The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-22
Correspondence Of the St. Louis Union.
Affair In California;

| Affairs In California.
GENTLEMEN: Being direct from California and presl
ming that possessed of the latest authentic nfoma-
ton IRON that county, make you the following state
ment of facts, 10 show the state of affairs there and TO
prevent unauthorized or mistaken reports OF what in
| formation really bring
left Los Angeles the 22l of March, up TO which time
the province in state of profound tranquility, and
American lie and property were regarded SAFE with
out guards or escorts, as IN any portion OF the United
Sates-Amercans travelling through the country, and
living IN as much security in Missouri any one OF
the States. myself, short time previous TO leaving the
country, travelled extensively both IN the north and
south, without company Spanari and servant (;
the Spanlard was who had been most prominently
engaged in the late Instruction
| Gov Fremont had been residing an Los Angeles, the
capital OF the province, of about 1000 souls, without any
military protection whatever, having sent the undls
charged portion OF his battalion to San Gabriel Latino
lie mission miles distant, trusting as he could sale
ly do, his personal safety entirely to the inhabitants
The day before left he started 10 Monterey, near 500
miles without any attendants but colored man and two
California gentlemen, both of whom had performed dis
tnguished parts hosties against u.s. to wit Don Jose
Jesus Pico, who had been padoned at San LUIS Obspo
and Don Andres Pico, who commanded against Gen
Kearny San Pasqual, and who indeed succeeded Flo
res in chief command
This fact abundantly shows the tranquility OF the
country and the perfect security TO American life and
property which now prevails in that distant province, and
| so lately the theatre OF war and insurrectlon
This security doubtless entirely owing to the treaty
or capituation which Col Fremont made with the nsur-
gents the 18th January and the evidences OF humanity
in him, shown by pardoning Don Jose Jesus Pico, and
the implicit confidence which the inhabitants have IN his
| Justice and regard to all their rights.
This treaty capltuatlon not agreeable to some
of the superior officers al the time il was made although
approved for OF policy and since my return to the
United States find made prominent charge ana ac-
cusaton against Col Fremont as an act OF military IN
subordnation, and such one as the superior military
officers would not have made, because as they alleged,
they considered the Caornians base rebels, and were
for treating them az such.
Being one of the commissioners who negotiated that
capituatonLoui Mclean, ir, of the navy, and Major
Of ha( Ia haiti her
afrm-and, if there should be official or Judicial
inquiry prove-that that caPulaton put an end to the
and established the cordial peace which ensued and
that without it, the insurgents would have dispersed into
parties exciting the Indians and people to engage IN que
ra against us, for which the nature OF the country
and their extraordinary skill in Workmanship are SO well
adapted.
Their public declaration was, that they would take to
the mountains, and fight every inch OF the country, and
die like wild beasts before they would submit to any one
but to Col Fremont and that on the terms he granted
them
These terms did not treat them as rebels citizens of
the United States, and did not exact oaths OF allegiance,
but postponed for deintve treaty of peace, requiring
nothing for the present. but obedience to the American
authorities, and forgefulness of the past
These terms the Calonans had faithfully observed up
the time of my coming away and California presents
state OF satisfied quetness, altogether different from
New Mexico, Through which | passed on my return
home) any other part OF Mexico which we have con-
quered.
Two events had taken place just before left Caliior-
MIA, which exciting much interest and anxiety Inc
and Gen. Kearny and the other, the march OF the Nor
mons under Capt Cooke upon Los Angeles | brought
with me copy OF the proclamation but 1t Is behind with
my baggage but expect hourly and when 1t does ar
rive it shall be furnished for publication In this pocla
nation, Commodore Shubrick was made military general
and General kearny clyll governor Commodore bidie
also at Monterey, but, Tar as was informed had
taken command.
Be the cause what it may excited the greatest degree
of uneasiness in the Californian population and also
awakened apprehensions in the mind of Gov. Fremont
which he thought this duty to satisfy al the fountain head
and accordingly set off at o'clock of the morning OF the
21st March for Monterey where Commodore Shubrick
and GeneraKeany were, distant 500 miles, which
he intended to make in three days and nights on horse
back.
up with Gov. Fremont, and will doubtless consider
any proceedings against him as importing danger to them
selves they rely upon him, and upon the capiuation
which he granted to them for Safety
They would not have capitulaed to any one but him.
and this can be abundany established If Official nvest
cation is instituted They charge breach of the capu-
aton of last fall by the Americans the cause for the
instruction which broke out in September, and which
was only terminated BY the capulaton, already referred
The march OF the Mormons upon Los Angeles, tran
quill city, from which Col Fremont had sent away his
troops excited the greatest CONSERVATION in the city, and
would spread alarm throughont the he country. %
Col. Fremont acted promptly by going to Monterey to
Picos there also 1t is to be hoped that their visi
lamat G,ll and the Mormon march
From the time of the instruction Fremont had been
making the most extraordinary exerhons In RAISING and
organizing a battalion from the American population
distant GOO 700 miles from the seat of the Instruction
and marching it down in MIDI winter
The raising of that battalion and marching it down was
act that displayed much military judgment as has
been performed, in opinion during our present dlf-
icuties with Mexico and enabled him to put an end to
the war.
The insurgents capulated to HIM at the approach
of this battalion He raised the battalion alone by his
own influence and without means of any kind as fur
nished by his government, and had marched with great
activity through the heart OF the insurgents country and
through deles and mountains, capturing nsurgen Chiefs
and without sping drop Of blood. Incredible were
the hardships of men and horses this winter march,
On Christmas day the battalion lost, in crossing the
Santa Barbara mountains, $50 200 horses. The
artillery brought by hand, engaging at time
over 100 men with ropes. To know Gov. Fremonts in
epd conduct that trying OCCASION and then hear him
accused of being absent truly provoking Happily for
the country with all his haste and execution he still
some distance from the Angeles at the time of the two
little skirmsheshe was stationed at the head OF his own
battalion.
Very respectful, W. II. RUSSELL
ST.. LOUIS, July, 10, 1917.
GUNNER BOARDING.-The subscriber acconmo-
y date limited number of bolrdcrs for the summer