Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-07-16

With small body of men, Fremont
afterwards embarked, according to Com.
Stockton's orders for Santa Barbara; but
on his way hearing that, of all South
California, only San Diego was left in
the hands of the Americans, and that no
horses could be procured there, he 1e-
turned to Monterey, to mount his men
and march overland. He errived Oc-
tober eth, and was agreeably surprised
to learn that the President had appointed
him Lieut.. Colonel in the United States
army. Itwas unsolicited by him or any
of his friends; and it sanctioned all that he
had done from the first. (He had done
it with so little assurance of being ap-
proved by the gOvernment-though he
hoped his country would bear him out
that he had sent to Col. Benton, with
the account of what he had done, res.
ignatiOn of his commission, to be given
if the government disapproved.)
In December, Col. Fremont, at the
head of four hundred mounted men, COM
menced his march soulhward, and on
his way surprised and took possession of
San Louis Ovispo, where he found Don
Jesus Pico, who had been male pris-
oner on the plains of Salinas, but had
broken his parole and was at the head of
the insurrection! He was tried by a
court martial and condemned to death,
but was pardoned by Col. Frcmont-a
wise act, by which he was attached TO
the latter for ever after, in faithful SER
vice and the hearts of friends, among
whom was the Governor, Pico, were
won. Col. Fremont "being satisfied, /"
as he wrote TO Col. Benton, in another
private letter, "that it was a great na-
tional measure to unite California to the
Union, as a sister Stae, by voluntary
expression of the popular will" proceed
ed with great wisdom and forbearance,
and marched all the way to Los Angeles,
four hundred miles without spilling a
drop Of blood. but "conquering a peace
by clemency and justice. At Couenga
he found the enemy in large force,
and sent word TO them to lay down their
arms. They demanded a conference.
In company with his new friend Don Je-
sus Pico, he went to their camp alone,
and found them ready to capulate.-
Terms were agreed upon, that were SUBJ
sequently sanctioned by Commodore
Stockton; and laer, By the United States.
Ample testimony proved the popularity
of Colonel Fremont among the natives as
well as American Californians. from this
moment.t But the dispute concerning
the chief command, between General
Kearney and Commodore Stockton, pro-
duced difficulties. The day after Colo
mel Fremont was installed Governor,
General Kearney and Commodore Stock
ton gave TO him exactly contradictory
orders respecting the organization of the
Californa a corps. 1t was an attempt on
the part of General Kearney TO try the
question of relative power with Commo-
dore Stockton, and does not seem to have
originated in any ill.will to Col. Free
mont; General Kearney expressing 10
Colonel Russell, at the same date, that
he should make Colonel Fremont Cover
nor, if he had the chief command.
Colonel Fremont replied to his order
in writing, that if he and Commodore
Stockton would agree between them
selves which was commander.in-chief,
he would obey the superior officer; but
until that matter was settled, he had no
power to decide, he felt himself obliged
to continue to obey the commander under
whom the whole war had been condu,-
ted.
Failing to obtain from Col. Fremont,
aid in his plan Of putting Commodore
Stockton in the wrong, Kearney trans
ferred his resentment to Col. Fremont.
But this did not clearly appear until af-
ter Col. Fremont had returned in COM
pany with him, TO Fort Leavenworth,
when he ordered him 10 be arrested, and
charged him with mutiny, disobedience
to orders, and irregular conduct!
A court martial was summoned and,
before it, in his testimony, he attempted
to fasten on Colonel Fremont dishonor-
able charge of corrupt motive.
The defence of Colonel Fremont is be-
fore the country. The documents, con-
nected with the trial, are the only h'sto,
ry of the war yet in print, and the above
! Meaning Col. Fremont.
THAT they all glad to he rid Of the Mexican gov
ernment be easily understood by those who know
the history Of this country, from the time when Cortsz
first discovered it, in 1881 1t had been first colon Zed
ly the Jesuts, who had succeeded usual in cyiz
ing the Indians. and who succeeded in I765 by
the Franciscan moLks But these missionary COVER
drs pOtic and when Mexico became indepen-
deat OF Spain. and subsequently republican, Euchan
dria had superseded the government the monks al
together. But he himself governed with much
pacy that in 1887. it hal become independent Of Mex
leo, under AvaTadO bu had returned again under the
Mexican government, in 1910. This history he
fOurd in book Ehich nobody who has literary Tepu-
aton to defend would wish to recommend the pernsa
of the young q. ]. Farnhams Adventures in Califor
MAI But in the 4h and 5th chapters Of it is a vivid
picture Of the outrages which America and British
people were subjected under the abOmnabe rule Of she
Spanish Ca lornians; involving account of the aid
given by some American settlers Alvarodo when he
had been made Independent Of Mexico together with
the story OF his ungTatetul The strange. rho
demonade style Of the book is also INEXPENSIVE of
much Of the spirit Of adventure which is set
Ting the shores Of the Pacific.