156 JOHN C. FREMONT. 



the preliminary steps which were necessary to the 

 fulfilment of this destiny; and to explore, define, 

 and estimate the mighty realms which, though 

 fated soon to become the triumphant highway 

 of great nations, remained at that period a mys- 

 terious and unfamiliar solitude. 



Impressed with these grand conceptions, Mr. 

 Fremont, early in May, 1842, applied to Colonel 

 Abert, the able chief of the Topographical Corps 

 at Washington, for permission to explore the fron- 

 tier lying beyond the Mississippi, together with the 

 Rocky Mountains, and especially that portion 

 which lay in the vicinity of the South Pass ; with 

 particular reference to obtaining information in 

 reference to the most suitable and convenient route 

 to be selected for the line of emigrant-travel across 

 the mountains. By the end of May, permission 

 had been granted and the necessary preparations 

 completed. The indispensable philosophical instru- 

 ments, arms, ammunition, and stores were provided, 

 and twenty-five voyageurs were selected to accom- 

 pany the bold adventurer in his daring and dan- 

 gerous journey. 



Fremont pursued his route along the bed of the 

 Platte River and carefully explored the famous 

 South Pass. He thence proceeded to the Wind 

 River Peak of the Rocky Mountains, and returned 



