The Portland daily press., 1895-05-14

II
but for American settlers who were ear
nestly entreating his protection, by the
overthrow OF Mexican authority In Cali
fornia. He took this resolution the. 9th
or June, month previous to receiving
Intelligence that war with Mexico bad
been commenced. By series OF rapid
and bold attacks always successful, he
cleared the country north of the Bay of
San Francisco. Ee called the people of
| Sonoma together and advised them to de-
clare their independence of the Mexican
government. This was done, and he
was given chief command With one
hundred and sixty mounted rifiemen he
set ont to attack Castro who was now
retreating. AS he was departing in this
pursuit he learned that war with Mexico
had commenced and that Monterey had
heen taken by our naval force. The flag
of independence was hauled down and
that OF the United States hoisted perna-
nently over the province of California.
Commodore Stockton took possession of
the country as conquest of the Uuited
States.
A Catholic priest by the name of Eu-
| genlo Macnnmara, was with the British
legation in Mexico in 1S45. He made ap-
| plication to the government for grant
OF land including the entire valley of
the San JoaQuin, in which he proposed
to induce three thousand families to
locate. In bis memorial to the Mexican
President~he assigned as the grand OBJ
jects he had in view-1st. To advance
the cause of Catholicism. End. To coll
tribute to the happiness of his country
men. 3rd. To put an obstacle in the
way of further usurpations on the part
of an irreligious and anti-Catholic
| nation.
The application was referred to the
local authorities OF California Conven-
tions were about to be held to legalize
this grant. The priest was with Sir
George Seymour, the British Admiral,
who arrived with his fleet at Monterey
nine days after the American flag was
CO and the United States being now be-
| gun, neutral power had no right to in
terfere. But for the achievements of
Fremont in Northern California and his
prompt assumption of RESPONSE bility in
supreme moment, this domain would
have been British territory, and would
to this day have been an obstacle to the
progress, the prosperity and power of
this "irreligious and anti-C atholic
| nation"
Gen. Kearney, who was sent out by the
| War Depal tment after hostilities had
been declared 60 attempt to do what
Fremont and Commodore Stockton had
already accomplished, now arrived in
Monterey. His instructions were natur-
ally inconsistent with the authority
which Commodore Stockton was exer-
cising through Fremont whom he had
appointed as military cOmmandant. In
quarrel over point of military etiquette
between Stockton and Kearney, Fremont
became involved through his sense of
what alone would be honora BILE conduct
toward the Commodore. He explained
his position in a noble sentiment No
reason of interest shall ever compel me
to act toward any man in such way
that | should hereafter be ashamed to
meet him."
| After correspondence which brought
the conflict of authority to direct issue
and when more explicit orders from the
military department lett Fremont no
choice hut to report to Gen. Kearney, he
was directed by that General to proceed
TO the United States. When the border
was reached he was placed under arrest
| He was prosecuted before court mar
| tial. The written argument he submit.
ted at this memorable trial was mas
terpiece in it's array of facts and logical
propositions. Its language and style
valuable history OF events connected
with the acquisition of California.
| The alleged offenses though charged in
| grave and formal terms, were rather
breaches of the code of military eti-
quette about which army officers were
at that time sensitive, than wilfui acts
OF insu ubordination. The charges were
sustained by the military tribunal.
President Polk overyuled;in rart the find
ipgs of the Court Martial but approved
the result. He, however, Immediately
nullified the sentence by ordering Fre-
mont to resume his sword. But he could
not consent to acknowledge the justice
of the verdict by accepting the clemency
Of the President, and he therefore re-
signed his commission.
| There have been more conspicuous ex-
ampes of injustice to those whose
daring explorations and dis
coyeries on the American con-
| ii nent made them the worlds
benefactors. Columbus, too, was sent
home in chains. but four centuries have
gathered the scattered memorials of his
fame, and at length he has been honored
as was his DUE Raleigh. the illustrious
victim of national ingratitude, paid the
penalty of his greatness by imprison-
ment and death, but his name is as in
separably connected in America with the
| Atlantic coast as Fremont's is with the
Pacific.
The proceedings of this Court Martial
deepened the admiration which his ro-
mantle career had excited among the
people of the United States. The citi-
zens of his own State in public assem-
/ DIV expressed by resolutions and address,
es their sense of his character and SER
vices, and their estimation of the bril-
liancy of his achievements and tbs i'm
portance of the results he had accom-
| plished for his country. They presented
| bim with costly sword elaboratelv
wrought with appropriate devices and
inscriptions.
AS d private citizen and mainly at his
own expense he fitted out anther expedi-
tiou with a view to ascertain and survey
the most practicable National Road to
tho Pacific, one which should be the
thoroughfare OF the nations. This had
long been a central object of his am
bition. Among other facts be sought to
learn was whether it was posi- BILE to
keep way open in winter through the
high altitude OF the mountain passes.
He made this portion of his exploration
in the coolest season. The winter proved
OF unusual severity, and the sufferings
OF the party are only paralleled in the
annals of Arctic expeditions, and the
fortitude and tireless energy of the
leader lemind us naturally OF
the explorer of Darkest Africa.
This pathway he located while his de-
voted followers and the animals which
| I,xN,te <l,o I'll