The daily union. [volume], November 09, 1846, Page 650, Image 2

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UpKKATloNH OF CAPl'AIN KKKMONT IN
UPFEU CALIFORNIA.
% LtUtr frmt Hemtlor Ronton (e iki /VrrrdmT
Hit: Im the abaenee of official information on ihe
uubjeef *f Lieutenant (lolouel (than Captain) Fieluont'a
opera'tuna ill Upper California, I deem it
my duty to lay before you the private leitera which
I have received from that officer, for (he purpoae
ofahowing you hie actual poeition at the la teat delta;
the unwilling manner in which he became involved
in hoelililiee with the Mexican authoriuca of
* that province, before he hed heard of the war with
Mexico; and eapectally to diaprove the aceuaauon,
officially aguinat him by Governor Caalro, of hav
ing come into CaliforiiM with a body of United
Sielea troop*, under the pretext of a acienlilic rxpedition,
buLin reali||r to excite the Americana a?U
tied in that /fcovtncmto an inaurrecuon againat ihe
Mexican government. Thia accuaalion ta of the
caveat character, moat aerioualy implicating the
t good faith und honor of our government, and
officially made by Governor Caalro, in a deepaich
to the minuter of war and marine, urder data of the
ft rat of April laet, and publiahed in ?1 Monitor Rel>ublicano,
in the city of Mexico, by the order of the
Mexican government, on ihe 10th of May laet. A
cnnv of tliia uarter waa sent to Mra Frdmont, my
daughter, by the Hon. Mr. Slidall, end au English
translation of it ia herewith presented.
When Cart. Fifnumt left the United States to
roinpleMJp^ scientific labors beyond the Rocky
mouiitalMfil with full knowledge of the jroiitieml
as well haprrroaoi difficulties of the enterprise.
He kwww thet the relationaof the United States were
criliral Mb eitk Mexico and Ureal Britain?that
he was going through the territories of the one, and
among the aeltlemen'a of the other?that jealousy
would attach to his movements, and all his ar te be
referred to his government}?and he was perfectly
determined to use the utmoet circumspection in all
his conduct, confining himself'wholly to his scientific
pursuits, and carefully avoiding as well the ?i>|>caranee
aa the reality of either a political or military
mission. With this view, and after having
traversed the d< sect, and crossed the Great Basin
which lies between the Kocky mountains and the
Smith -V<vmla of the AUm CmiifbmU, he left hie men
upon the frontier, an hundred miles from Monterey,
and went alone to that city to explain his ohject and
wishes ia person to Gov Castro. He did this in
the most formal and official manner, in company
with the United Statea consul, Mr. O'Larkin, fat
whose house be stopped}) and, conforming to the
whole detail of Spanish ceremonial, he not only call,
ed on the governor, but also on the prefect and the
ulcaUU. The interview waa entirely satisfactory
To the gorernor'a remark that he wua
bringing a considerable body of United Statea troops
with him, Capt. F. answered that it was not so?
that ha had no troop* at all?only a flaw hired men
for aecurity against Indiana, ana killing game?thai
he waa not even an officer of the line, but of
Topographical Engineer*?and that h* wit seeking
a new route (among other object* of erience) to the
mouth of the.Columbia, upon a line fcirther eouth
than the present travelling route, and which hud
brought him through the unacttlrd parte of the Upper
California; and that he now wiahed to wintei in
the valley of the San Joaquin, where there wn
game for hi* men, and graae for hi* borate. To i
this the governor agreed, and Captain Prfmont left .
Monterey to bring hie men to the beautiful valley
which he had explored in hi* previou* expedition,
and to which both himself and hi* men looked fur- I
ward a* to a peradiae of repoee and refreahment, af- I
ter their toilaome and periloua march of three thou- I
and mile* among savage tribe*, and through wilderness
and desert countries. I
Scarcely had he arrived in thia valley, when information
began to reach him from all quarter* that
the governor waa raising the province agninat htm,
and coming upon him with troops of ull arms?
cavalry, artillery, and infantry?and that hie situs- t
lion waa moat critical arid dangerous. The consul
sent a special messenger to warn htm of hi* dinger;
the American aettler* below offered to join him;
but he utterly refused their aseiatance, because he
would not compromise them. But he did what
honoi and aelf-preservation required, and what the
courage and fidelity of hie men enthusiastically seconded;
he took position, and waited the approaeli
of the assailants; and that pcaition waa nearer to
them, on the aummit of the Sierra, overlooking
Monterey, at thirty milee distance, and whence, with
their glasses, they could plainly see the troops, with
their artillery, which had croased ths bay (of Monterey)
to San Juan, on their way to attack him.
The governor, with these troops, and with all his
threats, nftcr coni ng towards the camp on the
. f Sierra, did not r?.>ie to it; and Captain Fremont, I
Authful to his den:, i to avoid collision, if possible,
finding himself not attacked, determined to retire,
and to proceed lo Oregon, on his intended route of
the valley of the Sacramento, the Tlamnth lake,
and the valley of the Wahlahmath river. Accord ?gly,
about the 10th of March, he left his posi- I
ion on the Sierra, descended into the valley of the
Sen Joaquin, and commenced his march by slow
and easy stages, of four and six miles a day,
towards Oregon.
It is of this encampment on the Sierra that Governor
Castro makes particular complaint in his despatch
to the Minister of War and Marine, as an
evidence of hostile intentions, and where the American
flag was raised, a fortification built, nnd the
American settlers called in for its defence. Unhap.
pily we have no letter from Capt. Fremont detailing
the events of these days; but the want of euch a
letter is well supplied by the official communications
from the American consul at Monterey to oui Secretary
of State, and by Capt. Fremont's brief note to
ths consul, (writtea in pencil,) while expecting the
attack of Gov. Castro, and which haa been heretofore
published 'in our papers. Mr. Buchanan fur
niehcd ua, aa aoon aa they were received, with copiea
of iheae despatches, which are herewith laid before
you, and from which it will be seen that Gov
ernnt Castro's accuaaiiona against Captain Frfinont
are entirely unfounded?that ao far from having excited
the Americana to revolt, he abaolutely refused
to receive thoae who offered to join him! and, more,
that when after leaving thia poaition, and granting
iliarbargee to five or aix of hta men, he refuaed to fill
their placet from the nicn in the country! ao determined
waa he to avoid aa well in appearance, aa in
fact, the email eel act offonaive or injurioua to the
Mexican authoritiea. The tame correspondence
ahowa the entire falsehood of all the superlative gasconade
which Governor Castro put into his official
report about the spoils of the camp?the
dispersion of Fifimont and his men?their flight into
the bulruahea, and through the deaert?his suffocation
in the cradle of a dangerous conspiracy, Ac.,
with all which imaginary exploits his official despatch
waa filled, while Frfmont, with sixty-two men
and two hundred horaee, were elowly retiring in s
body, almost in his view, iftid utterly abstaining
from any act of offence to the province or ila au
thortUes. It was no uouoi inia raise report 10 ihk
Svernment, and (be ridicule he incurred by it in
tlifornia, that led to hie eubaequenl operations in
May to exterminate Fr<mont'a party, and all the
American aettlere on the Sacramento.
