and it was a great satisfaction to liim that his life was spared to see the ultimate triumph of the gov- ernment over a rebellion that for a time threatened its existence. Gen. Cass was a man of great natu- ral abilities, a prudent, cautious legislator, a scholar of fine attainments, of the purest integrity, tem- perate in all his habits, and personally popular throughout the country. His wealth was largely the result of his fortunate original investment in real estate ; but the steady increase of his property in value was also due to able management. His published works are " Inquiries concerning the History, Traditions, and Languages of the Indians living 'within the United States " (Detroit, 1823) ; " France, its King, Court, and Government " (New York, 1840). See " Lewis Cass, Outlines of his Life and Character," by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (Al- bany, 1848); "Sketches of the Life and Public Services of Lewis Cass," by William T. Young (De- troit, 1852) ; " Life and Times of Lewis Cass," by W. L. G. Smith (New York. 185(i); and a memorial volume (Detroit, 1866.)— His son, Lewis, was ap- pointed charge d'affaires to the papal states in 1849, and in 1854 was promoted to be U. S. minis- ter resident in Italy, where he remained until 1858.
CASSERLY, Eugene, senator, b. in Ireland in
1822 ; d. in San Francisco, Cal., 14 June, 1883. His
parents came to New York when he was two years
old, and, as his father was a teacher, young Casser-
ly received an excellent education. He was gradu-
ated at Georgetown college, D. C, entered a law-
yer's office in New York, was admitted to tlie bar
in 1844, and was corporation attorney in 1846-'7.
Three years later he removed to San Francisco,
where he obtained a good practice, and took an
active part in local and national polities. He was
an ardent democrat, a fine stump-speaker, and for
a time edited a paper in San Francisco. He was elected state printer, but, in consequence of a
heavy fire by which his machinery and stock were
destroyed, was compelled to retire from the busi-
ness. Thenceforward he devoted himself to his
profession. During the civil w^ar he was a war
democrat. In 1869 he was elected U. S. senator
from California, and served on the committees on
printing, public lands, and foreign relations. His
health having become infirm. Senator Casserly re-
signed in November, 1873, returned to San Fran-
cisco, and resumed practice. In the same year he
headed with Gov. Booth the non-partisan independ-
ent movement in California, working successfully
to prevent the legislature from falling into the con-
trol of the railroads. His death was the result of
nervous prostration and softening of the brain.
CASSIDY, William, journalist, b. in Albany,
N. Y., 12 Aug., 1815 ; d. there, 23 Jan., 1873. His
grandfather had settled in Albany when he came
from Ireland in 1780. His father, John Cassidy,
sat for years in the municipal board, and was an
intimate friend of DeWitt Clinton. William began
his education at the Albany academy under Dr.
T. Romeyn Beck, and was graduated at Union in
1834. He studied law in the office of Judge James
McKown and John Van Buren, and was admitted
to the bar. In 1840-'2 he was state librarian, and
at this time began political writing, contributing
anonymously to several papers. In the spring of
1843 he became part owner and sole editor of the
Albany "Atlas," a democratic daily, which had
been established a short time before. In that place
he speedily made a reputation. The "Argus,"
which was the old organ of the democracy, found-
ed in 1813, spoke for the hunkers. Edwin Cros-
well was editor. The " Atlas," representing the
weaker faction, struggled with poverty and hard-
ship. But the young editor gave it his best power
and industry, and it fought a vigorous battle. He
wrote often on a poor table, in a dirty corner, amid
the confusion of the composing-room ; but his
articles bristled with sharp points and caustic wit.
The battle was at its height in 1848, when Lewis
Cass was the presidential candidate of the regular
democracy, and Martin Van Buren held the stand-
ard of the barn-burners. The confiict died out,
and in 1856 the " Atlas " and " Argus " were united,
and Mr. Cassidy became editor of the joint con-
cern. In 1865 he changed the name back to " The
Argus," and organized a stock association. He
was for many years one of the knot of democratic
politicians that ruled the destinies of that party in
New York state and sometimes in the national
conventions, and to which had descended the name
of the " Albany Regency," formerly enjoyed by
Croswell and his associates. The principal mem-
bers were Dean Richmond, Peter Cagger, and
William Cassidy. On the death of his brother-in-
law, Peter Cagger, in 1868, Mr. Cassidy became his
successor as secretary of the democratic state com-
mittee, and held that place till the day of his
death. He was invariably on the committee on
resolutions, and many of the adroitest resolutions
that have been attributed to others were, in reality,
the product of his brain. The celebrated anti-
slavery plank that was read and defeated at the
Herkimer convention was from his pen. Mr. Cas-
sidy was disinclined to enter public life, and tlie
few ofiices that he held were forced upon him. In
1846 he was nominated in the democratic legis-
lative caucus for state printer. In 1867 he was
elected to the constitutional convention, and in
1872 was one of the sixteen appointed by Gov.
Hoffman on the commission to revise the consti-
tution. He was a fine classical scholar, and con-
versant with French, German, and Italian. He
knew books and autlioi-s almost as well as he un-
derstood politics and politicians, and he was a fine
conversationalist. His death evoked expressions
of sorrow even from his political opponents.
CASSIN, John, naval officer, b. in Philadelphia
about 1758 : d. in Charleston, S. C, 24 March, 1822.
His father, an Ii'ish gardener and dairyman, came
to Philadelphia before the revolution. John be-
came master of a merchantman and was twice
shipwrecked. He was appointed from the mer-
chant service a lieutenant in the navy, 13 Nov.,
1799, became master, 2 April, 1806, and post-cap-
tain, 3 July, 1812. He commanded the naval forces
in the Delaware, for the protection of Philadel-
phia, in the war of 1812.— His son, Stephen, b. in
Philadelphia, 16 Feb., 1783; d. in Georgetown, D.
C, 29 Aug.. 1857, entered the navy as midship-
man, 21 Feb., 1800 ; became a lieutenant, 12 Feb.,
1807; master, 11 Sept., 1814; captain, 3 jMarch.
1825. He served with distinction in the war with
Tripoli, commanded the " Ticonderoga " in Mac-
donough's victory on Lake Champlain, and was re-
warded by congress with a gold medal for bravery
in that action. He was a terror to the pirates that
infested the West Indies, and captured four of their
vessels on 28 and 29 Se])t., 1822.
CASSIN, John, ornithologist, b. near Chester, Pa., 6 Sept., 1813; d. in Philadelphia, Pa., 10 Jan., 1869. He became a resident of Philadelphia in 1834, and, after several years spent in mercantile pursuits and in official duties, devoted the remainder of his life to the study of ornithology. He contributed descriptions of new species of birds, and synoptical reviews of various families, to the Philadelphia academy of sciences. He is the author of the article on "Birds" in "Outlmes
