Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-12-04
CAPT. FREMONT.

Senator Benton communicates to the Washing
ton Union an interesting narrative of this Off
GERS movements in California, enforced and il
lustrated by ample correspondence. From this,
it appears, that Immediately on his arrival in
California, he waited on Gov. Castro, singly and
in person, explaining the scientific objects of his
expedition, and obtained the assent of the Mexi.
can official to winter in the valley of the San
Joaquin, where there was game for his men and
grass for his horses.
Scarcely had he arrived in this valley, before
Castro began his trescherous conduct. He de.
nounced Fremont in despatch to the Secretary
of War, and alarmed the Americans, by raising
troops and menacing Fremont and the small de.
tachment with him.
The situation of this officer became 50 crit.
CAL that he fortified himselfin place of security,
and, as Poinsetts had done in Mexico, raised the
American flag in self defence. The Governor
did not choose to disturb him, and Fremont faith
full to his design to march 10 Oregon, refusing to
recruit the loss of few men from the inhabitants
of the country. Hiswhole conduct has been for.
bearing, though firm-conscientious though pa.
triotc. The last letter received from him be.
fore the arrival of Com. Sloat, was dated April
1st, announcing his intention to retire to Oregon
and postpone the darling object Of his mission
the scientific survey of another route to Ore.
gon.
Mr.. Benton (the father-in-law Of Capt G., gives
a summary so interesting and complete, that we
present it to our readers, without diminuton.-
Gin. Eng.
"At the middle Of May, Capt. Fremont, in pur-
suance of his design to reach Oregon, and return
by the Columbia and Missouri through the North.
ern Pass in the Rocky mountains, had arrived a
the great Tlamath Lake, in the edge of the Ore
gon territory, when he found his further pro
gress completely barred by the double obstacle
of hostile Indians, which Castro had excited
against him, and the lofty mountains, covered
with deep and falling SHOWS, which made the
middle of May in that elevated region the same
as the middle Of winter. These were the diff.
culties and dangers in front. Behind, and on
the north bank Of the San Francisco bay, at the
military post Of Sonoma, was Gen. Castro, as.
sembling troops with the avowed intention of at.
tacking both Fremont's party, and all the Ameri.
can settlers, against whom the Indians had been
already excited. Thus, bis passage barred in
front by impossible SHOWS and mountains, hem.
med in by savage Indians, who were thinning
the ranks of his little party-menaced by Gen,
eral at the head of ten fold forces of all arms
the American settlers in California marked ou
for destruction on false accusation of meditat
ing revolt under his instigation-his men ant
horses suffering from fatigue, cold and famine
and after the most anxious deliberation upon all
the dangers Of his position, and upon all the re-
sponsibities Of his conduct, Capt. Fremont de.
termined to turn upon his persuerS, and fgh,
them instantly, without regard to numbers, and
seek safety for his party and the American set.
tiers, by overturning the Mexican government in
California. twas on the 9th day Of June thai
he came to this determination; and the resolu.
non being once takon, all halfway msasuret