Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-11-12
Prom the Washington uaioa.
oPerations OF Captain Fremont i'm
Upper California;.

you tho private letters which have received from tina
oeef tor the purpose Of showing you his actual posio
at the latest da,es; the unwilling manner in which h
became involved In hosties with the Mexican authori
nes OF that province before he had heard Of the wit
ana especially To dsproye the accusation, Off
eialy against him by Governor Castro OF having com
into California with body OF United States roops unde
inc pseeat OF scientific expedition but In reality
cite INC Americans settled in that province
ton against the Mexican government This accusation
OF the graNest character, seriously duplicating tn
good faith and honor Of our government and OFFICIALLY
mace oy governor Castro in despatch TO the minister
war and Marine under date OF the frat OF April last ans
Published in 81 Monitor Repabeaso in the city OF Mex
ico by the order Of the Mexican government Tod
o. Way as, copy Of this paper was sent TO Mrs. Ere
mont my daughter. by tho Hon. Mr.. Sidel and an Eng
iish a., translation Of !, Is herewith presented.
When Capt fremont left tho UniteJ States complete
his scientific labors beyond the Rocky mountains IL wal
With full knowledge OF the political well diff
neunes at the enterprise tie knew that the relations
me u States were critical both with Mexico and Gres
bnsln-ihat he was going through the territories OF the
one and among the settlements OF the otheihat jealousy
would attach TO his movements and all his be refer
red 10 ms governmen-and he perfectly determined
TO use tho utmost ccunspection in all his conduct con
hnng himself wholly his scientific pursuits and careful
y avoiding well the appearance reality OF either
political or military mission. With this view, and after ha
wing uaversed the desert, and crossed the Great Basin
which lies between the Rocky aud the Sisrrs
Nerads OF the Alta CALIFORNIA;, he left upon the from
ter an hundred miles from Monterey, aud alone to
that city 10 explain his object and wishes in person
Castro lie did this in the formal and official
ner, IN company with the United States consul Mr. Qsr-
MD atwhose house he stopped) and conforming tho
whole detail OF Spanish ceremonial he not only called on
INC governor but also the project and the sIalde The
interview was entirely satisfactory To the governors re.
mark that he was bringing considerable body OF United
States troops with him, Capt answered that il was moi,
so-hat he had no troops at sonly few hired men for
security against Indians, and killing gamethat he not
even an officer OF the line, utof Typographical Engineers
aud that he seeking (among objects of
seienee to the mouth of the Columbia upon line further
south than the present travelling route and which had
brought him through the unsettled parts Of the Upper
lorna and that he now wished to winter in the valley Of
the San Joaquin where there for his men, and
grass Tor his horses To this the agreed and
Fremont left Monterey TO bring his the beautiful
valley which he had explored in his previous expediton
and to which both himself and his looked forward TO
paradise ct rePose and refreshments after their tosome
and perlous march OF three thousand miles among
uibes and through wilderness and desert countries
Scarcely had he arrived in this valley when information
began 10 reach HIM from all quarters that governor
raising the province against him and coming upon hin, with
troops o! all arms-cayary, artillery, and infanry-and
that ms situation was most critical and dangerous The
consul sent special messenger him of his DANGER
the American settlers below offered Join him; but he
utterly refused their assistance because would not COM
promise them But he did what honor and self preserya-
ton required, and what the courage and fidelity of his men
enthusiastically seconded he took a position and waited
the approach OF the assant and that position was nearer
TO them, on the summit Of the Sierra, overlooking Monte
rev, At thirty miles distance and whence their glasses
they could plainly see the troops, with their artillery
which had crossed the bay (of Monterey TO San Juan on
their way To attack him. The governor with these troops
ana win all his threats after coming the camp ON
the Serd did not come 10 liz and Captain Fremont faith
iu TO his design 10 avoid collision. If possible finding him
self not attacked determined retire, and proceed TO
Oregon his intended OF the valley of the Sacra
menio. the Tamah lake, aud the valley Of the wahah
math river Accordingly about the 10Th of March he
left his position the Sierra descended into the valley of
the San Joaquin, and commenced his march by slow and
easy stages, OF four and six miles day. towards Oregon
IL is OF this eneampmeni the Sierra that Governor
Castro makes particular complaint in his despatch TO the
Minister OF War and Marine, evidence Of hostile in
entons, and where the American flag raised forti-
hca,ion built aud the American settlers called in for its de-
fence. Unhappiy have letter from Capt Fremont
detailing the events Of these days. but the want o. such
letter Is well supplied by the official communications from
the American consul Monterey q our Secretary of Stat,
and by Capt Freemonrs befn the consul written
IN Penc) while expecting the attack OF Gov Castro and
which has been heretofore published in our papers Mr.
