Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-10-02
From the Journal Of Commerce, Sept Is, 1861
Fremnnt's Cattle Frauds
Report Of the Secretary OF the Treas
ury Relative TO John G. Fremonts
n<

Fremont's Cattle Frauds
Report Of the Secretary OF the Treas
Accounts.
On the 11th of August last, the Senate of
the United States, by resolution, called on
the Secretary of the Treasury for a state
ment of Colonel Fremonts accounts with the
Government. The report of the Secretary
in answer to this call has within the last few
days been published. 1t should be read by
every merchant in this city. The Report is
made by the Secretary of the Treasury under
the sanction of his official oath, and is enti-
tied to entire credence; it will surprise the
opponents and confound the friends of Col.
Fremont. We propose to give brief state
ment of the facts disclosed by the Report
1t appears that in the month of Aug. 1916;
Colonel Fremont was at Sonoma, California,
in command Of battalion of 800 men that
for the support and subsistence OF the men
under his command, he borrowed large sums
of money from the Mexicans, on the credit
of the United States, and made extensive
purchases of horses, cattle &c. After the
acquisition of California, the drafts of Col.
Fremont for money thus borrowed, and ac-
counts of cattle purchased by him, were pre-
sented to the United States Treasury De-
partment for payment. The Secretary re-
fused to consider them, as there was no au-
thority of law for their payment. The claim
was then presented to Congress and on the 31st
August, 1851, the Secretary of War was by
Congress authorized and directed to appoint
three competent and disinterested officers of
the army, "to examine and report to Con-
gress upon all such claims as may be pre-
Il e. oIx or1 rhoic
and supplies of all kinds furnished or taken
for the use of the battalion under the COM
mand of Captain John c. Fremont while en-
gagged in the public service"
In accordance with the above, the Hon.
G. NJ. Conrad, on the 18th of September,
1852, then Secretary of War; appointed
Colonel Charles f. Smith, Colonel Charles
Thomas, and Major Richard B. Lee, board
to examine and report upon these claims
On the 18th of April, 1856, this board of
officers having devoted more than three
years to the examination of these claims,
made final report of their doings to Con-
gress.
From that report it appears that 363
claims, certified by Colonel Fremont as cor
rect and just, were filed, amounting in the
aggregate to 1898, ,185 20, of which only
SI49, ,236 were recommended for payment
by the board. From this it is apparent
that Colonel Fremont certified claims that
were not correct and just, or that the board
of officers refused to recommend Congress to
pay claims that were correct and justly DUE
An examination of few of the claims act
ed upon by the Board, and of their mode of
arriving at results, will enable us to judge
whether the Colonel or the Board erred
Take the claim of Mariana G.. Vallejo:
The United States DR..
To Mariana G. Vallejo.
For the following property taken from the ranches of
General Marao G.. Vallejo, for the Of the United
States troops under command of Captain John c. Free
mont in the month of August A. one thousand eight
hundred and forty six.
To eight hundred head of cows and large cattle,
at fifteen dollars each. 900
To six hundred head OF aoeond class cattle, at
twelve dollars EACH. T9oo
To six hundred head Of third class cattle at eight
*To one hundred head of sheep, at five dollars