Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-09-25
LIEUTENANT COLONEL FREMONT.

| LIEUTENANT COLONEL FREMONT.
In compliance with the request of friend Of
Lieutenant Colonel Fremont we lay the following
letter before the public
| lie arrived In Washington on Thursday evening
with his family, but is hurried off to Charleston in
consequence of information he has received of the
illness OF his mother.
STREET, WASHINGTON, sErr. II, is47.
| 10 the Adjutant General:
Sir According the orders Of rpader General Kearny
have the honor 10 report myself you in person. in state
| of arrest, and TO make the following REQUESTS:
= copy OF the charges filed against me by the said
General.
?. copy Of the orders under which the said General
brought back from California the United States myself and
the Typographical party Of which formerly had the command
g. copy OF the communication from Senator Benton
asking for my and trial the charges made n the
newspapers against and which application from him
| adopt and make my
A. That charges and specifications in addition to those
MED by Geneal keamy be made out in form against me.
on all the newspaper publications which have or shall
come to the knowledge of the Office and all other nforma
ton, oral or written
g. That may have trial as soon as the witnesses now in
the United States be got to Washington for although
testimony of the voice of California through some of its
most respectable inhabitants essential me- and also that
OF Commodore Stockton who has not yet arrived from that
province yet will not wish the delay of waiting for these
fadistant witnesses, and will go into trial on the testimony
now in the United Staiespar Of which is in the State Of
Missouri and may require thirty days get Washing
u
These requests have the honor to make and hone thew
VIII be found to be just and will be granted wish full
trial. and speedy The charges against me by Briga
der General kearny, and the subsidiary made
against me in newspapers, when in this country
impeach me In all the departments Of my conduct (mlary
civil political and mora) while in California and ftrue
would subject me to be casered and shos the
and articles OF war, and to- nfamy in public opinion Il
my intention to meet these charges and accusations in all
their extent that purpose upon every point
OF allegation or nsinuaon against me- waving all objections
tn forpnc and chroo
all possible testimony These charges and accusations are so
general and extensive the whole field of nv opera
tons IN California, both civil and military from the beginning
70 the end OF hostiies and as operations and those Of
which the subject object to almost eyery act
and event which occurred in the country during the evenu
peod OF those hostities the testimony my trial will be
the history of the conquest of California and the exposition
OF the policy which has been heretofore pursued there and
the eucdation of that which should be followed hereafter
II will be the Of giving valuable information to the
Government which might otherwise be able to obtain
and thus enlghen 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
ought to know, not only with respect the conduct
oce but also in regard the policy Observed
to be Observed with regard the threeod population Spa
nish-A Americans Anglo-Americans and Aboriginal
cans) which that remote province contains Viewed under
these aspects Of public interest my own personal concern in
the tria-aheady sufficiently graveacqures additional
and public importance and for these high Objects well as
to vndcate my character from accusations both capital
anu lnlamous is my intention to and to
the most searching examination every thing has been
done in that quarter.
The public mind has become impressed with the belief that
great misconduct has prevailed in California and fact
would be something the history Of conquests
and Governments, where every petty commander might feel
himself invested with proconsuate authority and protected by
distance from the supervision of his Government nothing
cupabe has been done by the public agents the
United States in that province The public believes
it, and the charges filed against by Bgadier General
Keany-the subsidiary publications made against whilst
was not in this country-my the frontier and the
premonory rumors of that eventthe of my being
brought home for trial. not in rons newspapers sup
po but in chains stronger than ron and with
OF ostentaous and Calling degradaon-have all combined
present me as the great maefactor and the sole
Heretofore have said nothing, and could have said no
thing in my defence. ignorant of all that go
ing on against ignorant of the charges from Cafor-
MIA Ignorant OF the intended arrest and Of the subsidiary
publications to prejudice the public mnd What pub
lished in the United States in my favor by my friends
done upon their view of things here, and of which
knew nothing. II only my arrival at the frontiers of
the United States that became acquainted with these things
which concerned nearly Brought home by General
Keamy, and marched in his rear did know of his de-
sign to arrest until the Of its execution at Fort
Leavenwoh He then informed that among the charges
which he had preferred muny disobedence ORDERS
assumption Of powers &C. and referred your Office for
particulars. Accordingly, apply for hem and ask for
full and speedy trial. not only the charges filed by the
said General but all accusations contained in the pubca-
Sons against
The private calamity which has this evening obtained for
permission from the Department TO visit South Carolina
does not create any for poponemen delay Of the
trial. any way interfere with the necessary prelinaes.
Hoping then, sir, that you will obtain and communicate
to early decision Of the proper authorities these
quests l. remain your most obedent servant,
j. G. FREMONT,
Lieut.. Colonel Mounted Rifles.