Washington sentinel., 1856-07-19
s9- We take the following from the Buffalo

WE VIC tahe the lolioWing from the Duudo
Commercial Advertiser, which we commend to
all true lovers of unsefsh herosm:
Fremont the Explorer.
The reputation Of the Republican candidate
for the Presidency has been due more to his good
fortune than his merits. The respect univer-
sally felt for science leads everybody to speak
fayorably of those who are devoted to scientific
pursuits, and so long as there is no motive for
strict scrutiny into their conduct, they seldom
suffer from the voice Of censure. Besides the
advantages which Col. Fremont's reputation
has derived from this amiable prejudice, his rela-
tionship to COL Benton has shielded his career
from rigorous criticism. But now, when he is
brought forward as a candidate for the highest
Office in the gift of the people, il becomes duty
to examine his career with the eye of impartial
truth The fact that his only merits are those
of an explorer will, with most judicious minds,
decide the question of his un6tness for the pres
idency, and it will hardly add to the contempt
that is felt for his presidential pretensions to
learn that he did not even act his part well in
the character of an explorer. But as great stress
is laid on his exploits in the wilderness by those
who have espoused his cause, it may not be i'm
proper to undeceive the public. Fremont has
been his own historian, and the testimony he
has always borne in his own favor is that Of an
interested witness. Fortunately for the public
n journal was sometimes kept by men who ac
companied him on his expeditions, and these ex-
hibt him in quite different light from that in
which he appears in his own pages. Some Of
these journals are in existence, and in the
of the campaign we hope they will be brought
to light, in order that the country may see how
Fremont was regarded by the men who accom-
panied him in his enterprises The specimen
.1 1,oh halo al al
umns of journal which now ranks as the fore
most Of all the advocates of Fremont's presi
Dental claims. 1t appeared in the New York
Tribune ia l849, aud although copied from au-
other paper it contains evidence that the editor
of the Tribune regarded it as of more than ordi
nary mportance. Stern, he'writer of this diary
was an intelligent engineer and respectable man.
who was well known to Capt. Sitgraves and
Capt. Simpson. of the army. He was after
wards one of the unfortunate party Of Capt.
Gunnison who were killed by the Indians in the
vicinity Of Great Salt Lake. Let it be borne in
mind that this account of the imprudence of
Col. Fremont and of his injustice to his men, is
not invented for the occasion, but is copied from
a newspaper Of the period, when there was a
strong and general prejudice in his favor:
From the New York Tribune
Journal OF one or Fremont's Men.
We arrange the following statement from
the Quincy (Ill.) Wbis:
Mr.. Stepper6eld, who was one of Fremont's
men, and who suffered with others of the COM
pany, IN the attempt to cross the mountains OF
New Mexico last winter, returned to his home
in this city on Tuesday last. From conver-
sation with Mr. s. we are led to believe that
the sufferings of the party were not fully de-
tailed (even if known) BY Col. Fremont; and
90 Al. l,o nhahl 10
thentic account Of the disaster from his pen, it
rests with the men who composed the party,
and who shared the suffering, to give the detail
as events transpired from day to day. A daily
journal of the transactions was kept by some
of the men, which may be of some interest to
the public.
, II ,oM be seen that Colonel Fremont is much
ceaSared in these pages, and acih considerable
Justice, II the testimony # the men of his party
is to be relied on. The journal appears to have
been kept by Richard II. Kern:
Struck the ricey, Dec. 81 The river referred
TO here is evidently the Rio del Norte, which
Fremonts party reached about weeks after
leaving Pueblo.-Ed. Tlb. Course west and
southwest. Showed all day. Camped on the
river; plenty of timber and snow.
Dec. 9.-Movei in the valley Of the river, on
its eastern bank. Entered small canon Of the
river, but on account of the deep snow, were
forced to turn back and pass over the top of
the hills crossed the river and camped. The
deep Snoso of today should hare acarned COL
Fremont Of his approaching destruction, but
,cah the 1aifully blind eyes Of rashness and
seifconcea and confidence he pushed on. Course
N. and W.-Ek signs abundant.
Dec. l0.-Lay in camp until IL o'clock,
then moved miles further up the river and
camped in fine grove Of cotton wood. Course
W. byN.
Dec ll-Trail to-day very billy and diff
cult, the hills being steep and rugged. Day
clear and windy. Made II miles and camped
in deep snow on the river. Course same as
yesterday.
Dec. l2.-Passed through little valley that
lay to the right of the camp, and had some very
difficult canons to contend with--the. sides in
many places almost perpendicular. Camped on
on the sloping Of the canon. Made from FIVE
to seven miles course nearly north.
Dec. l3.--Had a very difficult hill to climb at
start; road better after. Passed through large
pine forests, and camped in a beautiful valley,
with another running from it to the right.
Made about miles course N.
Dec-l4-Road over pine hills and through
deep snow valleys. Passed over a high bald
mountain, from the summit Of which, one Of
the finest mountain views in the world can be
seen. Camped in deep pine forest near the
head of fine little valley; some little grass
course north. Made about miles.
Dec. l5.-Very bad hill at the start after
terwards the trail passed over the summit Of
hills. Made about miles course east
Dec. l6.-Made start to pass what was sup.
posed to be the dividing ridge between the
waters OF the Rio del Norte and those Of Grand
river Passed dead mules, and riding and
packedsaddles lying beside the trail. After
hard work reached the hill summit, but the
wind and poudre were so dreadful we had to
return. Eleven men we're frostbitten in va
rious places, the cold being so intense. Re-
turned to our old camp.6res amid furious
storm Of wind and snow, which continued all
day and night
Dec.-l7.-A party Of the men went ahead
to beat trail, while those remaining in camp
were to bring the animals up. After hard
labor reached the top Of the hill, and saw the