Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-04-25
From the Bcs on Atlas.
Letter from Col. Fremont.

The following letter from Col. FREMONT
to Gov: CHARLES RoD1NsoN, of Kansas has
been handed to us by the Governor himself
with his consent that it should be published
NEW YORK, March II, 1856,
No. l76 Second-avenue.
Mr. DEAR SIR: Your letter of February
reached me in Washington some time since.
I read it with much satisfaction. 1t was a
great pleasure to find you retained so lively
a recollection of our intercourse in Califor.
MIA. But my own experience is, that per
manent and valuable friendships are most
often formed in contests and struggles. II
a man has good points, then they become
salient, and we know each other suddenly
I had both been thinking and speaking
of you latterly. The Banks balloting in the
House, and your movements in Kansas, had
naturally carried my mind back to our one
hundred and forty odd ballots in California,
and your letter came seasonably and fitly to
complete the connection. We were defeat
cd then, but that contest was only an Incl
dent in great struggle-the victory was
deferred, not lost. You have carried tc
another field the same principle, with cour-
age and ability to maintain il, and | make
you my sincere congratulations on your sue
cess, incomplete so far, but destined in the
end to triumph absolutely. l had been
waiting to see what shape the Kansas ques-
ton would take in Congress that l might
be enabled to give you some views in rela-
ton to the probable result. Nothing yet
has been accomplished, but l am satisfied
that in the end Congress will take efficient
measures to lay before the American people
the exact truth concerning your affairs
Neither you nor can have any doubt what
verdict the people will pronounce upon a
truthful exposition.
It is to be feared, from the proclamation
of the President, that he intends to recog-
nize the usurpation in Kansas as the legiti-
mate Government, and that the sedition
law, the test oath, and the means taken to
expel its people as aliens, will all, directly
or indirectly, be supported by the army Of
the United States. Your position will un-
doubtedly be difficult, but you know l have
great confidence in your firmness and prll-
dence. When the critical moment arrives
you must act for yourself. No man can give
YOU counsel. A true man will always find
his best counsel in that inspiration which a
good cause never fails to give him at the in
slant of trial. All history teaches us that
great results are ruled by wise Providence,
and we are but units in the great plan-
Your actions will be determined by events
as they present themselves; and at this dis
tance I can only say that sympathize cor
daily with you, and that as you stood by
me firmly and generously when We were de-
feated by the nulifers in California, have
every disposition to stand by you in your
battle with them in Kansas.
You see that what l have been saying is
more n reply to the suggestions which your
condition makes to me, than any answer to
your lettcr-whch more particularly re-
CARDS myself The notices you had seen Of
me in connection with the Presidency, came
from the partial disposition of my friends,
who think of mo more fiatteringIy than l
do of myself, and do not, therefore, call for
any action from us. Repeating that l am
really and sincerely gratifed in the renewal
of our friendship, or rather in the expres-
sions of it, which 1 hope will not hereafter
have so long an interval.
am yours, very truly,
J. c. FREMONT.
Gov. C. Robinson, Lawrence, Kansas.