Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-08-26
Miueral poiRt Tribunt. >
COL. FREMONT AND HIS REvILFRs


The Buchanan leaders have evidently bocoroe
satisfied that the only chance left them which
offers the least show of success, in their efforts
to defeat Col. FaEMoxr's election, is if possible
to ruin his private character. Col. Fremont's
career, both public and private, has lone since
been submitted to the strictest scrutiny of his
government, and stood the test of the most
searching inquiry. This is known TO his pres
ent villfiers, and yet they hope by falsebood
misrepresentation, and garbled extracts from
Pubhc Documents to blast his fair fame in homes
thereby to continue their positions in office. and
feast for another four years at the public crib
The world has never before exhibited moro
disgraceful spectacle of reckless mendscitv far
political purposes. The sale of the democratic
party to the southern slave drivers. has driven
from their ranks large portion ofthe rank and
hie OF the party north, and now, to secure the
spoils they hesitate not to charge the candidate
of their opponents with fraud, swindling. bank
ruptcy, gambling, Know Nothingism, Catholi-
cism, Aboitionism, slaye-holding. and every
other epithet that their locality will admit, and
| their purposes require.
The Washington Union, under paw If the
pro-slavery administration, has only to start n
| report derogatory to the character of Col. FIRE.
mont, and it is echoed by every pro-slavery pa
per IN the Union. and circulated with pertina.
cIous industry by a set of political chafoniers,
regularly organized throughout the Union to do
the dirty work of the party. These ISLANDERS
are put forth with double purpose 1st To
| lnJure the private character Of Col. Fremont
and End, to attract the attention OF Republicans
from the real slavery extension issue, by meet
ing and refutlng these false charges. Many of
the'r charges carry upon their very face the ev-
idence OF their falsity. For instance, the article
in the Union rcpublished in the Democrat of this
place, intended to prove thai Col. Fremont had
stolen from the Government six hundred head
OF cattle. In that article the evidence of Mr.
Abel Stearnes, an Interested witness, is pro-
duced to show that the cattle were received on
account OF Col Fremont. The following is his
testimony;
| have received from Don de Cells four hun
dred and eighty zone head OF cattle on account
OF Mr.. j. c. Fremont, lieutenant colonel of the
army of the United States, which cattle exist
IN my possession.
ABEL STEARNs.
ANGELES, May j. l8i7.
have received from Don Eulojio de Cells
one hundred and nineteen head OF cattle, on ac-
count of Mr.. j. c. Fremont, lieutenant colonel
OF the army of the United States, and said cat
lie remain IN my possession according to agree
ment. ABEL STEARNS
Angeles, July :, 1917.
Even here, it Will be seen, is no evidence of
Col Frement ever exercising ownership over
the cattle. But here follows the evidence of the
man of whom these cattle We're purchased and
who delivered then to him, (Stearns) with the
understanding that they were to remain with
him in the quality of deposit, until the Gov
ernment should dispose OF them;
The undersigned certifies that the governor
and commandant Of this Territory, finding HIM
self short of resources for the support of the
armed force, which under his command, coop
Grated towards the pacfieation of the country.
solicited from various individuals loan for the
object Indicated and the undersigned having
beea requested, through the medium Of Mir.
Charles tlugge, TO furnish provisions and cash,
the accompanying contract took place, the cash
having been delivered immediately, without in
terest, for the term of eight mouths, and the cat
tie were TO be delivered when they might he
wanted; 1t being understood that the terms OF
payment should run from the day ofthc con-
tract, account of the cattle being movable
property, which could not be consumed in two
or three months, and, besides, augmenting dali
y, II tLiCilN CpHSiStlllp OF cows II Is IikGNISt
added that the contract complied with on
the part of the declarant to the satisfaction of
the goUerHor, who, not having time to consume
SAID cattle on account of having received su-
Perlor order to deliver up the command and DIS
band the force, hc ordcrcd sad cGte 10 bcdarcred
to Mr.. AbeS Slearnsas | understand, in the quail
ity OF deposite, until the Government should
dispose of them.
EULOJIO DE CELLS.
ANGELES, July s, 1917.
Where, in all this testimony, is the evidence
of any dishonorable act on the part of Col. Fre-
mont?
The facts in relation to this matter SIM
ply these: Col Fremont, acting for the Gov
ernment, purchased these cattle, but the close of
the Mexican terminated the necessity for
their use, and the government refusing to pay
for them, they were returned TO the person of
whom they were purchased This is the sum
total of this awful cattle story.
a large amount of capital is attempted to be
made out of Col. Fremonts being court martial
ed and convicted of disobedience OF orders, in
obeying the orders of CON- Stockton in pref
erence to those of Gen kearney, while dispute
existed between those gentlemen, as to superb
ority of command. Willard's History Of the
United States. gives the following account of
this affair, page 425.
The following day, the American parties met
at Los Angeles ho should be Governor!-
Commodore Stockton, ignorant of the approach
of General Kearney, had arranged, and had so
communicated to " ashlrgton that Col. Fre-
mont should be left in that office, while he pros
ecuted further conquests at sea: and he now pro-
ceeded to commission him. General Kearney
claimed the station his due. from his orders
ard superior military rank. Fremont, howev-
er. determining TO abide by Stocktons direc-
tions until he should hear from Washington
disobeyed his written order. kearny lett him
in the gubernatorial mansion, and marched forth
with the poor remains of his little party to San
Diego. Here he was reinforced by the Mormon
battalion which, under Colonel Cooke had APP
preached bv route south of the Gia From
San Diego, kearny sailed to Monterey, where,
in conjunction with Com Shubrick, now naval
commander he made proclamation as Cover
nor, annexng California to the United States.
learning Iap thu b;-