On return from the evacuated camp on the Sierra,
the governor also put forth a proclamation, in the
vien of hia report, and even worae, etyling Frfmont
nnd hia t/ien a band of highway robbers, plundering
the people. Ac., which accuealion of plundering the
consul- took the tronble to inveatigate, and found to
l? a very trivial offence of mannerr (not oflaw or
norwki) which the injured party valued a Are dollars,
and for which Capt. Frfmnnt gave ten. For
the real, the conaul, alter all this, declares the inhabitants
of the country to be well pleased with
Capi. Frfmont, nnd that he might walk the streets
of Monterey the next day alone, if he chose. The
only truth in Governor Castro's despatch is,
that Captain Fr<mont took a military position,
entrenched it, and raised the American flag; but
those events were the eontqtttncr, and not the
cause of Gov. Castro's movement against him; and
this is fully shown in that brief, heroic note, written
in pencil, in answer to the consul's warning, in
which Capt Fifmont, after refusing the aid or the
American settlers, declared for himself and his sixtytwo
men that they had done nothing wrong to the
authorities or the people of the country?that if attacked
thev won d defend themselves. and die to the
last man under the flag of (hair country, and leave it
to their country to avenge their death*. All they
did waa in aelf-defence. The flog wan raieed, not
aa a atandard of inaurreetion, or n? a *ign of contempt
to the Mexican government, but n* the American
aymbol of honor and patriotiam, which wna entitled
to reapect from other*?to defence from them? I
and which they had displayed in that hour of danger
aa a warning to the approaching naaailanta?a*
a bond of union and devotion among themaelvea?
and aa an appeal and invocation (if they ahould be
* destroyed) to the avenging spirit of their fur diatant
country. To my mind, thia entrenching on the
mountain, and raiaing the national flag, waa entirely
juetiAable under the rircuinetaneee of the caae; and
tha noble resolution which they took (refuaing the
aid of their countrymen) to die if attacked under the
flag of thair country, four thouaand miles diatant
from their homes, waa an act of the higheat hero
ism, worthy to be recorded by Xenophon, and reflecting
equal honor upon tha brave young officer
who commanded and the heroic stXTT-rwo by whom
h* waa aupported.
The first letter that we received from Captain Fr#
mont after hie withdrawal from the Sierra, and from
t e valley of the Hon Juan. M dated tha leal day of Qt
A|>ril, in latitude 40, on the Sacramento river; and,
(hough written merely to inform Mre. Printout of I
hie personal cuiicerus, becomea important In a pub- 4
lie point of view on account of subsequent eventa in
June and July, by allowing that on the Aral of April
he wae i-n hie way to Oregon?that he had ahiandotted
nil internum of returning through any (tart of I"
California?would crura the Rocky mouiituine 1
through the Northern Paaa on the line lietween (he loai
Upper, or Kettle Kulle of the Columbia, and the the
Greet Falls of the Miavouri?and be in the United led
State* in September Thia ahowu thvt he had, ai of i
that time, no idea of the event* in which h* waa pot
auberquenily involved, and that he hail abandoned ing
the chenahed Aeld of hie intended acumuAc rreearch- cut
ea for the ex preen purpose of avoiding all offence to the
ihe Mexican authoriuea. Of the evanle in the val- art
ley of the Han Joatf win and the camp on the Star*a, ler
he epeeka a few worda, without detail, but deacrip- ttei
uve of hia condition, charactariatlc of hia prudence iu lea
not comproinieing hia country, and worthy to he inf
repented in hia own language. He aaye: "The Span cot
turt/j were iuiiuwh.it ruit and inhwpdable below, and fan
ordered me out of the country after having given tnt kn
(uraiirti* U winter there My rm.u of duly did not qui
permit ma to fight them, hat ire retired ilowly and mil
erowUnele before a force of three or four handed men. of
and three pieces & artillery. Without the shadow of a the
cauo the governor suddenly raised the whole country
against me, issuing a false and scandalous proctamatlu.1 ot
Of course, I did seat dare to compromise the Uni'ed int
States, against which appearances would have been the
strong; hut though it was in my power to increase my lex
party by .1mei leans, I ryfrained from committing a soli go'
laru act of hostility or impropriety." His next letter ret
te dated the 14th of May, and inform* ine that, in Sit
hie progress to Oregon, he found himaelf and party lea
unexpectedly attacked by the Tlasnalh Indiana? wh
the moat warlike of that quarter?had loat five iiieu unt
in killed and wounded?and alill expected to be ui not
ihe United States in the month of September. ma
Thie wai the last letter received from Captain aht
Frfmont until the one of July 96th, from Monterey,
of the Pacific ocean, and brought in by Com- ana
modore Sloal. The event* which brought him pla
back you have learned from that commodore; but cor
the causes which led to theae event* are ueceaaary to u>(
be known for the justification of Captain Fremont; cm
for, although actually justified by ine existence of tret
the war with Mexico, yet he knew nothing of the fiaj
war when theae evenlx took place; and, though wa
knowing of it when he wrote, yet he would not of l
avail himaelf of hia sobeenuenI knowledge to jus- vat
lify previous acta, and therefore chose to rest every- wit
thing upon the state of facta, aa he saw them, when nei
he resolved and acted. Theae causes, and the events be I
to which they led, are rapidly sketched by him the
in this, hi* last letter; and while the whole letter is im|
herewith submitted to you, yet, for your eonve- ing
nience, 1 collect its substance into the smulleat me
compass and lay it before you. The substance ia by
. s. ,i? _r x4... r?.?. ... ,iT.
una m mo miuure ui "??7, w?r.. .
pursuance of his design to reach Oregon, and return alt
by the Columbia and Missouri through the North- nm
ern Pass in the Rocky mountains, had arrNred at
the great Tlamath Lake, in the edge of the Oregon dia
territory, a/hen he found his lurther progress com- ces
pletely Uarred by the double obstacle of hostile In- om
dians, which Castro had excited against him, and lilli
the lofty mountains, covered with deep and falling thi
snows, which made the middle of Mav in that ele- his
rated region the same as the middle of winter, wii
These were the difficulties and dangers in front. Be- the
hind, and on the north bank of the San Francisco
bay, at the military post of Sonoma, waa General wr
Castro, assembling troops with the avowed inten- Ca
lion of attacking both Fremont's party, and all the the
American settlera, against whom the Indians had mo
been already excited. Thus, his passage barred in wii
front by im|?*anhle snows and mountains?hemmed the
in by savsge Indians, who were thinning the ranke am
of his little party?menaced by a general at the nol
head of ten-fold force# of all arms?the American by
settlera in California marked out for destruction on my
a false accusation of meditating a revolt under hit she
instigation? his men and horsea suffering from dee
fatigue, cold, and famine?and after the most Soi
anxious deliberation upon all the dangers of ten
his position, and upon all the responsibilities of .wh
his conduct, Captain Fremont determined to inv
turn upon hie pursuers, and fight them instantly, pr?
without regard to numbers, and seek safeiy for his cot
party and the American aetilera, by overturning the Mi
Mexican government in California. It wna on the '
6th day of June that he came to this determination; ma
and, the resolution being once taken, all half-way of
measures were discarded, and a rapid execution of ass
the plan was commenced On the 11th of June a (
supply of two hundred horses for Castro's troops, Ap
on the way to his camp, conducted by an officer
and fourteen men, were surprised at daylight, and 1
I h# whole raptured?the men and officers hejng re
easeu, ami tne riorum retained lor American use. ojf
On the 15th, at daybreak, the military poet of So- ?
noma (the point of rendezvous, and intended head- i
(quarter*) was aurpnaed and taken, with nine piece*
of braaa cannon, two hundred and fifty ttumf of
mtlekcla, other arms and ammunition, with sevintl
superior officer*, General Vnllrjo, (Val-y.-lni,) hi* ^0'
brother, Captain Vallejo, Colonel Greuxdon, and ?''
other*; all of whom were detained and confined a* f"*
prisoners. Captain Frfmont then rrpaired to the '^e
American settlemints on the Rio de lot Americanos re*
to obtain aaitatance; and receiving an expre-s from w"
his little garrison of fourteen in Sonoma that Gen- v,t
eral Castro was preparing to cross the bay of San
Francisco and attack them with a large force, he sat ?''
