mourning. The pulpit and its surround- 
ings was covered with black broadcloth and crape, as Avas 
also a dias upon which the coffin was placed, immediately 
in front of the above. 

Long before the arrival of the remains at this place, 
the edifice was surrounded by an exceedingly large 
crowd of spectators, but owing to the admirable arrange- 
ments of the police force, State street, between Farmer 
street and Woodward avenue, was kept remarkably clear. 
As many persons as could be seated Avere admitted to 
the side aisles, the center ones being reserved for the 
mourners, and civic and military bodies. After the seats 
had all been filled up, the seiwices Avere opened by the 
Rt. Rev. Bishop McCoskry, Avho read the 90th psalm. 
This was followed by the singing of the 632d hymn, 
Avhich is as follows: 

Why should we start and fear to die ? 

What tim'rous worms we mortals are I 
Death is the gate of endless joy, 
And yet we dread to enter there. 



2G 



202 



The pains, the groans, the dying strife, 
Fright our approaching souls away : 
Still we shrink back again to life, 
Fond of our prison and our clay. 

Oh ! if my Lord would come and meet 

My so.il would stretch her wings in haste, 
Fly fearless through death's iron gate — 
Nor feel the terrors as she passed. 

Jesus can make a dying bed 
Feel soft as down)^ pillows are, 
While on his breast I lean my head, 
And breathe my life out sweetly there. 

At the conclusion of the above, the Rev. Dr. Duffield 
delivered the address, taking his text as follows : 

" Then Abraham gave up the Ghost, and died in a good old age, 
an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people." — 
Gen. xxv : 8. 

This is the simple record of the Bible, concerning the 
demise of a man of great eminence. Few ever occupied 
so conspicuous a place, in the origin of a nation, or inter- 
wove their personal history, with a more peculiar people. 
The name of Abraham is revered to this day, not only 
by his lineal race, but by the christian nations of earth. 
He was the "friend of God." "In Him all the families 
of the earth are blessed." " He is the father of all them 
that believe." As a man of wealth, an eminent gover- 
nor, a military hero, a companion of kings, and a foun- 
tain of public blessing, his name and fame remain pre- 
eminent. And yet, at the close of his long and honored 



:03 



life, the sacred historian writes his epitaph in these few 
words of simple verity. However protracted may be 
human life; however great the sphere and might of per- 
sonal influence; and however crowned with merited 
honor, the brief and simple record of the end must be, 
" he died." Happy, indeed, for survivors, when it can 
be added "he was gathered to his people." 

We make this day the like record of our venerated 
and illustrious fellow citizen. Wealth, honor, greatness, 
exalted station, commanding influence, furnish no guar- 
antee against the arrest of death. "What man is he 
that liveth and shall not see death ?" 

With the solemn memento of mortality before us, 
we naturally recall the past; and while seeking to do 
honor to his memory, and read the lessons taught us, it 
is but appropriate to advert to some general facts of his 
history and traits of his character. This, however, is 
not the place or the season foi a biographical sketch. 
The biography of General Cass is part and parcel of the 
history of our State and Country. His life lias been 
cotemporaneous with the Federal Constitution and in 
the various offices of Marshal, Colonel, General, Legis- 
lator, Territorial Governor, Superintendent of Indian 
Affairs, Secretary of War, Minister Plenipotentiary to 
France, Senator and Secretary of the United Stairs, he 
has left the record of his superior capacity and talent, 
his earnest and devoted patriotism, and of an unblem- 



204 



ishecl public life of more than half a century. Fidelity 
and dispatch in the discharge of his duties, were marked 
characteristics. Lofty independence and personal intre- 
pidity contributed to give him decisive and efficient 
influence both in his diplomatic and senatorial services. 
His erudition and extensive reading rendered him ade- 
quate to every emergency. And his numerous elabo- 
rate speeches, generally of exhaustive character, gave 
surprising evidence of his untiring industry, and of the 
great fertility of his resources. 

In the midst of the stormy conflicts of party, he 
ever remained faithful and devoted to the Union which 
he loved. He retired late in life from the sphere of 
public labor, and only then, when amid rampant treason 
around him, — President Buchanan refusing to dispatch 
troops and supplies to reinforce Major Anderson in Fort 
Sumpter, — he resigned his place in the cabinet, admin- 
istering the rebuke, which emblazoned his name, and 
secured for him the enthusiastic welcome of his fellow 
citizens to his home among us. As a citizen in private 
life, no deed of exaction or oppression of debtor can be 
laid to his charge. A generous hospitality was his 
delight, and acts of considerate kindness and aid to 
those whom he loved to befriend, were not few. He 
sought to "overcome evil with good; 1 ' and was ever 
ready to forgive his enemies. His example of temper- 
ance is well known, and doubtless his practice of it con- 



205 



tributed much to his general health, and to prolong his 
vigorous and laborious life. As a parent and friend, his 
social amenities embalmed his memory in the hearts of 
his children and all who intimately knew him. 

But these natural traits and displays of excellence 
have all ceased with the mortal life. Society has been 
greatly the loser, as well as children and friends. Gath- 
ering, as we do, for the last time around these honored 
remains, before carrying them to their last resting place, 
it is natural for us to ask, whither has the mind, the 
spirit that once animated them gone? It is said of 
Abraham : "He was gathered to his people." The ref- 
erence is not to the bodies of deceased ancestors, for his 
body was not buried in the same tomb or the same land 
with theirs. The reference is to the living conscious 
mind. That passed to the presence of God and the 
assembly of his Saints. It and not the body was the 
Abraham that was gathered to his people. His people 
were the people of God, chosen and beloved— all those 
who had like precious faith, and who form the general 
assembly, the church of the first born, "the spirits of 
just men made perfect." We thank God there is rea- 
son to hope that to that glorious company 1ms passed 
the spirit of our deceased and venerated friend. 

The truth of Christianity for many years past he 
doubted not. The language of the scriptures was taunt- 



2o6 



iar to him, as his numerous and apt quotations of it in 
public life have proved. 

The grand essential facts of Evangelic faith were 
accredited by him. He had witnessed in a beloved 
daughter, removed in youth many years ago, the 
power and value of that faith in Christ, which gave 
her the victory. In the beloved partner of his bosom 
who shared with him his cares and trials and sorrows 
he had witnessed the virtues and graces of chris- 
tian character, developed in their mild radiance and 
illustrated by an earnest, devoted and consistent life. 
None that knew her could fail to respect and love her, 
for the sweetness and power of that religion which actu- 
ated her. For she was a model of all that was lovely 
and excellent in character, moulded after the image and 
animated by the love of Christ. Two such blessed ties 
had often drawn his thoughts from earth to Heaven. But 
within the few last years of his life, his own personal 
interest in Christ and hope of salvation had become 
matters of calm, intelligent solicitude and inquiry. lie 
was especially averse to, and afraid of, evincing and pro- 
fessing; religious feelings that might not be abiding and 
evidential of true christian faith, even often to distrust- 
ing somewhat his own consciousness. Being particularly 
reserved on this account, in conversing- on religious sub- 
jects, it was difficult to learn what were his thoughts and 
emotions in reference to his own personal acceptance 



