弗里蒙特

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Frémont, John C(harles)

美国探险家。1838年协助尼科莱(1786~1843)测绘密西西比河上游和密苏里河。1841年班顿的强烈扩张欲望激发了弗里蒙特勘探荒原的热情。班顿後来成为他的顾问和保护人,又成为他的岳父。由於班顿在政府中的权威,弗里蒙特得以完成他对密西西比河流域与太平洋之间的大片领土的地图绘制工作。1845年勘探加利福尼亚後(他可能携带秘密作战指示,以防发生战争),他支持熊旗暴动。当美国对墨西哥宣战时,斯多克东司令委任他为少校营长,一起征服加利福尼亚。不服卡尼将军的命令,被捕接受军法审判。後来辞去军职,在淘金热潮中成为大富翁。当选为参议员(1850~1851),1856年他被新的共和党提名为总统候选人,但败於民主党候选人布坎南。1870年代从事铁路建设工作,而失去财富。1878~1883年任亚利桑那州州长。

1813~1890年

Frémont, John C(harles)

U.S. explorer. Born in Savannah, Ga., in 1838 he helped Jean-Nicolas Nicollet (1786-1843) survey and map the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Aided by the influence of Thomas Hart Benton, who became his sponsor and, in 1841, father-in-law, he led government survey expeditions to map much of the area between the Mississippi River valley and the Pacific Ocean. In 1845, on an expedition to California (on which he may have carried secret instructions for action in case of war), he supported the Bear Flag Revolt. In the Mexican War he was appointed a major and with Robert F. Stockton helped conquer California, of which he was appointed military governor. In a dispute with Gen. Stephen Kearny, he was arrested and court-martialed; he later resigned. He became wealthy in the gold rush and was elected one of California's first U.S. senators (1850-51). As the new Republican Party's presidential candidate in 1856, he was defeated by James Buchanan. In the 1870s he embarked on railroad ventures and lost his fortune. He served as governor of Arizona Territory 1878-83.