out in the afternoon of the 23d of June with ninety
mounted riflemen, and travelling day and night, atrived
at 2 o'clock in the morning of the 25th at So- 'u6
noma?eighty miles distance. The vanguard of *
Castro's f 'rce had crossed the bay?a squadron of
eventy dragoons, commanded by de la Torre? a
which was attacked and defeated by twenty Americans,
with the loss of two killed and some wounded
on the part of the Mexicans and no injury *
to themselves?dt la Torre barely escaping with
the loss of his transport boats, nnd spiking six
pieces of artillery. In the mean time, two of Capt. An
Frfmont's men, going as an express, were captured of
by de la Torre't men, and, being bound to trees, were tioi
cut to pieces alive with knives ! in return for which, the
three of de la Torre's men being taken, were instant- Th
i? ~l.TK. I. ?r - -r-L - i i"*
i j nnui. * niuc ui me ufly in o'-in r rancis- ne
co wan now cleared of thecneiny, and on (lie fourth rou
Jay of July, Capt. Fremont called the Americana tha
together at Sonoma, addressed them upon the dan- me
gera of their situation, and recommended a dec- tiei
iaration of independence, and war upon Cas- the
tro and his (roopa, as the only menna of safety. The M<
independence was immediately declared, and the war ani
proclaimed. A few days afterwards, an officer from cru
Commodore Sloat brought intelligence that the goi
American flag was hoisted at Monterey?an example
which was immediately followed wherever the fin
news flew. The pursuit and defeat of Castro was
then the only remaining enterprise. He had fled
south towards tho numerous Mexican towns and M.
settlements beyond Monterey, with his four or five
hundred men; and, Capt. Fremont, leaving some fifty
men in garrisons, set nut with Oi.e hundred and
sixty mounted riflemen in the pursuit, when he receivrd
instructions from Commodore Sloat to march jyj,
upon Monterey. He did so, and found Commodore
Stockton in command, approving the pursuit of _|.
Castro, and aiding it by all the means in his power [e(|
The sloop-of-war Cyane was put at his service. a(e
Capt. Frtmont, with one hundred and sixty Amer can
riflemen and aeventy murines, embarked on that |,j(
vessel, and sailed down the coast on the 36th of Ju- tra
ly, to San Ditgo, four hundred miles south of Mon- j|j,
terey, and one hundred aouth of Purbla rfr lot .Inge- -pt
let, where Caatro waa understood to be, with an in- tn
creaatng force of five hundred men. The deacent of un
the coast as far as .San /)icfo was with the view to
get ahead of Caatro, and to be in a position either to on
intercept him if he fled aouth to Mexico or to nf
Lower California, or to turn back upon him if he p#!
remained in Pvrblt dt lot JtngtUt, or any of the nu- Bn
meroua town* in ita neighborhood. In either event, ai||
the enterprise will probably have had ita conclusion l(l(
early in August, and official details may now be
looked for By the first arrivals from the North Pa- r0l
cific ocean. In the meantime I hope the informs- w(
lion I am able to give, though all of a private char- pu
acter, written solely for the information of frienda, '
and never expected to go before the public, may be
sufficient In relieve present anxietiea, to disprove the ,j,i
accusations of Qovernor Castro, and to justify the av
operations of Capt. Frfmont. I make this eommu- Bn
mention to you, sir, upon the responsibilities of an
American senator, addressing the President of the
United States, and with ihe sole view of vindicating fnl
the American government,and ita officer,from the foul mt
imputation of exciting insurrection in the provinces |r|
of a neighboring power, with whom we were then ao
at peace 1 could add much more to prove that
Captain Fremont's private views and feelings were
in unison with his ostensible mission?that the passion
of his soul was the pursuit of science?and
that he looked with dread and aversion upon every
possible collision either with Indians, Mexioana,
or British, that could turn him aside from that eher- r a
ished pursuit. A more formal occasion for the exhibition
of these further and other proofs may soon
oecur; but the exigency of the circumstances seemed
to me to require that no time should be lost ,
in communicating the truth to thb public mind, both
ni home and abroad, in a ease so seriously affecting .
the national t hamster, and in which uncorrected
error, for eren ehorl lime, would do great miechief.
w
Very re.pectfully, eir, your friend and fellowcitizen,
THOMAS H. BRNTON. !l
Wa.wikoto*, Not. 9, 1846.
Icro/ dtrpalch from (muiiJ Cut'O to Iki JKxrirsn
it culmy of W.? and .U?nu, UaUU April J, lt4<i
ruutlulcU from HI Monitor HxpuUunnu uj llu 10/A
<f Mny, 1M4G, publialuil m lAr cily of Milieu.
WAR AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS.
CioMxaai. I'mxcrtx ur llrrn CumtMi.
0. 1 HO. J
Ifoua Eictuim r : lii my note of the 5th of
t March, I informed the supreme government of
arrival of oever.il families coming from the UniSlates,
who came to ine Sacramento river, anil
ihe measures taken to make them leave the detinent
in ihe corning inon<h of May, for not havbrooghi
the legal |*ssports; and of the newa
umoiiii au-il by an ullieer who ulao emend by
i name road, a few daya afterwards, with an
ned parly, announcing iliat during the pant wina
conaideruble number of individuala who were
aecuud fur their religious opiniona were to
ve Ihe Stales for Una country; and here I ehould
orm your excellency of the result of the liue of
duct obaerved by the aald oJHcer, to whoec aire
I referred in my note of the 6th inatant, maig
reference to my nelly from Una point in conae?nce
of ihe intiuiation given to Don J. C. Kic>nt,
that he should retire from within the limits
this defMirtment, as was expressly instructed in
oriler or lKth July, IM44.
I'hta officer, failing in the respect due to llie law*
the republic and the authoritir* of the country,
rodured himself in the midst of the population of
i department with a reafieetahle force, under pre;t
of coming with a scientific commiaaion from hi*
refitment; and treating with contempt ihe notice
erred to, he look possession of ihe heights of Ihe
irra nearest to this point, distant about nine
gues, having only made a verbal answer as to
at would be the conduct of the military command
Jer him in his camp, which was, that thev did
: intend to obey the order to retire, but would rein
on that spot prepared to resist any force that
tuld attack them.
It not being possible to endure such a haughty
iwer, in obedience to the authorities of this
ce, all the neighborhood collected at this
nmand with the moet bvely enthusiasm, and hav;
organized a force of 150 men, I went to the viily
of the Sierra where the aaid Fremont had clinched
[parapetado] himself under the American
f which he had had the audacity to raise there. I
e prepared to attack him in the night of the 10th
the same month, when the raid officer taking aditageof
the darkness, abandoned the fortification,
houl doubt precipitately, as we found there the
it day some iron instruments and other things
onguig to his equipment; and, in trying to find
trail, to know which direction they took, it was
!*Maible for me to know on account of their havwithdrawn
in complete di*[>ere!on: thie obliged
loatay for some days in that neighborhood until,
some individuals who came from the valley of
Tulareeto my eamp, I was informed that the
? .c- 1 L._ ? .k.
frniurrn* were lanin^ mo iuhu "?v ??? ?#? ?
rth into the desert country.
The wish to give the supreme government immeti
knowledge of this event, hes rendereil it nesnry
for me to hire a vessel, which will sail at
:e for Acapulco, carrying Captain Andres Cassro,
commissioner for the supreme government in
s department, which individual, notwithstanding
delicate health, undertakes this step alone, in the
ih to do a service to this country in particjlar and
nation in general.
rho accompanying letter, translated into Spanish,
itlen to the American consul at this port by
plain Frfmont from the camp he occupied during
days referred to, will be a proof of the decision
de by this individual to maintain his position,
ihout doubt in the hope of uniting to his forces
i American adventurers who are disseminated
ong the Puebloa of the department; but this did
; happen, on account of the rapid movement made
the popu ation of the north in consequence of
' foresight alarming them in a manner, which
>uld sufTocate in its cradle any such extravagant
lign, as it effectually did in the province of
nora, in which there are indications of having inded
to aecoml the vtewa of Captain Fremont, on
tch affair I occupy myeelf with some caution to
eetigate the truth of* such event with all suitable
:caution, operating in concert with the military
nmandant of that frontier Lieutenant Colonel
iriano Guadeloupe Vallejo.
rhi< will enable your excellency to lay all the
tier before his excellency the Senor President
the repuolic, acrepiing at the same time my
uranccH of obedience and reaped
jod and liberty, Monterey, in Upper California,
ril lat, 1S4C.
