The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-10-22


ENwoRTH IN IS47-We recorded, not long since,
a cranky act Of Col. Benton, in refusing to enter
Fort Leavenworlh, or receive the inequalities Of
the present officers, because Gel Fremont had been
inhospiiaDly treated at that post two years ago. by
a former set Of officers. Col. Benton pronounced
the spot aacursed, and fed from it as though the
Injustice Of the men whose feet once trOd it had
made it sterile and poisonous
This notion of marking the soil of a particular
place for avoidance forever, because an ungracous
act had been committed there, could hardly occur
to any man NOT absorbed in the contemplation of
his own Importance, and sedulousy cultivating all
his own sensations aud preudices. He felt a slight
to his son-in-law, and brooded over it until he has
persuaded himself that every one ought TO take
part with him, and make the place a desert, for
having witnessed disrespset to q connection of
Benton's.
But it is by no means certain that the Colonel
has not made a mistake in this matter. 1t may be
that there was only an accidental omission Of
forms of courtesy, which a candid explanation
would account for satisfactorily. We never heard
any proofs Of the charge that Fremont was design
eddy sighted at Fort Leavenworth, and we now
have an explanatory letter from the chaplain of the
Fort at the time, cOnradctng, in the most explicit
manner, the charge that there was any slight
passed intended by the officers or that there was
any sentiment expressed towards him at that time
other than that of admiration for his great and
praisewOrhy services
The letter is signed by Ieander Kerr, Chaplain
in the Army, and is published in the Missouri (St
Louis Republican, of the 18th. 1t gives aarra-
tive of the circumstances attending Col. FrGmont's
visit That officer had encamped three mixes from
the Fort ona Sunday; Gen Kearny was at the Fort
and between him and Col. Fremont hostile reIa-
lions had been established. Col. Fremont was
sent for by Gen. Kearny, and put under arrest just
at the time when the officers and their families were
at dinner. Some did not see him, and others,
knowing that he had come for hostile interview,
torbOre seeking him in the Generals quarters,
Fremont Immediately returned to his camp, and
preparations made by the officers to ride over
and see him, when they were told that he had
| broke up his camp and gone forward. Mr., Kerr
| affirms that had Col Fremont come into the Fort
he would have been Hospitality received; that ac-
| cident and feeling of delicacy towards him pre-
vented them from seeking him while he was with
Kearny; that they designed going to see him i'm
mediately, and were only prevented because he
started off instantly; and that among the whole
corps there was not a man that had an unkind
feeling towards Fremont, that had taken sides
in the matter between him and Kearny, or that
was not anxious to show him respect and honor.
This is the substance of Mr.. Kerr's explanatory
letter, and though we do not expect it will satisfy
old Billions wrath, it ought to be taken by the
public as good evidence in favor of the assailed
officers until proof to the contrary is produced.