Message of the President of the United States, Communicating the..

1848. [Washington?: 1848].. [Washington?: 1848]. Mutiny and Insubordination in California [Trial]. Fremont, John Charles [1813-1890], Defendant. Message of the President of the United States, Communicating the Proceedings of the Court Martial in the Trial of Lieutenant Colonel Fremont. [Washington?: 1848]. 447 pp. Octavo (8-3/4" x 5"). Recent library buckram, lettering piece to spine. A few negligible scratches to boards, nick to lettering piece. Moderate toning to interior, light foxing and soiling in a few places. $100. * Only edition. Fremont was an American explorer and politician with a long and somewhat controversial career. He had been appointed military governor of California by Commander Stockton near the end of the Mexican-American War, but was unable to discharge his duties fully. Stockton and General Stephen W. Kearney argued over who should succeed Fremont as governor. Fremont sided with Stockton, but Washington sided with Kearney. As revenge, Kearney arrested and court-martialed Fremont on charges of mutiny and insubordination. He was found guilty of disobedience and conduct prejudicial to order and resigned his commission. The sentence of dishonorable discharge was commuted by President Polk. Fremont went on to become a US Senator for California and was a Republican presidential candidate in 1856. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 13498.