Buchanan furnished US, thew were received with
copies Of these Dispatches which herewith laid before
you, and from which it will be that Gov Casros nc
eusauons against Capt Fremont entirely unfounded
that so far from having excited the Americans revolt he
absolutely refused those who offered 20 ,n him
and more that when after leaving this position and grant,
ing discharges to five Elk he refused to fill he pl,
ces from the men IN the country determined was he 10
avoid well appearance, fact the smallest act Of
ensIve luxurious to the Mexican authorities The same
correspondence shows the iasehoOd OF all the super
ave gasconsde which Governor Castro put into his official
report about the spOs OF the camplhe dispersion of FIRE.
mont and his men-their flight into the bulrushes and
through the deerthis suoeation in the cradle Of dam
gerous conspiracy, &c, with all which imaginary exploits
his official despatch filled, while Fremont with ,ixty
and two hundred horses were slowly ~ firing in
from
act OF offence 10 the province its authorities Il was no
doubt this false report TO his government and the rdcue
he incurred by IN California, that led his subsequent
operations IN May to e1erminaie FemOnrs party and all
the American settlers on the Sacramento.
On from the evacuated camp on the Sierra tho
governor also put forth proclamation the vein of his
report and worse, styling Fremont and his men .
band OF highway robbers pundefng the people &C. which
accusation OF punderng the consul took the troub, TO in
Vestgae, and found be very TRIVIAL offence of maD,r,
mot OF law or morals which the injured party valued FIVE
dollars and Tor which Capt Fremont gave ten. For :he
rest, the consul alter all this, declares the inhabitants of
the country 10 be well pleased with Capt Fremont and
that he might walk the Of Monterey the next da,
Alone II lac chose. The only truth in Governor Castro.
despatch Is, that Captain Fremont took military position
entTenched IT, and raised the American flag; but these
vents were the consequence and the eIase Of Gov Cas-
Io movement, against him; nnd this fully shown in that
bei heroic note written IN pencil In the consus
warning IN which Capt. Fremont, after refusing the Aid
Of the American settlers declared for himself and his .t
two men that they had done nothing wrong to the auhor
ties OF the people OF tho couury-ha II attacked they
would defend themselves and die to the last man under
the flag Of their country and leave II to their country 70 A.
yenge ,heir deaths. All they did was in self-defence-
The fag was fased not standard of insurrection r
~ sEa Of contempt the Mexican government bni a.
the American sy,aho Of honor aud PATRIOTISM which was
entitled respect from others!Q defence from them-and
which they had displayed in That hour OF danger warn
ing TO ihe approaching assaanas bond Of union and
devotion among bemselyes-and appeal and inyoca.
ton Of they should be destroyed to the avengng sp
rat OF their far distant country. To my mind this en-.
was entirely usihabe under the circumstances Of tho CASE
and the noble resolution which they (refusng the aid
OF their counymen) TO do II attacked under the flag Of
their county, four thousand miles distant from their homes
net q tho highest heoisu worthy to DO recorded BY
Henophon and rejecting equal upon the brave young
officer who commanded aud the heroic snrYrwo by whom
he was supported.
The hfst letter that received from Captain Fremont
after he withdrawal from the Serrd and from the valley
OF the Sad Juan 10 dated the first day Of April in latitude
4o on .ne 5aefsmen'o nyei and though written merely
10 inform Mrs Fremont of personal concerns becomes
important 10 public point Of yos account Of sub.e
quent events IN June and July by showing that on the
hfs 81 Apn he was On his way Oregon-that be hsd
abandoned ell intention Of returning through any pa Of
Caofnia-woud crosh the Rocky mountains through tho
Northern Pass on the line between the Upper or Kstls
rails Of the Columbia, and the Great Falls the Nilsson.
r-and DO ~ the United States September. This shows
that be bod, NJ that tmo idea Of tho events in wbie,
he was subsequently involved and that be had Abandoned
ho cherished field Of he intended scientific fcsenfcbss
| Tor The express purpose Of avoiding Oh offence 10
Tie Mc1ican authorities or The oycnu in the valley Of
/ the San Joaquin and the camp on the Sierra, he
| speaks few words, without dot1il. but descriptive
oi bic condition, Characteristic Of his prudence In