Proceedings of the Court Martial in the Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont First Edition - J.C. Fremont - Bauman Rare Books

Proceedings of the Court Martial in the Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont

J.C. FREMONT

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Proceedings of the Court Martial in the Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont

COURT MARTIAL OF FAMOUS EXPLORER JOHN FRÉMONT ON CHARGES OF MUTINY

FRÉMONT, John Charles. Proceedings of the Court Martial in the Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Frémont. IN: 30th Congress, 1st Session, Senate. Message of the President of the United States, Executive No. 33. [Washington: Tippin & Streeper, 1848]. Octavo, modern half tan calf gilt.

First edition, Senate issue, of the documentary evidence and testimony relating to Lieutenant Colonel John Fremont’s court martial, in which he was convicted of “mutiny,” “disobedience to the lawful command of a superior officer,” and “conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline,” and was sentenced to dismissal from the service.

“Major John C. Frémont, popularly admired for his mapmaking expeditions to the West, was court-martialed on grounds of mutiny and disobeying orders on January 31, 1848. General Stephen Kearny brought charges against Frémont when a dispute arose over who held governing authority in California— a region that had been recently ceded to the United States by Mexico in accordance with the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty. In recognition of his role in the occupation of California, Commodore Robert F. Stockton appointed Frémont military governor of California in 1847. Meanwhile, federal authorities sent General Kearny to California to establish a government. Tension developed between Kearny and Stockton, with Frémont siding with Stockton. In August 1847, Kearny ordered Frémont arrested and charged with insubordination. Frémont was found guilty by a court martial and subjected to penalties, including removal from the army. Although this decision was reversed by President James K. Polk, Frémont chose to resign his commission. In spite of this episode, Frémont retained his popularity and esteem with the American public… His well-publicized explorations of the West and his exploits in California’s rebellion against Mexico contributed to his election as one of California’s first senators in 1850” (Library of Congress). This is the original official primary source, containing transcripts of the documents and testimony presented during the trial. Cowan, 91-92. See Howes F365. Bookplate.

Small stain to a few pages. A near-fine copy, attractively bound.

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