The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-11

1Or the judgment which we are about passing
on the subject. An officer of the topographi.
cal corps of the United States, who had been
justly distinguished for his scientific explora.
rations in California and in the adjoining Ter.
ritory of Oregon, for some two or three years
preceding, found himself in California in the
spring of 1876, with an armed party, but still
civic one; rethe, by permission CT the author.
tiles of California, in a pursuit purely pacific,
for the advancement of general science, he was
informed, or, rather, he saw, from the extraor.
binary jealousy of character which seems to
appertain to the whole Mexican people-that
sort OF suspicion which is incapable of com.
pretending any broad or elevated purpose or
object in life-that his only hope to escape
from actual military collision with the authori.
ties OF California was to abandon the country,
and to get beyond its Jurisdiction; aud this, al
though he had asked their hospitality, and that
hospitality had been promised. App
Cong. Globe, 30h Cong, lSt sess, p. 564.
Mr.. MASON. In such an emer
gency, these officers assumed very high re
sponsiblity. / confess sir, that l feel instinct
lveiy sensitive to the establishment of prece
dent which would sanction, in any degree, acts
OF war, or acts leading to war, on the part o.
officers of this Government within the limits o.
foreign Power. / have looked, therefore
at this matter closely, and, hope, considered
at deliberately; and fully concur in the opin
lion that Colonel Fremont and his party whilst
themselves bameless, were thus surrounded by
circumstances which left them no alternative
between disgraceful and probably most
unsafe retreat, or uniting with his countrymen
who were settled in California, and taking up
arms in their own defence He assumed the re-
sponsibility of the latter course, and he carried
1t out, as he says, successfully. And thus it
was that California was subdued, and the set
tiers saved from destruction, about the very
time that war broke out with Mexico, although
the fact that it existed was then unknown in
California-App. to Cong. Globe, 30M Cong,
lSt session, p. 564.
l am free to admit, so far as / can
form any opinion from the facts, that this
young officer was placed under circumstances
In which he could not have acted otherwise
than he did. He could not see bis ceuntrymen
exposed to the merciless attack of savages,
their homes and fields desolated, and their
women and children fleeing before the toma-
hawk and scalping knife. He could not have
subjected his own men TO the dangers which
awaited them, without incurriug a censure
greater than any he could have incurred in
taking up arms for their protection. No, sir !;
have no censure for this officer, for the part
he bore in these military operations in Cali
fornia.
The question, then, arises, Does it
devolve upon this Government to pay these
claims? Sir, believe, if not debit0 .justitiCe,
still in justice and equity we ought to pay
them; because these military operations, how
ever unauthorized, were undertaken from ne
cessity, and for the protection of our own coun-
trymen, thus treacherously assaulted, and be-
cause the fruits of the victories achieved Injured
to the United States, when its army was sent
there IN prosecution of the war against Mex
leo. opp. to Cong. Globe, 30h
Cong, LIST session, p. 564.
AprH &c, 1913.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Allow me one
more remark, and / have done. 1 have no
personal acquaintance with Mr.. Fremont. /
have admired the man from character; have
read with pleasure the valuable information
he has given with regard to the country in
which these operations have taken place /
therefore am not actuated in the remarks which
have made by any feeling of hostility towards
him, or discrimination that he should be appoint
ed. If l could be influenced by any feeling
at all, it would be in favor of his appointment ;
and would readily go for the bill, were it not
IN consideration of the paramount claim which
the Constitution has upon me. App.
to Cong. Globe, 3OM Cong, LIST $685., p. 566.
Mr.. NILES. L shall vote for the
amendment of the Senator from Virginia. Not
that l dislike the nominations; if they were
made in a constitutional manner, L should have
as much confidence in those gentlemen. espe.
oioily one of them, from my knowledge of bis
public character and services, as in any indi.
vidual that could be named. Still, in all legis
lative acts, | would rather have the guards
which the Constitution furnishes: and if the
bill can be so amended, it will remove all hest
taton on my part. 1t will, l think, remove
the difficulty entirely.-App. to Cong. Globe
3OM Cong, Isl sess., p. SEQ.
have been valuable to the country. They are
such as we would have directed if we had been
acquainted with the circumstances, and it is
but just and proper that we should legalize
them. Upon every principle of equity, we are
bound to pay the claims. The parties claiming
compensation are entitled, upon every consid
Grafton, patriotism, hardihood, courage, and the
sacrifices incurred in rendering these services
and by every other consideration that can emit
tie men to remuneration. The courage and
conduct of Colonel Fremont have signalized his
name. His services were peculiar. attended
with great responsibility to himself-character.
lzed by great iirmness and humanity, as we'll as
devotion to his country.
Mr.. ALLEN. This is all that / in.
tended to say on the subject; but if | were to
indulge myself IN commenting upon the events
out OF which this claim grew, should be in.
clined to occupy some of the time of the Senate
In GIVING my opinion in regard to the conduct
OF Lieutenant Colonel Fremont, and the gallant
men under his command. But that opinion
cnuld
acquired greater renown in this country than
that of any other man of his age who now
breathes its air. / say, sir, that Fremont is
and If | was called on to speak under oath on
the subject, / would declare / believe him to
be-the most meritorious man of his age now
living in this country. Nor is this nv opinion
OF him just now or recently formed: for, at the
opening of the war with Mexico, took occa
sion to suggest his name in connection with q
command in the war which would have enabled
him to exert that military genius and energy
winch knew him TO possess, and by which be
would have conferred yet greater services or
his country, and upon his own name still great
er renown. Opp. to Coma. Globe
3OM Cong, Isl session, D. Sos.
Mr.. CAss. A great RESPONSIBILITIES
devolved upon the officer at the head of the ex
petition; and think he is entitled to grea,
credit for the course which he pursued in get
ting possession of the country. That country
has now passed under our jurisdiction; and the
operations which took place have thereby beer
legahzeo- App. to Cong. Globe, 3OtI
Cong, LIST session, p. bC8.
MIR. CLARKE. Thus, sir, we sec
this gallant and accomplished young officer
with discretion far beyond his years, and a
prudence which has never left
OF the stirring events which day by day were
transpirlng between his country and Mexico
calmly, but without fear, yielding up the hospi
tality that had been accorded to him in Califor
nla-avoiding every collision with her authori
ties" stunning war" seeking the undisputet
Territory of Oregon, and resting himself anc