The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-06-30
Correspondence.
LAWRENCE, K. 7. Jate 90, sd
Pro-slavery Letter.

Prc-Slavery Letter.
LAWRENCE, K. T. Jale 90, '55.
G. w. BRowN, Ese-S1B I'm your
Herald of May 18th 1 noticed an article
headed "slavery in Kansas" in which
you state proposition, and then under
take todiscuss itin the negative. should
not have noticed it, but for fear you
should think no person dare take the af-
firmative of your p, oposition, and from
the manner in which you preface your
remarks one would conclude that your
arguments were unanswerable.
Your proposition. which is double
one, might admitof division, and might
be answered either doubly, or singly, but
as both propositions may be answered by
the same argument, and as you discuss
it as one question, | shall do the same.-
Your proposition then is "Has slavery a
legal existence in Kansas, and can it exist
in the absence of positive municipallaw."
| answer most positively that it can, and
does exist in Kansas, and what | am most
astonished at is, that any man with a
thimble full of brains would deny it, while
the whole history of Kansas and what ey-
cry mans observation teaches him to be
true. The late census, and even higher
authority, your own Immaculate Herald,
proves the truth of the proposition, that
slavery does exist. If a thing does ex-
ist, it is very reasonable to suppose that
itcaa exist. Now from the year 1884,
when Antony Consoles first brought a
few negro boys from the coast of Africa
to the present time, there is not nation
under heaven which ever established
slavery by positive municipal law, nor not
q State in this Union, either by their con-
stitutions, or municipal law, ever estab-
hshed slavery in the same. And still it
does exist in some fifteen States of this
Union, or else the whole tribe of brawl-
ing Abolitionists in this country are set
ofliars, and impostors, eursing, praying.
and preaching against thing that does
not exist. But the truth is it does exist.
and that by kind of common law pecu-
liar to the American Continent, for ! shall
not go back to periods anterior to the dis
covery of America TO prove the afirma-
tive of your proposition. The country,
now the Territory of Kansas was former
Iva part of the French dominions, and
governed by its laws; for We find by re-
ferring to the seventh article of the char
ter of Louis the XIV to Croza., dated
Sept. 18th, A. D. l712, the edicts, ordi-
nances and customs of Paris we're to be
observed for laws in the country of Lou
isiana. June, l717, Crozat's Rights We're
passed to the Company of the West, I"
and were finally surrendered to the King
without change of jurisprudence
These customs of Paris, in connection
with the Roman and Civil law, constitu-
ted the laws of France, and were the laws
of Louisiana colony. On the third of
Nov, 1863, France ceded to Spain all of
Louisiana west of the Mississippi; and
it was decided in case in 1918 that the
laws of France were in force in Louisiana
from 1862 to l769-the year that Spain
took possession. of that country. There
was no abolition of the French, or sub
stitution of the Spanish code for it, until
1895, when the Baron Corondelet passed
an ordinance of police concerning slaves,
roads, &c. These acts were the only
change made by Spain while she held pos
session of that country, and the first law
IN relation to slaves made in that eoun-
try now Kansas.
On the first of October, A. D., 1900,
by the treaty of lldefonso, Louisiana was
retroceded by the Spanish King to the
French Republic and on the 30th day
ef April. 1903, by the treaty between the
United States of America and the French
Republic, the United States acquired the
full sovereignty of the Territory of Lou
isiaua. The country was ceded without
any condition exceptsuch as were intend
ed to protect the inhabitants in the enjoy
ment of their liberty. religion. and prop
erty, one species of which was slaves. and
which was recognised in 1895 by Baron
Corondelet, the Spanish Governor, in his
ordinance of police. On the 26th day
of March, 1904, Congress passed a Law
dividing the province of Louisiana int
two Territories by the line correspond
ing with the SD degree of North lati
tude-that north of said line to be callet
the Louisiana District. By the same &C
Of Congress all laws then in force In ths
said Territory at the time of its passage
not inconsistent with the Constitution ans
laws of the United States should remail
in full force and effect. Sec Territoria
laws of Missouri
By the same act of Cengress as TIL
last referred to, the Executive power o
the Governor of Indiana was extended
over the district of Louisiana, and tn
Governor and judges were empowered d
pass laws for the government of said Ter
ritory. On the first of October, 1904
they passed laws on various subjects
and among others. in relation to slaves
Sec Territorial law Of Louisiana. S.
that we see the civil law continued to b
the law of the Territory except so far a
thesame was modified or repealed by sal
acts of Congress. On the third of March
1905, the name of the district of Louis
lana was changed to the Territory of Lou
isiana, and by such act all laws in fore
at the time OF its passage. not repugnan
To it we're continued in force. By th
act passed the eth Of June, 1919, th
name of this Territory was changed
the Territory of Missouri. and all of th
laws then in force should be continue
in full force. By an set passed by th
Territorial Legislature. on the 18th dz
Of January. A. D.. 1916. The commo