The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-07-15
FREM NTs
Or, the ride Of One Hundred.

Al TIC carly pdTt vi tIic year lcfi, Uuei-
ness called me to Alta California. Having
been long resident on the Pacific coast, and
being familiar with the language and custom
of the people, l was selected to effect large
contract Of hides for one of our eastern firms,
the trade being nearly paralyaed at the time,
by the war then in progress between our
country and Mexico, where a handful Of noble
men were accomplishing deeds which have
given them place in history by the side of
Leonidas and his braves. The CALIFORNIA;
had become to us desideratum; although
their mineral wealth still sumbered, waiting
for that cnchantcr Of modern days, Yankee
enterprise; their splendid harbors, the cop
tiguity of our possessions in Oregon, and the
facilities for trade with China, were suffci-
ent incentive. Commodore Stockton had
hurried up from Callao in the frigate Con-
gress, and Gen. Keamey had crossed the
plains from the Missouri River with force
Of armed hunters for the purpose of taking
the country and holding il as guage for
satisfactory treaty.
The native Calfornians, who had long
groaned beneath the imposts Of distant
government and vcnial governors, had them
selves invited our overtures; but few Of
their leaders, with deadly hatred toward
the Yankee, and hope of personal reward
from Mexico, were assiduously cndeavoring to
stir the people up to q revolt-in many cases
with too great success. Manuel Castro, "a
wealthy and influential ranchcro, noted for
his determined opposition TO all change, and
enmity to the "Gringos," had arranged for an
attack on the Pueblo los Angeles, the head
quarters of Kearney, held by n small force of
mariners and volunteers. His agents were in
all parts of the country, inhaming the inhab-
itants, and urging them to join him. BY
somc means his plan leaked out.
| was at this time at the ranch of my old
friend General Martinez Vallejo, on the Sen
oma Greek; my companion was Capt. D.,
who has since espoused one of our hosts
! daughters Vallejo was one Of the largest
| land owners in California, owning some sixty
square miles, with forty thousand head Of
cattle, and several hundred horses; cattle and
| horses at that time being mans available
wealth. He had been formerly military gov
ernor Of the country, and was considered fair
| spoil by our people, though, in Justice must
state he was kindly disposed towards tho A
mericans. The house was q substantial edi-
flee Of two stories, surrounded by corrall
with a stout gateway; the household consist
cd Of some twenty persons.
We had all retired to rest and were wrap
ped in slumbcr when the loud barking Of
dogs and hallooing Of men aroused us sud-
denly from Our dreams. Expecting an attack
from the Bear Party, Ia band OF lawless dos
paradoes who infested the country.) all rush
ed to the court yard armed as the time per-
mtted, and in costumes the most picturesque,
as primitiveness is usually considered so. The
General, sabre in hand. came last; he chal-
lcneed the intrudcrs with:
"Quien es la?" (who is thcrc)
"Americanose amigos, abre In puerta."-
| (Americans and friends, open the gate,) was
the response, a blow accompanying the words
that made the floor shake again.
The demand was pcrforce complied WITH
and a band of some fifty were presented to
our view, mounted and arrayed as trappers
and hunters, AMI armed to tho teeth. Fore
most'among them, on a black mustang, was
small sincwy, dark man, evidently their
leader with San eve like Mars to thrr atcn and
command" countonancc expressive of the
greatest determination, and bearing that,
notwithstanding his rough dress stamped him
ms one born 10 command-to lead.
This was Fremont.
oI am an officer of the United States"
said he; l am on my way to LosAngelos; |
must have horses.
"But-" said Vallejo
81 said, sir, I must have them; you will
be recompensed by my government. order
you, sir, to deliver to my men what horses
you may have in corrall."
Finding remonstrance would be of no avail
with such man, Vallejo called his vanqueros
and gavc the requisite directions. In the
meanwhile my friend D made himself
known to Fremont, having met him at Wash
ington
"I have information Of Castro's intention TO
attack Los Angeles / Ibave six days to reach
there before the outbreak, for that need
these horses; for must be in at the DEATH
"But the distance; six hundred miles,
said D, "the roals-"
81 shall do it." he replied, and turned away
to supervise his arrangements.
In half an hour they departed as uncere
moniously ms they came, taking with them
some three hundred horses, and leaving US
astoundcd at this raid, to wonder if we were
vet awake, or whether it was all an unsub
stantial dream.
"Los diables," exclaimed the general, they
have taken nv wife's saddle horse! so thor
oughly had Fremont's lieutenant executed
his order.
F~om Sonama to Ycrba Buena, the it'll,
hamlet where now stands the queen city Of th'
Pacific, San francisco, he augmented hi
stock 30 the number Of fifteen hundred, com
, plctcly clearing the country; and then com
, mcnced ono Of the most peculiar races for
fight ever probably known. Barely pulling
, bride to devour steak cut from tho quartz
of scarce dead bullock; driving before then
! their spare horscs-on, on they won't; th
roads ut all times bad, at this season wer
horrible, fifty miles being a hard days jour
5 ney,. even for q Californian.
n As their exhausted beasts dropped unde
them, they tore of their saddles placing then