Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-06-27
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF COLONEL
FREMONT.

cCiicnt cHronO!O8lcdl sCHpoi H!ctoi! Vi
the United States, from the pen of Eliza
beth F. Peabody in the course Of which
We find an account Of the career of Col.
John c. Fremont. which will be read at
this time with peculiar interest. 1t clos
es the writer's account of President
Folks administration. 1t is worthy Of
remark in this connection, tina. Miss Pea
body is the si>ter-in law of Mr.. Pierce $
distinguished biographer Nathaniel Haw-
thorne.
In january, 1916, Captain J. c. Ere
mont, who the year before had been or
dcred by the War Department to explore
a southern route to Oregon, arrived upon
the frontiers Of California, with party
of engineers. knowing that the r,la-
tons between the United States and
Mexico were in delicate position, and
that the authorities of the latter were
very jealous Of Americans, lie took the
precaution to leave his party, and go
alone to Monterey where with the
United States consul Mr.. Larkin. he
called upon the commanding general.
Castro. and mad known TO him his peace
tul commission: receiving express per-
mission to winter in the valley of San
Joachim, where was plenty Of game, and
no inhabitants 70 be disturbed After
recruiting his party. he psoceedal onward
and. on the Sd Of March. encampcd with
in fifty miles of Monterey. where, 10 his
surprise, he received peremptory order
: from Castro to leave the country Il: once.
At first he took no notice Of this order,
as he had given no occasion for any hos
: tile demonstration but when he heard
that General Castro was really in pursuit
Of him, he fortified his party with logs OF
wood, upon high hill, and hoistcd the
United States flag and there, in quiet
ly brave attitude, virtually deticd the
Culifornians to do their worst. From
his camp lie could see with his spyslasa
that an attack was in preparation, aud
he also received from Mr. Larkin letter
: telling him o. Castros orders to drive
him from the country. The messenger
who carried back Fr.mont's answer to
: Lalkin which Wa, that he and his party
should defend themselves to the last many
: added, from his own suggestion, that,
two thousand men woald not be able to
drive Captain Fremont from his posi-
ton. y similar impress. seems to
have taken Poss-. Sion Of Castro himself,
: tJr he did net venture to attack him and,
after 'h.~e days waiting, Captain Ere
mont left his little fort, and proceeded on
: his exploring expedition to Oregon
! Castro followed aGar off, but evidently
: did not dare to come up with him and
having picked up a few cast away things
left III the deserted log-fort, he returned
1 to California, making proclamation.
= full Of lalsehooIs, declaring that he had
i driven away to Oregon this band OF
highway robbers.
In the following May, when Captain
Q Fremont was encamped on the greater
Talmath lake, he WAS surprised at the
: arrival OF two mounted men, who told
him that Lieutenant Gillespie Was accrcd.
tied by Mr.. Buchanan as auagent of the
4 government, and this the gentleman him
: self affirmed, informing Captain Fremont
that the government wished him to re
turn to California, and acquaint himself
> with the disposition Of the inhabitants,
and the designs Of the British upon the
country; and, if they were of a certain
i kind, to countcract them On his re-
l Turn to California. which was immc date,
he found the valley of the Sacramento
/ IN the greatest excitement, for all the
= American settlers had been ordere out
OF the country, and were threatened with
, massacre, and the destruction of their
{ crops. The arrival Of Captain Fremont
inspired them with hope OF defending
themselves; they expected every nom nj
to he attacked by the Indians. who had
been excited against them and they be-
, sought him to take the direction Of the
G defence. The danger of the American
settlers was imminent, and their enemy
was also his own. Bat he did not know
that the Mexican war was begun. |,
t was impossible for him to communicate
r with the authorities at home; yet, un.
e authorized, he could not commit the
t, United States government, by commenc-
ing hostilities in its name. But his
+ heart bled for his distressed countrymcn,
, and he made up his mini that, a all ri.ks