Cass, Lewis

Cass, Lewis

(1782–1866) soldier, U.S. senator, public official; born in Exeter, N.H. He practiced law in Ohio and served with distinction in the War of 1812, rising to brigadier general. He was the military and civil governor of the Michigan Territory (1813–31) and President Andrew Jackson's secretary of war (1831–36); in both offices he spent much of his time dealing with Native Americans. He was ambassador to France (1836–42) and a U.S. Senator (Dem., Mich.; 1845–48, 1849–57). A strong nationalist, he favored the Mexican War and was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for U.S. president in 1848. As secretary of state (1857–60) he secured from Great Britain an end to all search and seizure rights at sea. He resigned when President James Buchanan refused to respond decisively to South Carolina's secession and, having earlier supported compromise over slavery, called for support of the Union. His last years were spent writing accounts of his experiences.

The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, by John S. Bowman. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.