Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-11-12

" 'no middle OF May Capt Fremont, In Of h
desgu To reach Oregon aud by the Columbia and
Missouri through the Northern Pass tho Rocky Noun
ains. had arrived at the Tamsth Lake. the edge Of the
Oregon Territory. when he found his further com
plecy barred BY the double obstacle % hosc Indian,
which Castro had excited aeainst him. and the ls noun
ains covered with deep and falling snows which made tho
middle Of May in that elevated region the same as the mid
die OF winter These the difficulties and dangers IN
front Behind and the north bank OF the San Francis.
CO Bay, At the military post OF Sonoma. Cen Castro
assembling troops with the avowed intention OF attacking
both Frcmonts party and all the American settlers against
whom the Indians had been already excited Thus hs
passage barred in front by impossible and
hemmed In by Indians who hinnne tho
OF his little pary-menaeed by general athohead
fold forces OF all aims-he American settlers I'm California
marked out Tor destruction false accusation Of medi-
tatlng revolt under his nstigaton-hs and horses
suffering from fatigue cold, and famhe-and after tho
most anxious elaboration upon all the dangers Of his DO
stion and upon all the responsibilities Of his conduct
Captain Fremont determined 10 turn upon his pusuers and
light them instantly without regard numbers and seek
safety tor his party and the American settlers BY over
turning tho Mexican government in California II on
the 9TH day OF June that no came TO this
and, the resolution being TAKEN all half way ca-
sures were discarded. and rapid execution OF the plan
was commenced. On the ilth OF June a supply Of two
hundred horses for Casos troops the way his camp
conducted by officer and fourteen men, were surprised
At daylight and the whole captured-the men and officer.
being released and the horses retained Tor
On the l5th NJ daybteak, tho military post Of Sonoma
(he point OF rendezvous, and Intended was
surprised and taken with nine pieces of brass two
hundred and nifty stand OF muske other and
niuon, with several superior officers General Vallejo
Vsl-ya-ho) his brother Captaia vaejs Colonel Greux.
don. and others; all Of whom were detained aud con-
hned as prisoners. Captain Fremont then repaired to
the American settlements on the Hio de los America
NOS TO obtain astance and receiving an express from
his little garrison OF fourteen in Sonoma that Gem
era Castro was preparing to the bay OF San Fran
cisco and attack them with large force, he in the
afternoon OF the nty.ihird OF June with ninety
mounted rfemon. and travelling day and night er-
rived at O'Clock IN the morning OF the 25h Sonoma-
eighty miles distance. The vanguard OF Castro force had
manded by dc Ia Toue-whch attacked and defeated
oy twenty Americans. with the loss of killed and some
wounded on the part Of tho Mexicans aud no injury 10
themselvesde Ia Tore barely escaping with thu los Of
his transport boats, and spikng six pieces OF artillery In
the mean time, two OF Capt fremons men, going as an
express were captured by dc Ia Torres men, and being
bound 10 trees, pieces alive with knives in re-
turn for which, three OF de Ia Torres men being taken
were Instantly shot The north side OF the bsy of San
Francisco was now cleared Of the enemy and ON the 4,h
day OF July, Capt Fremont called the Amocs ans together
Sonoma addressed them upon the dangers Of their ua
non and recommended declaration Of independ.nee and
war upon Castro and his troops as the only means AZ %
v The independence Immediately declared and the
war proclaimed few days afterwards Com
modore Sloat brought inelgenc that the American a,
was hoisied at Monierey-an example which was imme
daey followed wherever the flew. The pursuit and
defeat OF Castro then the only remaining
He had lied south towards the numerous Mexican towns
ana setements beyond Monterey with his four or Fl We
hundred men; and, Capt. Fremont, leaving some IF.
~ men IN gaTrisons, with one hundred and
sixty mounted rihemen in the pursuit. when he re-
celNed instructions from Commodore Sloat TO march
upon Monterey. He did So and found Commodore Stock
ton in command approving the pursuit OF Castro and aid
ing 1t by all the means in his power The sloopof war
Cyane was put at his service. Capt Fremont with one
hundred and sixty American emcu and seventy marines
on that vessel and sailed down the coast on the
10Th OF July, TO San Diego four hundred miles south of
Monterey, and hundred south of PHeba de os Iny,
e "here Castro was understood to be, with increasing
force Of five hundred men The descent of the eosst NJ
lar as SaH Diego with the view get ahead Of Castro
and TO be IN position either intercept him If he fled
south 10 Mckee Lower California or TO turn back
upon him he remained in Pueblo de los Anses or any
OF the numerous towns in its ner hborhood In ei,be,
event. the enterprise will probably had its conclusion
early IN August and official details may now be looked
Tor by the rst arrivals from the North Pacific Ocean
the mean time hope the Information am able 10 rive
though all OF private character, written solely for the in
formation OF rends and expected 90 before the
public, may be sufficient relieve present an xeties IN
iisprove the accusations Of Governor Castro and IN s
The operations Of Captain Fremont | make this COM |
TO you, upon the responsibilities of nm
american Senator, addressing the President of the |
uned States and with the sole view Of yndeang the
american government and its officer, from the foul impu
aiion OF exciting instruction in the provinces of n neigh
boring power with whom then at peace could
add much more 20 that Capt. Fremons private
inu feelings were In unison with his Osiensbe mission
mat the passion OF his soul the pursuit Of
mat ne looked with dread and upon every possible
collision either with Indians, Mexicans or BRUSH thai
could turn him aside from that cherished pursuit more
oftnal occasion for the exhibition OF these further and
'hcF proofs may occur but the exigency of the cir
usanceS seemed - require that no time should
DO lest IN communicating the the public mind both
II nome and abroad, IN seriously affecting the
lanona character and IN which error for ven
/ short time, would do great mischief.
Very respectfully, sir your friend and felow-cit1en
- THOMAS II. BENTON.
WASHINGTON, Nov. ., 1876.