JOSE CASTRO
l'o the Detriment of War a; d Navy.
iHat Ulleri from Mr. Lot kin, VniUd Slain cvntul
it Monterey, of Upper California, lo Mr. Buchanan,
Secretary of Stale.
PaarECTvnc or the jecomd district.
['he undersigned, prefect of this district, has the
lor 01 applying to tne consul 01 me unuea mates
[he north, .by this note, asking if he will favor the
fectory under his charge with an information of
objict or commission with which an officer (now
iding in your house) has arrived at this district
h troops from the aforesaid republic, and has adiced
as far as the river Sacramento, that he may
able to do the name to hisexcellency the governor
[he department
rhe undersigned embraces this opportunity of reving
to the senor consul of the United States his
best respect and consideration.
3od and Liberty! Monterey, January t!9th, 1846.
MANUEL CASTRO.
ro Thomas o. Laakin,
Consul United States, Monterey.
JoNSULATE of TUB UNITED STATES of AMERICA,
Monteret, California, January '29th, 1846.
rhe undersigned, consul of the United States of
lcrica, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt
your letter of this morning, requesting informan
respecting the motives Capt. J. C. Fremont, of
United Statea army, has in visiting this country,
e undersigned is informed by Capt. Fremont that
has been ordered to survey the most practicable
ite from the United Slates to the Pacific ocean?
t he has left his company consisting of fifty hired
n (not of the United Slates army) on the fronts
of this department, for the purpose of resting
mselves and animals. He has come himself to
interey to obtain clothing, und funds to purchase
male and provisions; and when his men are rented,
intends to continue his journey to the Oren
Territory.
rhe undersigned has (he honor to ofTor to the ier
prefect hiH highest esteem and consideration.
THOMAS O. LARKIN.
I"o the Sefior Prefect of the second district, D.
inuel Castro
Prefecture or the second district.
rhe undersigned, prefect of this district, has reved
the note of the consul of the United States,
r. Thomns O. Liirkin, dated 6th inst.; and in aner
thereto, hns the honor to say that far from reiing
in it that he will order the captain of the UniI
States army, J. C. Fremont, to leave irrmedily
with his force of armed troops (nccording to
i acceptation of the word camp which he uses in
i communication) the limits of this department,
nsgressing the principles established amongst ci v'.ed
nations, he defends his unjust introduction,
ic undersigned, when he ordered Capt. FrSmont
march back, founded himself on repeated orders
d decrees of the supreme government of the Mexin
republic which prohibiis the introduction not
ly of troops belonging to nny power, but even that
fnraiannra u/hn do not rnmn nrnviriarl ui ?U l??.l
ss ports, anil not on false reports and false appearres,
as the consul of the United Stales says in his
d note. The undersigned promises the consul of
i Uni'ed States that as far ns lays in his power,
>se persons who are subject to the laws of the
untry and may harass the subjects of his nation,
to are under the protection af said laws, shall be
nished according to the same, after the necessary
oof shall be given and the customary formalities
ne through. The undersigned makes known In
s consul of the United Stales, that if he desires to
oid that the force of Capt. Frfmont may come to
unfortunate end in meeting with the force of this
partment, he ought to inform said Capt. Frfmont
st since he entered this department with an armed
rce, whether through malice or error, he must now
her blindly obey the authorities, or, on the contry,
experience the misfortunes which he has
ught by his crimes.
God and Liberty! Monterey, Mnrch 8th, 1846.
The undersigned reiterates, Ae , Ac.
MANUEL CASTRO.
To Tmowas O. Larsin,
Consul of the United Stolen, Monterey.
lo. 791
Consulate or the U. S. Montcrkt,
California, March 6th 1846.
Sir: Tha undersigned, consul of the United States,
is the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Rrial note of yesterday containing a copy of your
Iter and orders to Capt. J. C. Frfmont, United
atea army, now encamped near the Salines riser
ith his men, to lease this country immediately.
The undersigned understood that your letter was
isterday carried to Captain Frfmont by an officer
iring some eight or ten men nnder his charge, and
at at this moment there is a large number of arm|
men collecting in this town for tha purpose of
going to ihr camp of that American officer, he would
therefore take the liberty of saying, that although
he ie well awaie thai you, at a .vJeEicau officio ami
patriot, are hound to take i very etcp that uiay redound
to the integrity and internal of your country,
ha would further ohaerre that Ilia countrymen iiiuai
not Ire unjuatly or unnecessarily haraaeed from
cuunea that may artae Irom falae report* or falae appearancee,
ana would reconniiend that if any party
ia going to the camp of Capt. Fiiiuenl, that it may
be rotnmaiided by a iruetworlhy and experienced
officer, which may prerenl affaire, on the ineetingoi
the two iwrtiee, from being brought to some unhaji
py cunclution.
The undersigned hue the honor to aubecribe hmaell
aa your uruet obedient acrranl,
THOMAS 0 L\KKIN.
To SeAor D. Joaa Can no, Cumiiiandutit general,
and 0. Manuel Castro, Prefecto of the 2tl district,
California.
[Copy No. SO.)
CoNSUI.ATS or THE U. S , MuNTtltt,
California, March S, 1846
Sik With thu you have my consular answer to
the general and preleclo'e letter to you of laal waek.
of which 1 had the honor to receive copiea from
(hem; I also add the ecAur and prefecto'a aecond
i...? ... , .c.- i... u? i__.
><..?! IU IIIC Ul 111 II u mj. "7 /
week, I forwarded oine United Slalee newspapers,
a .Spanish granniir, some inagaxmcs, and fcuglieli
Copies of (he general and prefecto'a letter* to you
on the 5th mat. I then informed you (hat (here was
an American brig (brig Hannah, of Salem,) at anchor
in thia port, bound to Msxatlan, whose supercargo
I had requested to remain here until the tniril
day, to enable you to aend letters to the United
Stales, if you were so inclined. 1 cannot tell whether
in y letter reached you, but heard of your man
being almost at your camp the day before yesterday.
i have now to inform you (and my information
ia derived from the current report* of the day)
that Oeueral Castro was on the plain last night, with
about sixty people; many more from the rancho
joined him today; at thia moment some forty men
itre preparing to leave Monterey to join the party.
I should think, to-morrow, he might have two hundred
men, perha|>* more; many ol the common people
will join through choice, others by being so ordered
by the general. Among the other class, there
aie some looking on the affair with indifference,
some perhaps with favor to either side, as their
friendship to the present authoriliee, or their own interest*
may govern them Respecting the reeult there
are various opinions. It is not for me to point out
to you your line of conduct; you have your government
instructions; my knowledge of your character
obligee me to believe you will follow them; you are,
of course, taking every care and safeguard to parted
your inen, but not knowing your actual situation,
and the people who surround you, your care may
pruva insufficient. You are officially ordered to
leave the country; I am aurc you will uae your own
discretion on tha subject; your danger may remain
in supposing dial no uncommon mrana will be taken
for your expulsion, although the expteasiona of the
common people, under the paaeione of the moment,
breathe vengeance in every form ogainel you. I
cannot conclude that ao much will be put in force,
should they succeed in overpowering you. I therefore
only wiah you to euppoae youraelf in a situslion
where you muat lake every measure to prevent
a eurpriae from thoae you may conaider partly
frienda. Should my ideaa be correct, the act perhaps
will originate, not from the heada, or the reepectability
of the country, but fiom thoee of a more
headatrong claaa, who having fought eo many (called!
battlea, may conaider themaelvee invincible.
