The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-21
THE CONQUEST OF oALIFoREIA.-HIsToRY Vim
Dictated.

portion OF the United States our cuLes became 700 mueh
interested in It's depostes or gou 49, IN It's agricultural
wonders well its commercial Importance 10 seruti
nizs the history Of its military acquisition Hence the as
SUMPTION put forth under the sanction of persons in ee
-. -cstOns obtained ready credenee in the aossrcs
Of the counter statements of those residing distance
and having occasion means Of transmitting reliable
statements through official sources. This has led the
partsans of Colonel Fremont to assume and publish
fact that he conquered California from Mexico without the
aid agency Of others These assumptions have led 10
Investigation and to clear and definite understand
ing of the facts.
Senator Thomson, of New Jersey in speech recently
delivered in the Senate shows that be has investigated the
history Of the military conquest Of California The vndi-
cation of his predecessor in office Commodore Stockton
rendered necessary for him TO point out the erroneous
pretensions made in behalf Of Col Fremont II is we'll
known historical fact that just prior to the Mexican war;
Castro AVarado and Others under pretence OF wishing to
establish themselves in the quiet pursuits Of agriculture
and grazing induced Gov Mcheterrono 10 grant them
large tracts of land Avarado thus got the celebrated
Nariposa grant) and to provide them with arms am
munton and men, with which TO protect themselves
on their grants, which then far distant in the
wilderness. But instead of using them to open and
protect ranches, they turned against the weak
and confding governor, and he was driven out Of
the country Castro assumed to be governor and
Alvarado was installed in the custom-house with some
extensive civil powers When Fremont entered Califor
MIA Castro although in fact REBEL the political rep
resenative of the Mexican power in the Territory
large number Of Americans then living in California
and from their SKILL industry, and superiority the
| IN oil ed
with jealousy by those who thought that California ought
to governed by Calfornans Hence he made prepare
tons to expe them from the Territory by force Amongst
the Americans W. B. Ide the ruling spirit and with
the aid of Grgby Nash Ford and others he defeated the
projects of Castro and occasoned his eventual expulsion
from the country and the abrogaon of the Mexican
thority lde successful in surprising and taking
the fort of Sonoma. When consulted concerning the
measures OF resistance to Castro Col Fremont
mended the resident Americans resist "bu declined any
action his part that of the under his command
Captain Fremont informed him de) that he expected
leave for the States in weeks" Subsequently, Col FREE
mont IN public address, offered aid with his advice
and to cooperate with those under his command if they
would pledge themselves to obey the officers of their
choice" Gen. Ide replied that "there pres
who had already volunteered his life his property
and his reputation in honorable support of the revou
ton This shows that up this time Ide and not Free
mont leader who had started and pushed forward
the revolution. On the arrival of Commodore Soat
the 18th of July, 1886, he captured Monterey, and
Fremont marched hither, and arrived on the 18th
Commodore Sloat acted with knowledge that there
actual with Mexico, while Fremont had ntimation
OF it The assistance that he had given lde in the expul
sion Of Castro was purely fbustering and under the
most extraordinary circumstances apparently looking
his being elevated 10 the supreme power. So far as be
knew the United States and Mexico peace If they
had been in iac this act of national forces under
command of commissioned officer might have plunged
our country in His acts far be acted at all
be justified than those of Lopez Cuba
those Of the libusers who have since proceeded from
Texns into the adjoining province Of Mexico aud commit
ted acts Of hostility. When Commodore Stockton succeed
ed Soat in the command Of the Pacific squadron he
clothed with full power prosecute the with Mexico
by water and by land which he did with energy and
cess In his defence before the martial that tried
him. lat pp 374 375 of the printed proceedngs Colonel
Fremont says:
"He Commodore stockon) determined to prosecute hos
tes to the ua oongHe the country and asked not CO
operation but under him. He made this proposal in
writing Lieut.. Gillespie and myself. We agreed it.
and so did went with pleasure. glad to
be relieved from the responsibilities OF my position We
went under the command OF the naval commander that
station and TO the naval commander there that the
President had specially assigned the conquest Of California
The California battalion OF mounted remen there
led Com Stockton appointing all the officers, myself being
appointed major, and Lieut.. Gillespie captain. From that
time we were part OF the naval forces for h conquest OF
country"
"on the 18th Of August, 1896 Commodore Stockton
took possession Of the city Of the Angels
seat OF the governor general Of California On the 18th he
Issued proclamation decree, such, for the ton
and Of the inhabitants followed by many
OF the same character and for the better OF the
conquered country
II Col Fremont had been the magical conqueror Of Cali
fornia claimed for him. be could have truly used
this language His testimony proves that the conquest
was not complete IT. when he placed hmsefu
the command Of his official superior and received from him
commission to aid him Mr.. Thomson shows how much
was then to be accomplished before the expulsion OF the
Mexican power and the vgor, energy and skin displayed
BY Commodore Stockton to such conquest and the
little military aptitude and capacity displayed BY Col
Fremont compared with bis energy and endurance an
explorer The following facts think clearly esab-
lished;
l. That the revolution commenced by Ide and the
American settlers in California before the arrival OF Ere
mont
D. That on his arrival he refused to participate in tn,
enterprise but intended Immediately 10 the Uni
ted States.
That when he did consent TO act IL wn, to aid in put