Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1856-07-15
From the N. Y. Evening Post,
How Fremont Ran I'M ~.

The following sketch is from the pen of
one Of the many who were fascinated by
the brilliant and dashing career Of Col. Fre-
mont as the deliverer of California, and who
became acquainted with the incidents he
describes upon the spot, and from the lips
of parties who witnessed them. They show
that Fremont made ga good run" once, and
will go far to satisfy those who are open to
conviction that he can do it again.
FREMONT; OR THE RIDE OF THE ONE HUNDRED.
In the ea,ly part Of the year ls47, busi-
ness called me to Alta California. Having
been long a resident on the Pacific coast,
and being familiar with the language and
customs Of the people, Twas selected to eff
feet large contract Of hides for one Of our
eastern firms, the trade being nearly paral-
lied at the time by the war then in prog
ress 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 slumbered, waiting for that en-.
chanter Of modern days, Yankee enterprise
their splendid harbors, the contiguity to oul
possessions in Oregon, and the facilities fol
trade with China, were sufficient incen.
tive. Commodore Stockton had hurried W
from Gallao in the frigate Congress, ant
General Kearney had crossed the plain!
from the Missouri river, with q force o
armed hunters, for the purpose Of taking
the country and holding it as guage for ,
satisfactory treaty ....,
The native Californans, who had long
groaned beneath the impoS.s of a distsn
government and venal governors; had them
selves invited our overtures; but few o
their leaders, with, a deadly hatred towart
the Yankees, and hope Of personal reward
from Mexico, were assiduously endeavorina
to stir the people up to tevolt-in man!
cases with too great success. Manuel Cas-
tro a wealthy and influential ranchero, no
ted for determined opposition to all change
and enmity to the "Gringos, had arranged
for an attack on the Pueblos los Angeles
the headquarters Of Kearney, held by
small force Of marines and volunteers. Hi
agents were in all parts of the country, in
flaming the inhabitants and urging them Il
join him. By some means his plan leake'
out.
I was at this time at the ranch Of my ol
friend, General Martinez Vallejo, on tn
Senoma Creek, my companion was Cap
D., who has since espoused one Of ou
hosts daughters. Vallejo was one of th
largest land-holders in California, ownin
some sixty square miles, with forty thous
and head Of cattle and several hundred hort
es, at that time being mans availabl
wealth. He had been formerly militar
Governor Of the country, and was consit
, cred fair spoil by our people, though in jul
tice I must state that he was kindly di'
posed toward the Americans. The hous
was substantial edifce of two stories, SUI
rounded by corrall, with stout gatewa.
the house consisted Of some twenty person
We had all retired to rest, and were wra]
ped in slumber, when the loud barking
dogs and halloing Of men aroused us SUI
: denly from our dreams. Expecting an a
tack from the bear party, "a band Of lawle
T. desperadoes who infest the country, Q
rushed to the courtyard, armed as vel!
the time permitted, and in costumes Il
most picturesque, as primitiveness is us
. ally considered so. The General, sabre
/ hand, came last, he challenged the intr
ders with: s..
. "osisn ss "a" (who is there7) /.
. "Aausieaaos . smyOs. ara Ia pssrta
y, (Americans and friends, open the gate, W
J, the response, a blow accompanying q
1 words that made the floor shake again.
]. The demand was perforce complied wit
J, and q band Of some fifty men were presey
. ed 10 our view, mounted and aTrayed
u Jtrnppers and hunters, and srmed to I