Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-10
HON. J. G. FREMONT.

The history of this young man is highly inter
estng. A few years ago he was Lieutenant IN tht
army, and an attache 10 the corps of Topographica
Engineers. His businesscalle1 him much to Wash
ington where he became acquainted with the secohC
daughter of the Hon. Thomas H. Benton. Young
viyacous and ambitious this STRIPPING in epaneues
had The temerity TO ask the yonng lady's hand il
marriaqe-no outstanding he knew men much
higber In authority had solicited the same in vain
Miss Benton most readily consented, so far as she
gas concerned but intimated that she had u Fath.
! 8, who had manifested some degree of interest ia
her welfare, and wight Want to se sonsulieen the
matter. She laid the "proposal" beflre the old
gentleman. He objected to the proposition in toto
"His daughter educated for Prince was not going
to mary a Corporal" Fremont was forbidden ia
enter his domic, and Miss Benton was put under
guard. "O6 Tom" had overacted the matter. He
did not then know the young Lieutenant. His
daughter, too, took that occasion to show her
Benton, and as "Old Tom" had stuck to the "Ex-
pungng Resolutions" she was bound TO stick to her
Young lover against all the world. The next the
anxious father knew of his once devoted daughter,
she had escaped her keepers, and in private parlor
at Gadsby's Hotel was nterchanging vows before
a magistrate with the banished Lieutenant.
AT first the old man ragged, but soon was made
acquainted with the metal Of his new son-n-law, a
reconciliation took place, and in Old Tom, FIRE.
mont has not only had friend, but an admirer ev-
or since.
His travels, researches, scientific explorations
and feats Of valor and suffering in the Far West,
are events known TO the world, and we may say
without parallel.
His collision with Kearuey in California brought
him before the country in new light. he was
- 4foob III ndo Of
and technically was so convicted on trial by Court
Marsha! demanded by himself. But the country
acquitted him, and although reprimanded by the
President, he was applauded by the people. We
saw him confront the witness of the Government
in the most frank and gallant style. "Old Tom"
sat by him as counsel, and "soitary and alone" he
encountered the craft of Kearney and The contume-
ly of Naval and Military Court, ,preudiced against
the aspiring young Leutanant, then luxurlatlng
with the rank of Colonel. Dismissed from the ar
my, he scorned to be re1stated but he recommend
ed his explorations on his own account He raised
company of men and started for California by a
new route with exit Carson" his famous guide at
their head Ten of his men he lost in the noun
tains by being mbeded in snow and literally starv-
ine and freezing to death. With the remnant he
reach San Francisco, and has been spending the
summer in the mines. In the meantime commits
sion reaches him superceeding Col. Weller as Boun-
dairy Commissioner under the late treaty with Mex.
leo. This he declines, and the next we hear of him
he is elected United State Senator from the New
State of California and probably set sail in the Jan
uary steamer for Panama, on his way TO Washing
ton.
Mr. Fremont is hardly of medium size, spare and
light, with dark hair and eyes. His temperament is
nervous, his counenance is highly intellectual and
pleasant, and his manners agreeable He will be the
Youngest member of the Senate, his age being less
than forty. With The exception Of Sam Houston,
no Senator in that body can boast of SO eventful a
life.