recently met with, and the inability to procure at Sutter’s Fort all that was wanted in the matter of an outfit, therefore it was determined upon that the party should proceed next to Monterey, where they knew they could purchase the articles that were actually required.  While en route, and when within thirty miles of this last-named town, an impertinent order was received from Gen. Castro, the Mexican commander of the territory.  The purport of this order was, that Fremont and his party must immediately vacate the country without further notice, or else the gallant general would be obliged to drive them out.  It was late in the afternoon when the messenger with this document arrived in Fremont’s camp; yet, he found time the same day to pack up and fall back to a place where he could fortify his position, as he felt confident that this was but an empty excuse which the Mexican general had invented to prevent him from penetrating further into the country.  The Americans had hardly got things in proper trim before the Mexican general, at the head of several hundred troops, arrived and established his camp and head-quarters within sight of the former, being deluded with the belief that he would easily intimidate the exploring party.  The general commenced firing his cannon and making a great uproar.  He had all branches of the service with him, including artillery, infantry and cavalry.  In the intention of intimidation, however, he was greatly mistaken, though the difference in numbers between the two parties was in itself almost decisive, should they come to a conflict.  Yet the Mexicans had but poorly estimated the mettle contained in the American commander and his forty men.  They were ready, one and all, to sell their lives dearly in a cause good as that before them.  Unshaken in their purpose, the little band of intrepid men remained in their camp for the period of three days.  The Americans who were then living at Monterey sent several expressmen to their countrymen, warning them of their danger, as they felt that the Mexicans could, without a doubt, completely annihilate them.  Fremont’s reply was perfectly characteristic of the man; he said he had done nothing to raise the wrath of the Mexicans, who were now treating him disgracefully.  He had come to perform a duty, and could not leave without executing it.  In fact, neither himself nor his men would submit to be driven out of the country.  At the end of three days, Fremont saw that there was no prospect of Gen. Castro’s consummating his threat; and, considering that he had sufficiently shown his willingness to fight if driven to it, he therefore concluded to strike his camp and withdraw to the Sacramento River.  The party were not disturbed in their movements, and on reaching this stream they followed it up until they came to Peter Lawson’s Trading Post, where Fremont intended, since he could not go to Monterey without being too rash, to purchase the outfit for the homeward-bound trip.  The party