Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-29

sor Benton written al Los Angeles Sd Of February s47
received by him in May ST. Louis, and sent TO the Pre
dent his readng whose endorsement Is on the back in his
own hand writing stating it TO received Mr.
Christopher Carson the 9Th day Of June. Had not been
for the treatment have recevedthe secret purpose to arrest
the accumulated charges the publications against me and
other circumstances of the prosecuon should have been
willing have read that paper TO the Court sole defence
against this charge Of mutiny As things copy from
merely passages which illustrate what have said Of the
effects Of that march from Monterey and the captuaton Of
Couenga
sKnowng well the Of the Cabinet aud satisfied that
great national unite California TO
sister State by voluntary expression OF the popular WILL
had in all marches through the country and in all my in
tercouse with the people, acted invariably IN strict
with this mpression to which naturally further led by
my own feelings had kept my troops under steady restraint
and discipline and permitted TO them wanon outrage
Sas S Shown the Il course have
Throughout the Califognian population
there is only feeling Of satisfaction and gratitude to myself
against put themselves at my disposition and say
me, pIua used segi~o dlerme listed live safe
sleep sae; ourselves will watch tranquility Of the
country nothing happen which shall not be known to
you The unavaing saction the part of own
people was easily repressed the treaty was ratified"
terminate nv narrative at the capiulaton Of Couenga
because at that point got into communication with my two
superor became involved in their difficulties and the events
began for which am prosecuted From this point the ey
dence begins MY narrative, intended to be brief and rapid
necessary the understanding OF my position In Calf
nia and brings the point OF the particular offences
charged against me.
specification under for dsobeyng the negative order of
Gen. Kearny in relation the reorganization Of the Caor.
MIA battalion Gov Stockton order to reorganze
it Gen. Keany order not to reorganize this
on the 10th Of January in the night The next morning
informed Cen Keany by letter. that thought he and Gov
Stockton ought adjust the question OF rank between them
selves and, until that was done, should have to obey
Com Stockton heretofore and gave statement OF
facts and reasons my Justification This letter constitutes
the alleged of mutny the ingredient Of corrupt mo-
tve in trying trade for governosap, has been since add
- a,I ffrtr utpaaa
for himself On the first day Of his examination General
Kearny testifes thus:
On the day subsequent 18th January, Lieut. Col
him whether he had received my communication Of the day
previous He acknowledged the receipt of it; and stated
that he had written reply and left it with hs cferS to be
copied ,...,, 80 .o,, ia, v.r.. !,
his hand which Lieut. Fremont took, overlooked and
then used pen upon my table sign it his c rk having
told him that the signature wanting it. lie then hand
70 as %s w ress e o0
ayng finished the reading Of it, told himI was an older
than hnself that much older soldier than him,
had great respect and regard for his wife and
great friendship for his ahernaw COL Benton from whom
had received many of kndness that these consdea
induced volunteer advice to him and the advice
was that he should take the letter back and dsroyi that
Milling 70 forget h. Lieut. Col Fremont declined taking
port him in the position taken in that letter. told him that
Com Stockton could him in disobeying the orders
of his senior officer and that ifhe peSsedn II he would nH-
quesonaby himself He told me that Com Stockton was
about organize ciU geSennen aud intended to appoint
i
had no such authority That authority having been conferred
by the President Of the United States He asked
pected shortly to leave California for Missouri that ha
previously leaving Santa Fe asked permission do
and in hopes OF receiving that soon as the country
should be qusted should probably organize civil
government andthat Tat that time knep Of objections 10 a
painting him The Govnor e then stated TO me that he
would Com. Stockton, and that unless nc APPOINTED him
Governor at once he would NOT obey his esi and he left
me.o
This is the evidence on which the prosecution rests the con-
thaf and
this point the defence begins and will be directed at
both motive and fact and with the belief Of showing each to
be untrue.
First as to the probability of this testimony all that i'm
putes dshonorabe conduct which presented
the motive of the mutiny.
hold to be improbable its face, and self evidently
unworthy Of credit represents coming to General
Kearnys quarters without invitation signing letter in his
presence which had directed be broughae me, giving
it to him read and refusing to take back and accept his
pardon and oblivion for having written it, The writing Of
the letter avowed the outset of the trial the question
now upon what passed the time OF its delivery. The
letter contained which placed my refusal to obey his
order high grounds of fact and law the testimony
sents descending from all those high
the low and base proposal Of virtually selling myself TO the
best bidder himself Commodore Stockton for governor
ship According TO the testimony, the proposal was abrupt
I" He asked me whether would appoint him governor -
And this sudden offer sell myself, in in which the
purchaser would be about ccnsurab the seller far from
exciting indignation to have been coureous enter
tanned and far from being Instantly rejected seemed to be
accepted provided little time given for payment. "I
(Gen K then told him that expected shortly oleave Ceo
for Missouri &c., and that that time, knew Of no OBJ
jecons appointing him governor THUS be had no OBJ
lection TO the Transaction only wanted little time for per-
Torrance. the contrary for prompt work for the
testimony Immediately says " He then stated to that he
would Com Stockton, and unless he appointed him
enor once he would obey his orders and he left
This spirit Of trade with its very language aud action
with the clear implication that Immediately went to Com
Stockton and coming back had received the appointment
Now all this is Too cool and quick Il Is rpro-
bable its face, especially coupled with the fact that
left the letter in his hands, after his warning OF unqueston
able ruin, which constitutes the alleged act of mutny
and put myself compklcly his power both for the fact
and the alleged motive. The testimony is improbable
Secondly. hold it to be invadated the crossexami-
nation.
This is the next point Of view in which propose to
inc this part Of the testimony After his examination came
his and by Of that probe and sharp
seacher after truth, out many circumstances to inva
date the first swearing Thus the testimony opens with
ing, Lieut.. Col Fremont came TO my quarters &c, the
inference being that came Of my head and, from the
sudden in which opened the subject the further in
ference being that for the govenorshp; and third in
being from my sudden exit and to Com
Stockton that my whole business 10 from which
could get the governorshp Now If did not come
Of my headif Gen. Keay himself actually sent FOR
and desired busneeshen all these nfcrences
injurious me, fall to the ground and the very first
words spoken by the Witness though literally true, become
testimony, and mpat character TO the interview
which the truth requires be reversed Now let how
the fact Is.
On the eighth day of the trial this question was put Gen.