The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-05
The Conquest or California.


wherein you gave sketch Of the service of Com.
modore Stockton, recently elected to the United
States Senate by New Jersey, you state. that
.'just before the war with Mexico, he was sent 10
the Pacific by Mr.. Bancroft, then Secretary Of the
Navy, to command the squadron; and he greatly
aided Colonel Fremont In the conquest OF Califor-
MIA" THIS is a very great mistake, and as the
quite long enough at the expense of others, who
justly entitled to the honor of having conquer
ed California, 1t is time that history and the coun-
try should be put right upon the subject; and, as
you are ever ready TO do justice to all parties,
doubt not you will be willing to be corrected in
this particular.
After sour flag had been hoisted at Monterey,
and Commodore Sloat had given the command of
the operations on shore to Commodore Stockton,
Colonel Fremont, then second lieutenant of topo-
graphical engineers, and srevet captain in the
army, volunteered, with the force under his COM
mand, to serve under Commodore Stockton, who
gave him the appointment of major of volunteers,
and ordered that part Of the California battalion,
(i60 strong) then at Monterey, to proceed to San
Diego in the sloopofwar Cy ane, for the purpose of
cutting Oft the retreat of General Castro; whilst
Commodore Stockton, with the crew Of the frigate
Congress, would attack the enemy in front OF Los
Angeles Colonel Fremont having marched by the
coas. road from San Diego to Los Angeles did not
meet the enemy, they having taken the road lead
ing out of California TO Sonora.
The Californisns having been dispersed at this
time (August, lSio), Stockton and Fremont pro-
ceeded to the north, where Commodore Stockton
les in September, He Immediately ordered FIRE.
mont TO proceed in the ship Stirling, with $50 men,
TO Santa Barbara, from thence 10 march to the
succour Of the garrison at Los Angeles Having
| spoken the ship Vandalia at sea, which gave him
an account of the success Of the Cahfornians over
| Mervine, near San Pedro, Fremont wore ship and
stood for Monterey, to recruit larger force. 10
| have satisfs cion out Of the Califomians" Whilst
| this was being done, Commodore Stockton had
| concentrated his squadron at San Diego, and with
the CO operation Of two companies of the mounted
| rifiemen, made all the preparations for march
/ upon Los Angeles, lbs miles distant. October,
| November, and December passed, and nothing
was heard OF the march OF Fremont for the South.
/ General Kearny arrived, with his small force OF
/ waywom troops, early in December.
| Stockton and kearny took up the march from
San Diego, December 29th, 1S46; fought the battles
| of San Gabriel and La Mesa, January Sth and OH,
1917, and our forces reentered Los Angeles on the
l0th and the first word heard OF Fremont was that
1 after having explored the summit OF Mount santa
nyez, he had arrived, at the head OF some hive hun
dred volunteers, near the mission OF San Fernando,
andswag making treaty OF peace with a small party
Come sixty strong) Of CalfornIans, under Andreas
i Pco, who had been found near the mission
| of San Gabriel by Jesus Pico (afler the force
\ under Flores had been disposed aud scattered by
stockton, at La Mesa), and had been induced by
Jesus Pico TO go TO San Fernando, to make a
treaty of capitulation; and from this sprung the
| famous treaty Of CoueDza, which was not con.
/ irmed by Commodore Stockton until alter the
| commissioners were reassembled in Los Angeles,
| TOT purpose OF having an dfNCle inserted
therein, TO liberate Americans from their paroles,
| such clemency having been extended to the enemy,
| whilst our own countrymen had been forgotten.
\ Colonel Fremont was not in o1e single battle,
nor under fire during the war ia California; and,
| although lac went TO the North CONTRARY to in
structlons), and did not CO operate with Commodore
| stockton, as was expected. he was under that
| officers command from ~ h July, 1876, to 18th
January, 1917, when he received the appointmen nj
\ OF governor OF the territory, from Commodore
| stockton Tin accordance with previous promise)
| snd when the latter Withdrew his force from
/ shore service
The plans Of the two campaigns, and all or
ders respecting the operations, emanaied from
Commodore stockton; and, although left entirely
without resources, without money or clothing, and
avery small supply Of provisions IL is 10 his eHergy
and decision, bis boldness and fearlcssness OF re-
sponsibillty, that the country is indebted for the
quick and rapid conquest Of California.
so, Mr.. Editor, please correct page ia history,
| mat the country may give "honor to whom honor
| 10 due" and you will confer favor upon
Truth AND JuSTfCE,