Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-07-18
(From the Buffalo Repuhlie.l
COL FREMONTIN ls4s. INTERESTING
LETTER FOOM HON. I. c. PETERS.

of agriculture, and as citizen who has
filed important public stations with
fidelity and ability, Travelled west with
Col Fremont III rs, and had frequent
opportunities of learning his views then,
addressed Mr. p note, 10 which the
following is the response:
My KIND FRIEND Your favor is
Just received. You say that having
lively recollection of your enthusiastic
admiration of OIL Fremont, when, in
1913, YOU were teilowtrayeler Of his,
YOU desire me, in view OF the fact chat
the opposition are endeayoring to pro-
judiec his claims to the popular regard
Of the North because he IS Soush Caro-
linian by birth, and that they declare
that his avowed opinions against the
ex ansion OF Slaveryare assumed for the
0 ASTON. to writeyou, for publication,
5, far as It is proper to do SO, what bis
opinions were thenon the great question
Of Slavery Extension which now eonvCl-
scs the country OF course ! cheerfuhy
comply, because | wish - 10 justice 70
man wao seems 70 have been Hr0yl-
dontially selected for this crises.
met Cal. Fremont and his VIE early
in the Autumn OF 1918 on the steamer
Saratoga, which was then in the Buffalo
and Sandusky line l made their ac-
euaintance soon after we left Buffalo,
and, as we were detained by head-w.nds
and other causes, we were together near
" or quite two DAYS. Owing to peculiar
circumstances. not necessary now to
mention, our acquaintance became very
intimate, pal taking more OF that which
Is the result OF wears than oil days. 1t
was of Tie most confidential kind; in
deed. had | belonged to their owa family,
It could scarcely have been more 50.
He was then on his way to the ives
germ frontier, to set out en- another and
final overland journey te California by
new roure, for the purpose Of making an
exploration OF a section Of the Continent
which was yet unknown, except to the
trapper or Indian. His wife was accom-
panying him as far as Wcstport. en- the
confines Of Missouri, to cheer and com
fort him with her presence til the last
moment And much did he need her
comforting presence. There had been
no time during his whole career. when
his prospects really looked so gloomy as
then. or when the stoutcst heart might
quail. He had nearly drained tie litter
cup. lie did indeed drink lis las: bitter
lrcgs before the journey caded. L was
on that dreadful journey that he lost
50 many Of his brave aa3 ever faithful
companions, and nearly persisted himself
He had but recently got through with
his eourtnartial-a trial which, from its
inception TO its close, was one OF The
most IN Us. and l.issraeefal that has ever
been held in tbs country Instead of
an honorable acquitted enj high CON-
.nendaton for his glorious services, j;
found him gailty. and, in carrying out
its iudgme3t, he had been dismissed the
service. He knew that great injustice
had been done him, and he felt i keen
ly. He was poor, having only the a
mount OF his sslary for lis own and
family support. But this wa. I.oe all;
FOR Congress having refused TO assume
the debts he had contracted in the con.
quest of California, he was going back
cmpty-handel, AM with the certain
prospect Of every species Of arrogance
from that source.
He was returning to California as a
private citizen, and with the intention OF
making there his future home. Some
kind friends in New ! ork had enabled
him to send round the necessary
machinery for mills which he intended
to erect upon his ranch. since SO famous
AID so valuable, bat then only valuable
as affordins fine property for agvicul
tural purposes.
Both he and his noble wife locke,
forward to the time when they would b'
able to entertain their friends in thel
own house, ard upoa their own farm
III that then far-of territory Geld kaC
not vet been discovered, ana he expected
to conquer success by the same inaonit
able perseverance that had thus lar sus
tanned him in one Of the most remarkable
careers ever run By any man Of his az
in this Or any other country. And i
was very pleasant to see how he wa
checred on and encouraged by his wife
whose notions Of independence were
grati6ed by the vast prospect Of dom.
good which was opened to them in tina
new country. Neither had any othe,
thought or expectation than to obtaiI
al honorable and respected position b!
,.heir own industry aud economy. men
ton these facts to show yo", that what
ever opinions he then entertained anC
expressed were the result Of settles
conviction. and not Influenced by any
motives of policy. Those who know til
man thoroughly, know that he is incap
able of giving expression to any othc
than his own well-settled and thorough
convictions upon any important subjcc
brought to his notice or discussion.
Feeling great interest in having Cali
f,rnia Free State, and feeling satisfied
that wherever his lot was cast he woulc
exercise great influence over those who
were associated with him, the subject o
Slavery was often freely and thoroughly
Al