Your encamping ao near town kas caused much
excitement?the natives are firm in the belief that
they will break you up, and that you can be entirely
destroyed by their power. In all probability
they will attack you; the result either way may
cause troub'e hereafter to resident Americana. I,
myself, have no fear on the subj'Ct, yet believe the
present stale of affairs may cause an interruption to
business. Should it be impossible or inconvenient
for you to leave California at present. 1 think, in ?
proper representation to the general and prefecto, an
arrangement could be made for your camp to be
continued, but at some greater distance; which arrangement
I should advise, if you can ofTer it. I
never make to this government an unreasonable ie
quest, therefore never expect a denial, and have for
many ycare found them well disposed to me. You
cannot well leave your people. Should you wiah to
eee me, I will immediately visit your camp. Fleaee
answer directly by the bearer.
I am yours, very truly in heart,
THOMAS 0. LARK IN.
Captain J. C. Frkmont,
United States army, Alisal.
A"oit in pmeil from Caplain Fremont to the consul
l.arkin, from his entrenched camp at the Alisal on
the Sierra, thirty miles from Monterey, March 10,
1446.
Mr dk4r sir: I this moment received your letters,
and without waiting to read them, arknowledgu
ihe receipt which the courier requires immediately.
I am making myself as strong as possible in the intention
that if we are unjustly attacked we will fight
to extremity and refuse quarter, trusting to our
country to avenge our death. No one has reached
our camp, and from the heights we are able to see
troops (with the glass) mustering at St. John's and
preparing cannon. I thank you for your kindness
and good wishes, and would write more at length
as to my intentions did I not fear that my letter
would be interceded. We have in no wise done
wrong to the people or the authorities of the country,
and if we are hemmed in and assaulted here,
we will die, every man of us, under the flag of our
country.
Very truly, yours,
J. C. FREMONT.
P. S. I am encamped on the top of the Sierra, at
the headwaters of a stream which strikes the road
to Monterey, at the house of Don Joaquin Gomez.
J. C. F.
Thomas O. Larkin, r.?q.,
Consul for the United States, Monterey.
[No. 35.]
Consulate or tiik United States,
Monterey, California, March 4, 1846.
Sir: The undersigned has the honor to inform
the Hon. Secretary that Captain J. C. Fifmont arrived
within this department in January last, with
his party of fifty men, and was at the house of the
undersigned a few days, during the last month, for
the purpose of getting funds for refitting and clothing
his party; which he received as far as could be
procured. He is now in this vicinity surveying,
anu Will LHi ngaui HI nun ujnnuiar-iiuuw uim; nun
monlh. He then proceed* for the Oregon, returns
here in May,anil expect* to be in Washington about
September. To thin gentleman is due from the
government unqualified praise for the patience, industry,
and indefatigable perseverance in the attaining
the object he is engaged in.
Captain Frfmont passed three degrees south of
Fort Hall, having token a route supposed to bo a
desert, which made hi* distance to California eight
or nine hundred less. He considers the distance
from Independence to Monterey about one thousand
nine hundred miles. He describes the new route he
followed far preferable, not only on account of the
less distance, but it is less mountainous, with good
pasturage, and well watered. The second day of
his arrival in Monterey, he visited thecomninndnnte
general, prefecto, and alcalde; and by verbal request
of the general, informed him officially of his object
fit visiting California. The undersigned forwards,
with this, the two annexed letters respecting Captain
Frfmont's arrival.
I am, sir, with the higheat respect and consideration,
your most obedient servant,
THOMAS 0. LARKIN..
To the Hon. Secretary of Static,
City of Washington.
[No. 36.]
Consulate of tiix United States
of America, Monterey, March ,r>, 1846.
Sir: The undersigned has the honor to forward
to the Department of State the accompanying translations
of letters this day received in this consulate
Captsin J. C. Frt-monl has, for near one month,
been slowly travelling; and encamping within this
district, (say within eighty miles of this town.) Last
week information was received by the.prefecto from
some alcalde, respecting a horse or mule of Captain
cvx 1 i__ - /1 ..?,i?.;,..?.i
I- ..immru <,y a u....o,
that the animal came from the States.) Last night
notice was received that some of Captain Frfmonl's
party had offered some insult to some person or
persons on a farm. The general has this day sent
out ten or fifteen men, with letters to Captnin FrPmont,
ordering him away. I am not aware that any
of the party have committed any excesses, and do
not suppose such to be the case.
I am, respectfully, Ac.,
THOMAS 0. LARKIN.
To the Hon. Secretary or State,
City of Washington.
Cowmamdamt Qemeral or UrrER Calitornia:
With this date, i aay to Captain J. C. Frfmont
the following:
"At seven o'clock this morning the commandant
general was given to understand that you, and the
party under your command, have entered the towns
of this department; and such being prohibited by
our laws, I find myself obligated to advertise you
that on the receipt of this yoa will immediately relire
beyond the limits of this same department, audi
' being the orders of the supreme government; and
the subscriber la obligated to Kl th?m compile
with. And the undersigned haa the honor of tram
crttooig ih? sums to tlia consul of the UniteJ State
of Amen a for Ins knowledge of the Mine.
Clod and Liberty! M on terry, March ,Vh,lH4t>.
JOSE CASlttO.
Mr. Thomsi 0 Lareim,
Consul of the United States of America in th
port.
Furtctuti or the itrotie oi?teict,
Monterey, March ti.h, JS4UCaptain
J C. ^hemost:
Siii 1 have learned with surprise that you, agnini
the lows of the authorities of Mexico, hive into
diiced yourself into the towns of this depnrlnir nil
district, under my charge, with an armed force, in
drr a commission which must have been given yo
by your government only to survey us own propi
lands.
In consequence, ihui prefecture now orders tin
you will immedistely, on receipt of this, withoi
any pretext, return with your people out of tl
limits of this territory. If not, this olfice will isli
the necessary measures to ciuae respect to this di
1 have ihe honor to transcribe thie to you for yoi
intelligence, that you muy act in the cave ae belong
to your office, and thai he may comply with ihe ei
preeoeil orders.
Qod and Liberty. Monterey, March 5, 1846.
MANUEL CASTRO.
Mr. TmomavO. l.akkin.
Conaul of the United Stales of America.
(No. 37.)
Consulate or the United States,
Monterey, March 3, 1846.
Sib : Enclosed, you have a copy of my anewi
to the general and prefecto of this place, one to Cap
Frfmont, and the second letter from the prefee
Captain Frfmunt is eight or nine leagues from th
place, encamped, intending to move os soon as th
state of his horses will permit. There will be tw
lo three hundred people collected together to-mo
row, with the intention of attacking the cum|
Capl. Fremont has about fifty men?all men of coi
fidence, and remarkably well armed. Neither hin
self or men have any fears respecting the result <
the present slate of affairs; yet, lie the result for <
against him, it may prove of a disadvantage lo ll
resident Americans in California. I have at won
f riaW I d*M(iMfrh??il nut twu r/iurricrM In lhi> mmn wit
duplicate letter*, and thi* letter I kend to Santa Ba
bar*, in expectation of finding a vesael bound I
Mazallan. Having bad over one-half of mjr hoi
filial expense* of 1044 cut olT, and know not wh}
and even my bill for a tt.ig, I do not feel dispose
to hazard much for government, though the life <
Captain Frdmont and party may need it. I hardl
know how to act. I have only received one letti
(of June) from the department for the year 184.
in the month of February, Captain Fremont, in tu
company, visited the general, preleeto, and alcalde t
this place, and informed them of hia business; an
there was no objection made. Within twrntydav
the general says he has received direct and specif
orders from Mexico not to sllow Capt. Frfmont I
enter California; which, yrrhapt, accounts for tl
change of feelinga with the people.
I am, air, with ihe highest respect and conaideri
tion, your obedient servant,
THOMAS 0. LAKKIN.
To the Hon. Secretary or State,
City of Washington.
[No. 38.1
CoNitlLATE or THE U. S. Of AMERICA,
Monterey, March 27, 1846.
