The life of Col. John Charles Fremont, and his narrative of explorations and adventures, in Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon and California / the memoir by Samuel M. Smucker.

  • Frémont, John Charles, 1813-1890.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life of Col. John Charles Fremont, and his narrative of explorations and adventures, in Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon and California / the memoir by Samuel M. Smucker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/520 (page 16)
    THE LIFE OF should he directed. His purpose was to ascertain the most desirable and feasible point in the line of emigrant travel across the mountains, in order that greater facilities might be afforded for the safe and speedy termination of the toils and dangers of the westward-boimd pilgrim. The approval of the secretary of war was then obtained; and prepara- tions were immediately made to carry out the enterprise. .Ample philosophical instruments and all the necessary stores were provided. Twenty-five voyageurs were placed under the control of the chief of the expedition. Four months were occupied in accomplishing the arduous task, and the fullest success attended the labors of the adventurers. Lieut. Fremont, with four chosen men, boldly ascended the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains, an eminence till then untrodden by the foot of man; and from his lofty perch he beheld the unknown origin and fountains, among the gorges and ravines beneath him, whence flowed those vast rivers, some of which discharged their mighty bur- dens into the capacious Pacific, and some into the more restless bosom of the Mississippi. The minute details of this successful expedition are contained in the succeeding pages of this volume, and need not here be further dwelt upon. But he who peruses this stirring yet simple and sub- lime narrative, must rise from it with the conviction, that never have greater devotion and courage, more resolution and fortitude, or more consummate scientific qualities, been employed in the service of science, or in the advancement of the highest and noblest aims of humanity, than were possessed and displayed by the hero of this narrative. Over the whole course of his far-extending route, Fremont made barometrical observations to ascertain the elevations both of the mountains and of the plains. He took astro- nomical observations to determine longitudes and latitudes. He marked the face of the whole country as sterile or fer-