The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-11

that commodore /; But the causes which led to these
even are necessary 10 be known for the ustication Of
Cap,tsin Fremont for although actually justified by the
existence Of the war with Mexico yet he knew nothing
of the war when these events took place and though
himself Of his subsequent knowledge to Justify prsviou.
acts, and therefore, chose to rest everything upon
the state Of facts, a. he saw them, when he re.
solved AMI acted These causes and the events to
which they led, are rapidly sketched by him in
this, his last letter; and while the whole letter is
collect its substance into the smallest compass and lay it
before you The substance is this At the middle of
May Capt Fremont in pursuance Of his design to reach
Oregon and return by the Columbia and Missouri
through the Northern Pass in the Rocky mountains had
arrived at the great Klamath Lake. in the edge of the
completely barred by the double obstacle of hostile In
dams, which Castro had excited against him, and the
iohy mountains covered With deep and falling SHOWS
the as the middle Of winter These the diff
cultes and dangers in front Behind, and the nerth
noma was Gen. Castro, assembling troops with the
avowed intention Of attacking both Fremon party and
had Tas his ,s9
front by impossible SHOWS and northumberland in
BY savage Indians who were thinning the ranks of his
little party-menaced by general at the head of ten
fold forces Of all armsthe American settlers In Califor-
mia marked out for destruction false accusation of
medating revolt under his instigaton-his men and
horses suffering from fatigue cold, and amne-and after
the most anxious elaboration upon all the dangers of
position and upon all the responsibilities of his conduct
Captain Fremont determined to turn upon his pursuers
and fight them instantly without regard numbers and
seek safety for his party and the American settlers by
the 9th day of June that he came to this
determination and, the resolution being once taken,
all halfway measures were discarded, and rapid
cution OF the plan commenced. On the 18th Of
June supply Of two hundred horses for Castros
troops on the way to his camp conducted by officer
and fourteen men, were surprised at daylight and the
whole captured-the and officers being released,
and the horses retained for American On the 10th,
and taken with nine pieces Of brass cannon, two hun
dred and fifty stand Of muskets, other and ammun
ton, with several superior officers General Vallejo
Val hoy his brother Captain Vallejo Colonel Greux
don and Others all Of whom detained and confined
as prisoners. Captain Fremont then repaired to the
American settlements on the Rio de los Americanos to
obtain assistance and receiving express from his lit
tie garrison of fourteen in sonoma that General asro
tack them with large force, he set the afternoon
Of the 23d June with 80 mounted remen and travelling
noma-eghty miles distance The vanguard of Castro's
force had crossed the baya squadron of seventy dra
goons commandedby De la Torre-whch was attacked
and defeated by twenty Americans, with the loss of two
killed and some wounded on the part of the Mexicans
and injury to themselves De la Tore barely escap
ing, with the loss of his transport boats and spikng six
pieces of artillery. In the meantime, two of Captain
Fremonts men going as an express were captured BY
pieces alive with knives in return for which, three
De Ia Torres mon being taken, instantly shot The
north side Of the bay of San francisco cleared
the enemy and the fourth day Of July Capt Fremont
called the Americans together at Sonoma addressed
them upon the dangers Of their situation and recon-
mended q declaration OF Independence, and
Castro and his troops as the only of safety The
independence Immediately deciar ed, and the war
proclaimed. few days afterwards, an officer from
Commodore sloat brought intelligence that the Amer
can flag hoisted ut Monterey-an example which
Immediately followed wherever the news flew
The pursuit and defeat Of Castro was then the only
remaining enterprise. He had fed south towards the
numerous Mexican towns and settlements beyond Mon
tsrey with his four or five hundred mem and Capt Fre
mont leaving fifty in garrsons with
hundred sixty mounted rinemen pursuit. when
he received instructions from Commodore Sloat march
command approving the pursuit OF Castro and aiding 1t
by all the means in his power. The soop of-war Cy ane
put a. his service Capt Fremont with hundred
and sixty American rifemen and seventy Marines en-
barked that vessel and sailed down the the
26h OF july San Diego four hundred miles south of
Monterey, and hundred south OF Puebla de los An
creasing force OF five hundred men, The descent of the
coast far as San Diego with the view get ahead
OF Castro and to be in position either to intercept him If
he fed south to Mexico to Lower California
back upon bin If he remained at Puebia de los angeles
any Of the numerous towns in its neighborhood In
either event. the enterprise will probably have had it's
conclusion early in August and official details may
be looked for by the first arrivals from the North Pacific
ocean In the meantime hope the information able
to give though all of private character, written solely
for the information Of friends and never expected to 60
before the public may be sufficient to relieve present
anxises dsprove the accusations of Gov Castro and
to justify the operations of Captain Fremont. make
this communication to you, sir upon the responsible
ties OF American Senator, addressing the President
of the United States and with the sole view Of vndicatng
the American government, and its officer from the foul
mputauon OF excung 1nsurrecton IN the provinces OF
neighboring power, with whom then at peace.
could add much more to prove that Captain Fremonts
private views and feelings in unison with his
sibe mssionhat the passion Of his soul the pursuit
Of scenceand that he looked with dread and aversion
upon every possible collision, either with Indians Mex
cans British that could, turn him aside from that
cherished pursuit more formal occasion for the exh
bon OF these further and other proofs may occur
but the exgency Of the circumstances seemed to to
require that time should be lost in communicating the
truth to the public mind, both at home and abroad
case so seriously affecting the national character and in
which uncorrected for short time would do
reat mischief.
Very respectfully, sir, your friend and fellow Citizen
THOMAS II. BENTON.
WARRINGTON, Nov. o, ls46.
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