The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-05-08
TuE DARING ACT OF A YOUNG
BRIDE THAT STIRRED
THE NATION

history of the United States by inter
eepting and Withholding important
government orders. The history of at
least three states on the Pacific coast
hinges more or less directly upon this
act of characterization, pronounced at
the time. far and wide, as highland
ed. but later justified by the exigen-
cies of the times. The bride was Mrs.
Jessie Benton Fremont, wife of John
c. Fremont, the explorer and states
man, and daughter of Thomas II. Ben
ton, for many years a senator from
Missouri.
Early in 1S43 Fremont received
from the United States government a
commission to undertake the second
Of his noted expeditions of explora-
tons to the northwest, then the vast,
uninhabited region, the ultimate des-
tiny of which hung in the balance. In
obedience to il, he went to st. Louis
from Washington and Immediately
set about Quitting his expedition,
with his young wife acting as his
secretary.
Il Is a matter of history that during
the first third OF the last century
there was a powerful sentiment, both
in and out of congress, against ex-
tending the dominion of the United
States to the Pacific coast. Such sena-
tors as Webster and Calhoun we're op-
posed to II and for the most part
we're able to influence congress to
their beliefs. On the other hand, Sena-
tor Benton, following his first election
in 1921, became a staupch advocate
of western expansion and was able
through whose efforts the various ex-
petitions of exploration were autho-
rized.
In Quitting his expedition, Free
mont took the liberty of adding ~
pound brass howitzer, secured from
the government arsenal at st. Louis
upon the representation that he need
ed it as a defense against possible
hostile Indians.
News of this acquisition, it appears,
was carried hastily to Washington,
where the announcement created
something of sensation in govern
mental circles. The element not es-
pecially friendly to the expedition
declared that the taking of cannon
into foreign or neutral territory con-
stituted an act OF hostility which
might involve the government in
grave eventuaIities. This view ap-
pears to have been shared by the
head of the Topographic Bureau
under whose direction the explora-
ton were being made, for he straight
way dispatched sealed orders to Free
mont at st. Louis, directing him to
halt the expedition and report forth
with at Washington for the purpose
of giving an explanation of his action.
Fremont had left ST Louis for the
west in April, shortly before the ar
rival of these orders, Mrs. Fremont,
as his secretary, being instructed to
open his mail and forward by courier
such documents as appeared import
ant. He was still within easy recall,
having proceeded but short distance
into what now constitutes Kansas up
on the day of the arrival of the i'm
portant post. o
The young Mrs. Fremont, who was
thoroughly imbuded with the ardor
of her husband and father for western
expansion, though she discerned In
the peremptory orders a subterfuge
to defeat the purpose of the expedi-
ton. For her husband to proceed to
Washington, she we'll knew, would re-
quire weeks and make impossible any
Journey to the northwest during the
season. Senator Benton was absent:
It was before the days of telegraph;
she had no one with whom to counsei.
Thus, beset, the young wife resolved
10 suppress the orders.
Summoning one of the fast couriers
at her command, Mrs. Fremont dis
patched message of love to her hus-
band. urging him at all hazards to
hasten his departure from the farther
est fringe of civilization and to pass
beyond the Rocky mountains as quick
" as possible. There were hints OF
reason in the message, but the reason
was not given.
Thus, Colonel Fremont proceeded
upon journey of months all uncons-
cious that his presence in Washington
was daily expected.
There was another sensation at
Washington when the expedient prac-
ucGd nv fhn vounp bride hpcame