Sir : Captain J. C. Frlmont, of the United Statr
army, arrived at this United Stales conaular-houi
in Monterey, on the 27th of January, 1846. Bent
very anxious to join his party of (my men at tti
second place of rendezvous, without the setllemen
lliau hswinir misumI fKss Aral >klar* Vm nilatulfS h
remained but two daya, in which time, with mysel
he visited the commandant general, prefecto, alcaldi
and Col. Alvarado, informing them that he waa aui
veytng the neareat route from the United Slate* t
the Pacific ocean. Thia information, and that hi
men were not United Slates aoldiera, waa alao, b
;nystlf, officially given to the prefecto. Having ol
tamed funds and auppliea from myaelf, he returne
to hia camp; it being well known in Monterey thi
lie waa to return when he collected hia men. Son
fifteen or twenty daya after thia, Captain Frfmon
with hia party, encamped at a vacant raneho belong
ing to Captain Fiaher, (about ninety milea froi
here,) to recruit hit men and animala. From there, h
proceeded towarda Santa Cruz, making short j<*?'
neys. On the 3d of March, he enenmped on th
rancho of Mr. E. P. Hartwell, where he receive
lettera from the general and prefecto, ordering hii
out of the country, and to obey the order withoi
any pretext whatever, or immediate meaaurt
would be taken to compel him to doao. Thia, in
correaponding with assurances received at Monti
rey, it was not unswered, and he gave orders i
l oist the United States flag the next morning as th
only protection his men was to look to. From th
7th to the 10th of March, they fortified their cam
with a breastwork of logs. Encamped on a high hi
which commanded a view of the surrounding cour
try, they could see (with the use of spy-glasses) th
general and his troops, numbering about two hui
dred men, at their camp, in the mission of St. John1!
preparing their cannon. On the 9th instant, I sei
duplicate letters; one by an American, who lost h
papers, and the other by a Californian, to Captai
Fremont, informing him of the movements of th
Californians. The California courier returned I
the consulate in about nine or ten hours, bringing
letter from Capt. Fremont, having travelled in thi
lime sixty miles. He reported being well irenlt
by Capt. Fremont and his men; and that two thot
sand of liis countrymen would not be sufficient I
comjicl him to leave ihe country, although his part
was so small. At the earnest request of the alcald
for a translation of Capt. Fremont's letter, it wo
given, and immediately despatched to the genert
at St. John's; and one ulao to the governor of it
Puebla of loa Angelas. Thegenernl informed tl
alcalde on the night of the 10th inst., that Captai
Fifmont hed left his encampment, and that he (tl
general) should pursue and attack him the first o|
portunity, and chastise him for hoisting a foreig
flag in California, in the postscript of the name le
tor, the general stated that Capt. Frlinont had cros
ed a small river, and was then about three miles di
tant from them) but the general made no prepari
tion to follow him. On the morning of the 11 tl
Gen. Castro sent John Gilroy, an Englishmai
long resident in this country, to make offers of a
rangement to Captain Fremont. On his arrival at tl
camp ground, he found Captain Frfrnont had le
with his party that morning; the camp fires wei
still burning. He found in the camp the staif use
for the flag, tent poles, (cut on the spot,) some ol
clothes, and two old and useless pack saddle
which the Californians have magnified into mun
tions of war. General Castro informed his part
that he had received various messages from th
camp of Captain Frfmont, threatening to exterm
nate the Californians, &c., (but will hardlv nam
his messengers, nor did they put any confidence i
it themselves.) From the llth to the 13th, th
natives had returned to their respective homes, I
icsuuin mcir cuHumary ucqumu . n lew (? ?[>
that were ordered to march from San Franciaco I
join the general at hin camp, returned to the
homes. On tlie 12th, a proclamation was put up b
the general, in the billiard-rnom, (not the uaui
place,) informing the inhabitants thul a bond <
highwaymen, ("bandoleros") under Captain Fn
mont, of the tJnited States army, had coo
within the towns of this department; and that hi
with two hundred patriots, had driven them on
ard sent thorn into the back country. Somo of tf
officers of the two hundred patrols (and more wei
expected to join them) arrived in Monterey, an
reported that the cowards had run, and that the
had driven them to the Sacramento river; soir
added that they drove them into the htillrushes, o
the plains of the Sacramento; and that, in the
hasle, they had left some of their best horses hi
hind. The horses proved to be those belonging I
the Califnrninns themselves, and had strayed inl
Captain Frfmont's band, (being nn every-day oi
currence in California;! and. on raising camp, the
were turned out and left behind. Instead of tl
Americans bring driven out of the country, the
travelled less distance, for three or four days, the
the natives did in returning to Monterey?movii
from four to six miles per day, in order to recrui
One of the complaints made by 'the general wa
that three men, when drinking, went to the house i
Angel Castro (an uncle of the general) to purchai
some beef for the camp, and insulted his famif
On the 7th, 1 personally called upon Don Angr
for the truth of the story, and was informed by hi
(the father himself) that he was frightened by 01
of the Americans insisting on his daughter drtnl
ing with him. On ordering him to leave the hous
he resisted, but was put out by his own companion
he drawing a pistol while they were putting hi
out. Don Angel mounted a horse and rode off
Captain Fremont's, about one mile distant, wh
on nearing the case, rime to the house immediate!
and called up the family to inquire into the affair. C
the examination, he asked the father what he ehou
do with the men. He requested them to lie punia
Wd, which was promised; and was told, if he wou
send a boy, a fine of five dollars should be sent
him, (he being alcalde.) The boy returned wi
ten dollars from the camp, which settled the bui
neas, although there had been nothing of cons
quenee transacted, yet Captain Frfmout was an
-
4 loua not to lei the people of the country have any i
>- cauveofcomplaint againat him
* The uiitleretfiKxi ha? the honor l? aubacr|l>e bullae
If, your moat obedient aervaut,
THOMAS 0 LARK1N
To the Hon. Secaaraai oe Siatb, r
city of Waahington. I
ia ?-? ?
[No. 3a. I I
CoNtoLATK or the U. S. or AMKBICa, a
Monterey, April 3, H4t> I
Sir: In giving my hrat uiforniation to the depart- (
merit reelecting Captain Frfmnnt'a arrivul in Cali- li
?l forma, I did not anticipate audi an cxtriieiva corre- n
- apondrncti na it haa now reached. Captain Fii t
>1 inont woe well received in llua place, and to I he I not 1
i- day we heard of him. by the nativee individually, p
it whneold him provieiona, and liked hia preaence. tl
ir During hia encampment, thirty or forty milee from a
here, deapatchea were received by the eo n- c
it mandant, General Joae Caatro, (a native of Monte- tl
it ley,) fiom Mexico, ordering inin to drive Captain c
le Frfutonl out of thia department; which order, with v
la one hundied and aeventy or two hundred men p
s- prevent, and over one hundred more daily expecleil, p
he pretender) lo execute. Captain Frduiont left a
ir hia camp a few houra af ar he received the under;e
signed'a letter of the 9th of March, (not from o
t- fright of General Caatro,) an he had been unsparing o
the week before to travel. It ia auppioaeu he haa ii
gone to St Barbara, where an American waa acnt
by the uuderaigncd, in February, with funda and
provision* lor ins it sr. r roin mere ne proceeiis
on hi* journey, according to hia instructions
from his department in Washington. Although
from the correspondence it may appear that in ine [
centre of a strange country, among a whole iieople,
with real or apiiarent hostile intentions toward* him,
jr ihat Captain Fremont was in much danger, it can
( be believed that he was only annoyed. Whether a
he will visit Monterey after this unexpected afluir, It
js or not, is uncertain. tl
ie The undersigned has not supposed, during the b
0 whole affair, that General Castro wished to go at
r. alter Captain Fremont; nnd was very confident It
t that, with all California, he would not have attacked p
htm, even had he been sure of deetroying the whole u
party, as five times their number could have tl
,C taken their place before the expected battle. Captain s<
)r Fremont received verbal appltcatione from Knglish n
ie and Americans to join his party; and could have ti
|e mustered as many men as the natives. He was y
^ careful not to do so. Although he discharged five ti
r. 01 six of his men, he look no others in their place
M On the return of General Castro, he published a tl
flaming proclamation to the citizens, informing them si
^ that a bend of bandeleroa,(highwaymen or freebool- a!
