Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-06
Wan DEPARTMENT..

lAdjutant Generals Office October 81, Is47.
GENTLEMEN Your communication, tho counsel of 1t.
COL Fremont of the 25h instant has been submitted to the
War Department. and directed to make the following
reply
With desire that the proceedings in the case Of
Lieut. COL Fremont should be in such form and so con-
Quoted as TO secure TO him full and fair trial. the Govern
ment will far its agency be properly nerposed do
whatever will tend to such result. But compliance with
your request in his BEHALF introduce other charges
tanning embraced those already prepared wouJ
present embarassments which would be difficult TO surmount
and require Of action which believed be unusual
and Objectionable.
In urging the incorporation of additional charges on matters
stated in the newspaper publications. which, if sustained
might properly be made subject of charge for the condera-
ton of the court MARTIAL is certainly not be understood
that you believe them to be well founded The Department
not aware that evidence aordng colorado preext for
trying Lieut. COL Fremont such charges be produced
II occupy the position preerng charges
which has to believe be sustained by proof
nor would deem proper, IN order, suggested
ply with the forms OF proceeding, direct officer act as
prosecutor them. SO far therefore, as relates 10 the trial.
appears that the ncumbeng the record with such charges
would be useless not to say improper there should be no
proof whatever sustain hcm and is believed that the pro-
secuon could produce none proof could be required
rebut them indeed, quite certain would heard
by the Court TO reute what had been sustained and on
@ view OF the the trial would back the
hate IN which would be without such additional charges
he issues would be confined TO charges and specifications
import OF which some material evidence had been offered on
ReTt oil the prosecution What range of defence under
~ vl DC the right oil Lieut. Col. Fremont 10 take is for
hsS6u to determine, but il is be doubted that il will
be ample for all the purposes Of setting his conduct far as
il is called in question, in its true light.
In relation to what took place in California before the com
mcncemen Of hosies between the United States and Mex
CO. in which Lieut. Col Fremont acted prominent part the
Department has been made acquainted with any thing
done by him which has given dissatisfaction and cannot
therefore, 10 induced TO make matter Of charge. Indeed
his conduct in this respect presented to Congress al the
last session. with unequivoca expressions Of approval
In regard to that part Of your communication which repre-
sents that the whole trial surprise upon Lieut. Col FIRE.
mont that the witnesses whose testimony would have been
Of the highest moment to him, have been left in California
while the prosecutor brought along with him those FOR the pro-
secu,on and that the charges made known TO him
I'LL the nth instant am directed to you that has no,
been the wish Of the Department to pecplae the trial this
case and it is anxious all grounds Of complaint on
this point Lieut. Col Fremont addressed communication
to this Department the 18th day Of september, in which
he urged speedy trial. and suggested that he should be pre-
pared to meet the charges against him in thirty days. The
time for holding the Court fixed at distant day
than tha, indicated by him.
Nothing, certainly could be further from the views Of the
Department than TO take in this matter that should
even seemingly be open to tho mputaen Of unaness the
accused OF TO concur any procedure that should in
withhold from him the ampest Of defence. II will