Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-10-03
Mr.. Buchanan Endorsing the
Character of Col. Fremont.

ton Union, in regard TO his accounts
with the government while in Calilor-
MIA. The testimony in the matter is
derived from no less person than
James Buchanan, who held the Office
of SECRETARY Of State during the
Mexican war, was the author Of the
instructions under which Col. Free
mont acted in California, and was in
position TO know more precisely The
merits and dement's Of Mr. Fremours
service at that lime than any other
living man. The Post gives the fol-
lowing explanation OF the matter.
1t will be remembered that Col
/ Fremont was arrested in London, 10
I 1852, and sent to prison for the nom
payment and of our drafts. amount
ing in all to s 10000, drawn by hun
as Governor of California upon Mr.
Buchanan as Secretary of State. ia
favor Of F. Huffman, Tor forage and
supplies furnished to the California
batlalion raised and commanded by
the Colonel during the Bear war
Mr. Buchanan did not pay these
drafts when they were presented, for
reasons which viii appear. As our
government could not be sued, the
holders OF them thought the shortest
way Of getting the money was lo
take the position that Fremont was
acting upon his own responsibility 10
California, and was personally re-
eponsible for the supplies furnished
his men. Upon the trial, Of course
Mr. Buchanan's testimony became
material a commission was issued
to take IT,"
We make few extracts from this
important document In response 20
an inlerrogal0ry of the commission,
irhe knew who had actual command
of the United States forces IN Caliior-
mia, m the month OF March, 1871
Mr.. Buchanan said
"Col Fremont the defendant, was
in California at the commencement
of hosuiues between the United
States and the republic Of Mexico /;
he there raised and commanded a
battalion Of California Volunteers
consisting Of about four hundred
men. His services were very valua-
BILE he bore a conspicuous part in
the conquest OF California, AND IN
MY OPINION Is BETTER EN-
TITLED TO BE CALLED THE
NQUEROR OF CALIFORNlA
THAN ANY OTHER MAN
He continued in the actual command
ol IN, Lu,,,i,.,n .r~--..e,l bout tho rnn,th
of March, l647; but there were
other troops Of the United Slales,
under the command Of Gen. kear-
new. who was afterwards the military
commandanl and Governor of Calf
fornia, as have already stated IN my
answer to the eighth inteuoeatory
| cannot undertake to decide the
dispuio to which | have already re-
ferred between Col Fremont and
Gen. Kearney but as long as the
California battalion existed, they
we're under the seperate aud iode-
pendent command of Col Fremont,
whilst Gen Kearney commanded
The other troops Of the United
States" "
The following testimony Of Mr..
Buchanan shows that Col. Fremont
gave the coup de grace 70 the con-
test which resulted in the conquest
Of California
"The last actual resistance, Of
which | am aware, was on the Sth
aud 9lh Of Jan, l917. The forces
OF the United States in these engage
menls were under the command of
Commodore Stockton and Gen.
Kearney. The results of these en-
pagements we're so disastrous to the
enemy that the leaders of the Cali
fornians, few days thereafter, met
Let. Col. Fremont, (who was IN
command of the battalion of Calilor-
MIA Volunteers and who was hasten
mo To the scene of action, but did
not arrive ia tune TO take part 10 the
engagements), and entered into a
capltualation with him, whereby the
people under arms and in the field,
agreed TO disperse and remain quiet
aud peaceabe. There was no actual
battle fought afterwards in California
to nv knowledge, but the state of
war between the two republics con-
timed, of course, I'LL the treaty Of
peace"
Concerning the bills Of Huffman
d Co., we find the subjoIned ques-
lions and replies
q. Do You know whether or not
the defendant himself individually,
/ for his own private use or benefit,
ever received any consideration for
the said bills, or any of them or was
there any consideration Whatever for
the drawing or the accepting OF the
same bills, or any or either of them,
other than the said supplies to or for
the said forces of the government Of
the United States
A. neither know nor believe that
the delendent himself individually,
or Tor his own private use or benefit,
ever received any consideration for
said bills or any of them, aud do not
believe there was any consideration
whatever for drawing, or accepting
of the same bills, or any or either of
them, other than to procure supplies
for the forces under his command IN
Cnlifornia
] II