Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-10-02
Buchanan on Fremont.

We have until now refrained from making
afy attempts at refuting the silly charges which
the Buchanan press have attempted to feNteh
upon Col. Fremont by their resolution near tho
close of the Session for the reason that we do
not like TO make assertions until we have the
proof to back them up. We now assert that
the charges of dishonesty which the Buchanan
press is prefering against COL Fremont are but
"Disjointed fragments OF the light;
Whose household gods things,
OF itfu ancies, vain designs,
And false imaginings;"
to prove which we refer our readers to The testi-
mony of Hon. James Buchanan given in Her
Majestys Court Exchequer in London in 1852.
The Evening Post gives further explanation
of the matter, as follows:
Just at the close Of the last session of Con-
gresss two inquiries were instituted by Admin
istration Senator's one of which was designed
10 strip Col. Fremont of u portion of his we'll
earned laurels as military officer. and the 9th
er, to destroy his character as man Of ntegri
ty and tlustworthincss. The first, adopted on
the motion of Senator Thompson, of New Jcr-
sey, was introduced to furnish tho text for a
speech, afterwards made and circulated by cart
loads throughout the country under the auspices
of the Democratic National Committee, to prove
that Commodore Stockton and not Col Fremont
was the true conqueror of California the 9th
er, instituted on motion of Senator Bigler of
Pennsylvania, was designed to convey the i'm
preston that drafts drawn by Col. Fremont
upon his government for the supplies taken by
his command in California, during what was
called the Bear War, he drew for more than
the government ever received and allowed more
than a reasonable compensation for what it did
receive.
The witness whom we propose to call to the
stand held the Office of Secretary Of State dur
ng the Mexican War, was the author of the
Instructions under which Col. Fremont acted
in California, and was in a position to know
more precisely the merits and dement's of Mr..
Fremont services at that time than any other
living man. lie is at present the candidate OF
the Administration party for the Presidency. -
The reader will perceive from these facts that
our witness is a highly respectable man. and we
trust that they will treat his testimony with
respect Before he takes the stand, however,
one word of explanation
1t will be remembered that Col. Fremont was
arrested in London, in 1852, and sent to prison,
for the non payment and protest Of four drafts
amounting in all TO $40 900, drawn by him as
Governor Of California, upon Mr.. Buchanan us
secretary Of State, in favor Of f. Huffman, for
forage and supplies furnished to the California
battalion, raised and commanded by the Colo
mel during the Bear War. Mr.. Buchanan did
not pay these drafts when they were presented,
for reasons which will appear As our govern
ment could not be sued, the holders Of them
thought the shortest way Of getting the money
was to take the position that Fremont was act
ing upon his own responsibility in California,
and was personally responsible for the supplies
furnished his men Upon the trial, of course
Mr.. Bachanan's testimony became material a
commission was issued to take it. The results
of that commission are submitted to the reader
in another column lie will there find to whom
James Buchanan three years ago thought the
honor OF conquering California belonged, and
they will there find his opinion of Col. Ere
monts financial administration, so far us il
came under his notice.