Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-14
FREMONT, THE PATHFINDER.
How he Took Possession of California a,
Joptarav-a yVffa,s Intar,.ss,,,

I'LL "a HI AANhLhs
How he Took Possession of California at
Monterey-A Wife's Intercession.
Yes, | intend to locate here or in the
immediate vicinity" said General John
&. Fremont to a reporter for the Los An
geles Tribune. Most probably Los Angeles
will be our future home. l was always at
tached to this part of the country, as it
was the scene Of some of the most stirring
and pleasantest experience of my early
life.
Mr.. Gontey, one Of the gentlemen who
was with me when we conquered Califor-
MIA, called to see me this afternoon. 1t
was great pleasure to see one with whom
| had brayed the dangers of so many years
ago."
After short pause, in which the Gen
eral seemed to be reviewing the episodes
of the past, he continued: "In 1912 was
detailed by the Government to make a
survey of California, with instructions to
pick my own men and to seize the country
if the English made any hostile demon
STATIONS. | proceeded to the borders of
Missouri and Kansas, which was then con-
sidered the extreme western frontier, and
recruited my men. At that time Kansas
City had only two or three houses-if you
could call them houses--at the foot of the
bluff. There were about ninety of us all
told; but when We had proceeded little
westward | weeded out about thirty of
them. whom | thought would do better on
a more peaceful mission Nesasrrived at
Monterey and found British feet in the
vicinity. / Immediately hoisted the Amer
lean flag and took possession of California
in the name of the United States.
Il was informed" continued General
Fremont, 'that had l waited three days
| would have been too late Hostilities
had commenced in Sonoma county, near
Sacramento. | first saw Los Angeles in
1916. 1t was then very small town, of
about, | should judge, 500 inhabitants
On the llth of January, 1877, we went to
San Francisco. Ny command had cap
tured Jose Jesus Pico, prominent Cali
fornian, who had broken his parole. After
being tried by a Court-martial, he was SEN
fenced to be shot, but his wife came to see
me and pleaded so strong for his life that
| had not the heart to refuse her. | sent
for him, and he came, evidently believing
that he was about to hear the order for his
execution. l told him he was at liberty,
owing to the intercessions of his WIFE At
| ter that he was one of my most faithful
friends, and We travelled over the State to-
gether.
''The treaty giving California to the
Americans was signed January II, 1S47,
between myself and General Andres Pico.
At the time the treaty was made
Commodore Stockton and General Kear-
ney were in Los Angeles. Some little dis
pute had arisen between them as to who
was in command. 1t had been settled by
Kearney acknowledging Stockton as his
superior officer, as there was proviso in
our Constitution at that time, stating that
the commander of a fleet at port should
have command of all naval and land forces.
At Los Angeles the dispute broke out
afresh, and they put the responsibility
upon me to decide by both issuing different
orders. As 4 consequence | was sent to
| Washington and court-martialed. The
officers who tried me said that, under the
circumstances it would have taken man
with much more experience than | had
had to determine whom to obey.
Right back Of the hotel where we now
are" continued the distinguished gentle
man, had thrown up fort, and about
one hundred yards from here were our
headquarters. 1t was large adobe build
ing, surrounded by large galleries. We
used to get huge pieces of canvas, and in
close them, and there we would give balls.
The California signoritas would come from
miles around, and they were a jolly, lively
set. We would dance until sunrise, when
4 gun would be fired from the fort, and the
guests depart. Just before the festivities
would end a native dance would be gwen,
and as the pretty girls would wind grace
fully in and out In the mazes of the dance
they would keep time to their move
ments by singing snatches of songs
characteristic of the people present. 1t
was beautiful sight, and it scarcely seems
more than yesterday when the old building
was filled with their merry laughter. The
first volume of my book, Retrospects of
Fifty Years Memoirs of My Life has
met with success beyond my most sanguine
expectations. The second volume will be
published within the next year"
General Fremont, though his hair and
beard are as white as snow, is as bright
and active as a boy in his teens. When
relating his experiences his eyes sparkled
and danced, and his voice was as strong as
that of many man half his age.