Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-08-15
COL. FRENoNT's RELIGION.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor Ray
mond, Of New York.

this morning:
New York. Tuesday, July 30, 1856.
My Dear Sir Your favor of the LIST
ought to have been answered long ago.
but absence and business must plead my
excuse.
| am not surprised to hear that the
rumors so widely circulated concerning
Colonel Fremont's religion should have
the effect of calling some, who sympa-
thize thoroughly with his sentiments in
regard to the extension of slavery. to
hesitate about pledging themselves to
his support. But so far as these ru-
mors assert, or imply, that he is Ro
man Catholic, they are without the slight
est foundation in fact.
| presume that, from proper motives
of delicacy and self-respect, Col. FIRE.
mont will not publish anything himself
on the subject, or take any part person
ally in the canvass. But he converscs
with the utmost freedom upon these top
les, as upon all Others he has no de-
sire or disposition to practice any con-
cealment of his religious opinions ; and
have no reason to suppose that he
would desire others to do so in his be-
half.
Col Fremont is not now. nor has he
ever been a Roman Catholic. His ia.
ther dying when he was five years old,
he was educated exclusively in Protes-
tant school, and at the age of sixteen was
confirmed, Of his own motion. and from
sincere conviction, in the Protestant
Episcopal Church, of which he has con-
tinued ever since to be member. Not
one of his own children has ever been
sent to Roman Catholic school, though
| believe an adopted daughter attended
for a short time the seminary at George
town, of which the pupils generally arc
largely Protestant. That this ought to
be construed to his prejudice. even by
the most Jealous Protestants.is sufficient
ly shown by the fact that Mr.. Fillmore
sent his own daughter to Roman Cath
Ole seminary at Buffalo for purposes OF
special instruction yet no one ever IN
ferred from this circumstance that he HIM
self was not a Protestant.
Colonel. Fremont's marriage was cele-
brated by Catholic priest; but this
was in consequence of the difficulty, il
not impossibility, Of procuring any eth
er clergy to perform it. The ceremony
was IN private room. was very short
and simple. snd did not imply any assent
on his pat or that of his wife, to tie
doctrines Of the Roman Catholic Church:
nor was either of them required or re-
quested on that occasion to give any
pledges that their children should be
brought up in that faith. They have all
been baptized and educated in the Prot
estant Episcopal Church.
Inc statements which Alderman Full
mer, of this city is said to hare author
ized' to the effect that in March. 1852,
he saw Colonel Fremont Joining in the
religious services of a. Roman Catholic
Ihurch at Washington, and that in a
subsequent conversation with him At
dinner at Browns Hotel. Colonel FIRE.
mont declared himself Catholic. and a
believer In the peculiar doctrines of that
Church, are entirely untrue.
Colonel Fremont was not in the CITY Of
ashlnston at all during the wear 1852
iie lett New York for California in
March, 1850. He returned in the steam
er George Law, which reached New
1ork on the 9th of March, 1852 and
remaining in that city four DAYS, he left
on the 10Th, IN the steamer Africa, for
Europe. and did not return until June,
1888. l understand that Alderman
sumner exhibits a receipt from Browns
Hotel. dated March I, 1852. for four DAYS
board. This makes it certain that the
Alderman s stay there terminated on the
that the alleged conversations
taken place previously to tina,
date- But as Colonel Fremont did not
reach New York from California until
the 9th, it is impossible that he should
have been connected with them, especial
ly as he remained in New York until
his departure for Europe. and did not
visit Washington at all.
He has no recollection of having evor
dined at Browns Hotel until this last
winter, since 184l, or of having ever
seen Alderman Fulmer, there or elsewhere
The Alderman, am informed. is man
who would not be likely to make such
statements unless he believed them to be
true. But it is very certain that he has
fallen into very gross error somehow.
probably by installing some other per.
son with whom he may have held the
conversation in question, for Col. FIRE.
mont. He owes it to his own character,
as we'll as to justice, to take steps to
confirm, or to correct the accuracy of his
recollections in this matter.
You may rely upon the entire anthem
ITCHY of the statements | have thus
made in reply to your inquiry for the
s'facts." In the present state of the
public mind, and in view of the earnes,
and persevering Misrepresentation of the
truth, you may think it desirable tina,
they should be generally known. If so
you are quite at liberty to make them
public, and to add that they are given
as the result. Of conversations with Col.
Fremont himself.
am, very truly. yours,
HENRY J. RAYMOND.