207 



with God. The subject of divine providence often per- 
plexed him, not knowing how to reconcile the inequal- 
ities among men. It was my privilege, a very few days 
after the attack on Fort Sumter, when meeting him on 
the street, and in the presence of two mutual friends, to 
hear the disclosure of his thoughts then made on the 
subject. His mind was full of doubt and gloom and 
fear lest the bloody conflict commenced* would be long 
protracted, saying to me, "Neither you nor I will live to 
see it ended." "Yes, General, I hope we shall see it 
ended," was the reply. "We must get through our 
troubles before the storm of desolating war, now 
bursting, will break on Europe." "What makes you 
think so?" he eagerly interrogated. "The providence 
of God will be our shield and defense," it was answered. 
"Providence !" he replied, "it is a mystery ! It seems 
to me that Providence as often favors the wicked as the 
good." It was a fitting opportunity I gladly improved, 
and said, "General, be pleased to read carefully the 7th, 
8th, 9th and 10th chapters of Isaiah, and you will Leani 
thence the plan of Providence, and how to estimate the 
justice of a nation's cause, and see the mysteries of 
Providence solved. God values a nation just as it con- 
forms to and subserves his purpose to honor and exalt 
His son the Lord Jesus Christ. There is for nations, as 
for individuals, salvation and security to be found alone 
in Him. What is just as between man and man, nation 



2o8 



and nation, may be unjust as between them and God." 
The conversation soon ceased, as he was on his way to 
attend the funeral obsequies of a military officer who 
had shortly before and suddenly expired. At a subse- 
quent interview, not many days after, I was happy to 
find the General's mind as full of hope for the success of 
the Union's cause as I was myself, and which hope there- 
after never faltered. I fondly persuaded myself that he 
had learned where to anchor with assurance, his hope for 
himself as well as for his country. It gives me pleasure 
to be able to say, from subsequent conversations, that he 
trusted not in his blameless life, or deeds of righteous- 
ness of his own; that he believed in the Deity and 
atonement of Jesus Christ and the reality and necessity 
of a change of heart by the spirit of God ; and that he 
accepted and was satisfied with the atoning blood of 
Jesus as the means of reconciliation to God. He gave 
unmistakable proof to his friends that he loved the 
people of God and the ' cause of Christ. And in the 
moments when suffering from great pain of body, he 
was heard by attendants, not known to be present, utter- 
ing the language of faith and love in tones of filial 
endearment, ''Father, take me home," "Dear Jesus, help 
me." The hymn which we shall presently sing, he loved 
to have read to him, as must every one who knows and 
appreciates the christian's sure ground of trust and hope 



209 

in God, to be his truth and faithfulness pledged in his 

gracious promise : 

" The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, 
He will not, he cannot desert to his foes ; 
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, 
He '11 never, no never, no never forsake." 

To friends and kindred sorrowing here, we have but 
a word to say. "I would not have you ignorant con- 
cerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even 
as others that have no hope. For if we believe that 
Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep 
in Jesus will God bring with him." 

To one and all allow me to give the earnest and affec- 
tionate admonition— see to it that you make your peace 
with God. That can be done in no other way than 
through the peace-speaking blood of Jesus. To die 
unpardoned, unreconciled to God, what can be more 
dreadful ? A short life of pleasure in sin, to be suc- 
ceeded by an eternity of woe ! Oh ! let not a deceitful 
world beguile you to everlasting ruin. 

Earth's joys are but a dream ; its destiny 
Is but decay and death. Its fairest form 
Sunshine and shadow mixed. Its brightest day, 
A rainbow braided in the storm. 

An impressive prayer made by Dr. Duftield, followed 
the above remarks, after which the hymn 369, (which is 
referred to in the address as having been a favorite with 



27 



2lO 



the deceased,) with the exception of the 3d and 4th ver- 



ses, was sung. 



The words are 



How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord 
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word ! 
What more can he say, than to you he hath said ? 
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled ? 

Fear not, I am with thee, Oh ! be not dismayed 
I— I am thy God, and will still give thee aid ; 
I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand 
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 

Ee'n down to old age, all my people shall prove 
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love ; 
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, 
Like lambs they shall still, in my bosom be borne. 

The soul that on Jesus, hath leaned for repose, 
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes ; 
That soul, tho' all hell should endeavor to shake, 
I'll never,— no, never— no, never forsake. 

A benediction was then pronounced by Bishop Mc- 
Coskry, and while the body was subsequently being 
removed from the edifice, the choir sang the following 
requiem, written for the occasion : 

Breathe mournful music round ! 
In cypress wreathe your melancholy lyres, 
And as ye sweep them, yield the quiv'ring wires 
To sorrow's gushing sound. 
Shadow your brows and weep. 

Shadow your brows and weep ! 

A patriot's race is run, his labor o'er; 

In daily life he'll meet us here no more ; 

Laid in his marble sleep. 

Shadow your brows and weep. 



211 



He's passed within the ven ! 
And stricken hearts in sorrow o'er him bent, 
His loss deplore, in sad and long lament. 
Shadow your brows and weep. 

Then bear him to his bed — 

In the vale where, in the summer hours 

He used to wander, musing 'mid the flowers. 

Shadow your brows and weep. 

There rest, worn statesman, rest ! 

While thy glad spirit, freed from toils and fears 

Has joined the choiring throng whose years endure, 

Forever, ever blest. 
Shadow your brows and weep. 

The body was conveyed to the hearse by a detachment 
of the guard of honor, the military in the meantime pre- 
senting arms. The procession was then formed in the 
following order : 

Metropolitan Police. 

Grand Marshal and Assistants. 

Band of the 17th U. S. Infantry. 

Detachments of the 17th IT. S. Intantry. 

Battery G, 4th U. S. Artillery. 

Light Guard Band. 

Masonic Fraternity. 



co 




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T3 a 




2.t-i 




W 


traq 


tfGu 
side 


03" 


ltGu 
side 


Sco 
with 


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ard 
arms 



212 

Horse T'ead by a groom. 

Pall-bearers in carriages. 

Mourners. 

Band. 

The Detroit Bar. 



[From the Detroit Free Press, June 21, 1866.] 

The last act of the drama has ended, and the lamented 
Gen. Lewis Cass now rests in peace — in the sleep that 
knows no waking. After the toils and tribulations of 
" life's fitful fever," he rests with the honored and the 
just. The nation and the State have paid just tribute to 
his memory, and the city he loved so well has con* 
tributed its full share in paying respect to the closing 
scenes of the mournful rites it w T as called upon to ob- 
serve. * 

THE CITY. 

The ordinary observer could not but note that some- 
thing unusual had occurred to call together the crowd of 
strange faces upon our streets during the morning of 
yesterday. An air of respectful solemnity seemed to 
have settled over the community, and if the expression 
be allowed, things moved in whispers instead of the 
usual bustle observable on our principal thoroughfares. 
During the forenoon very many of our principal mer- 
chants draped their places with badges of mourning, and 



213 



the deep folds of customary black which hung in folds 
and festoons from windows, doors, and over archways, 
spoke feelingly of the ardent desire to contribute to the 
solemnities, and strongly reminded one of the scene 
which was erstwhile exhibited, when the nation's loss 
was commemorated. The national colors fluttered 
mournfully at half-mast, or clung in solemn folds to the 
flag-staffs, as if ashamed to show the bright tints in a 
gloom so universal. There was no positive order for 
the suspension of business, but as if by common consent, 
every store was closed during the afternoon, with a few 
insignificant exceptions, and every respect which could 
be shown exhibited towards the honored dead. 

THE LYING IN STATE. 

During the forenoon, between the hours of eight and 
eleven a. m., the east room of the General's late resi- 
dence was perfectly besieged with visitors to take a fare- 
well look at him they had so revered and loved.^ For 
three and a half hours a constant stream of visitors 
poured into the room, and gazed fondly yet sadly upon 
the features of him who would greet them no more in 
life. At times the beautiful avenue was blocked up on 
each side with visitors, and but for the vigilance of the 
police the crush would have been insufferable. 

THE CASKET. 

