secure opportunity for this purpose. This having failed, it became uncertain at what period his communication would be received. Were the government then to withhold the information they possessed, because that information attributed the failure of the expedition to its commanding officer? The character of the nation, the reputation of the government, and of every individual embarked in that expedition, were involved in its issue. Was it of no importance, by a correct disclosure of facts, to redeem the public character and feelings? Was it of no importance, by placing in its proper point of view the features of the transaction, to show that the boasts of the enemy were as vain as their conquest was bloodless? To prove to our country that her sons might yet be led on to battle and perhaps to victory? The government, too, had a reputation to lose. That reputation was eagerly assailed. The failure of the expedition was attributed to the want of preparation, and the measures respecting it were characterised as imbecile and ignorant. The forbearance demanded was far from being granted. So far as respects the commanding officer, the details. of an unfortunate expedition must be shrouded in Delphic obscurity, and the public await in dubious. suspense the tedious process of military investigation. But every little nameless paper is at liberty to display its brilliant wit and sarcastic remarks at the expense of those who planned and ordered the expedition. Their reputation awaits the result of no trial. They must be offered up an expiatory sacrifice upon the altar of public indignation. The contemplated investigation, which is ultimately to determine the respective measure of merit and of blame, here becomes unnecessary. Its result is anticipated with that confidence which ought only to be inspired by an accurate knowledge of the attendant circumstances. To require in such a situation a studious concealment of those facts which would

.

enable the public correctly to appreciate the conduct of all, is to require a species of forbearance as little suited to the practice as to the duties of life.

I am aware, that nothing which can be said upon this subject will with many carry conviction, or produce acknowledgment. The most obvious considerations of reason and of justice will be overlooked. Such, in the conflicts of opinion and the collisions of party, has always been the case. But truth will ultimately prevail, and the public will eventually be enabled correctly to estimate the conduct of all who have had any agency in a transaction so deeply interesting to their character and feelings.

November 20, 1812.

LEWIS CASS.

Washington, November 3, 1812. DEAR SIR-It was not until after I last had the pleasure to see you, and for some time after you left Washington, that the foolish insinuation, which has appeared in some of the newspapers, of my having been concerned in writing the letter you addressed to the Secretary of War, first came to my ears; nor have I, to this day, seen the insinuation in print. I would have contradicted it at once but that it seemed to me quite superfluous, and that it would be to confer a notice upon it which its idle character did not deserve. In what so strange an untruth could have originated, I am sure I know not; neither can I divest myself of embarrassment in thus troubling you with a line about it. I have not yet heard it said that I wrote the address you delivered to the volunteers of Ohio in the spring, before I ever had the pleasure to see or to know you; and yet, it is certain, that I wrote as much of that as I did of your letter to the Secretary of War.

I sincerely hope your health has been re-established since you left Washington, and that to other causes of regret connected with your march to De

troit, there will not be added that of any permanent, injury to your constitution.

Believe me, dear sir, with great respect and esteem, your obedient servant,

Colonel Cass.

RICHARD RUSH.

During the winter Colonel Cass was exchanged, and soon afterwards appointed a Colonel of the 27th Regiment of Infantry, and subsequently was promoted to the grade of Brigadier General in the army of the United States. Hull, in his report to the Secretary of War, had exonerated Colonel Cass and his associates, McArthur, Findley, and Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, from all censure, taking the exclusive responsibility on himself. This was but just, for in the whole affair he had consulted no one, and acted contrary to the known opinions of his officers. The services of these officers were appreciated, and, December 28, 1812, Governor Meigs transmitted to them the thanks of the Legislature, which, by a vote of the Senate and House of Representatives, he was instructed to do.

This terminated the connection of Colonel Cass with Hull's army. The future career of that general is well known, and the country approved both of the sentence and of his pardon.

CHAPTER III.

Joins General Harrison's army-Moves to the Frontier-Crosses into Canada - Advance - Battle of the Thames, etc.-Cass complimented by General Harrison-Anecdotes-Governor of Michigan.

Soon after his appointment as a brigadier-general, Cass joined General Harrison at Seneca, the place of rendezvous for the army destined to recover the north-west territory and invade Canada. While at this point, General Cass was busily employed in preparatory arrangements, until General Harrison, who was in command, commenced his movement, which was on the 17th of September, 1813: on this day the venerable and distinguished Governor Shelby arrived at the head of four thousand volunteers from his state, Kentucky, anxious to avenge their friends and countrymen who had been so cruelly slaughtered at the River Raisin, after their surrender on the 22d of January.

The brilliant naval victory of Commodore Perry, having opened the Lake, General Harrison determined to embark his infantry in transports, and to send the horse by land to Detroit. In consequence of the immense preparation necessary to place on shipboard a whole army, the troops were not embarked until the 27th, and on the next day sailed from Put-in-bay to the Western Sister, a small island near Malden. In the mean time, the British commander evacuated Detroit and Malden, after destroying the munitions of war and other stores, and retreated up the valley of the Thames, being accompanied by Tecumseh's Indians. The debarkation

was effected without difficulty, under the immediate direction of General Cass, assisted by Commodore Perry, who, unable to find an enemy on his own element, had landed in search of new laurels, and now served as an aid-de-camp of General Harrison. Commodore Elliot was also present, and rendered efficient services. A rapid move was made on Detroit, which was reached on the 29th, and on the 30th the regiment of Colonel Johnson, which had been delayed one day at the Raisin in the pious labour of burying the victims of Proctor's inhuman massacre, arrived.

General Harrison and Governor Shelby now marched in pursuit of Proctor, with a picked force of thirty-five hundred men, selected from Ball's dragoons, Johnson's irregular horse, and Shelby's volunteers. General Cass was present, and contributed much to the success of the expedition, as he was now acknowledged as one of the notables of the west. They set out on the 29th of September, and on the next day captured a lieutenant of the enemy's dragoons, from whom they learned that Proctor had not heard of their advance. On the 4th of October, the army reached Chatham, about seventeen miles from Lake St. Clair, on one of the tributaries of the Thames, driving the enemy before them. The latter, when they retired, had destroyed the bridge; and while it was being repaired, the Indians, under Tecumseh, made an attack on the advance, but were at once dispersed by the artillery of Colonel Wood and Colonel Johnson's horse. At this place the American army captured two thousand stand of arms, a vast quantity of clothing, and drove the enemy for four miles before them. On the 5th, the pursuit was renewed, and the last camp of the enemy passed. Thence Colonel Wood was detached to reconnoitre, and soon returned with information that General Proctor had prepared for battle in a strong position, a few miles distant. This position