The Hillsdale Standard

When Honors are Easy

We have often been asked how it happens that General Cass, when he was Governor of the Territory of Michigan, and Indian Agent, contrived to hold his appointment under all administrations, federal and republican, whig and democratic, and that the inexorable shears of fate never clove the bond which bound him and his office together. The following letter to Mr. Clay which has recently been procured and printed, by whom and for what purpose does not distinctly appear, may throw some light upon the mystery. The letter was written in 1825, when General Cass was Governor and Indian agent aforesaid, and when Mr. Clay had the power of turning him out. It refers to Mr. Clay's defence against the charge of a corrupt arrangement with Mr. Adams for the office of Secretary of State, as a reward for his electoral vote for Mr. Adams as President.

Detroit, April 14, 1825.

Dear Sir:—I have just finished the perusal of your masterly address to your late constituents, and I cannot refrain from expressing to you the high satisfaction it has afforded me.—It is a triumphant refutation of the vile slander which have been propagated, respecting the motives on your conduct in the peculiar circumstances of which you were recently placed. You may safely commit your character to the judgement of your countrymen and of posterity. They will not fail to award you full justice. I must ask your indulgence for this almost involuntary tribute to your claims and services, so strong is the impression which your appeal has made upon me, that I could not restrain this expression of my feelings.

With warm regard, I am, dear sir,

Sincerely yours,

LEWIS CASS.

Hon. H. CLAY.