The coffin, which contained the mortal remains of the 
illustrious deceased, was of regal magnificence. It was 



214 

made in casket form, the cover being clothed with the 
richest black silk velvet, with a drapery of the same 
material hanging over the side, edged with heavy silver 
fringe. The sides of the casket were covered with heavy 
black broadcloth, with velvet caps, presenting a deep 
contrast to the rich snrmoimtings. The base, corners, 
and crown moulding were all of massive silver, while 
eisht solid silver handles were affixed to the sides and 
ends. A silver plate, enclosed in a wreath of ever- 
greens, and bearing the following simple inscription, was 
placed on the cover, at the base of a beautifully arranged 

cross of living flowers : 

Lewis Cass, 

Bora October 9, 1782, 

Died June 17, 1866. 

CEREMONIES AT THE RESIDENCE. 

Shortly before two o'clock the vicinity of the Gen- 
eral's late residence was densely crowded with specta- 
tors, but owing to the well arranged programme of the 
police no inconvenience was experienced, and solemn 
religious services were engaged in by the Right Rev. 
Bishop McCoskry and Dr. Duffield, after which the 
casket was removed to the elegant 

HEARSE, 

drawn by six deep black horses, mournfully capari- 
soned with crape decorations and jetty plumes draping 
from their bridles. The pall-bearers on the occasion 



2I 5 



were Judges Wilkins, Witherell, Conant, Hand; Ex- 
Governor Robert McClelland, Gen. Casey, and Messrs. 
A. Chapaton and John Owen. 

THE ROUTE, ETC. 

The route of procession was down Woodward to 
Jefferson avenue, and along the latter and up Elmwood 
avenue to the cemetery. All along the route the streets 
were lined with spectators, who viewed the cortege with 
feelings of sorrow. Very many of the buildings were 
draped in mourning, and with their doors closed, gave 
the city a mournful appearance. 

AT THE CEMETERY. 

Mr. Gladewitz, Superintendent of Elmwood cemetery, 
made extensive arrangements for the reception of the 
remains and the proper accommodation of the vast con- 
course of people. The fence, a distance of about 150 
feet, was removed, and the street very nicely graded. 
The entrance of the cortege to the cemetery was made 
by the main gate, the carriageway, from which to the 
grave, was thickly strewn with evergreens. Over this, 
the main portion of the procession passed. 

THE GRAVE. 

The Cass lot, where the remains were buried, is on a 
natural mound on the east side of the cemetery, a little 
above the terminus of Clinton avenue, and overlooks 



2l6 



Bloody Run on the west. It is a choice selection, being 
high and dry, and easy of access. The remains were 
interred by the side of those of the General's wife. 

THE DECORATIONS. 

The lot, and the entrance to the enclosure were very 
handsomely decorated. An arch, made with the natural 
trees, was erected at the entrance, suspended from which 
were banners of red, white and blue. Along either side 
as you walked towards the grave, were national ensigns 
floating from the trees, and directly in front of the gate 
to the enclosure and at the extreme back part of the lot, 
was suspended a large painting emblematical of the life 
of the distinguished dead. 

DEPOSITING THE REMAINS. 

The members of the Masonic fraternity were arranged 
four deep around the interior of the enclosure, the mourn- 
ers standing inside of the circle. The casket, containing 
the remains, was placed inside of a black walnut box, the 
lid of which was securely fastened down and then depos- 
ited in a sarcophagus, made in the grave. After being 
thus disposed of, the services commenced. Dr. Duffield 
offered up a short but impressive prayer to the throne of 
grace. Mr. S. C. Coffinberry, Grand Master of the 
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of this State 
followed the reverend gentleman, and read the usual 
burial services of that order. These rites being per- 



217 

formed, the Rev. A. G. Hibbard, also a member of the 
same order, concluded the exercises by an appropriate 
and effective prayer. It is unnecessary here to refer to 
the Masonic ceremonies ; suffice it to say that they are of 
the most imposing character. 

THE CARRIAGES. 

Preceding the hearse in the first carriage were Bishop 
McCoskry, Rev. Dr. Duffield, Dr. Pitcher and Dr. Far- 
rand. Leaving the residence for the State Street Church, 
where a continuance of the religious observances were 
to be solemnized, followed the carriages containing rela- 
tives and mourners, Major Cass, Mrs. Canfield, Mr. and 
Mrs. Baron Von Limburg, Mr. Ledyard, Masters Richard 
and Augustus Canfield, and Miss Gilbert, Gen. Geo. W. 
Cass and two daughters, Mrs. Alice Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. 
Brush and children, General and Mrs. Hunt, Mr. Foxen, 
Mr. C. C. Trowbridge, Miss Trowbridge and Miss Sibley, 
J. H. Jones, and Mr. and Mrs. Frost, Mr. and Mrs. Allen, 
Mrs. Col. Backus, Mrs. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. D. 
Williams, the General's servant, James, and the family 
servants. 

AT THE CHURCH. 

On arriving at the State Street Church four compa- 
nies of the 4th United States Regiment, under Captain 
Collier, and the battery of artillery, under Major Thock- 
morton, were drawn up in line on the opposite side ol 



28 



218 



the street. The coffin was removed to the inside, which 
was appropriately decorated and placed on a catafalque 
beneath the pulpit* The crush here was very great, but 
the same strict order was maintained, and as many as 
possible were comfortably seated. Bishop McCoskry 
read impressively the 90th Psalm: "Lord, Thou hast 
been our dwelling place in all generations," after which 
the choir sang the 632d hymn ; 

Why should we start and fear to die, 
What tim'rous worms we mortals are, 

Death is the gate of endless joy, 
And yet we dread to enter there. 

The hymn was followed by the sermon from the Rev. 
Dr. Duffield. 

The late Gen. Cass 1 favorite hymn was then sung, 
after which Bishop McCoskry pronounced the Messing, 
and the corpse was borne from the church while the choir 
sang a requiem, composed expressly for the occasion. 









THE PROCESSION. 

Leaving the church the order of procession, as pre- 
viously announced, was observed. A detachment ot 
police, carrying the insignia of mourning, preceded the 
United States infantry and artillery, after which came a 
large body of the Masonic fraternity, wearing the sim- 
ple, yet imposing badge of mourning for the loss of a 
brother. On either side of the hearse were the city mil- 
itary, with arms reversed, acting as an escort. The pro- 



MMMBf *■■■<— j 



219 



cession thus organized, moved down Woodward avenue, 
the military and civic bands playing funeral marches. 

All along the route to Jefferson avenue the streets 
were lined with spectators, who bowed in respectful rev- 
erence as the mournful cortege moved past. As the 
procession moved up Jefferson avenue the dense crowd 
increased, and but for the width of space, serious inter- 
ruption must have occurred. Business places were 
closed, and as the last of the long line of carriages 
moved by, thousands followed on foot towards the cem- 
etery. Some idea of the length of the procession may 
be gained from the fact that it was over half an hour in 
passing a given point. 

AT THE CEMETERY. 

The entrance to the beautiful lot where the remains 
of General Cass were to find a resting-place had been 
most tastefully and appropriately decorated for the occa- 
sion. Over the principal entrance the national tri-colors 
had been drawn in massive folds, and the ponderous 
gates were draped in the solemn badge of mourning. 
In order to accommodate the crowd a large portion of 
the fencing in front of the burial place had been removed, 
the path and roadways neatly graded and strewn with 
evergreens for a wide space. At this entrance the same 
taste had been displayed in the drapery of colors among 
the luxurious maples, sighing pines, and spreading foliage 



220 






which surrounds the beautiful mound. Stretching from 
the leafy branches of two maple trees and in full view 
from the entrance, was a splendid allegorical design, 
painted expressly for the occasion, representing the 
national emblem looking mournfully down upon a casket 
over which was drawn the pall or covering, on which the 
simple word " Cass" was inscribed. Upon the cover were 
the national shield, a sword, upon which rested a pen, 
which carried its own significance, The dim shadow of 
the capital was seen in the distance, and a canopy of 
mourning hung over the whole, rendering the allegory 
beautiful and impressive. 