,j era,) under Captain Fremont af the United Stales o
,f array, had come into this diatrict; but with the com- u
y pany of two hundred patriots he had driven them tl
sr away, and exhorted hie companions and countrymen tl
j to be always ready to repel others of the same class, p
y This proclamation was missing from the place where ti
9f it waa put up on the third day. o
l(| The undersigned has written to the general for p
? a copy. To tins day there has been no answer re- e
|q eetved. Duplicate copies of consular letters to Cap- p
,, tain Frfmnnt, and in the hands nf General Castro, n
lB he having taken them from one of the consular's cou- u
riers, promising to forward them aa directed. These n
copies he promiaed to return, but has not done so ti
This government is about sending a coinmisuoner p
to Mexico (as the undersigned believes) to report y
the country in danger of revolution from the Amen- n
cane. By this we understand in California, (foreigners
,) that some Americana (who left Capt. Fremont)
are joining the Indians to attack the farms,
and others were about to take possession of a town
in the upper part of the liay of San Francisco;
and lhatSn. VV. Hastings (author of the History of [1
is California) is laying ofT a town at New Helvetia
ie for the Mormons. None of this information (in
g the opinion of the undersigned can be relied upon)
ie is to he given to the President to urge upon him the li
t, necessity of giving General Castro two hundred p
ie men, (he prefers not many men, nor any Mexican C
f, general,) with auffi<-ient funds to protect the coun- A
i, try. As a general thing, Hastings's book is very n
r- untrue and abeurd. He brought a number to this
a country, which do his coun rymen no good, and
is perhaps injures them. No general English reader
y will read one quarter of the book. The arrival of
>- Capt. Frfmont has revived the excitement in Calid
forma respecting the emigration, and the fears of the
it Cslifornians losing their country. The undersigned /
? believes thai if a new H.lv was rrnnerlfoll v nlanted.
t, it would receive the good will of much of the wealth
5- and respectability of the country. Thoae who live
ti by office, and the absence of law, would faintly
le struggle against a change. Many natives and for tl
r- eigners of wealth and pursuits, are already calculat- <i
ie ing on the hopes, fears, and expectations from the a
d opparent coming change now before them, from the <*
na great influx of strangers. tl
it In the mean time, the undersigned has the pleas- tl
>s ure of saying that, with every department of office ft
jl in this country he is on the best terms of friendship, o
8- as far lis appearances ar? before him. g
o With the highest re a pet and esteem, I am your u
ie obedient servant, TIIOMAS 0. LARKIN. c
ie To the Hon. Secretary or State, S
p City of Washington. s
II 1
' [Np.81.] , S
ie Mohteret, March 5th, 1846.
1- Sir: 1 have just received two letters from the e
>, commandant general of California, and prefecto of r
" ficial letters, enclosing me the copies. The follow- '!
n nig is a translation.
ie 1 remain, dear air, yours sincerely, *
to THOMAS 0. LARK IN.
a To Capt. J. C. Fremont,
United States army.
d "
i- [No. 82 J v
to Consulate of the United States, ,
y Monterey, California, March 9th, 1846.
le Sir: Captain J. C. Frfimont, with a party of fifty
is men, has been within the limits of California about
d two months; within n few days encamped about
ie eight leagues from this town, resting bis men and
ie Hnimals; he has received two letters from the general n
in and prefecto, wherein ho is ordered to leave this j;
ie country, or they will take immediate measures to
f>- compel him. They sent me copies of the same, which ^
;n I have sent in English to Captain Frfimont. I have
t- not heard from the camp since. This morning 1 J*
s- wrote to Capt. Fiemont in duplicate, one by a nas
live, the other by a foreigner. By to-morrow, there '
s- will be collected together nearly three hundred men, *|
It, with the intention to drive out the strangers; and, if 1
n, required, there will be by the next week a much "
r- larger body collected. Should this force be used n
ie against Captaiu Fiemont, much blood will be spilt. *
ft His party, though of only fifty in number, have '!
re from three to six guns, rifles, and pistols each, and
id are very determined, both commander and men, ?
Id having every confidence in each other. It was the J*
s, intention of Capt. Fremont to lenve this week, if hit
i- animals were in good condition; perhaps he may not E
y now be willing, as the people wish to force him; he '
ie was at my house alone, in February; and, in com- a
i- pany with me, visited the general, prefecto, and a!- a
le calde, ^informed them ol hia orders to survey the
n nearest route to the Pucifir., anil had come into Cale
ifornia to purchnae provision*, clothe*, and horse*;
lo no objection wa* made'at the time. Since then the
le general states, that he lin* received by the Hannah
lo positive order* from Mexico to drive Captain Frfir
moot from the country.
y I shall send this letter open to Consul Parrott, of
al Mazatlan, with copies of thin week's correspondence.
if If there is a fight between these people and Captain
5- Frfimonl, be the result for or against him, the Amerle
ic*n residents are under some apprehensions of their
c, safety hereafter. I would therefore request you, if
t, in your power, to despatch a sloop-of-war to this
le port from Mazatlan, on the receipt of this. I underrc
stand there were, in December, five of our ship* of
d war then in that port. Should this be the case, I
y hopo it will not be inconvenient to comply with this
le request. I have looked for the Portsmouth over
i* two months. Capt. Montgomery informed me he.
ir was to return. c
b- 1 remain, aim, your respectful aervant,
to THOMAS O. LARK1N. "
to To the commander of any American ahip-of-war, [
c- in San Bias or Mazatlan.
ie [No. 83]
y Consulate or tub United State*, "
in Monterrt, California, March 9th, 184fi. *
ig Sia: Enclosed with thia you will receive several "
it. copira of correspondence in this town, for the prea- J
a, ent week, also an official letter for the captain of any '
of ofourahipa of war, you tnay have in your porton your f
ie receiving thia letter. It ia itnpoeaihle to say wheth- 1
y. er Seilor Castro, the prefocto, and the general will J
il, attack Capt. Fremont; we expect am h will l>e the
m case. 1 am just informed by Srfior Area, the gen 1
ie eral's aecretary, who has juai come in from the gen- 1
It- eral's camp, (St John's,) that the whole country '
e, will lie raised to force Capt. Frfmonl, if they require '
s, so many. Seftnr Arcs further says, the ramp of the 1
m Americans is near Mr. Hartnell'a rancho, on a high .'
to hill, with hia flag flying; of the latter I am not cer
o, tain. Aa you are acquainted with this country and
v, its people, you will advise with our naval captains
>n on the subject of sailing immediately for this port. .
Id If the vessel ia not actually obliged to go elsewhere,
h- it is mvearneat desire >l>e >! r?. U? ?n ih.
Id receipt ofthia, although everything may end peacoto
ably amonget na.
th Ralieve me to be, youra aineerely,
?- THOMAS O. LARKIN. (
*- To John Pakkott, eaq., United Sratea Conaul,
*- Mazatlan.
11 o. oe-)
Coniuixtc or tub C wit to Statss,
Muuirry, California, March lu,
Sim Your letter of yesterday 1 received last night
it 8 o'clock; i (hank you for the same; u u>ok from
no a weight of uneasiness respecting your ?"m
ion. The alcalde of Monterey haa requtaird 0f
ne a copy In Spanish of your letter. Not knowing
rliot you might approve of in the cane, I had a,m<
.hjaetion: on second thoughts I considered that
he alcalde having given the courier a paeeport for
without which Tic would not go) carrying of the
eltera both waya, were made public, and people
night put a wrong oonatruction on our correspondnee,
(gave it to him with the following addmona.
alao lonsidered the letter contained nothing of n?ortanre
to keep secret, and now annex my letter of
hoi morning to the alcalde. As you may not have
copy of your letter I aend one. My native
ourier aaid he waa well treated by you?(hat two
houaarid men could not drive you. In all catee of
ouriera order your men to have no hinta or worda
nth tlirm, as it is magnified: this one aaid a man
ointed to a tree, and aaid there's your life; lie exerted
to lie led to you blindfolded; eeye you have
utty-two men, well armed, Ac., dkc., die.
