The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-15


and plain. 1t was to overcome these
obstacles that the Travelling Republic
was formed.
Studying the problem Of quickly
reaching California. Captain. Joseph s.
Watkins, a Virginian, who had served
in the legislature Of the state. con-
ceived the idea of forming a complete
government, with executive, judici-
airy, legislative and military branches,
whereby all who desired to become
citizens thereof, UP to a certain limit,
might be assured Of safe passage to
the tabled gold fields.
Announcing his plan, Watkins found
little trouble in securing volunteer
subjects and during December. 1S4S,
a meeting was held at Memphis to
organize a provisional government.
About ~seventy-fve volunteers from
various parts OF the south attended
and took the oath Of allegiance, each
pledging himself to contribute 1000
in cash to the treasury and to abide
by the rule of the majority in every
particular until the republic should
be formally and legally disanded in
California. The citizenship was later
increased to the full limit, 400.
An elaborate constitution covering
every possible contingency. was drawn
up and adopted. At the election which
followed Captain Watkins was elect
ed president, the other officers being
vice president, three judges, court, of
appeals judges, members. of legisla-
ture and many minor functionaries,
ranging down to sheriff and constable.
The army was organized with a full
quota Of officers and p~rivates.
Strictly according to law the Ten
nessee- California Travelling Republic
left Memphis on the first day OF
March, 1849, and proceeded by a spec,
tally chartered steamer UP the Missis-
sippi and Missouri rivers to the out
fitting point at independence near
here. ALI went well during this por-
ton of the journey. The legislature
held sessions at intervals and passed
such laws as seemed necessary, while
the courts tried and punished any
casual offenders among the citizen
ship. -:"" -
Arriving at the end of the steamer
journey it was found that the advance
agents had about completed purchases
of equipment. and supplies and that
the actual start for the gold fields
might soon be made. The caravan. as
QUILTED. consisted Of twenty wagons,
each drawn by two ORLEANS, together
with many extra cattle and saddle
horses for the president and leading
officers. The store Of. supplies was
large and expensive. Early in April
all arrangements had been completed
and on the fifteenth the Tennessee
California Travelling Republic set
forth upon, its voyage across. the
plains.
Early in. it's history the. legislature
nf fha 1Nro VALVE pnnHVhJfp IoS na-uaJ
a law exempting all persons holding
official positions, whether by election
or appointment, from camp drudgery
and guard duty. In the enthusiasm of
the start, little attention was paid to
this law, but before fifty miles Of
the plains had been traversed it's
practical workings BECAME a source
of Irritation to the %populace. Robust
legislators, judges and all sorts of
petty legislators insisted upon the
privileges attached to their positions.
They rode while others walked. rested
in camp while others worked and slept
while others stood guard. Murmur-
ings ere soon, heard, the privileged
class was openly. reviled and before
many days had elapsed mutiny and
rebellion were rife in the Travelling
Republic.
The class enjoying exemptions
pointed to the constitution and re-
fused concessions. Acts of insub-
ordination were promptly punished
by the lower. court and when cases
were appealed to the supreme court,
that august body upheld the right Of
those holding official positions to ride
and rest and sleep.
Thus, this amazing aggregation
drifted along for days and weeks, far
up the Platte, sighting and skirting
Pixies Peak and entering upon the
mountain passes which led to the
Great Basin. Probably nothing so
ridiculous in the way Of an expedition
ever had existence in the United
States. The humor Of the thing help
cd to keep it alive.
Soon after passing Fort Laramise,
however, affairs came to a crisis.
President Watkins, although an aris-
tocrat by birth, recognized the just
ness of the complaints of the common
citizens and sought to have the OBJ
~noxious special privilege law repeal
ed. This. the legislature refused to
do. The common people, thereupon,
held a convention and adopted a
formal ordinance of secession, thus
~disrupting the republic and leaving
the .officerholders with their Offices,
but minus anyone to govern.
Following this open rapture, a
compromise was reached whereby the