CLOSING SCENES. 

The casket having been brought to the grave, and 
placed within the outer shell, it was lowered into the 
sarcophagus prepared for it. The Presbyterian burial 
service was then read by the Rev. Dr. Duffield, after 
which the sublime ceremonies of the Masonic order 
were performed by the Grand Master, S. P. Coffinbury, 
assisted by P. G. M. Baxter and Grand Chaplain A. G: 
Hibbard. 

The ceremonies at the grave were most impressive, 
and caused a feeling of deep awe and solemnity to over- 
spread the immense assemblage which was present. At 
the conclusion the grave was closed, and all that was 
mortal of Gen. Lewis Cass now rests beneath the sod, 
side by side with her whom in life he loved so well. 



CITY INTELLIGENCE. 

The Late General Cass, 

On Thursday evening, an essay on the life 
of General Lewis Cass was read before the 
Numismatic and Antiquarian Society by 
Charles H. Hart. He gave of General Cass 
the following history: 

His first production of a literary nature 
was, "Inquiries respecting the History, Tra- 
ditions, Lvgus^Sj &c, of the Indians 
Living within tne United States," which 
was published in the infant town though an- 
cient settlement of Detroit in 1823. This 
work was written from his own personal ob- 
servations, made during the preceding eight 
years, while holding the position of Super- 
intendent of Indian Affairs for the Terri- 
tories. During his superintendency he 
suggested the expedition, in which he him- 
self bore & conspicuous part, for exploring 
the northern shore of Lake Superior and the 
oourse of the upper Mississippi, which was 
commenced in 1820, and of which we have a 
fall account from the pen of that distin- 
guished Indian scholar, the late Henry Rowe 
Schoolcraft.. In 1828 he contributed to the 
North American Review two able articles on 
indian affairs, one on their government and 
the other containing a full review of the re- 
lations between the Indians and the British 
and American governments, and ascribing 
she then recent Indianjdisturbances to British 
nstigation. 

While he held the portfolio of the Depart- 
ment of War, he projected and advocated 
the formation of the American Historical 
3oeiety, the objects of which institution are 
leclared in the second article of its constitu- 
tion to be "to discover, procure and pre- 
lerve whatever may relate to the natural, 
uvil, literary and ecclesiastical history of 
Imerica in general, and of the United States 
in particular." This society was organized 
>n the 12th of October, 1835, the three 
Hundred and forty- third anniversary of the 
iiscovery of America, and Mr. Cass was 
lihosen its first president. He delivered be- 
bre it the first annual address in the follow- 
ing January, a production marked with care- 
ul and erudite research, and with an easy, 
graceful style which showed the natural 
ijenius of its author's mind. 

During his sojourn in France, as Ameri- 
an minister, he published "An Historical 
>nd Statistical Account of the Island of Can- 
ia, or ancient Crete," and shortly after- 
wards appeared his "France; its King, Court, 
md Government, and three hours at St. 
'loud," in which he gives his impressions of 
he country in which he was for six years a 
esident, and a very friendly and favorable 



account of the character of Louis Philippe, 
with whom he wa3 on terms of intimacy. 
Mr. Cass was also the author of many ad- 
dresses before literary societies, and other 
valuable papers, 
The society adopted the following: 

1. Resolved, That this society has heard 
with deep regret of the demise of its late 
honorary vice president from Michigan, 
Hon. Lewis Cass, who has just been gathered 
to his fathers, full of years and fall of 
honors, like a shock ot corn ripe for the 
garner. 

2. That in the death of this time- honored 
statesman and war-worn hero, this society 
has lost one of its most distinguished orna- 
ments, the country a patriot whose heart 
ever beat in unison with all her interests, 
whose aspirations were never disconnected 
from her advancing glory, and whose labors 
were always directed to the promotion of the 
prosperity, welfare .and greatness of her peo- 
ple. 

3. That the civilized world will mourn for 
one of the foremost and most influential 
diplomatists and publicists of the age, whose 
wishes in its behalf have in all cases re- 
dounded in the most enlarged sense to its ad- 
vancement and advantage. 

— r-s 

LEWIS CASS. 

General Cass is enjojdng the quiet plea- 
sures of serene old age amid his family, 
surrounded by all the appliances of wealth. 
He was among one of the earlier settlers of 
the city of Detroit, and there he lives now, 
with his children, in possession of the ample 
fortune arising from the increased value of 
the ground which he has seen changing 
from the rough, uncultivated, worthless 
waste to the city "lot" and site of magni- 
ficent structures, yielding princely revenues 
to their builders. General Cass possesses 
a taste for art, and has had ample oppor- 
tunity for gratifying it during his travels in 
Europe. His eldest son has inherited the 
| same taste with even greater scope for its 
cultivation and more abundant means of as- 
suming the pleasant labors of the collector, 
and the galleries of both the General and 
his son, Major Lewis Cass, contain many 
celebrated and rare works of art. There is 
a piquancy of surprise added to the gratifi- 
cation of the senses in gazing upon antique 
marbles dug from the sands of Koine in this 
new city of the West, which has grown to 
such lair proportions within the limits of 
one man's lifetime. 



DEATH OF GENERAL CASS. 

Hon. Lewis Cass died at Detroit, Michigan, 
Dn Sunday, the 17th, at the age of eighty- 
hree years. His death, following fast upon 
that of General Scott, sweeps away almost the 
last, if not the last, of that galaxy of men 
whose abilities and continuance in public ser- 
vice built up for us a sort of Elizabethan era 
of our own. 

Mr. Cass was born at Exeter, N. H., October 
9, 1782, of old Puritan and revolutionary stock. 
He studied at the Exeter Academy, made fa- 
mous by Daniel Webster's pupilage as well as 
his owd, until 1799. His father, who rose to 
be a major in the Federal army, removed to 
Wilmington, Del., in 1799, and young Lewis 
taught there for a while. Then he removed 
with his parents to Marietta, Ohio, was admit- 
Ited to the bar, and opened an office at Zanes- 
ville in 1802. In 1806 he was elected to the 
Legislature, and aided in breaking up Burr's 
great western expedition. He was then made j 
United States Marshal for Ohio. In 1812 he j 
was chosen colonel of the 3d Ohio volun- 
fceers in the war with Great Britain, and j 
servedwith General Hull. He entered Canada, 
and when Hull made his capitulation, broke 
his sword in anger. He was exchanged, and 
made Colonel in the regular army in 1818, 
and promoted to Brigadier General. He was 
with Harrison and in the battle of the Thames. 
Subsequently he was appointed Governor of 
the Territory of Michigan, with about 5000 
white inhabitants. He quieted the Indians by 
treaty in 1814, and the next year moved to 
Detroit, where he purchased 500 acres of land. 
He was made Superintendent over some 40,000 
Indians, and secured their confidence and kept j 
the peace. In 1817 he secured the cession of j 
4,000,000 acres of Indian lands, and in 1819 of ' 
6,000,000 acres more in Michigan, Ohio and 
Indiana. Schoolcraft's Exploring Expedi- 
tion was framed by him. In 1821 he 
sxtinguished the Indian title in Michigan. 
By 1831 he had made 19 Indian treaties, and 
published articles on the Indian races which 
Mrew attention to him. In 1831 General 
Jackson, reconstructing his Cabinet, made 
General Cass Secretary of War, and the Secre- 
tary advocated the removal of the Indians. In 
1836 he was sent as Minister to France, where 



his diplomacy was successful, and the next 
year he travelled extensively along the coasts 
of the Mediterranean. He was a friend of 
Louis Philippe, and signalized himself by as- 
sailing the treaty of 1841, which was by his 
efforts frustrated. The Ashburton treaty led 
to his resignation. On his return General 
Cass pronounced in favor of the annexation of 
Texas, and was a candidate for the Pre- 
sidency against Mr. Polk in 1844. He was 
chosen Senator from Michigan in 1845, 
and took high ground on the Oregon ques- 
tion, opposing the treaty by which the 
Whigs settled it. The Mexican war followed 
fast on the heels ef this adjustment, and his 
Nicholson letter of December, 1847, proposed 
to leave the question of slavery in the States to 

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DEATH OF GENERAL CASS. 

