JOHN C. FREMONT. 



about to be subjected to British protection and 

 British sovereignty. All the American settlers irr 

 mediately joined Fremont's party. The Mexicans 

 were under the influence of the Picos, three 

 brothers of great prominence and distinction in the 

 country; under whose guidance the -independence 

 of California from Mexican rule was declared. One 

 of the Picos had been elected the first governor 

 of the enfranchised territory. This party was sup- 

 ported by the body of Mexican and Californian 

 troops who were commanded by General Castro. 

 Actual hostilities soon began between the force of 

 Colonel Fremont and that of General Castro. 

 Twelve of Fremont's men captured fourteen Mexi- 

 cans and two hundred horses on the llth of June. 

 It was the first collision which took place. The 

 next engagement was at Sonoma, where Fremont 

 captured nine brass cannon, two hundred and fifty 

 stand of arms, some men, and some munitions of 

 war. Castro then fled toward the capital, Cuidad 

 de los Angeles. He was rapidly pursued by Fre- 

 mont with one hundred and sixty mounted rifle 

 men. It was a hot chase of four hundred miles 

 When Fremont arrived at the capital, he found it 

 deserted by all the civil and military authorities; 

 the flag of Californian independence was hauled 

 down and that of the United States was hoisted and 



