any further;
but, instead, they counseled him to deliver them to the commanding
officer of the post he was at, advising him that he was doing duty as
an officer in the army and yet was not recognized by government. The
language used by Kit Carson on this occasion, in reply to his friends,
is so much to his credit and is so like the man, that every American
citizen ought to know it. It was as follows: "I was intrusted with
these dispatches, having been chosen in California, from whence I
come, as the most competent person to take them through safely. I
would try to fulfill this duty even if I knew it would cost me my
life. It matters not to me, while I am performing this service for my
country, whether I hold the rank of a lieutenant in the United States
army, or am known merely as an experienced mountaineer. I have gained
some little honor and credit for the manner in which I have always
conducted myself when detailed on any special and important business,
and I would on no account now wish to forfeit the good opinion formed
of me by a majority of my countrymen because the United States Senate
did not deem it proper to confer on me an appointment which I never
solicited, and one which, had I been confirmed, I would have resigned
at the termination of the war."

The reasons why the wishes of the President were not carried out by
Congress in this instance, we know not; but, certain it is, that the
lucky aspirant who eventually received this office at the hands of the
same United States, had no credentials to present that could, as far
as merit was concerned, compare with those held by Christopher Carson.
It is fair to infer, that Kit Carson had but few friends at court,
though it cannot for one moment be supposed that his name was not
well known at Washington, when for five long years he had been the
right-hand man of John C. Fremont in his explorations. The privates
and the hardships which that commander and his guide willingly
submitted to during those years, it is impossible to describe through
reports. The whole newspaper press of the United States, together with
several volumes of well-written books, have attempted it, but all have
failed in giving a true picture of the reality. These things availed
nothing when brought in contact with political moves; and Kit Carson
was doomed to go by the board. He had, however, met, during his
eventful life, with too many disappointments to be much chagrined at
this, and we find