Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-10-15

Hugh Campbell and Peter Mccall, of Phila-
delphia, Commissioners to take depositions of
witnesses for Col. Fremont in PENNSYLVANIA.
They were to be sworn and then administer
oaths to interpreters, clerks, &c.-the testi-
mony SO taken to be sent under seal to Sir
James Parke, Chief Justice of the Common
Pleas.
mr.. SUCHANAN'S EVIDENCE.
James Buchanan, of the County of Lancas-
ter, in the State of Pennsylvania, gentleman.
called, sworn and examined, as a witness on
the part of the said defendant, deposcth and
saith, to such Of the several interrogatories as
are respectively distinguished by the number
set opposite to, and placed at the commence
ment of each of his answers thereto, as fol-
lows, that is to say
Question.-What is your name, your pres
ent residence: and your profession:
Answer.-My name is James Buchanan, my
present residence is in Lancaster county, Pa,
and am not engaged in any particular occu-
patton, business or employment.
Q.-Do you know the defendant in this
cause, and how long have you been acquainted
with him
Al do know the defendant in this cause,
and have been acquainted with him at least ten
years.
Q.-Where were You residing in the year
IS47 ?
Am the city of Washington.
Q.-Were you then personally acquainted
with the defendant ?
Al was.
n did a.
year?
Al did see the defendant during that
year, but not till after his return from Califor-
MIA, in the latter end of summer or commence
ment of autumn of that year
Q.-Was the defendant then, or at any 9th
time, in the service of the United States
Government
A.-The defendant was in the service of the
U. S. Government as Lieut.. Col. of the Regi-
ment of Mounted Ri1emen throughout the
whole of that year; he was appointed to this
Office in the latter end of May, 1886 he had
been for six more years previously a Lieu
tenant in the corps of Typographical Engi-
neers. in which the brevet of Captain had been
conferred upon him for meritorious service in
his exploring expeditions.
Odd the defendant in the year 1647 hold
any, and if any, what office or offices under the
said Government, and did he hold the said Of
fees or any of them, in the month OF May,
1917
A.-During the whole year he held the Of
fee of Lieut.. Col. in the regiment of Mounted
Rflemen.
Q.-Do you know who was the Military Com
mandant and Governor of California, within
the territory of the United States in the year
1917
Al know that in the first months of that
year there was a dispute between Colonel Fre-
mont, the defendant, and General Kearney, of
the United States army, as to which of them
was the legitimate Military Commandant and
Governor of California, and this dispute ex
listed throughout the month Of March, 1S47
after this time General Kearney was the un-
disputed Military Commandant and Governor
of California till the beginning of June, when
he was succeeded by Col. Mason, Of the Uni
ted States Army, who continued in this posi-
tion until after the end of the year.
O.-Do you know who was the person in
actual command of the land forces of the Gov
ernment of the United States in California in
the year 1S47, and in the month OF March IN
that yearl
A.-Col. Fremont, the defendant, was IN
California at the commencement OF hostiiitles
between the United States and the Repubilc
of Mexico; he there raised and commanded
n battalion of California Volunteers, consls-
ting of about four hundred men; his servi-
ces were valuable; he bore a conspicuous part
in the conquest Of California, and, in my opin-
inn. is better entitled TO be called the CONQUE-
ron OF CALIFORNIA than any other man.
He continued in the actual command OF the