Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-08
WEsTroRT, Mo- Dec. l, Is

WESTPoRT, Mo- Dec. l, 1909.
desire authority to call on the United States
forces at Leavenworth to preserve the peace of
this Territory, to protect the sheriff of Douglas
county, and enable him to execute the legal
process in his hands. If the laws are not exc
cuted civil war is inevitable. An armed force
of one thousand men, with all the implements
of war, it is said, are at Lawrence. They have
rescued a prisoner from the sheriff, burnt
houses, and threatened the lives of citizens.
Immediate assistance is desired. This is the
only means to save bloodshed. Particulars by
mail. WILSON SHANNON.
10 has Encelency Franklin Pierce:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1855.
Your despatch received. All the power vested
in the Executive viii be exerted to preserve
order and enforce the laws. On the receipt of
your letter the preliminary measures necessary
to be taken before calling out troops will be
promptly executed, and you will then be fully
advised. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
TO Wilson Shannon, Governor Of the Territory
of Kansas.
The latest report from st. Louis brings the
following particulars
ST. LOUIS, December 5, 1855.
The Kansas "Free State papers give the
following account of the difficulties in the Ter
ritory A young mar named Dow, twenty-five
years of age, while at a blacksmith's shop
where several border rufianso had coDgre-
gated, was deliberately shot by one Coleman.
An attempt was made to arrest the murderer,
but, through the assistance of his abettors, he
escaped to Missouri. A meeting Of the citi
zens, held on the spot where the affair occurred,
to inquire into the case, pronounced the act a
cold-blooded murder on the part of Coleman,
and charged four men, named Hagus, Burnley,
Moody, snd Wagner, with being accessories. A
series of resolutions was passed, and q com
mittee appointed to investigate still further, to
search out the offenders, and to devise means
to bring them to justice. Sheriff Jones ar
rested Jacob Bronson, at whose house Dow
lived, for the purpose Of having him give Sc
curity to keep the peace; but, while proceed.
ing to Lecompton, Bronson was rescued by a
party of his ~neighbors. Jones sent to Pawnee,
Missouri, for aid, declaring that the Governor
of Missouri had assured him the assistance of
ten thousand men if required.
We present, also, the following additional
des patch taken from the Louisville Courier;
IS~DEPENDENcE, (Mo.) Dec. 3.
We have just received reliable intelligence
from Kansas Territory, which increased the
high excitement already existing here.
You have been apprized of the origin Of the
difficulty-that of the rescue Of a prisoner inI
the hands Of the sheriff by a party Of fifteen
to twenty Of the citizens Of Lawrence and its
vicinity, and their refusal to deliver any of the
parties concerned in the mob and outage up
to any Of the officers Of the Territory, unless
II be the Governor, or to those Of the General
Government.
This determination is strengthened by the
nrprea ,nr1..I ~, g. - ~ II L. Al
editor Of the paper at Lawrence aud a few
other men of a similar stripe, who are c%ontinu.
ally making hsrangues to the populace and
urging them 10 make preparations for a fight.
On Saturday night Gen. Lane delivered a
speech Of this character, which was received
with the greatest demonstration Of enthusiasm.
Gov. Shannon, seeing such a state of things
existing, very properly ordered out the militia
Of the Territory, who did not respond very cor.
daily TO his wishes.
Many OF the citizens Of the Western border
counties in Missouri, willing to aid in quelling
the disturbance, offered their assistance, and
are now in readiness 10 90 to the scene Of diff
Guilty at a moments warning. Many have al.
ready gone from Lafayette and the adjoining
counties well prepared for the emergency.
The Governors party we're from ESQ to 800
men they are at Franklin, a few miles distant,
waiting a greater force.
Reports have reached us that there are 1000
men in Lawrence organized and ready for re.
sistance, Gil armed with Shapes rifles, and
that they are entrenching themselves as rapidly
as they possibly can.
From another source we learn that the bet.
ter men in Lawrence say they are willing to
give up all concerned Ia the affair If THE legally
authorized persons seek IL; otherwise they will
resist TO desperation. Gov. Shannon, in re.
spouse, said "Why not deliver them to the
Sheriff or 10 the u. s. Marshal, who have
already demanded tbem2"
Trouble will no doubt result from II, as much
excitement exists on both sides.
A meeting is now being held in Kansas to
see il some measure cannot be adopted TO ter.
inmate the matter peacefully il possible, but
forcibly il necessary.
On Saturday Governor Shannon applied to
President Pierce, by telegraph, for assistance
from the United States troops at Forts Riley
and L~eavenworth, and until such aid is granted
nothing will be done, unless the excitement Of
the parties concerned will bring on the crisis
before. II so, many valuable lives will be
lost.
f~SDEPENDgScE, Dec. 3-P. VI.
There Is great excitement all through this
upper country, and overwhelming plumbers are
pouring from every direction into the Territory
70 sustain the laws. Gen. Lane is entrenching
himself and throwing up breastworks. lie Is
also burning beacon lights, which can be seen
twenty-five miles from Lawrence, and bids
defiance.
ELECTION OF UNITED STATES SEN
ATOR.
The Richmond Enquirer Of Wednesday
says:
"The people Of Virginia will rejoice to learn
that, yesterday both Houses Of the Legislature,
by decided votes, adopted the resolution offered
BY Mr.. Deneale in the Senate, to proceed on