Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-07-17
From the New YHk Evening Post.
How Fremont Ran in AT.


How Fremont Ran in Al.
lThe following sketch is from the pen of
one of the many who were fascinated by the
brilliant and dashing career of Col. Fremont
as the deiverer OF California, and who be-
came acquainted with the incidents he des-
cribes upon the spot, and from the li4s OF
parties who witnessed them. They show
that Fremont made ga good run" once, and
will 90 far t, satisfy those who are open to
conviction that he can do it again.:
FREMONT; OR THE RIDE OF THE ONE HUN
DRED.
In the early part of the year ls47, business
called me to Alta California. Having been
long resident on the Pacific coast, and be-
ing familiar with the language and customs
of the people, | was Sc ected to effect large
contract of hides for one of our eastern firms,
the trade being nearly paralized at the time
bv the war then in progress between our
country and Mexico; where handful of
noble men were accomplishing deeds which
have given them place in. history by the
side of Leonidas and his braves. The Cali
fornias had became to us desideTatum; al
though their mineral wealth still slum5ered,
waitinr for that enchanter of modern days,
Yankee enterprise; their splendid harborS,
the conligui:y of our possessions in Oregon
and the facilities for trade with China, were
O. sufficient incentive. Commodore Stockton
had hurried Up from Gallao in the frigate
Congress-, and General Kearney had crossed-
the plains from the Missouri River, with
| force of 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 imposts OF distant
government and venial governors, had them
selves invited our overtures; but few of
their leaders, with deadly hatred toward
the Yankees, and hope of personal reward
from Mexico, were assiduously endeavorlng
to stir the people up to revolt in many
cases with too great success. Manuel Gas
tro, a wealthy and influential ranshero, noted
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 70 lunteers. His agents
were in all parts of the country. indaming
the inhabitants ard urging them to join him.
Bv some means his plan leaked out.
Iwas at this time at the ranch of my old
friend, General Martinez Vallejo, on the
Senoma Creek; my companion wGs Captain
D., who has since espoused one OF
our hosts daughters. Vallejo was one OF
I the largest land-holders in California, own
| ing sume sixty square miles, with forty
thousand head OF cattle and several hundred
horses, at that time being mans available
wealth. He had been formerly military
Governor Of the country, and was considered
fair spoil by our people, though in justice J
must state that he was kindly disposed to-
ward the Americans. The house was SUBJ
stanlial edifice of two stories, surrounded by
a corral, with stout gateway; the house
hold consisted of some twenty persons.
We had all retired to rest, and wele
wrapped in slumber, when the loud barking
of dogs and haloing of men aroused US sud-
denly from our dreams. Expecting an at
tack from the bear party, "a band OF lawless
I desperadoes who infest the country) all
rushed to the courtyard, armed as we'll as
the time permitted, and IN costumes the most
t picturesque, as primitiveness is usually con-
sidered so. The General, sabre in hand
came at last; he cha llenged the intruders
: with:
"Quien es la?" (Who is there.)
"Americanos e amigos, ARA la puerta,
Americans and friends, open the gate,) was
y the response, blow accompanying the
' words that made the floor shake again.
' The demand was perforce complied with
2 and band of some fifty men were presented
to our view. mounted and arrayed as trap
4 pers and hunters, and armed to the teeth
5 Foremost among them, on black mustang
Il was small, sinewy, dark man, evidently
their leader, with ian eye like Mars, t
y threaten and command" a ceuntenance ex
I pressive of the greatest determination, an
h a bearing that, Notwithstanding his rougl
IS dress, stamped him as one born to comman
IS Ito lead.
i, This was Fremont.
ID 81 am an officer of the United States,
t, said he; 81 am on my way to Los Angeles
:; I must have horses.'
But said Vallejo.
% 81 said, sir, must have them; you wi
N be recompensed by my Government.
ef order you, sir, to deliver to my men whu
horses you may have in corrall."
,e Finding remonstrances would be of n
r. avail with such man, Vallejo called hi
l vaquerors and gave the requisite directions
ct In the meanwhile, my friend D mad
ry himself known to Fremont, having met hil
in Washington.
re 81 have information of Castro's intentio
h. to attack Los Angeles. ] have six days
y. reach there before the outbreak, for tha:
Id need these horses; for must be there at tn
he DEATH"
H. "But the distance; six hundred miles
nv said D.. "The roads"
It. 81 shall do it," he replied, and surnnt
away to SUPERVISE his arrange ments.