Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-04-26
from the Buffalo Patriot
must die

Among the petitions recently presen-
ted 10 Congress is one from Lieut.. Col.
FREMONT. so extraordinary in its charac.
ter, and the light it sheds upon the origin
of the war with Mexico. that il deserves
some attention. We copy the first para
graph, Us follows:
"That in June Of The year 1916, being
then brevet captain Of Typographical en-
gincers in the service oftllc United States,
and employed as such in California, he
engaged in military operations with tho
people OF the country for the establishment
Of the independence Of California before
the existence of war between the United
States and Mexico was known, and was
successful in said undertaking; the inde-
pendence of California Being proclaimed
AZ :>ofon'a on the 9th day Of July, and
the Mexican forces routed and dispersed.
That, Immediately on hearing Of this war
between the United States and Mexico,
the flag ofindepcndence was pulled down
and that Of the United States ran up in
its place, and under this flag military ser.
vice was rendered 10 the United States un.
til the conquest was complete. and sup
plies obtained from the people mostly on
credit of certificates given for them
That, alter the conquest, temporary
government was formed; the expenses Of
which like those incurred for military op.
erations. are mostly yet unpaid, should
be paid by the United States, to whom all
the benefits Of the conquest Of California
have accrued l.. t.-
The first though: that will occur to ev-
cry one on reading this is, how happen.
ed il that an officer to typographical en-.
gineers, in the service ofthe L nited States,
was employed, as such. in California,
and, while there. why did he engage in
military operations with the people ofthat
country to accomplish successful revolt
from the government Of a country with
which the government ofthe United States
was atthat time supposed to be at peace7
The mere fact that an officer ofthe United
States prefers a claim to Congress for COM
pensation on account OF services that, by
every rule Of our own and international
law. should cause his dismissal from the
service. is. in itself. a remerk able illustra.
ton of the dcmoralizing effect of :he war,
and the hollowness Of all the admin,stra.
TONS professions in regard to it,. In con.
nection with the letter Of instructions, ed.
dressed by Mr.. BANCROFT. Secretary Of
the Navy, TO the Commander ofthe United
States Squadron in the Pacific, anterior to
the breaking out Of the war, il shows Z
foregone conclusion on the part Of the ad-
ministration to make war and to seize up.
on and hold California. at any hazard
Under that letter Of instructions. the port
Of Monterey was taken long before news
Of the actu1l existence Of war had reach.
ed the Pacific.
! Bot tasrc Is yet another view Of This
matter not less interesting 10 those who
will be called upon to pay for the belliger.
emf propensities Of Mr.. Polk and his I'd.
ministration. According TO the report Of
Mr.. CAss, from the Senate's COMMITTEES.
on Military Affairs, to whom the petition.
or memorial, was referred, the amount
that this government and people shosld
pay to defray the expenses Of the assis-
lance rendered by a brevet Captain Of
United States typographical engineers 10
i the people Of California in a establishing
] their independence before the exisfence
Of the war with Mexico was known. and
maintaining it afterwards. is six hundred
thousand. or possibly seven or eight hun-
bred thousand dollars. Rather alssee
bill to pay for young brevet captainNt "a
wishes TO vary the monotony Of civil d.
ties by bit Of . row. and playina q revo.
luton. Some Of the items, TOO, a.. fbr IN.
stance, six thousand horses taken for n.
use Of the government Of the U. Staaes.
in other words to furnish suitable cav.I.
cade for this ambitious brevet captain.
whose misfortune it Is to be-
4 '.son.in-law
To very magnificent, three-tailed b.
shaw -
several thousand cattle. rifles. saddles,
ad Ibitum. provisions &c &c Mh,,