The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-09

orders from Mexico not to allow Capt Fremont to
enter CALIFORNIA;; which, perhaps, accounts for the
change Of feelings with the people,
am SIR with the highest respect and considera-
ton, your obedient servant,
THOMAS o. LARKIN.
To the Hon. SECRETARY OF STATE,
City Of Washington.
mo. So
CONSULATE or THE u. s. OF AMERICA,
Monterey, March 81, 1876.
SIR Captain J. C. Fremont of the Uoited States
army, arrived at this United States conEular-house
in Monterey, on the 9th Of January, 1886 Being
very anxious to join his party Of fifty men at the
second place of rendezvous, without the settlement,
they having missed the first place by mistake, he
remained but two days, in which time, with myself,
he visited the commandant general prefecto, alcalde,
and Col. Alvarado, informing them that he sur
veyng the nearest route from the United States TO
the Pacific ocean. This information, and that his
men were not United States soldiers, was also, by
myself, officially given to the prefecto Having OBJ.
tanned funds and supplies from myself he returned
10 his camp; IL being we'll known in Monterey that
he was to return when he collected his men. Some
fifteen or twenty days after this, Captain Fremont,
with his party, encamped vacant rancho belong
ing to Captain Fisher, (about ninety miles from
here to recruit his and animals. From there, he
proceeded towards Santa Cruz, making short jour
neys. On the Sd Of March, he encampei on the
rancho of Mr.. Z. p. Hartwel, where he received
letters from the general and prefecto, ordering him
out of the country, and to obey the order without
any pretext whatever, or immediate measures
would be taken to compel him to do so. This not
corresponding with assurances received at Monte
rev, it was not answered, and he gave orders 10
hoist the United States flag the next morning as the
only protection his men was to look TO. From the
7th to the 10th Of March, they fortified their camp
with breastwork of logs. Encamped on a high hill
which commanded view of the surrounding coun-
try, they could with the use OF spy gasses) the
general and his troops, numbering about two hun
dred men, their camp in the mission Of ST. Johns
preparing their cannon. On the 9Th instant, sent
duplicate letters; one by American, who lost his
papers, and the other by Californian, to Captain
Fremont, informing him OF the movements of the
Calfornans The California courier returned to
the consulate in about nine ten hours, bringing
letter from Capt Fremont, having travelled In that
time sixty miles. He reported being well treated
by Capt. Fremont and his men; and that two thou
sand of his countrymen would not be sufficient to
compel him to leave the country although his party
small At the earnest request of the alcalde
for translation of Capt. Fremont's letter, it
given, and Immediately despatched to the general
at ST, Johns; and one also to the governor Of the
Puebla of los Angeles. The general informed the
alcalde the night of the 10Th inst, that Captain
Fremont he'd left his encampment, and that he (the
generaD should pursue and attack him the first OPP
portunity, and chastise him for hosting foreign
flag in California. In the postscript of the same let
ter, the general stated that Capt Fremont had
ed small river, and was then about three miles dis
tant from them; but the general made no prepare
ton to follow him. On the morning Of the llth
Gen. Castro sent John Glroy, an Englishman,
long resident in this country, to make offers of
rangement to Captain Fremont On his arrival at the
camp ground, he found Captain, Fremont had left
with his party that morning; the camp fires were
still burning. He found in the camp the staff used
for the flag tent poles, (cut on the spot,) some old
ale has ard old
which the Californians have magnifed into NUM-
tons of war. General Castro informed his party
that he had received various messages from the
camp of Captain Fremont, threatening to extermi-
nate the Californians, &c, (but will hardly name
his messengers, nor did they put any confidence in
it themselves) From the lIth to the 18th, the
natives had returned to their respective homes to
resume their customary occupations. A few people
that were ordered to march from San Francisco to
Join the general at his camp, returned TO their
homes. On the 18th, proclamation was put up by
the general, in the billisrd-room, mot the usual
pace,) informing the inhabitants that a band Of
highwaymen, ("bandoieros") under Captain Free
mont, of the United States army, had come
within the towns Of this department.; and that he,
with two hundred patriots, bad driven them out,
ar sent them into the back country. Some of the
officers of the two hundred patriots land more were
expected to join them) arrived in Monterey, and
reported that the towards had run, and that they
had driven them to the Sacramento river; some
added that they drove them into the bullrushes ON
the plains of the Sacramento; and that in their
haste they had left some Of their best horses be-
hind The horses proved to be those belonging to
| the Californnns themselves, and had strayed into
Captain Fremonts band, (being an everyday oc-
currence in Californa;) and, on raising camp, they
were turned out and left behind. Instead Of the
Americans being driven out Of the country, they
travelled less distance, for three four days, than
the natives did in returning to Monterey-moving
from four TO six miles per day, 10 order 10 recruit
One Of the complaints made by the general was,
that three men, when drinking, went to the house Of
Angel Castro Ian uncle Of the GENERALLY to purchase
| some beef for the camp, and insuted his family.
On the 7th, personally called upon Don Angel,
for the truth OF the story, and was Informed by him
Che father himself) that he was frightened by one
Of the Americans insisting his daughter drink
| ing with him On ordering him TO leave the house,
he resisted. but was put out by his companions,
| he drawing pistol while they putting him
| out, Don Angel mounted horse and rode off to
Captain Fremont's, about one mile distant, who,
on hearing the case, came TO the house Immediately
and called up the family inquire into the affair. On
the examination, he asked the father what he should
do with the He requested them to be punish
ed which was promised; and was told, " he would
send boy, a fine Of Ave dollars should be sent 10
| him, (he being slcalde.) The boy returned with
ten dollars from the camp, which settled the bust
ness although there had been nothing Of conse-
quencs transacted; yet Captain Fremont was anx-