The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-11-28

llb Oalbu we H.sN udl VI hPl'h y" '"'''"'N
on The Sacramento river; and though writ
ten merely to inform Mrs, fremont OF hI'
personal concerns becomes important IN
public point Of view, on account oi suhse'
quenl events in June, aud July, by show
ling, that on the first of April be was on h's
way TO Oregon-thaI he had abandoned all
Intention of leturning through any palI OF
Csirornia--would cross the Rocky noun"
lans through the Northern Pass on The line
between the Upper, or Kettle FAILS OF the
Columbia, and the Great Falls OF the MIS-
sour and be in the United States in Sep
Ilember This shows that he had at the
time, no idea of The events in which he was
subsequently, involved, and that he had
Ibando1ed the cherished field Of his intended
scientific researches for The express purpose
of avoiding all offence 10 the Mexican au-
Ihorities. OF the events 10 the valley oil the
San Joaquin and the camp en- the Sierra, he
speaks few words, wiihOu, detail, bu! de
scriplve Of his condition, characteristic Of
his prudence in mol compromising his coun
try g. worthy TO be repeattd in his own lam
guage. He says: 'Tho SpaniardS were
somewhat rude and nhospilable below, and
ordered me out of The country, after having
given mo permission 10 winter there. Ny
sense Of duty did no. permit me TO fight
them, but we retired slowly and gtowImgly'
before force OF 3 or hundred men, and
Two pieces of artillery. Hnhoui The sha-
dow of cause, the governor suddenly TaIs-
ed The whole country agalns! me, Issuing a
false and scanduIouS proclamation. OF
course, did not dare to compromise the
United States, sgans! which appearances
would have been strong; but slough II was
in my power 10 increase my parry by Amer
lcans, | refralGed from committing soIlla
ry &C, Of hostility or impropr'esy.' HIS
next letter is dated the IA Of May, and in
forms me ,hpl, in his progress TO Oregon,
he found himself and party Unexpectedly
lllacked by the Tama,h lOdians-lhe most
warlike of that quarlGr-had lost five mem
in killed and wounded aud still expected
to be in The United States in the month oil
September
This was the last letter received from
Col. Fremont until the following, Of JuI'
25,h from Monterey and which was brought
by Commodore SLoTE. Ii is plain stale
menl Of his movements, and will be read
with deep interest. The letter OF Col Ben
ton goes into lengthy and able review o.
The operations Of Col. F., and fully Jnsnll9'
his conduct against the faIsehoods gascon
ade OF Gen. Castro. The Union iIuly|
SAYS: Nothing could be more moderate a
frs,--no,hing more decided, when he was
assaIed by ,ho Mexicans-mo'e manly,
more heroic than his conduct
Private letter from Colonel Fremont to|
Senator Benton, dated Monterey Of hc
.Ara California July 25, 1916
MISSION OF CARMEL July %, 1916.
Mn Dear Sir-When Mr.. Gillespie
overlook me in the middle Of May, we were
Iencamped on the northern shore OF the
Greater Tamath Lake. Snow was falling
steadily and heavily in the mountains which
entirely surround and dominate the oIeva''
ed valley region into which we had pene'
I,rated; in the east and north and west barr.
ers absolutely impossible barred our road;
we had no provisions, our animals were al
ready feeble, and while any other way was
open, ! could not bring myself 10 attempt
i such a doubtful enterprise as passage oI
these unknown mountains in the dead o.
winter. Every day the snow was falling
and in the face of the depressing inhcenct
exercised on the people by the loss OF on'
men, and the unpromisiOg appearance o
lhinrs, Judged it inexpedien1 TO pursue
our journey farther in this d"ecn"n' an
determined TO retrace my steps, ond carr!
lou, the views of the government by reach
ling the frontier on tie line OF the COLORADO
|riyer. had scarcely reached the lowe
Sacramento, when General Casnr, then II
line north (al Sonoma, in the department q
ISonoma, north Of the bay OF san tronc'sr
commanded by Gen. ValIrjo') dsrI'frd nj
determination Immediately to proceed
n ponst me, and after defeating me 10 procee
n against Ihe foreigners settled in the couDIf.