The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-09-24
Col. Fremont before his nomination.

Col. Fremont before his nomination.
4 correspondent ofthe Washington Union
in December, I845. furnished ''an authentic
and carefully prepared account of Captain Fre-
mont" from which | take the following e1-
tracts;
Left an orphan at four yeas OF age. with
brother and sister younger than himself. his
mother, until he was seventeen, provided for
his support and education. AT that age he
began 10 provide tor himself and those con-
nec;ed with him For three years he taught
mathematics. perfectins his own education,
and giving all his earning beyond his neces-
sarv support to his mother, and the two ysun-
ger children.
Il was at this age. that the Buchaners have
lately proved him too poor to own slave. by
publishing an invoice OF his property.
The Typographical corps is ominently
scientific: and the young Fremont. never
having been at the National Military Academy
had to stand an examination before he could
be appointed board OF eminent officers
examined him He stood the test OF this Sc
we're ordeal He triumphed in his examln-
alton: and thus won his way TO place which
the enlightened patriotism OF Jackson had lald
open TO the competition OF trleudless merit
I'm 1912 Lieutenant Fremont first became
commander of a seperate expedition, and ex-
plored the country between the Mississippi
river and the Rocky Mountains, to the South
Pass and Eremout's Peak; and the brief, mod
est. military, and scientific report winch he
made OF this exploration, Immediately maze
his name known in Europe and America as
one of the distin guished explorers OF the age.
In l842-'44 he went upon his great eNpedI-
to Oregon and \. California, the report OF
which. published by order OF Congress, is
now attracting universal attention In l84o
he has gone upon his shird expedition, deter
mined upon = complete military and Scienuhc
exploration Of all the vast and almost unknown
re rions between the Rocky Mountains and the
Pacific Ocean. and between the Oregon river
and the Gulf of California. This expedition
is expected 10 continue two years and It's sue
ces~ful result is looked to with the highest
degree ot interest bg all the friends or science
in America and in Europe
Perhaps ~ man OF his a ge, in any country
has goae through such Al amount ot Ia Dor and
exer,ion OF BODY and mind As Captain Ere
mont From the a5e OF twenty the canopy
OF heaven has been his covering. The noun
tans AMI plains the lakes aud rivers, from the
Atlantic to the Pacific from the Calf OF Mex
leo to the head Of the Mississippi, have been
his home, His military reconnaissance III winch
he was engaged, became also scientific e1pIor-
ations; and geography, botany geology
astronomy, meteorology, receive as much al
tention from him As If each had been ms sole
pursuit the fruits Of all these researches are
recorded in journals daily written IN the field
Materials for maps and drawings are daily col
lected; few months OF Office labor prepares
all for publication and without waiting 10 see
anything published. the impatient gentleman
Immediately sets off on new expeditions.
mathematics sre the favorlte study OF Cap
tain Fremont-botany his favorite recreation
but all the sister sciences come in tor share
of his attention. and the languages, both an
cent and modern, are not neglected. Greek
and Lain came with his education French
and Spanish have been added; German is in a
course Of acquisition; and hls whole life Is dl-
vided between field labors aud literary studies.
His life IS a pattern, and his success an encour-
agement to all the noble minded young men
of America who, despising life Of Sloth anu
ease, aspire to distinction by their own mer-
itorious exartions He married the daughter
of Senator Benton, but looks to his own eNer'
tions. not 10 Senatorial influence, for advance
ment and promotion. His widowed mother
lives to see the fame. and to receive the sup
port of a son. left orphan at four years OF
age, and beginning at seventeen 20 provide fol
himself, for her and for younger brother
and sister.
Mr.. Wilkins. the Secretary Of War,
could hardly believe bis own eyes when. IN
the fall of 1914. a modest booking youth, al
most feminine in the delicacy Of his person
and features. appeared before him and reported
himself as Lieutenant Fremont. Just returned
from the expedition to Oregon and California
To see the leader Of such an expedition in the
person OF such a stripling, was a surprise from
which the honorable secretary could not re
cover Himself, un,l after repeated in,erroga
tories.