Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-09
THE ENQUIRER.
Monday Morning. November 8, Is47.
TRIAL. OF LIEUT.. COL. FREMONT.
RICHMOND, VA.

umns to the Interesting evidence given in OF
Thursday by Big. Gen. S. w. Kcarny, The hrs
witness for The prosecution. We shall attempt Il
give an imperfect abstract of his testimony
though compelled 10 omit much matter OF inter
est.
Gen. h stated that he was in California as {
Brigadier General OF The IS army, and nnde
instructions from the War Department. unde
dale of June 3D. 1876. The letter OF Secrciar,
Marcy OF June 3, 1916, (coufdenliaI,) was !hei
read. In ii Gen. X. is designated 10 comman'
the expedition to take the earliest possession @
Upper California, and ne is authorized 10 cal
npon the Governor OF Missouri for a large tore
of mounted men. He is directed TO conquer San
Ia Fc (incuding he Department or Safe of New
Mexico,) and, after providing tor retaining sal
possession of i. 10 push on 10 California He i
authorized 10 muster into rerricr any number o
the Mormon emisIan's en route fer California
not, however, 10 number exceeding onc-thiId a
his entire iorce-aEd also 10 receive into The u
S. service any Of the American citizens settled
on The Sacramento river, as may be considered
useful in holding possession of the country. tie
is invested with large discretionary power in
regard 10 these matters "as we'll aslo all others in
relation to the expeditions ccniiled 10 his conf
mand" The letter then goes on.
alt is e1peced that the naval forces Of The u.
States. which are now or will SOON be in The Pa
ciic. will be in possession Of all The towns on the
seacoasl and will Cooperate With you in The con-
quest OF California. Arms, ordnance, munitions
oil war and provisions, 10 be used in that coun
try, will be sent by sea 10 our squadron IN The ia.
cifc Tor The use OF lie land forces.
"Should you conquer and take possession Of
New Mexico and Upper California, or consider.
able places in either, you will establish Temporal
nv civil governments Notwithstanding all ar
bitrary restrictions lha, may exist, so lar as il
may be done with safety. In performing this
du,y, ii would be wise aud prudent to continue in
their employment all such Of the exs'iag officers
as are known 10 be friendly 10 III, United States,
and will take Inc oath Of allegiance 10 them. The
duties al The custom-houses ought al once 10 he
reduced TO such rate rs may be barely srlll.
cient 10 maintain The necessary officers without
yielding any lev, nue. 10 The Government. You
may assure The people OF those provinces That II
is The wish and sign OF The United States 10
provide for them liec government, with The
least possible delay, similar 10 that which exists
10 cur Territories. They will then be call
their own representatives 10 The TeirilUrisl Le-
gisialure. Il is ioreseen that what relates TO The
civil government will be a difficult and unplca-
san! part Of your duty, and much must necessa-
lily be left 10 your own discretion In your whole
conduct you will act in such matter as best 10
con :iiate The Inhabitants and render them friend
~ TO The United S.aes."
The letter concludes by stating that The rank
of breve! 8rigadier General would be sen! 10 him
Chen COL K. } as soon as he commenced his move
ment towards California.
On the Sis, July he received another letter
from the Secretary of War, dated June 49, 1876,
stating that a small force would be sent round
Cape Horn TO California, ard these troops, TO-
selter with snch as mich. be or2anized in Cali
tornia. would be under his command. Gen. ~.
said he had also letter from the Geeneral-in-
Chief, [sco,,l dated Nov. 3, 1876, which was
read but not spread upon the record. as il con-
tanned nothing maieriel 10 The merits Of the case
We, however, make brief extract:
"As guide 10 The civil governor OF Upper Ca.
lifornia, in our hands, see the letter Of June The
3d. (as,,l addressed TO you by the Secretary Of
War. You will not, however, formally declare
The province 10 be annexed. Permanent incorpo-
yernment of The U. States.
"Afcr occupying, with our forces, all The neces-
sary points in Upper California, and establishing
a temporary civil government therein, as well as
assuring yourself Of its internal tranquility ana
the absence OF any danger q! reconqneSt on me
part OF Mexico, you may charge Col. Mason, U.
S. Isl dragons, The bearer Of this open letter, or
land officer next in rank 10 your ows, with your
several duties, and return yourself, with sufi-
cient escor, of troops 10 ST. Louis, Missouri
Blu, The body OF the u. S. Dragons that accom-
ma MED you 10 California will remain there until
further orders"
Gen, Scouts letter further desires that, should
Gen. K And Lieut.. Col. Fremont al San Fiah-
cisco or Monterey bay, he would not deian HIM
against his wishes momen; longer than The ne
ccssilies OF the service may require. II then ur-
gcs The utmost cordially and harmony OF co-ope-
ration between The land and The navy forces on The
coast OF California
In reply 10 question, Gen. K. stated that the
letter from The Secretary of War was mol exhi-
bled by him 10 Fremont, bat he informed T. OF
lis contents An exlracr of The letter was furnish
ed to Col. F. BY Lieut.. Emory, under Gen. KS
instructions. Being asked what order was given
by him (K.) 10 Fremont, relative 10 his coming
10 Monterey, X. said, that on The Isl March, iol7
he was at Monterey, and there issued The ION
military department order No. 2. which lie sent
to Lieul. Col. Fremont, with q leuer Of the sd me
date. The order directs thai The battalion Of Ca
lifoInia volunteers, under the command Of Lieut.
Col. Fremont, and stationed al Ciudad de Los
| Angeles, should be a, once mustered into service
by Lieut. Col. Fremont.
Gen. T. seyiicnce goes on
"About The 2Glh of March Lieut. Col. Fe-
mont was in Monterey. He came To Monterey
from Los Angeles, and, calling on me al M quar-.
ters, | had conversation with him. Tie close
of the conversation was reiteraliun of mt or
dcrs 10 him OF The Is, Of March 10 come 10 Mon
lerey, and with the least practicable delay. Then
on The 2S;h Of March, addressed 10 him writ,
len communication"
This written paper, signed rs. w. Kearny
Brig. Gen. and Gov. oil California" begins thus
| "This will be handed TO you by Col. Mason
| Isl Dragons, who goes 10 the southern district
clothed by me with full authority TO give such or
ders and instructions in that section OF country a.
he may deem proper and necessary. Any in
sIrucons he may give 10 you will be considered
as coming from myself"
Ii then suggests that Col. Fremont should a
once authenticate and complete Tor The action Of
the discussing officers any unsettled arcounls
against the Government, "as i, may be necessary
Tor you (F.) to proceed from here iMoneTey) &c
Washington city," II concludes as follows:
ain twelve days after You have embarked The
volunteers al San Pedro desire 10 see you in hi:
place."
| TIE witness then proceeded:
81 waited in Monterey for The arrival Of Lieut.
COL Fremont, who did not come; and in May
went 10 Los Angelus, and there found him or
my arrival at tina, place, on The 9th OF that month
then repeated my previous order 10 him, and be
| left in few days after"
Here member of the Court inquired whe,ho
The witness meant that Col Fremont left in obs.
Gience TO The ordcr7
Answer. He LEFT in obedience 10 my order.
An official order dated 81 Nov, 1916, was lher
read, creating military departments:
No q n consist of SO much of Santa Fee and