The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-21
CHARGES AGAINST COLONEL FREMONT.

CHARGES AGAINST COLONEL FREMONT.
Tho unparaIeled enthusiasm with which the
,.,;oat;on of Colonel Fremont has been re-
orved By the people has frightened the Bu-
cbsnanites beyond measure, and they have
hen turning in every direction for an expedi-
sDt BY which to arrest the rising popularity of
our noble champion Of Freedom. They first
tried rdicule They characterized our noble
Standard bearer as a mere adventurer, an ex-
rorer of deserts and mountain Businesses, and
insisting on dogs meat. The latter intima-
,;on has. as has been we'll observed, set all the
puppies to barking at him. They compared
him to Kit Carson and other of the trappers
and r,yagelus whom Colonel Fremont en-
Moved to accompany him in his expeditions.
But all these cavils of party, which has for
wears been glorying in the achievements and
The man whom now, for base party purposes,
they attempt to deride, had no effect to check
the popular enthusiasm in his favor. They at
lspyth resort to the grossest ISLANDERS, and have
attempted to impress the public with the belief
that the gallant and intrepid Fremont, whose
prsises, until he became candidate for the
Presidency, were in the mouths of all parties,
!. defaulter and defrauder of the Govern
meat. 1t would be sufficient reply to such
charges to say to its authors that they are estop
pei from urging them, since they have for
years boosted of the high character and
achievements of the man whom they now
SANDER; and, with the amplest means of know
ing the truth, they never intimated u Z any
thing was wrong. But we will go furt..er, and
from the leading men of their party, acting in
their official capacity, we will show that their
charges are utterly groundless and false.
We are sorry to see that the bosom friend of
Mr. Buchanan, Mr.. Bigler, of Pennsylvania, is
attempting to give dignity to these falsehoods,
By offering resolution in the Senate, calling
on the Government for statement of Colonel
FremOnts accounts. 1t was charged at the
time, by General Wilson, that this vile attempt
to malign the character of one of the noblest
men in the Republic really emanates from his
competitor. We confess that there is too much
reason to believe that Mr.. Buchanan is party
10 the transaction. All who know anything of
the thorough drill of the sham Democracy are
aware that their leaders never make an impor-
tsnt move without the fullest consultation. At
any rate an attempt to throw suspicion upon
Colonel Fremont, coming from Pennsylvania,
aud from Mr.. Buchanan's bosom friend, is any,
thing but creditable to him.
The Allegheny region of this continent
aOounds in a little animal known by the IN
euphoneous appelstion of skunk and, if we
mistake not, the northern extremity of that
range which lies in Pennsylvania is not barren
OF them; at any rate, this Ejaculation of foul
water demonstrates that the vicinity of Wheat
land produces political creature not less foul
and offensive than the little wild animal refer
red to.
The New York Ecening Post notices one of
the charges against Col. Fremont as follows:
"0ne of the mares nests which this inquiry
has revealed, relates TO certain contracts made
by George w. Barbour, United States Indian
Commissioner with Col Fremont for the sup
ply of quantity of beef to conquer the Indians
with, IN California, food being found by the CON-
mlssOners both cheaper and better ammunition
ior lighting red men, than powder and ball.
fremOnts proposals were lower than any others
received, and were accepted. He could afford
to offer better terms than any of bis competitors,
becausehe had greater powers Of endurance than
most men; he had more experience in fighting
or managing Indians, through whose territory,
Tor distance of some three hundred miles, the
1ufm ola huh4 10 h. L.. L Il
much more ready to expose his life to the perils
oil such an enterprise than any one else in that
region He fulfilled his contract agreeably to
ITS Stipulations, and went to Washington for his
money. The auditing department said, Mr..
Commissioner Barbour had no right to make
contracts in the name of the Government, to
iced the Indians. He only had power to make
war or peace with them. Col. Fremont went
70 congress, and asked them to order his bills
10 be paid. The subject was referred to a com.
mlttee Of the 33d Congress, Tin 1851 composed
Of the following gentlemen: James l.. Orr
Q: South Carolina, Chairman; Benjamin c.
Eastman Of Wisconsin, Galusha A. Grow of
pennsylvania, Edward Ball of Ohio, Augustus
T. Maxwell of Florida, Daniel B. Wright of
Mississippi. Alfred B. Greenwood of Arkansas,
benjamin Pringle and Milton 8. Latham of Cal
Hofha. All OF these gentlemen were Demo-
SraS, except Ball. now Fillmore man, and
.,mmhgie, now Fremont man: they were Wings
AL are now Buchanan Representatives, except
Tue Two mentioned and Grow and Eastman, the
,A'ter now dead. Latham is the present Col.
rector Of San Francisco.
On the l4th day of July, this committee
made their report. 1t will be found at length
10 another column. They state that the con-
ust was conceived in wise and humane
spirit; that the prices were reasonable; that
Us terms were fairly and fully complied with
colonel Fremont they say, purchased
lArge number of beef cattle in the southern
part OF the State, aud hired drivers, at heavy
~ to drive them to the designated place.
iHe cattle we're driven upwards OF three hun
s'eu miles, in the heat of summer, in the dry
Jason at great labor and exposure, and some
,gur hundred were lost OF died on the route.
&c uehvered to agent Barbour, and took his
,eeept therefor, one million two hundred and
wen "eG'y'aye thousand FIVE hundred pounds of
eei Oh the hoof ,225, 500 lbs, } and accepted
"a Payment drafts drawn by agent Barbour on
me e secretary of the Interior, amounting to one
S sun1red and eighty-three thousand eight hun
S S.ee and twenty-five dollars ($l83,82s.) These
, a.a.s We're protested on presentation, no ap-
f-OprIanon having been made by Congress
~ iOm which they could be paid. Subsequently,
rs nc treaties were rejected by the Senate, for
.D ~So a which have not yet been made pubic,
S. -I ue Indians of California have been driven
~ 'neir lands and homes, and hsye received
Il. Tonpensstion from the Government, save
,Je Ieei furnished them by Col Fremont, and
Sn- eH ~ ne now asks the Government 10 pay him
ine beef went into the hands of the
Ss;,L us Oh the Government; whether 1t was all
sHt tA.iuly distributed among the Indians by the
~ asents, is not question that is to affect
T.. Justice and equity Of the claim of Colonel
Go enoht de furnished the agents of the
T O'efn !t with large quantity of beef.