Appropriations for Improvement of Rivers and Harbors-Difficulties surround- ing the question of the right of Congress to make such appropriations-Gen. Cass' opinions on that subject-He sustains the position of Gen. Jackson- Proceedings in the Senate-Remarks and Vote of Gen. Cass-Further remarks -Chicago Convention-Its object-Foresight of Gen. Cass in anticipating the results of that Convention-His letter declining an invitation to attend it-Un- just and unfounded inferences drawn from the letter-Gen. Cass' exposition of his views on the Constitutional right of Congress to make Appropriations for the Improvement of Rivers and Harbors, delivered in the Senate, March, 1851. Gen. Cass' sympathy for the patriots of the old world-His readiness to welcome them to the United States-His participation with the Citizens of Washington, in expressing their congratulations at the success of the people of France in the late Revolution-Extract from his remarks on that occasion-His vote in the Senate on the resolution of congratulation-His resolution to suspend diplom- atic intercourse with Austria-His remarks on the Bill offering aid to Ireland- His vote on the Bill-He supports the Bill authorizing the temporary occupa- Course of General Cass in the Senate meets with approval from the people-Con vention at Baltimore in 1848-Hunkers and Barnburners-Votes in Convention -Gen. Cass nominated for the Presidency-Remarks of Mr. Stevenson Presi- dent of the Convention-Gcn. Cass' letter of acceptance-Baltimore Resolu- tions-Gen. Cass resigns his seat in the Senate-His reception by the people, on his route home-Campaign of 1848--Position of Mr. Van Buren-The Utica Convention-Buffalo Convention-Bitterness of the opponents of the democra- tic party against Gen. Cass-Characteristics of the contest--Confidence of the Effects of defeat in 1848-Increased confidence of the people in the political views of Gen. Cass-He is re-elected to the Senate-First session of the thirty- first Congress-Importance of the questions before it-The feeling of the south -Course of ultra politicians-Efforts of Compromise-Propositions of Messrs. Clay and Bell-Mr. Foote's Resolution-Gen. Cass' remarks-Remarks in re- ply to Mr. Berrien-Report and Bill of committee of thirteen-Amendments to the bill-Opposition to the admission of California-Remarks of Gen. Cass- The "Fugitive Slave" bill--Suggestions of Gen. Cass in relation to it-Com- promise measures-Their effects-Efforts of Gen. Cass and other eminent men to create a sound state of feeling in regard to slavery-His remarks at a public meeting in the city of New York-Extract from his letter to the Democratic Union festival, at Baltimore-flis action on the slavery question approved by the people-Repeal of Resolutions of Instruction by the Legislature of Michi- igan-Unanimous re-election of Gen. Cass by the Legislature of Michigan, in CHAPTER XVIII. Gen. Cass' acquirements and literary standing-His power as a writer-His com- Introductory Remarks-Birth of Mr. Cass-His Parentage-Education-He emigrates to Ohio-Enters upon the Practice of the Law-His Success-Volunteers in Defence of the Frontier-War of 1812-Invasion of Canada-Col. Cass' heroic conduct in Canada-Defeats a party of British Soldiers near Malden-Secures an Important Post-Orders of Gen. Hull-Is compelled to give up the advantages of his conquest, and return with the army to Detroit. The record of the deeds of an individual, who by his own personal effort, the energy of his spirit and the force of his talents, has raised himself to a conspicuous and prominent position among his countrymen, is the best incentive that the young men of our country can have placed before them. The following is a biography of one, who of himself, has risen from the station of the humblest citizen, to that of the first statesman of his country, scarcely less known and celebrated among the Great Powers of Europe, than in his own country, and wherever known commanding attention, esteem and respect. The pages which follow, are but a brief and unpretending narrative of the most marked events in the life of Lewis Cass, and as such the reader will please receive them. Lewis Cass was born at Exeter, in New Hampshire, on the 9th of October, 1782. His father, Jonathan Cass was a practical mechanic, and at the commencement of the Revolutionary war was industriously pursuing his occupation in a quiet village of New England. But the first shot which proclaimed hostilities between the mother country and the colonies, awakened his patriotism, and arranging his private affairs as speedily as possible, he joined the army of patriots on the day after the battle of Lexington and' served under Gen. Washington in the most memorable contests of the war. He and his brother Daniel fought side by side at Bunker Hill, one being a sergeant and the other a corporal in the army. Jonathan Cass was at Monmouth, Trenton, Princeton, Germantown and Saratoga. His services were rewarded with a Major's commission in Wayne's army, whose scene of operation was to be in the defence of the western portion of the Union. To that region he removed from his New England home and when further labors in his country's service were no longer required, he settled down to pass the remaining years of his life upon land acquired by his own bravery, on the Muskingum river in Ohio; where he lived for many years and died respected by all, having been permitted to witness the rising greatness of his son Lewis, who at the time of his father's death had been for thirteen years Governor of the Territory of Michigan. The foundation of Lewis Cass' education was laid at the Exeter Academy, where he received a classical education of a high order Distinguished in his school-boy days for his ardent desire for learning, he applied himself studiously to the acquirement of knowledge, and in a short time was competent to take charge of an academic institution at Wilmington in Delaware. He remained at the head of the Wilmington academy until he determined to accomplish what had for some time been his wish-to make his home in the Great West, where he might grow up with that region of country about which he had obtained information which satisfied him that at no distant time, it would form a very important portion of the American Union. Accordingly we find him at the age of seventeen, in the year 1799, crossing the Alleghanies on foot, carrying his knapsack and seeking, unaided, and without the help of wealth or power, a new home in the wilderness of Ohio. His steps were directed to Marietta, a small settlement at the mouth of the Muskingum. Here he commenced the study of law and entered upon its practice. At the bar he acquired a reputation which placed him among the eminent lawyers of the west. In the pursuit of his profession he was subjected to all the inconveniences and hardships of the wil derness, being often required to travel on an Indian trail through |