The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-20
The Conqueror OF CalifOrnia-James Bu
chanan Under Oatls-Marcy's Onacial H

port.
We have received from London, by the last
steamer, a certified copy Of certain important
evidence for the defence, IN the case OF Gibbs
vs. Fremont, (is5a), which we spread at length
before the readers of the HERALD, elsewhere in
these columns. 1t is the testimony of James Blu
chanan, of the county of Lancaster, in the State
of Pennsylvania, gentleman, called, sworn and ex-
amincd as witness on the part OF the said defen-
dant," j. C. Fremont, before the three Philadel-
phia commissioners in the premises, appointed by
Queen Victoria, TO wit: Henry D. Gilpin, Hugh
Campbell, and Peter Mccall; and this swcrn ties
timony of the democratic nominee for the Presi-
dency we especially commend to the attention
of our democratic readers who are still in doubt
as to the man best entitled to the appellstien of
the Conqueror of California"
Before the three commissioners indicated, and
sworn to speak the truth, without fuarcr affec-
upon the record as having declared, as late as
October, 1852 that Col Fremont the defen-
6ant was in California at the commencement OF
hostilites between the United States and the re
public of Mexico" that ''ae there raised and CON-
manded battalon of California volunteers, con
sisting of about four hundred men, that /" has
srrices arere eery caluaJle' that he Tore a5sn-
gsisSed part N tie conquest Of CdloTnc, and in my
opinion (James Buchanans opinion,) IS better anti
led to be calgea the Conqueror Of California than
any other man."
Thisis the deliberate testimony ofthe democratic
nominee, given without fear or Affection and
il is the more valuable from the fact that James
Buchanan throughout the Mexican war and all
de military operations in California, was Secre-
sayy of State at Washington-a position which
made him among the most desirable Of 81 witnesses
in behalf of Col. Fremont. Indeed there is only
one other living witness whose offieia. and init
mate knowledge of the public services CT Fremont
In California is sllelior to that of Mr. Buchanan.
and that witness is rym. l.. Marcy, the head of
the War Department. throughout all the military
operations in California and Mexico, from the
beginning to the end Ct the war.
In the annual repert from the War Depart
ment accompanying TIE Presidents annual mes
sage to Congress, Of December, 1876, Mr..
Marcy has given hig views of Fremonts
subject VIC have published heretofore, but in
order to refresh the memories of our increduleus
democratic readers, we rcpublsh it this day, as
fitting appendix to the testimony of James Blu
chanan. Substantially, their evidence is the
same; for while Mr.. Buchanan declares that, in
his opinion, Cel Fremont "s Later entitled 10 BE
called the Conqueyor Of California than any other
man," Mr. Marcy, says that Fremont's determine
ton. when driven to the wall to revolutionize
California, '',ras carried into effect By series Of
rapid attacks, By sESR body Of adventurous men,
under ne conduct Of an intrepid leader quick 10 per-
ceire and able 10 dsea Ae proper measares for &C
on,plisLi,lg such a daring enterprise"
These are pretty strong democratic endorse
ments. They cannot be overthrow. They are
from the highest official sources, and they
vindicate the truth Of history. Thus Senator
Bigler, Of Pennsylvania, is furnished, per-
haps with the evidence he wanted in
his late resolution Of inquiry; thus it is
fuss and egotism, came in day after the fair
while Gen. Kearney came in q day after the Com
modore. Official Executive reports, Congress
sional committees of investigation of both houses
courts martial, and English prosecutions for
these California debts, incurred by Colonel Ere
mont in behalf of the country cause, all result in
corroborating the claim Of Fremont to the title
of 1.-The Conqueror Of California" And they do
more They oil result in establishing his cha
racter as an honest able, brave, intelligent, ac-
complished, intrepid, patriotic and faithful pub
lie officer, and as a man who, in every situation.
and under all emergencies, has proved himself
equal to the crisis, and worthy the public con
fdence.
From the publication Of the report Of his first
exploring tour to the Rocky Mountains in 1928,
down to the day of his nomination for the Pres-
dency, Colonel Fremont, at home and abroad, in
Europe and America, enjoyed undsputedly this
desirable, honorable and enviable reputation 1t
is to the universally of this well-earned reputa-
ton that he OWES the present fattcring position
in which be stands before the country for the
highest Office in its gift. Yet, strangely enough.
since his nomination the organs and stumpers Of
Mr.. Fillmore, and of Mr.. Buchanan and the
spoils democracy. would have us believe that
James Buchanan Is false witness that William
L. Marcys official vouchers are good for nothing;
and that later discoveries make this same John
C. Fremont the most infamous scouadrel that
walks the face Of the EARTH
Know Nothing and democratic organs and
spouters vie with each other in their dirty work
of scurrility against Fremont. They denounce
him as cheat, a cattle-dealing defaulter, vaga-
bond, an alien, thief, bastard. an infdel, Ro-
manist, Know Nothing STAKEHOLDER, an aboli-.
ZIONIST duellist, bully, coward and an impostor
We have had nothing to compare with this since
the desperate party warfare upon Gen. jackson,
in which be was paraded before the world in
coffin handbills and other devices, as a seducer
traitor and murderer. And this abuse results
from the same desperate straits Of a reckless,
and badly scared opposition, with the
tide Of popular opinion rising and swelling