Chapter XIV: Introduction

John C. Fremont was born in Savannah, in the year 1813, while his
parents were on a journey through the South. His father died soon
after, and his mother moved to Charleston, South Carolina. He was
well educated, and after college spent some years in travel.

He joined a company of engineers to explore the mountains between
Tennessee and South Carolina to find a place for a railway. This
region was a rough, beautiful, and wild country, and it gave Fremont
a taste for exploring which never left him. His longing for wild life
was gratified when he was made assistant to a famous Frenchman who
went to explore the region between the Missouri and Canada.

He married Jessie Benton, daughter of the famous Senator Benton.
Benton was interested in the growth of the West. He knew that Fremont
was interested in exploring, and used his influence with President
Van Buren to have Fremont explore the Rocky Mountains.

The first act will be Fremont talking to President Van Buren.

ACT I.

(Senator Benton talking to Van Buren:)

BENTON: The West is a great country, Mr. President. We should have it explored and investigated.

VAN BUREN: I agree with you, Senator Benton. The West should be explored. If we had a good man to send on this expedition.

BENTON: I know a man, Mr. President; John C. Fremont. He is an experienced engineer, and loves the wild life of adventure.

VAN BUREN: Bring Fremont to me.

(Fremont enters and is introduced by Benton).

VAN BUREN: You are an explorer of note, Mr. Fremont? Will you undertake a journey to the Rocky Mountains and bring back a report of that country?

FREMONT: Yes, I am very much interested in exploring the West, and with your permission and the permission of Congress, will try to find out all that we can about that great country.

_End of Act I._

ACT II.