Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-10-09

hrst OF which will be found in 4 speech de-
lvered in the United States Senate, by Mr..
Thompson of New Jersey. This grave
Senator undertook the task of proving that
Col. Fremont had no claim whatever, to be
regarded as the conqueror of California, but
that the sole honor Of that conquest was
due to Commodore Stockton. The second
charge which found Senatorial iDdorser in
the Senate, in the person of Bigler, of Pa,
was that he tried to cheat the Government,
by means OF fraudulent certific ties of con-
tracts entered into by him, when in COM
mand of the American forces in California,
for supplies for the support of his men. 1t
is true that proofs stiong as holy writ were
Interposed TO controVert these charges,
which had fallen comparatively still born
upon the community. But we now have
new testimony brought to light to prove the
charges false; a new witness is brought
upon the stand to bear witness in favor OF
Col. Fremont, which is no less person
than James Buchanan himself. the great
platform candidate Of the party in oPposi-
ton.
There was received by the last steamer
certified copy OF the evidence for the defense
in the case of Gibbs VS.. Fremont, being the
copy Of the depositions taken before Com
missioners under the authority of the Court
Of Common Pleas, London, in 1852. 1t
will be remembered that Col. Fremont was
arrested in London on account of debts
contracted in California. The defense was
that these debts we're contracted on account
of the United States government. Col.
Fremont drew bills of exchange to the
amount of nineteen thousand five hundred
dollars upon the Secretary Of State of the
United States, the liabilities having been in
CURED on Government account while Col.
Fremont was Governor of California. The
bill, fell into the hands of persons i'll Lon
don, and being protested fer non acceptance,
the holders sought to hold Col. Fremont
personally liable. The evidence Of James
buchanan, of Pennsylvania--upon whom,
as Secretary Of State, the bills where drawn
being considered material to the issue, the
Court appointed Henry l.. Gipin, Hugh
Campbell and Peter Mccall, OF Philadel-
phia, Commissioners to take dispositions of
witnesses for Col. Fremont in Penusylva-
lila. They we're to be sworn and then ad-
minister oaths to interpreters, clerks, &c,
the testimony So taken TO be sent under
seal to Sir James Parke Chief Justice OF the
Common Pleas.
Among the witnesses sworn by the above
Commission was James Buchanan. Hear
some of the testimony of James Buchanan.
COL. FREMONT THE jgQUEEoR oE cALIFoR-
MA.
@. Do you know who was the person in
actual command of the land forces of the
gov ernment of the United States in Caiior-
MIA, in the year one thousand eight hundred
and fUrty-seven, and in the month of March
in that year!
A. Col. Fremont, the defendant, was in
California at the commencement of hostili
ties between the United States and the Re-
public of Mexico; he raised and commanded
a battalion of California Volunteers, consis-
ting OF about 450 men; his services were
very vaiuable-he bore q conspicuous part in
The conquest Of California, and in my opin-
ion is Geftsr entitled to be called the "Con-
queror Of CaiiJo nia," than any other man;
he continued in the actual command of this
battalion throughout the month Of March,
IS47, but there were otEer troops i'll CaIifor-
na-o.her troops of the United States -un
der the command of Gen. Kearney who was
afterwards the Military Commandant and
Governor of California, as | have already
stated in my answer to the eighth interro-
gatory; cannot undertake to decide the
dispute to which have already referred, be.
tween Col. Fremont and Gen. Kelrney, but
as long at the California Battalion existed,
they were under the separate and indepen-
dent command of Col. Fremont, whilst Gen.
Kearney commanded the other troops Of
the United States; for the rest of the year,
| re.er to my preceding answer
The speech made by Mr.. Thompson Of
New Jersey, to prove that Commodore Stock
ton, and not Col Fremont, was the real hero
OF California, was printed by the thousand
and tens OF thousand, in Washington, and
scattered bv members of Congress broad
cast ihroug hout the land. They hesitated
not to belle history, and deiraud gallant
countryman of his well earned fame to ac-
complish a party end. But here comes from
a pigeon hole in a common Pleas Court over
the ocean, in tile city of London, ar affida-
Wit sworn to four years ago by James Bu-
chanan, which says that I'm m, opinion
Col Fremont is better entitled to be called
THE CoNQUERoR OF CALIFORNIA than any
other man. So much for that. Now then
for the contracts. We quote again from
the affidavit of James Buchanan:
FREMoNT's COURSE IN CALIFORNIA vINDr-
GATED.
Q.-Do YOU know whether anv, and if
any, what, forage, or other necessaries were
supplied to or for the said forces of the said
United States. so engaged in hostities
with the said Republic of Mexico! And
particularly, do you know whether any such
supplies were necessary for the forces of the
defendant!--and if any, what!
| Al know not whether any forage or
other necessaries were supplied TO or for the
said forces of the United States SO engaged
in hostlities with the Republic of Mexico;
but do know that such supplies were ne
cessary for the forces under the command
OF the defendant.& that no appropriation had
been made by Congress to pay for those
supplies. Congress could not have antici-
pated that Col Fremont would raise Cal
ifornia battalion by his otcn personal ersr-
lions, and aciLhout previous instructions.
Q.-Do you know whether or not the de-
fendant himself individually, and for his own
, private use or benefit, ever received any
consideration for the said bills or any Of
+ them; or was there any consideration what
4 ever for the drawing or the accepting ofthe
same bills, or any or either of them, other
than to procure the said supplies to or for
, the said forces of the Government of the
Uni ed States!
: Al neither know nor beliere that the de-
tendant himself individually, or for his own
n private uss or benefit, euer recsiued any con-
SidernfiOn for said bills Or ann of them, and