Hon. Lewis Cass died at Detroit, Michigan, 
on Sunday, the 17th, at the age of eighty- 
three years. His death, following fast upon 
that of General Scott, sweeps away almost the 
last, if not the last, of that galaxy of men 
whose abilities and continuance in public ser- 
vice built up for us a sort of Elizabethan era 
of our own. 

Mr. Cass was born at Exeter, N. H., October 
9, 1782, of old Puritan and revolutionary stock. 
He studied at the Exeter Academy, made fa- 
mous by Daniel Webster's pupilage as well as 
his own, until 1799. His father, who rose to 
be a major in the Federal army, removed to 
Wilmington, Del., in 1799, and young Lewis 
taught there for a while. Then he removed 
with his parents to Marietta, Ohio, was admit- 
ted to the bar, and opened an office at Zanes- 
ville in 1802. In 1806 he was elected to the 
Legislature, and aided in breaking up Burr's 
great western expedition. He was then made 
United States Marshal for Ohio. In 1812 he 
was chosen colonel of the 3d Ohio volun- 
teers in the war with Great Britain, and i 
served with General Hull. He entered Canada, 
and when Hull made his capitulation, broke 
his sword in anger. He was exchanged, and 
made Colonel in the regular army in 1813, 
and promoted to Brigadier General. He was 
with Harrison and in the battle of the Thames. 
Subsequently he was appointed Governor of 
the Territory of Michigan, with about 5000 
white inhabitants. He quieted the Indians by 
treaty in 1814, and the next year moved to 
Detroit, where he purchased 500 acres of land. 
He was made Superintendent over some 40,000 
Indians, and secured their confidence and kept 
the peace. In 1817 he secured the cession of 
4,000,000 acres of Indian lands, and in 1819 of 
6,000,000 acres more in Michigan, Ohio and 
Indiana. Schoolcraft's Exploring Expedi- 
tion was framed by him. In 1821 he 
extinguished the Indian title in Michigan. 
By 1831 he had made 19 Indian treaties, and 
published articles on the Indian races which 
drew attention to him. In 1831 General 
Jackson, reconstructing his Cabinet, made 
General Cass Secretary of War, and the Secre- 
tary advocated the removal of the Indians. In 
1836 he was sent as Minister to France, where 



| his diplomacy was successful, and the next 
1 year he travelled extensively along the coasts 
| of the Meditterranean. He was a friend of 
Louis Philippe, and signalized himself by as- 
sailing the treaty of 1841, which was by his 
efforts frustrated. The Ashburton treaty led 
to his resignation. On his return General 
Cass pronounced in favor of the annexation of I 
Texas, and was a candidate for the Pre- j 
sidency against Mr. Polk in 1844. He was I 
chosen Senator from Michigan in 1845, j 
and took high ground on the Oregon ques- 
tion, opposing the treaty by which the 
Whigs settled it. The Mexican war followed 
fast on the heels ef this adjustment, and his 
Nicholson letter of December, 1847, proposed 
to leave the question of slavery in the States to 
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THrWlLL OF GENERAL 



Afa Abstract of' nil itafmporJ 
»<i Provision 

From the Detroit Tribune. ■ 

The J':si will and testament 
Lewis t.ass has been filed in t,h- 
a\ ne conn ty, and we >• ive 
pared abstract of Us provisj 
■lated October 17. XS6*. and th [•< 

re is witnessed by George 

Melius ( 'ol ii IIS. 

1. Th* ¥i jJi appoints Lewis C 
testator, to be executor, and - 
clinine or otherwise tailing to 

'ard, son-in-law, is to be ex? 

2. The great balk of the testato 
bequeaths in equal fourth parts t,c 
Lewis Cass, Jr., Mary S. Can field, 
Li m burg, wife of Koest von Limbu 
Lilda Ledyard, wife of Henry Ledyai 
their heirs and assigns forever. Mrs. Cs 
however, is to receive at an appraisement $ii 
less t han its actual value, the property "bon i 
northerly by Fort street, in the city, of Detio, 
westerly by Fiftn street in said city," extending 
to the line established by the Common Counci 
for the terminus of docks, southerly by the saic 
line, and easterly by the eastern boundary o 
the property purchased of T. Stewart." 

3. All the furniture belonging to the testato 
in Mrs. Canfjeld's house, with his horses anc 
carriage, sleigh and harness, is given to her 
The testator says: — 

*'I bequeath to Henry Ledyard the portrait 
of Louis Phillippe and of M. Guizot, and to M 
von Limburg my goid-headed cane, sent m 
from California; and to my son my gold-heade( 
cane sent me from Baltimore, and to my grand 
son, Lewis Cass Ledyard, the watch 1 wear 
There are in the rooms I occupy sundry work: 
of art belonging to my son, which he will take 
on my decease." 

4. To Mrs. Canfield is bequeathed a small por- 
tion of the northeastern back concession of th> 
Cass Farm, which is claimed and possessed b; 
the heirs of General John It. Williams and o 
Major Jonathan Kearsley. But the testatr 
expresses his unwillingness that, there shoul 
beany legal dispute between his heirs and th 
heirs of his two friends above-mentioned. Th 
testator says: — 

" In conjunction with the Messrs. C. I. & E. ( 
Walker, I have opened a track for the conti 
.nuation of Cass avenue, from the Holden roai 
to the northern boundary of the Messrs 
Walker's lots; aad I do hereby devise and b< 
queath to the public all my claim to the sam< 
for the purpose of establishing the said ave 
nue." 

5. To William Foxen, "in recognition of hi 
faithful services," is bequeathed $1000 cash, an< 
lots on the Cass farm to the value of $8000. 

• 6. To Marcella Bligh and James Fitzpatrick 
each $100 cash and a lot valued at SS00. 

7. Tu George S. Frost, whom the testator ha 
"long known and highly regarded," is be 
qucat.hed lots on t.ne Cass farm valued at $3001 

8. To John E. Hunt, the testator's brother-in 
law, and his wife Mary Sophia Hunt, are be 
quoathed each one lot on the Cass farm, of th 
'value of $1000. 

[All the foregoing lots are to be selected an 
Valued by the executor.] 

9. General Cass' equitable spirit and dislike c 
litigation are seen in this clause:— 

"And 1 do assign and transfer to each of m 
•aid children, their heirs and assigns, foreve 
the contracts and leases which relate to the pr< 
perty respectively apportioned to him or "lie 
And I desire the said leases and contracts fait I 
juiiy executed agreeably to the true intent an 
meaning thereof. And 1 also desire that a 
cases where the time fixed for payment has e: 



pired, and any part oi the purchase money 
unpaid, the party purchasing remaining in po 
session, that a reasonable time be allowed U 
completing such payments, of which, howev< 
the devisee of such property is lobethejudg 
And should any of the payments in any cui 
tract for sale be due after my decease, and b 
fore the property contracted |for is apportion* 
to one of my de , and should the part 

contracting for the said prope sire to mai 

such payment, it shall be the duty of the e: 
eeutor to receive and account for it, and ah 
to give a deed for such property, if tl 
payment therefore is finally completed. And 
is my wish that my property be apportions 
and divided among my de> isees in a friendl 
manner and by persons in whom they ha\ 
confidence. I name Charles C. Trowbridge an 
George »S. Frost, hoping that they will consei 
to act in this matter. But should either or bot 
decline, or should the trust, alter being ou< 
iiiled, become vacant, then 1 desire that a pe 
son or persons mav be selected for that purpof 
by ray executor. With the consent of the uk 
visees'who may be in the United .States." 