You will, without thought of expense or trouble,
ell on me, or send to me, in every caee of nerd, not
nly as your consul, but your friend and countrylan.
I am yours, truly,
THOMAS 0. LAKKI.V
Capt. J. C. Frxmunt,
United Suttee army.
No. Sfi |
CoNIIILATK ov TMB UniTXO STATS*,
Monterey, California, March 10, lS4f>.
Sia: I am not confident that Capt. Krfaioat way
pprove of my giving you a copy of his hasty-wrole
.tier, [but] as you allowed the courier to (ravel to
le camp anil rtlurn, anil hoping the letter may, on
Bing known, bring affaire lo eome battar underanuing,
1 send you lha Iranalalion you requeet.
: may be lhat (he authoriuea of ibia department exact
eomnthliif from ma aa United Kia'oa coneul
nder the prevent aula of affaire, yet I know noting
that 1 can do. I have vrrlially offered my
irvioee whenever required, and now do tha aaiua
I writing. Captain Kirotonc haa hia own inetrucona,
and la not to ha ordered by ihia conaulate;
at I would with plaaaure allay the preaent aanaaon
if in my power.
I can only add, that I would rea|>ecifully edviae
tat you would in your teller lo the general to-day,
ay lhat I would lake tha liberty to propoae thai ha
hould aand a letter to Captain Kifiuont, requeating
na hour'a conver*ation before any extreme meaaraa
are taken; aa I am of the firm opinion, ahould
tat officer be attacked, much bloodahed will eneue,
lat may cauee not only loaa of life lo many of tha
reeent partiee, but cauee hereafter much expenae,
rouble, and perhapa further loaa of life to many of
ur rea|>ective riationa; and 1 am aaliafied ihat no
reaenl or Allure advantage will Ira obtained by the
ountry from the circumataricee aa they now ap
ear. I have reason to believe that Captain Fi#lonl
onlv waita a few days to real hie horses, (havug
purchased hia |?trovi*ione,) and intetida to renove
immediately from California; yet it may be
npeaailjle for him to do ao while eurrounded by
eople with hostile intentions towards him. Will
ou please send a copy of this letter to the cone
mndant general, D. Jos# Castrot
I have the honor to remain yours, respectfully,
THOMAS 0. LARKIN.
To Don Mani'ki. Diai,
1st alcalde, Monterey.
No. 07.]
CoiiiLATK or tm? United Statu,
Monterey, California, March 14, 1046.
Sir: The undersigned hns been verbally informed
rial a proclamation issued, from your office, has been
ul up in the billiard-room of this town respecting
'aptain J. C. Fremont, of the United States army.
! copy of this paper for the use of this consulate is
espectfully solicited. ,
With all due respect,
1 remain yours, die., Ac.,
THOMAS 0. LARKIN.
To Dow Jose Castro,
Commandant Gfensral of California.
'risate Utter from Captain Fremont to Mrt Fremont,
April 1, 1846.
Sacramkwto river, (latitude 40?,)
April 1.1846.
It is hard to say when I shall see you, but about
tie middle of the next month, at latest, 1 will start
or home. The Spaniards were somewhat rude
nd inhospitable below, and ordered us out of the
ountry, after having given me permission to winter
here My sense of duty did not permit me to fight
hem, but we retired slowly and growltngly before a
Dree of three nr four hundred men, and three pieces I
if artillery. Without the shadow of a cause, the
overnor suddenly raised the whole country against
is, issuing a false and acandaloua proclamation. Of
ouree I did not dare to compromise the United
Itatea, against which appearances would hare been
trong; but, though it was in my power to increase
ny party by many Americana, I refrained from contnitting
a solitary act of hostility or impropriety,
"or my own part, I hare become disgusted with
verything belonging to the Mexicans. Our governnentwill
not require me to return by the southern
oute against the will of this government; I shall
herrfore return hy the heads of the Missouri, going
hrough a pass of which your father knows, and be
t Westport about the 1st September. I go in about
wo weeks through from the Tlnmath lake to the
Valamalh valley, to makes reconnoissanceof the
ass which I mentioned to you before. Say many
ind things for me to all the family. Glad will I be
vhen finally we turn our faces homeward.
'rivate lelltr from Capt. Ftemtml to Senator Benton,
May 24, 1846.
* Sacramento rives, (lat. 40?,)
May 24, 1846.
Mr dear sir: Most unexpectedly, and in a reinte
region of the northern mountains, 1 had the
real pleasure to receive your letters. An express
om Mr. Gillespie overtook me, the man being
leal, whom you will remember as having been left
y me here in the last expedition. No other
tan here would have had the couraee and resolution
> follow us. I had the good fortune to save the
ves of Mr. Gillespie and party from the Indians,
ri a charge at night by the Tlamath Indians I lost
tree men killed and had one dangerously woundd,
being then with a detached party or fourteen
ten. You will regret to hear that among the killed
ras my old companion, Basil Lajeunesse. We afsrwards
fought the nation from one extremity to
te other, and have ever since been fighting, until
ur entrance into the Lower Sacramento valley. I
ave but a faint hope that this note will reach you
efore I do; but the object for which I write is a
ressing one, and therefore I make the experiment,
'he Tlamath lake on our last map I find to be only
n expansion of the riser above, which passes by
n outlet through a small range of mountains into a
irge body of water to the southward. This is the
rue Tlamath lake, and (he heart of the Tlamath nann.
It is on the east aide of a range of mountains,
the Cascade.) Directlv west, and comparatively
ear at hand, in the Umpqua river. Htrt thr Briliih
uvea pont. Why do they keep it there? The trade
i fur* will not justify it. If thrre ia to be any war
rith England, it is of great importance that they
hould instantly bo driven from this and similar
osts before they furnish the Indians with fire-arms,
nd engage them in their service. These Indians
re considered by the Willamette missionaries (who
iave been able to have only a slight knowledge of
hone in the north) as the most savage and warlike
ndians on the continent. So said Mr. Lee. This
>ost maintains an intercourse with the Tlamath's
nd other mountain Indians, and furnishes them
vilh the tomahawksand iron arrow-heads,with which
hey fought us. They are the bravest Indians we
iave ever seen; our people (my camp, Carson, Ac.)
(insider them far beyond the Blackfeet, who ore by
10 means so daring. You know that the Indians
long the line of the Columbia are well supplied with
ire-arms, ammunition, and horses?hardly a man
laving less than forty or fifly of the latter; that they
ire brave, friendly to the British, nnd unfriendly to
is. These things may be worthy of Mr. Buenanin's
attention. Your letter led me to expect aome
ommunication from him, but 1 rterirrU nothing. I
hall now proceed directly homewards, by the Colirado,
but cannot arrive at the frontier until late in
ieptembor. I saw a notice of your illneaa in the
wpe.rs, and your letter relieved me of much anxiey.
I trust that I will be able to force my way
nrough this rough voyage, and find all well on the
rontier. We certainly commenced our voyage
vhen some malicious and innuapiciout atar waa in
he ascendant, for wc find enemies and difficulty
iverywhere. I detain Mr. Gillespie's courier to
vrite only to yourself; believing, loo, that when
his reaches yon I shall he near at hand. The letera
from home have taken off half the length of the
onrney, and I have courage now for the rest.
Very truly and respectfully,
J. C. FREMONT.
Vittste If tier from Captain Frimont to Senator Senton,
dat,d Montana of the JtUm California. Jul?
25, 1846.
Mission or Ca?m*i ,
July 25, 1846.
The mission of Carmel is three miles south of
Monterey.)
Mr dcar em: When Mr. Gillespie overtook me in