The Portland daily press., 1890-07-14


John Charles Fremont was born in Say
annah, Ca, January 81, 1918. His father,
who was a Frenchman, had settled in Nor
folk, Va, married Annie Beverly Whiting. a
Virginia lady, and supported himself by
teaching his native language. After his
death in 1918, his widow with three small
children, moved to Savannah, Ga. John G..
Fremont entered the junior class of Charles
ton College in 1928 and for some time stood
high, especially in mathematics, but his in
attetlon and frequent absences at length
caused his expulsion. He then employed
himself as teacher and in 1888 became
teacher OF mathematics on the sloop-of-war
Natchez. After course Of two years, he
returned and was given his degree by the
college which had expelled him. He then
passed a rigorous examination for profess
sorship in the United States navy and re-
ceiyed an appointment which he declined to
become an assistant engineer of the United
States typographical corps, being employed
on surveys for a projected railroad between
Charleston and Cincinnati, aiding particu-
larly in the exploration Of the mountain
passes between North Carolina and Tennes-
see. In 1887 young Fremont was
member OF the force which
made reconnaissance OF the mountainous
Cherokee country in Georgia and adjoining
states. made rapidly in the depth Of winter,
in anticipation of hostilities with the Indl,
ans.
In 1910. while in Washington preparing
his report OF explorations made north of the
Missouri, Fremont, who had been commis-
stoned second lieutenant of Typographical
engineers. met Jessie. the daughter of Hon.
Thomas III. Benton, Senator from Missouri.
An engagement followed, but as the young
lady was but 10 years of age her parents OBJ
jected to the match, and it was probably
through Senator BentOn's influence that the
young officer received an order to explore
the river Des Moines, on the western from
Tier. The survey was made rapidly, and
shortly after its completion the lovers were
secretly married, October 10, 1S41. In 1912.
Fremont was sent to explore the Rocky
Mountains, particularly the South Pass His
report Of the expedition. made in the winter
OF 1912. attracted great attention al home
and abroad
Immediately after he determined to ex-
Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, and set
out in May, 1843, with 80 men. His investi-
cations corrected many erroneous ideas re-
garding the Rocky Mountain region. and
and the Pacific states. During this expedi-
ton Fremont and his men struggled across
the snow-covered mountains which the Indi-
ans declared impossible, reaching the Sacra-
mento after enduring great hardship. he
returned to Kansas in July, 1874, after an
absence of IA months.
In the winter Of 1886. after spending the
summer in exploration, we find Fremont in
Monterey, then the capital of California, to
obtain from the Mexican authorities permits
sion to proceed with his explorations. The
permission was given and revoked, where
upon the Americans prepared to defend
themselves, and were besieged on Hawks
Peak for four days, at the end of which, Ere
mont withdrew his forces. In the following
May Fremont received orders to look out for
m in nrNafo haf
to fear the transfer of the province to Great
Britain and an attack on American settlers.
In less than a month the lucky explorer
had freed Northern California from
Mexican influence Un1ceep He received
this time and was elected governor by the
American settlers. In the next few months
he was acting with Commodore Stockton in
the effort to conquer California and jan
uary 13, 1847, concluded with the Mexican's
articles Of capitulatiOn which left California
permanently in the possession of the United
States. General Kearney Of the United
States army, having in the meantime ar
rived on the ground,.a dispute arose as to
whether Fremont was tC obey his orders or
those of Commodore Stockton. This led to
tial in Washington. He was found guilty of
mutiny and diSObedience and sentenced to be
dismissed from the service. A majority Of
the court recommended clemency and the
President refused to confirm the verdict of
mutiny. but Fremont promptly handed in
his resignation. He then conducted two
more exhibitions at his own expense to find
a passage to California by the upper waters
of the Rio Grande. Success rewarded the
second expedition, but the first was failure
after great suffering on the part of the lead
er and his followers.
In 1850 Fremont represented the new
state Of California in the Senate, serving
three weeks having drawn the lot for the
short term. He failed of reelection after
142 ballotings, bing a member OF the anti
slavery party. During the next five years,
Fremont visited Europe where he was re-
ceived with distinction and returning con-
Quoted another expedition, finding new pass
es through the mountains and reaching Cali
fornia after enduring many hardships.
Fremont now began to be mentioned as an
anti-slavery candidate for the Presidency,
and in the first national Republican conven-
tion, which met in Philadelphia in 1856, re-
ceived 359 vots to 1876 for John Mclean on
an informal ballot, being unanimously NOM
mated on the first ballot. A few days later
a national American convention at New
York also nominated him. The election re-
suited in the choice of Mr. Buchanan, who
received ia electoral votes from 10 states,
Fremont receiving ia from IL states, Mary
land giving her vote to Fillmore. OF the
popular vote Fremont had ], ,341, 900; Buchan-
an, 1885, 900.
When the rebellion broke out, after pur-
chasing arms for the government in Europe,
Fremont was made major general of the
regular army and given command Of the
western department After the battle of
Wilson Creek, where Gen. Lyon was slain,
Gen. Fremont proclaimed martial law and
took active measures against the secession
lists His course was approved by President
Lincoln with the exception of his announce
ment that he should emancipate the slaves
of those engaged in war against the United
States. This the President deemed prema-
true and .annulled, Fremont declining to
withdraw 1t. In November, 1861, Fremont
was relieved of his command, complaints
having been made of his administration
although his friends claimed there was po-
litical conspiracy against him. In March,
1867, ne was given command of the "moun-
tain district of Kentucky, Virginia and
Tennessee, but in the following June de-
clined to serve under General Pope for "suf-
ficient personal reasons" and was relieved.
He received no other command during the
war. though he has maintained that one was
promised him.
In 1864, some Republicans dissatisfied with
Mr.. Lincoln. nominated Fremont for the
presidency, but he declined after 1t had been
represented to him that the defeat If the
Democratic party depended OF his doing so.
Since then he has taken no active part in
rNolt 10 e,NIa gl,a IA