10. The > testa tor describes his property ascoi 
sisting of real estate, wholly situated in tt 
State of Michigan; and his personal property i 
'•public securities, of the United states, the Stat 
of Michigan, in the city of Detroit, stock of ti 
Second National Bank of Detroit; I he amount < 
which is $25,000; stock in the Detroit Loeom- 
I tive Works, and in the Detroit Board of Tra< 
building; railroad bonds and chair factory bond 
mortgages, plank road slock, notes of band, an 
other obligations; debts due, not before enuni< 
rated; and cash on hand or in deposit." 

The will contains no public bequests, exeep 
ing land for the continuation of Cass avenue. 



("despatches to associated press.! 
The Death of Hon. Lewis Cass, 

The following was issued this morning:— 
Department of State Washington, June 
18 1866.— The President directs the undersigned 
to' perform the painful duty of announcing to 
the people of the United States that Lewis Cass, 
distinguished not more by faithful service in 
varied public trusts than by exalted patriotism 
at a recent period of political discord, departed 
this life at four o'clock yesterday morning. 

The several Executive departments of the 
Government will cause appropriate honors to 
be rendered to the memory of the deceased, at 
home and abroad, wherever the national name 
and authority are acknowledged. 

(Signed) Wm. H. Seward. 



v i 

Fonors to the Memory of Lewis Cass. 

The Department of State displays the na- 
tional flag in mourning to-day , and the eastern 
entrance is draped in black. 

The Navy and Treasury Departments have 
also placed their flags half mast, in respect to 
the memory of Hon. Lewis Cass, who, during 
his long career of public service occupied the 
positions of Secretary of State and Secretary 
of War. 



The Deatli of tieueral Cass. 

Ai the monthly meeting of the Numis- 
matic and Antiquarian Society of Philadel- 
phia, held on Thursday evening, Charles EC, 
i 2ait, Esq, Corresponding Secr> tary, made 
• the following announcement: 

It is my painful duty to pronounce offi- 
cially to the Society, that w mch is already 
too well known to its individual members, 
the death of our Honorary Vice President 
for the State of Michigan, Hon. Lewis Cass, 
LL. D. I had hoped to be relieved from 
sad act by the presence here this even- 
._£ of our first Vice President, Mr. Chandr 
ler, an old and warm personal friend of the 
deceased, but being unable to be with us, 
be has requested me to offer to the consid- 
eration of the Society the following resolu- 
tion which I now do in bis name : 

1. Besolved Thattim society has heard with deep 
> r *r gret ol the demise of its lat< Honorary Vice Presi- 
dent from Michigan, Hon. Lewis Cass who has just 
bteu gathered to h s fathers, fa 1 of jears f.iid fuU of 
factors, likeasbo.k of corn ripe for the garner. 

2. lhat In the death of thi- t^me honored tatesm^n 
and TTsr worn hero, this society has lost one of ita 
most distinguished ornaments, the country a patriot, 
whofce heart fver beat in unison with aJl ber interests, 
whose at-pirations were never disconnected from her 

giorj,and whose lauors were always di- 



advancii 



and 



rected to ihe promotion ol the prosperity, welfare 
g^atntss ol her pfopie. 

3. 1 hat the civilizd world will mourn for one of the 
foremost and most influenzal diplomatists, and pub- 
licists ol the age, whose wishes in its behalf have in all 
cases redounded in the niost enlarged sense to its ad- 
vancement and advantage. 

Mr. Hart then said; In offering these 
resolution a few remarks may not be inap- 
propriate. Gen. Cass is known to the worid 
more in the position of an able publicist 
than as a man of historical aud literary 
abilities. But he certainly was not chosen 
to the position of Vice President of this So- 
ciety for the former high qualities, and so it 
may be acceptable to the gentlemen present 
to hear in a few words his claim to the 
character of a man of letters. 

His first production of a literary nature 
was, "Inquiries respecting the History,Tra- 
ditions, Languages, <fec, of the Indians 
Living within the United States," which 
was published in the infant town though 
ancient settlement of Detroit in 1823. Tiiis 
work was written from his own personal 
observations, made during the preceding 
eight years; while holding the position of 
Superintendent of Indiau Affairs for the 
Territories. During his superinten- 
dency he suggested the expedition, in 
which he himseif bore a conspicious part, 
for exploring the northern shore of Lake 
Superior and the course of the Upper Mis- 
sissippi, which was commenced iu 1820, and 
of which we have a full account from the 
pen of that distinguished Indian scholar, 
the late Henry Rowe Schoolcraft. *In 1828 
he contributed to the North American Re- 
view two able articles on Indian affairs, one 
on meir government and the other contain- 
ing a full review of the relations between 
the Indians and the British and American 
governments, and ascribing the then recent 
Indian disturbances to British instigation. 



While he held the portfolio of the Depart- 
ment of War, he projected and advocated 
ihe formation of the American Historical 
Society, the objects of which institution are 
declared in the second article of its consti- 
tution to be "to discover, procure and pre- 
serve whatever may relate to the natural, 
civil, literary and ecclesiastical history of 
America in general, and of the United 
States in particular." This Society was 
organized on the 12th of October, 183"), the 
343d anniversary of the discovery of Ame- 
rica, and Mr. Cass was chosen its first Pre- 
sident. He delivered before it the first an- 
nual address in the following January, a 
production marked with careful and erudite 
research, and in an easy, graceful style 
which showed the natural genius of its au- 
thor's mind. 

During his sojourn in France, as Ameri- 
can Minister, he published "An Historical 
and Statistical Account of the Island of Can- 
dia, or ancient Crete," and shortly after- 
wards appeared his "Prance; its king, court 
and government, and three hours at St. 
Cloud," in wkichhe gives his impressions of 
the country in which he was for six years a 
resident and a very friendly and favorable 
account ef the character of Louis Philippe, 
with whom he was on terms of intimacy. 
Mr. Cass was also the author of many ad- 
dresses before literary societies and other 
valuable papers; but 1 will not trespass 
longer upon your time, the duty of follow- 
ing the course of his career as a soldier, a 
statesman and a man of letter* has happily 
devolved upon our accomplished historio- 
grapher, and I will, therefore, leave to him 
the further development of our late fellow- 
member's literary life 



The will of the late General Cass contains 
no charitable bequests, and only leaves special 
legacies, amounting, in the aggregate, to 
$15,600, to the following persons : — VVm. 
Foxen, Geo. S. Frost, John E. Hunt, Jas. C. 
Fitzpatrick and Marcella Bligh. The rest of 
the estate is divided equally between his four 
children, Lewis Cass, Jr., who is appointed 
sole executor; Mrs. Canfleld, Mrs. Ledyard, 
and Baroness Von Liruburg, save that Mrs. 
Canfield receives $10,000 more than the 
others. This lady has been Mr. Cass' con- 
stant attendant for some years, he haviug 
lived with her since his retirement from pub- 
lic life. The probable value of the whole 
estate is about $1,500,000. 



General, Cass left an estate valued at 
more tban a million dollars. He also left 
four children— Major Lewis Cass, Mrs. Henry 
Ledyard, Madame Von Limburg, wife of the 
Minister of the Netherlands, aud Mrs. Can- 
field. 



FUNERAL. OF 6EK. CASS. 

Imposing Ceremonies — Tine FKiicial 
ScFinoii— intex-esting Persoaial Remin- 
iscences. 

