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

Ilb udltu we I!eN ud) VI hp'lI, w ldh'uu0 ~
on lhe Sacramento river; and though writ
ten merely to inform Mrs, Fremont Of bis
personal concerns becomes important IN s
public point Of view, on accoun, Of subse"
quenl events in June, aud July, by show
ing, that on the first of April be was on his
way TO Oregon-,hat he had abandoned all
intention of eturning through any palt Of
California a-weuld cross the Rocky noun
Isins through the Northern Pass on The line
between The Upper, or Kettle Falls of the
COLUMBIA, and the Great Falls Of The Mis-
souri, and be in the United States in Sep
lember. This shows that no had at the
l.ime, no idea Of the events in which he was
subsequently, involved, and that he had a
Ibandoaed the cherished field OF hi. nlenlcd
scientific researches for the oXrr' ss purpose
ol avoiding all offence to the Mexican au-
thoriies. OF the events in the valley of the
San Joaquin and the camp cn the Slerra,h he
speaks few words, without detail, but de
scriptive Of his condition. characteristic Of
his prudence in no compromising his coun
try IL worthy to he repeat, in his owe Lam
gusgc, lie says: 'rhe Spaniards were
somewhat rude and inhospitable below, and
ordereG me Out Of the country, after having
given me permission 10 winter there. Ny
sense Of duty did moi permit me 10 fight
them, but we retired slowly and growllngIy
before force Of 3 or hundred men, and
Two pieces of artillery. " ihoui The sha-
dow of cause, the governor suddenly rais-
ed the whole country against me, issuing q
false and scanduous proclamation. VI
course, did not dare to compromise the
United States, agains, which appearances
would have been strong; but though II was
in my power TO increase my parry by Amer
leans, relralned from committing sollIa
ry act Of hostility or impioprleiy.' HIS
next letter is dated the ii Of May, and in
forms me lh"t, in his progress 10 Oregon,
ne found himself and party Unexpectedly
i,tacked by the Talma,h IndiauS-ihe most
warike of tina, quarer-had los! five men
40 killed and wounded aud s,ll expected
to be in the United States in the month OF
September
This was the last letter received from
Col FREMnNr until the following, Of Jul'
25h from Monterey,a and which was brought
.by Commodore SLoTE. Ii is plain State
men. Of his movements, and wilt be read
with deep interest. The letter Of Col Ben
ton goes into lengthy and able review oi
,he operations of Col. f., and fully jnshIi2-
his conduct against the falsehonds gascon.
ade OF Gen. Castro. The Union truly
saws: Nothing could be more moderate At
Ifrs,--noihing more decided, when he was
assaied by ,he Mexicans-mo!e manly,
more heroic than his conduct
Private letter from Colonel Fremont 10
Senator Benton, daied Wontercy Of The
alta California July 25, 1916
MISSION or CARMEL" July %, 1876
Mn Dear Sir;-W hen Mr., Gillespie
oyer,ook me in the middle of May, we were
cncamped on The northern shore OF 'h'
lGtea,er Talmaih Lake. Snow was falling
steadily and heavily in the mountains wA'cI
en,ireIy surround and dominate Me eIeva''
led valley region into which we had rene'
ll,ratrd: in the east and north and west barn
|crs absolutely impossible barred our road
we had no provisions, our animals were al
, READY feeble, and while any other way wa
. Iopen, could not briGg myself to a"emP
D Isuch doubtful enterprise as passage G
g these unknown mountains IN lhe DEAD
winter. Every day the snow was 'aIlns
land in the face of the depressing lnllGeh'
h Exercised on the people by the loss o' OF
A men, and the unpromislng appearance
,hincs, indged il ineXppdlenI TO pursu
" our iourncy farther in 'hs d'r'cN""' al
determined TO relrace my steps, an" carr
% Inn, the views Of the government by re'c'
, hrg the frontier on Me line OF the Colora'
: Liyer, | had scarcely reached the 10"
!. Sacramento, when General Cds"'' men
N the north (at Sonoma, in The department
A. Sonoma, north OF lhe bay OF San Francs
commanded BY Gen. Vallejo dsclared
determination Immediately 10 proceeu