The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-18
Lieutenant Colonel Fremont.


In compliance with the request of Lieutenant Colonel
Fremont, we lay the following letter before the public.
We understand that he has addressed copy of to the
Aduant General He desires that he public mind may
have something to rest upon answer to the accusations
made against him. until the trial shall enable them to make
their own decision"
He arrived in Washington Thursday evening, with
his family, but is hurried off to Charleston, III conse.
quence of information he has received OF the illness OF
his mother We are further informed that the govern
ment will, at as early day possible, after his re-
turn proceed to the investigation of the case.
STREET, WASHINGTON, Sept II, ls47
To the Adiutant General:
SIR: According to the orders of Brgadier General
Keany have the honor to report myself to you In per-
son. in state OF arrest and to make the following re-
quests
l. copy of the charges filed against me by the said
general.
2 A copy of the orders under which the said general
brought back from California TO the United States myself
and the typographical party OF which formerly had the
command. =
g. A copy of the communication from Senator Benton,
asking for my and trial the charges made in the
newspapers against me, and which application from him
adopt and make my own.
A. That charges and specifications, in addition to those
filed by General kearny be made out IN form against me,
on all the newspaper publications which have come or
shall to the knowledge OF the office, and on all
other information, oral or Wrltteni
s. That may have trial as soon as the witnesses
in the United States can be got to Washngton for
although the testimony OF the voice OF California through
some Of is most respectable inhabitants is s essential h to
yet arrived from that province, yet will not wish the
delay of waiting for these distant Witnesses and will
part of which is in the State of Missouri and may
quire thirty days TO get it to Washington. therefore
ask for trial at the end of that time.
These requests have the honor to Make and hope
he Ne granted |
full trial. and speedy The charges against me
by Brgader General kearny and the subsidiary accusa
this country mpeach in all the departments OF my con-
duct military civil pocal and niora while IN Califor-
MA and true would subject me TO be cashlered and shot
under the rules and articles OF war; and to nfamy in the
public opinion 1t is my intention to meet these charges
and accusations in all their extent and for that purpose
to ask trial upon every point OF allegation or nsnua
ton against me- waving all objections to forms and tech
nicaltes, and allowing the widest range to all possible
testimony These charges and accusations so general
and extensive as to cover the whole field OF my opera
tons California, both civil and military from the be-
ginning to the end of hostles; and as my operations,
and those of which the subject object extend to
almost every and event which occurred in the coun
Try during the eventful period OF those hoses the
mony my trial will be the history OF the conquest OF
California, and the exposition OF the policy which has
been heretofore pursued here and the eucdaon OF that
which should be followed hereafter twill be the means
of giving valuable information to the government which
it might not otherwise be able to obtain, and thus en-
tighten it both with respect to the past and the future
Being military subordinate, can make no report, not
even Of my own operations but my trial may become
report and bring to the knowledge of the government
what it ought know, not only with respect to the con-
duct of its officers, but also regard TO the policy OBJ
served, or necessary to be observed with regard TO
the three-fod population Spanish Americans, Anglo
Americans, and aboriginal Americans) which that
mote province contains. Viewed under these aspects
of public interest, my own personal concern in the
trial--already sufficiently srave-acquiress an add
tona and public Importance and for these high Objects
well to vindicate my own character from accusa-
tons both capital and infamous my intention to re-
quire and to promote the searching examination
into everything that has been done in that quarter
The public mind has become impressed with the belief
that great misconduct has prevailed in CALIFORNIA; and
in fact it would be something rare in the history OF
remote conquests and governments, where every petty
commander might feel himself invested with proconsuar
authority, and protected by distance from the super
vision Of his government if nothing wrong or cupabe
has been done by the public agents OF the United States
in that remote province The public believes it and the
charges filed against by Brgadier General Kearny-
the subsidiary publications made against me whilst was
not this counymy arrest on the frontier, and the pre-
monitoy rumors OF that eventthe of my being
brought home for trial. not in IRONS as some newspapers
suppose but in chains stronger than iron, and with Cir
cumstances of ostentaOus and CALLING degradatonhave
all combined to present me as the great maleacor, and
| the sole
Heretofore have said nothing, and could have said
nothing, in my defence. | was ignorant of all that
going against me; Ignorant of the charges sen!
from CALIFORNIA; ignorant of the intended arrest, and Of
the subsidiary publications prejudice the public mind
What was published in the United States in my favor by
my friends, was done upon their own view OF things
here, and OF which knew nolhng. III was only on my
arrival at the frontiers of the United States that became
acquainted with these things, which concerned
nearly Brought home by General Keany, and marched
in his rear, did not know OF his design to arrest
until the moment of its execution at Fort Leavenworth.
He then informed me that, among the charges which he
had preferred, mutiny disobedence of orders,
sumption of powers &C. and referred me to your office
for particulars. Accordingly now apply for them, and
ask for a full and speedy trial, not only the charges
filed by the said General but all accusations contained
| in the publications against me.
The private calamity which has this evening obtained
for permission from the department TO visit South
Carolina, does any for postponenent
delay OF the trial, in any way interfere with the
| sary preimnaries
Hoping, then, sir, that you will obtain and commun
cate to early decision of the proper authorities on
| these requests, remain
Your most obedient servant,
| j. c. FREMONT,
| Lieut. Col. Mounted Rifles