Tbe funeral oi Gen. Lewxs Cass took place at 
Detroit, on Tuesday. During the forenoon the re- 
mains were visited at the house by thousands of peo- 
ple. Shortly before two o'clock private religious sei - 
vices were held by Bishop McCloskex, of the Episco- 
pal, and Dr. Duffif/ld, of the Presbyterian Church. 
The bodv was then taken to the State-street Presby- 
terian Church, the family of the deceased and a very 
large audience be.ng in attendance. Bishop Mo 
Closkey read the nineteenth Psalm, and a hymn was 
sun<r, a'ter which Dr. Duffield delivered a sermon 
from the text: "That Abraham gave up the ghost, 
p.nd died in a good old age, an old man and full c f 
mrs, and was gathered to his people." Alter refev- 
j to Gen. Cass' public life and setting forth his 
patriotism and unblemished moral character, Dr. 
I vi- field narrated the following interesting inci- 
dents: 

The srand essential facts of evangelical faith were 
accredited by him. He had witnessed in a beloved 
daughter, removed in youth many years ago, the 
power and value of that in Christ which gave her the 
victory. In the beloved partner of his bosom, who 
shared with him his cares," his trials and sorrows, he 
had witnessed the virtues and graces of Christian 
character, developed in their mild radiance and illus- 
trated by an earnest." devoted and consistent life. 

Two such blessed ties had often drawn his thoughts 
from earth to heaven. But within the few last years 
of his life, his own personal interests in Christ and 
hope of salvation had become matters of calm, in- 
telligent solicitude and inquiry. He was especially 
averse to and atraid of evincing and professing re- 
ligious feelings that might not be abiding and eviden- 
tial of true Christian faith— even often to distrusting 
somewhat his own consciousness. Bern? particular- 
ly reserved on this account, in conversing on religi- 
ous subjects, it was difficult to learn what were his 
thoughts and emotions in reference to his 
own° personal acceptance with God. The 
subject" of Divine Providence often perplex- 
ed him, not knowing how to reconcile 
the inequalities among men. It was my 
privileges very few days after the attack on Fort Sum- 
ter, when, meeting him on the street and in the pres- 
ence of two mutual friends, to hear the disclosure of 
his thoughts then made on this subject. His mind 
wa3 full of doubt and fear and gloom lest, the bloody 
conflict commenced, it would be long protracted, say- 
ing to me: "Neither you nor I will live to see it end- 
ed." " Yes, General, I hope we shall see it ended," 
was the r^ ply. " We shall get through our troubles 
before tie storm of desolating war will burst in Eu- 
rope." "What makes you think so?" he eagerly in- 
terrogated. " The providence of God will be our shield 
and defence," it was answered. "Providence!" 
he replied, with apparent surprise, " it is a mystery ! 
It seems to me that Providence as often favors the 
wicked as the good." It was a fitting opportunity I 
gladlv improved, and said "General, be pleased to 
read 'carefully, the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th chapters ot 
Isaiah, and you will learn the plan ot Providence, 
and thence how to estimato the justice of a nation's 
cause, and see the mysteries of Providence solved. 
God values a nation just as it conforms to and sub- 
serves His purpose to honor and exalt His 
Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is for na- 
tions, as for individuals, salvation and security 
to be found only in him. What is just as be- 
tween man and man, nation and nation, may 
be unjust as between them and God." The con- 
versation soon ccp.sed, as he was on his way to at- 
tend the funeral obsequies of a military officer who 
had shortly before suddenly expired. At a subse- 
quent interview, not many days after, I was happy to 
find the General's mind as full of hope for the suc- 
cess o. our Union'd c;~uso as I was myself, and which 



: thereafter never faltered. I fondly persuaded 
at he hal li arned where to anchor with as- 
uice bis hope ior himself as well as for his 
country. It gives me pleasure to be able to say, from 
subsequent conversations, that he trusted not. 
in bis blameless life, or deeds of righteous- 
ness of his own ; that he believed in the 
Deity and atonement of Jesus Christ, and the real- 
ity and necessity of a change of heart by the spirit of 
I ; and that he accepted, and was satisfied with the 
atoning blood of Jesus as the mean3 of reconciliation 
to God. He gave unmistakable proofs to his friends 
that he loved the people <>f dud and the cause ol 
Christ; and in the moments when suffering great 
pain of body, he was heard by attendants not kno\ 
to bei resort, uttering the language of faith and h> 
in tones of filial endearment, ir> his prayerful app< a 
" Father, take me home;" "Dear Jesus, help me." 
The hymn we shall presently sing he loved to heal 
read to him. 

Aiter an exhortation to his hearers to follow the 
teachings of Christianity, the preacher doted, 
the hymn referred to as Gen. c ass' favorite was . i 
It was that beginning : 

" How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord." 

A benediction was then pronounced by Bishop Mc- 
Ceosket. and the choir chanted an original requiem 
while the coffin was being removed. The remain*, 
escorted by a military guard of honor, were conveyed 
to Eimwood Cemetery, and after a prayer by Dr. Duf- 
fielu and Masonic ceremonies, were deposited in 
their last resting-place. 




Patriotism of t»enerat Ca«s. 

In December, 1SG0, General Wool wrote to 
General Cass, then Secretary of State at Wash- 
ington, to ask him to impress upon the Presi- 
dent the immediate garrisoning ot Fort Moultrie, 
and the adoption ot other prompt measures to 
check the headlong course' of South Carolina. 
General Cass replied in the following letter, which 
has only recently appeared in print : 

My Dear Sir: I received, some days since,yonr 
truly patriotic letter, and showed it "to the Presi- 
dent. He fully appreciated your pure motiv 
bur, as you will have seen, does not concur with 
you as to the measures to be taken. We have in- 
deed fallen upon evil times. The pillars of our 
glorious temple are shaking. Whether they are 
to be overthrown, and with them the noblest and 
freest Government ever given to man, (iod alone 
knows. While mv gloomy apprehension* pre- 
dominate, I have yet" some hope that 
the sarne kind Providence who has so 
often saved us from anarchy, will 
vet interpose for our rescue. 1 have 
felt it necessary to leave the Cabinet, a> you will 
have seen. I part from J. Buchanan and the 
Administration with the kindest feelings. Hut 
the course of measures which I considered ne< 
Fary did not appear to them to be called for, ?md 
I was unwilling to remain and share in the- re- 
sponsibility which did not belong to me. And 
now, my friend, farewell. You have been a gal- 
lant soldier, and by your noble deed- hiw in- 
scribed jour name upon the rolls of your 
fu uritry. 

May the evening of your days be without .< 
cloud, though 1 fear they will not b< . 
1 am, dear sir, truly yours, 

Li wis C.1 



LEWIS €ASS. 

Another liuk binding the present historical ejioch of 
oor country 'to the past has been snapped asunder by 
the death of Lewis Cass, at Detroit, early yeHterday 
morning. The deceased statesman was born at lCxeter, 
N. H., October D, 1782. The family emigrated to the 
West when Lewis whs seventeen years of age. He 
accompanied his parents as far as Marietta, where he ' 
remained and commenced the study of law. Iu 1802 
be was admitted to the Bar, and settled at Zanesville, 
and by patient endeavor acquired a practice. His first 
success in the political arena he achieved in 130(3, 
as a member of the Ohio Legislature. He at once 
gained distinction in hiss endeavors to counteract the 
nefarious schemes ot Aaron- Bl'ur. For this service 
he was complimented by President Jit.ffer.son-, and 
had also conferred upon him the office of United 
States Marshal lor Ohio, 

The war of 1812 caused the young legislator to lay 
aside his books and papers, and assume tbe sword. 
He was chosen colonel of the Third Ohio Regiment. 
At the head of this regiment Cass first entered Michi- 
gan with the army of General Hull. The troops were 
marched into Canada. The proclamation issued on 
that occasion was penned by Colonel Cass, and for 
him, too, is claimed the honor of being the first man 
whe, in the war of 1812, stepped In arms upon British 
soil. 

