The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-15
THE AWFUL GATHERING RAM

Col. Benton has commenced operations. His
first article appeared 10 yesterdays Globe. 1t
begins thus:
News FROM OREGoS.-We have been shown two
letters by Col Benton-one from his daug hter Mrs
Ffemont,) the other from Robert Campbell, a mer-
chant OF ST Louis bringing the latest from the
| expedition Of Lieut.. Fremont, and from the Oregon
Territory-with leave TO take extracts fom them for
! publication.
Now if the Col himself be not the "we"-ii
any one is not able to track him throughou
every line Of the aricle-why should we care z
! We will give the letter Of the CooneIs daugh-
terror it is an excellent one, and gives the
latest news from oregon-and then have our
say with the Colonel:
ST. LOUIS, December g. ISl3
! My DEAR FATHER Last night one of the me n
whom MIR. Fremont took from here called Ia give
us The last news Of the party he had left hem at
! Fort Hall on the 2lst Of September Their proyi-
sions bad given oct and wishing TO diminish his
party, he gave ten of the least useful among them
permission to return. he gave two Of them letter.
Lee the man TO whom mine and Lis mothers with
one for Mis-. Talbot, an anoLef for Pfeuss's wife
were entrusted, says he either lost them in swim
ming ryer, or they were &C ;identally eft in bis
psntalonns which he traded away for food al Coun-
Gil Bluff. The other man brought his safely TO Mr.
it, Lee told Us that on the fifth Of August they were
attacked Cor rather preparation for an attack was
made) by large band Of Sioux. MIR. Fremont caused
the famous bowitzer 10 be drawn 10 the front and
is Little psrly arranged in battle order when
The Sioux, seeing the brass piece changed their
plans, aud made a peaceful salutston leaving them
unframed week after, they met trading party
and robbed them-taking every horse they had -
Tell that, with my compliments to Colonel $500
IL VIII give me more pleasure, however for YOU 10
tell Betsey Servant in Col. BIS family that Jacob
(her brother) very well and that when the par
ty reunited at the foot Of the mountains on the west
ern side, Mr. Fremont gave them a feast at which
lhe lce-croam and cake made and handed by
Jacob. Lee said MIR. Fremont was for two DAYS on
the Salt lake, well satisfied with his exsmina-
tons, snd that all things were prospering At Fort
hall the Capt. Grant who in command there
made them pay very high for provisions He bought
itom The Oregon engrants yoke Of oxen for lean
horse find just TO see" said Lee hoio the British
rta S N that country. They sold as one of those sam,
oLen ion hundred and sereniy6re doliarsn lie said
MT Fremont told the men TO eat the OK but that he
should not pay that price for it, will write to sister
tomorrow tonight have too many letters to write
-(writng TO all whose letters were LOST hope I
nave not done wrong in sending them all to you. We
are all well, and all Join in sending their love
our afectionste daughter,
JEssrE ANN BESroN FREMoST.
Now Tor the Colonel's editorial comments:
Two little drafts, ono Of s4j1 9s. the other of
$50, are part Of the meagre means of thirty men,
Geduced TO twenty for opening the military way to
oregon and this, while millions are employed upon |
tie African squadron Even these two little drafts |
were not met at 81. Louis by public money, but by
the pirate money OF an Lish gentleman II i. due,