National Republican., 1882-04-08
FREMoNT,s CLAIM.
Tho story OF the AcauisItIon of AIcatraz
UsInnd fn 1917.

Tho memories Of the early days the American
occupation of California have been recently re-
vived by the presentation by United States Senator
Johnston, of Virginia, Of a petition Of General
John G. Fremont, claiming the ownership OF, or
compensation for, Alcatraz Island Almost forty
years ago young soldier, who had not received
military training at the aristocratc college OF
West Point, and therefore incurred the enmlty OF
those who had, by his daring adventures won for
himself the name of the Pathfinder" He dis
covered tho road to California, penetrated II, and
virtually conquered the country for the United
States In those days both England and France
were alike ambitious to become the possessors Of
this fair domain. Mexico, naturally, was losth to
to part with Il. The United States could not afford
to lot 1t pass. to European power. Fremont, by
his daring disregard of consequences to result from
Unauthorized actions, aud by assuming responsi-
bilities which, from military and international
legal standpoint, he was not justified In assuming,
virtually settled the question. Almost as buc,
cancer, and with mere handful of men, he waged
war against the Mexican authorities, defeated
them, and virtually
BECAME GOVERNOR OF THE STATE.
His success caused tho ire Of West Pointers to
fall heavily upon him, aud the opportunity for
nvenging themselves upon him was afforded by
his purchase Of AlcatrnS Island while he assumed
to be Governor OF the State. The tale is thus told
Of California: Austin A. King Governor Of Mis-.
souri,, In the summer Of 1915 was at Fort Lenyen.
Typographical Corps, make certain remarks ex-
tremely injurious TO Fremont. Tho Governor
S once ES0 b to bot oPS iSs in WnTg
would have trouble with the officers Of
the regular army lie was right for Fremont
was arrested on the charge Of mutiny, Among
the several specifications and charges made against
him is the following, (Which was made at the court
martial nd 81 washington In IN ~, lSs Is npm5eTed 9
Colonel John c. Fremont of the regiment of
mounted rinemeu, United States army did, at
Ciudad dc Los Angeles, on the ID Of March, lSi7,
in contempt of the lawful authority of his superior
offcev Brigadier- General Kenrney, assume 10 be
and act as Governor Of California, in executing
deed or instrument of writing in the following
words, 10 Wit:
"In consideration Of Francis Temple having con.
called White or Brd Island, situated lear the mouth
Of san Francisco Bay, I, John o. Fremont, Governor
said hereby obge myself the legal representative
ofthe United states and my successors In office to
sum Of sSooo 70 be paid nt as early day as possible
nes Sg se eTeo Ts ne sa @ haSS and m
caused the seal ofthe Territory California to be az
fixed at Cludad de Los Angeles, the capital of Call.
''''''' '"'' '"' u '' "JoiN G. FREMONT"
There were twenty-four charges in ALL and Ere.
mont was found guilty by majority of the court
of "mutiny," the penalty for which was death,
but the sentence was moderated to dismissal from
the service. The President disapproved the find
ings on the muiny charge, but approved the find.
ing and sentence on the minor charges
FREMoNT's RESIGNATION.
He offered Colonel Fremont pardon, but this
was scornfllly refused. The War Department was
then controlled by William l.. Marcy. Senator
Benton for twenty years Chairman Of the Senate
Committee oil Military Affairs, was so dissatisfied
with the action Of the Department in its persecu
| tion of Fremont that he declined to serve any
| longer on the committee. FTemonts object In pur-
| chasing the island was the fact, in the first
place, that he saw 1t would be one
| of the most important of the hnrbor
| defenses, and, secondly, that, while it had been
| granted to an English subject by the Mexican gov
| ernment, II was about to pass into the hands ofa
| French subject. In the then unsettled state of
| affairs he deemed IL extremely dangerous to per-
| nit such an important position TO pass into tie
| hands of n probable enemy, The Government,
| littledreaming Of Caliornia's development, re-
| pudiated Fremonts bargain and refused to pay for
| the island. subsequently the Government ap-
| preciating the importance of the location, took
| possession of the island, and has expended upon
II in Notifications aud lighthouses some sS000,.
OOO but has not yet paid Fremont the 5000 which
| he claims he paid forit The matter is now before
the Senate committee on Claims, and 1t Is stated
| that they are impressed in favor Of the General.