Nebraska palladium. [volume] (Bellevieu City, Neb.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-11
The SPECIAL COMMITTEE appointed to investigate
,hs troubles in the TERRITORY OF KANSAS, having
parformed the duties required by the House, beg leave
ID submit the following
o

journal Of proceedings, including sundry communications made
s e The testimony IS also herewith submitted copy of it has.
teSh made and arranged, not according TO te order IN which i was
ofssents in the Territory, from its organization to the 18Th day of
Tour committee deem It their duty to state, as briefly as possible, the
offaripal facts proven before them. Wheuthe aei to organize the Ter
osm5on Of its eastern border was included in Indian reservations not
~ Ear ssuleu,ent. and there were bn few white settlers in any por-
taa of The Territory. lis Indian population was rapidly decreasing
uhae many emigrans from different parts Of the country were anx-
soesiy wauing tie extinction Of the ladlon title, and the establishment
Ole Territorial Government, to seek new homes 10 us fertile prailes
eannGt be d ag ~ g gs ~ y e9oln S%, a ri : N nsa Sis9s{ 2 e@' ,a o%i
q l oe,eo fs ermse soI. and fs easy aeeese teSs la
siTr ssulenenis, would have made it The favored course for he TIDE
eseM have been admusd mo te Union asa Free State, without the
49, sectional excitement. II SO organized, uoae but the kuadest feel
ihes could have existed between II ana The adjoining state Iher
B maoid interests and intercourse ias'eed OF as nov, e3lensenng me
1~t6rriood. The testimony clearly shows that before the PROPOSE
tout o rpcalt the Missouri ComPlomi'e %9s ief'Nlucel mo C2ng9ess
te people of Western Missouri appeared tpdiherent to Che prohibition
-. n" asnet Of affairs entirely changed. The whole country was
n, M asnnis sections hoped lad been sereim every slrean and Territory
by BONE law beyond the donserof repeal: The excitement which has
a(uevs accompanied the discussion Of the Slavery question, was
tr kfeaiy increased by the hope on the one hand OF extending slavery
ssks hy sense Of wrong done by what was regarded as a dishonor
tas he border Counties Of Missouri and the Territory as settlers fay
,g odeg free or slave institutions moved mo n a rev difficulty soon
"a Terdory existed, and hat neither The people nor The Terrnorial Leg
spae could prohibit slayay-that that power was alone possessec
f he people when hey were authorized 70 form State Go'ernmen,
M IN as caatendd that the removal o. the restriction virtually eIab
, llAed slavery in the Territory. This claim was urged by many
81 #fanminent men in Western Missouri VINO actively engaged ~ We az
Hy fars ofuc Territory. Every movement OF whatever character which
I'D teai ed to establish free institutions was regarded as an interference
win their rights.
Nrbn a sw days AFTER The o,saoie@ law passed, and as soon as q
pas tee could be kHowp on the border, lending CITIZENS OF Missouri
a eos Sci into the Terrt9ys held squater meetings and then returne
-Ae toa er homes Among heir resolutions are the folowing'
4 That we Will afford protehono ro Abohtunit rs seuler Of his Territory
N" sVIlat we ncmnze ma institution M slavery ass already existing Rths Itr
o #tng md advise shareholders 70 Introduce their property rs early as possible
Isl mlar resolutions were passed ia various parts of the Territory
d" aad by meetings. in several Counties Of Missouri. Thus the first chec
ofAe rpeal Of he restdaiou agnaa Slavery was 10 Substitute tu
fese YES Of squaaer MEETINGS, composed almost exclusively Of citizen
~ smge State, Sr d- deliberate action Of Congress, aequiesced il
f3ah3y6ye years.
Ihs unlawful interference has been continued 30 every impoHun
teeFfi On the history Of the Territory crefg ocdioa has been control
edt by the actual settlers, but BY cuizers OF Missouri, and a S
feoak 9ueGce, every officer 10 The Territory from constable oegslt