But misfortunes soon befell the command of Hull, 
and on the 16th of August, 1812. the campaign was in- 
gloriously ended by a surrender to the enemy. 
Colonel Cass was exchanged In January, 1S13, and 
commissioned a Colonel in the regular army, and In the 
month of March following he was promoted to the 
rank of Brigadier-General. He joined the army of 
General Harrison in July, todc an active share in 
the pursuit of Pkoctor, and shared in the victory of 
the Thames. He was next placed in comnjand of 
Detroit, and soon after appointed Governor of Michi- 
gan. He then settled at Detroit, and laid the founda- 
tion of hi» large private fortune by the purchase of 
large tracts of land, then in an unimproved condition. 
Michigan, at this period, had no Territorial Legisla- 
ture, and the business of selecting laws for its govern- 
ment devolved on Governor Cass and the Territorial 
Judges. He was likewise ex-officio Superintendent of 
Indian Affairs, and this for several years remained 
the most important part of his duties. In 1817 he ob- 
tained, In conjunction with Governor McAbthur, a 
cetsion of most of the remaining Indian lauds within 
the State of Ohio, with adjoining tracts in Indiana and 
Michigan, to the extent of 4,Otio,()00 of acres. This.' 
cession removed the Indian barrier which had inter- 
vened between the settlements of Ohio and Michiguu. 

In 1820, he set on foot and bore a conspicuous part in an i 
exploring expedition to the northern shore of Lake 
Superior and the Upper Mississippi. In 1S25, in con- ; 
junction with Governor Clakk, of Mississippi, he at- 
tended a grand council, at Prairie du Chien, of tfce 
tribes of the Northwest, and endeavored to conci- 
liate the Indians then engaged in fierce wars among 
themselves. In 1828 he made two treaties, by which 
many millions of acres were ceded to the United 
States. 

He resigned the office of Governor in 1831, having 
concluded nineteen treaties with the Indians, by which 
had been acquired territory equal to one-fourth the 
area of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin. 

Iu 1831 President Jackson appointed the ex-Oo- 
vernor of Michigan his Secretary of War. In 183S Sec- 
retary Cass laid down the war portfolio aud became 
the Minister to the Coin t of France. During his resi- 



dence abroad he made an extended tour, visiting the 

Nile and .Jerusalem. Tbe most remarkable incident 
of his diplomatic career was his attack on the quin- 
tuple treaty for the suppression of the slave trade. In 
1845 he entered the National Councils as Senator from 
Michigan, and soon made himself famous by the stand 
he took on the Oregon boundary question, insistluu 
upon tue then popular claim of 51 degrees 40 minutes 
or fi?ht. 

In 1848 he was nominated by the Democratic party 
as their candidate for the Presidency: he was defeated 
for that office by General Taylor. On his nomination. 
Mr. Cas3 resigned his seat in the Senate, hut was re- 
elected in 184'J. to serve the two year* yet remaining of 
his original term. He was again elected for a term of 
six years in 1851. In March, isr.7, he was appointed 
Secretary of State by Presi :eut Buchanan— the last 
public office held by the distinguished deceased. 

In the Secession troubles of 1861. during the vacillat- 
ing policy of Mr. Buchanan. Secretary Cass resigned, 
and eiiter«d on the retirement he had well earned. 
Yonuger men took his place, and for the past five 
years the venerable statesman has beeu residing, in 
"peace, on his ample estates in Michigan. A biographer 
of Cass remarks, that his most characteristic trait 
"was an aversion to everything that savored of Bri- 
tish." He certainly did much to build up the glorious 
i Republic, with which, his name aad fame will be for- 
- - nd honorably associated 






General Cass.— This veterau statesman, 
now at his residence in Detroit, is gradually 
sinking, and his friends think he cannot 
live much longer. He is in the 84th year of 
his age. His disease is softening of the 
brain, from years of labor in his country's 
service. He passes most of his time in sleep, 
and is but seldom able to converse ration- 
ally with his family. 



Death of Gen. Cass. 

Dktkoit, June 17.— General Lewis Cass died 
in tbis city at 4 o'clock this morning, aged 83 
years. 



LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH OF LEWIS CASS. 



*KS\jr Ayy^.^./N.-^ 



Until about two years ago, General Cass was, 
to all appearances, hale and heartv, and not 
unirequently might have been seen enjoying a 
morning or evening's walk. A short lime sub- 
sequent to the above date hi« health began to 
fall, and it failed very raoidlv since the cold 
weather set in last fall. During the month of 
January he was very 111, and at one time it was. 
thought that he would not live to see the end 
of the month. At times his mind was slightly 
affected, owing to the very painful nature of his 
disease, but these occurrences were rare. As a 
general thing he retained his mental faculties 
until death relieved him of his sufferings. 

About half an hour before lie died he spoke 
but manifested an aversion to being troubled 
by any one. He frequently referred to his past 
life, and would occasionally relate anecdotes to 
Dr. Farrand, of whom he appeared to be par- 
ticularly fond. Having been informed of the 
invasion of Canada by the Fenians, he, upon 
several occasions, expressed his unqualified dis- 
i^jjproval Qt {ht movement and characterize " t 
as absurd, unwtse, and* caloula ted to <1o more 
mischief than good* The last conversation of 
any moment that the dying statesman had with 
his relatives or friends was on Wednesday even- 
ing last, at which time he appeared to be fully 
himself, and recognized those who surrounded 
his bedside. He talked quite freely with them. 
'•'- During his illness he was attended bv Dr. 
Zin a Pitcher and Dr. D. O. Farrand, the fatter 
having remained by his bedside almost con- 
stantly for months pa&t. His disease was not 
"softening ot the brain," as was reported at the 
time, but a disease consequent upon old age. 
About nine o'clock on Saturday night it was 
quite apparent that dissolution would take 
Dlace. At about 3*50 o'clock on Sunday morn- 
ing a marked change occurred, and eight 
minutes later the soul of the statesman had 
passed into the presence of its Maker. When 
the bells of the city struck i o'clock the pulse 
had ceased to beat, and all was over. 

There were present at the bedside when Gene- 
ral Cass expired, his daughters, Mrs. Canfield 
and Madam Von Limburg, and Mr. George s. 
Frost, Mr. William Foxen, aud Dr. D. O. Far- 
rand. 

General Cass' wife died in March, 1&>5, and left 
four children, all of whom are now living. 
They are Major Lewis Cass; Mrs. Ledyard, wife 
of Henry Ledvard. Feq., formerly Mayor of this 
civy: Madam Von Limburg, wife of the resident 
Minister of the Netherlands, and Mrs. Canfield, 
widow of Captain Canfield, formerly of the 
United States Topographical Engineers. 



he contributed to the Nort 

on Indian affairs, one on f 

taining a full review of th 

the British and American 

recent Indian disturbance* 

While he held the porti 

projected and advocated 1 

torical Society, the objects 

the second article of its c< 

cure and preserve whatev 

literary and ecclesiastical 

of the United States in pa 

ized on the 12th of Octobe 

discovery of America, and 

dent. He delivered befor« 

following January, a prod^ 

dite research, and in an ea 

natural genius of its auth< 

During his sojourn in 

published " An Historical 

of Candia, or ancient Cret 

his "France; its King, ( 

Hours at St. Cloud," in w 

country in which he was f 

friendly and favorable a 

Philippe, with whom he wj 

was also the author of mar 

and other valuable papers ; 

your time, the duty of fol] 

soldier, a statesman, and a 

upon our accomplished his 

leave to him the further dev 

literary life. 

The resolutions were ado 
appointed to consult with 
reference to his delivery 
the "Life of General Cas 



were appointed the Comm 



' 



V 



LE JL 07