In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Acknowledgments MOST OF THE SOURCES for this book are indicated in the Notes. A few other key items are listed in the Bibliographic Essay, and I have used all the primary sources available. John Charles Fremont's published government reports and his Memoirs have been very helpful in tracing the path of his life. Also, I have had access to the extensive collection of unpublished letters, business papers, and manuscripts that make up the Frenwnt Papers in The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. Another major ingredient that forms the fabric of this biography is the land itself. Wherever possible, I have tried to trace the various routes that Fremont and his men followed, tried to see these places in the different seasons of the year, and tried to capture something of the flavor of the landscape as he knew it. The major portion of my research was done in The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. For all the help that this great institution gave me, I wish to thank Dr. James D. Hart, Director of The Bancroft Library; and I especially wish to thank Ms. Irene Moran, Head of Public Services, for her thoughtfulness and valuable aid. Other staff members who were helpful as I tracked various leads were Mr. Robert Becker, Mrs. Susan H. Gallup, Mr. Peter E. Hanft, and Mr. William M. Roberts. A particular debt is owed to Mrs. Alma Compton, who cheerfully and carefully placed my many orders for illustrations. Finally, lowe a lasting debt of thanks to Dr. George P. Hammond, Director Emeritus. Whenever I was in need of a guide to point me in the right direction, he was willing to take time away from his own work and give me the benefit of his wide knowledge of the history of the American West. Other institutions which helped me in this project were the California State Library, Sacramento; the Sutro Library, San Francisco; the California Historical Society, San Francisco; the Society of California Pioneers, San Francisco; and the Southwest Museum, Los Angeles. Among friends land fellow authors, the following persons deserve special thanks: Mr. Richard Dillon, Head of Sutro Library, not only for helping me secure hard-ta-find books but also for taking on the task of reading my manuscript for errOIS-a task that only a true friend would accept; the late Dr. Charles L. Camp, who carried a vast knowledge of the American West with XVIII ACKNOWLEDGMENTS grace and wit, and whose warm and friendly presence I shall always miss; Dr. George R. Stewart, who asked the right questions at the right moments; Mr. Warren Howell, of John Howell-Books, who gave me permission to use a rare painting by Lieutenant James W. Abert; Dr. Carl Schaefer Dentzel , Director of the Southwest Museum, who gave me permission to reproduce the T. Buchanan Read portrait of Jessie Benton Fremont; Mr. Lawton Kennedy, who gave freely of his time as I plied him with questions about various illustrations; Mr. Luther Nichols, of Doubleday & Company, for his understanding in his role as editor, and Mr. James E. Ricketson for his excellent copy editing and penetrating questions; and Mr. T. H. Watkins, who shared his research on early Washington, D.C., with me. The illustrations for the book are used through the courtesy of the following : The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley; Chicago Historical Society; Denver Public Library; The Detroit Institute of Arts; John Howell-Books; Library of Congress; and the Southwest Museum. As in all my books, the work has been made lighter by my wife, Marty. She encouraged me at the low moments; made the field trips with me; listened to the progress of the book and made excellent editorial comments; copy edited, typed the final manuscript, and went through the whole production of the book with me; and backed me above and beyond the call of love. Berkeley, California September 1975 FEROLEGAN ...

Share