The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1855-10-13
NisceNapeoqs.
Important Kansas Revolution.

q oouluCiu ScbtAcuah dld oiosCAotuS
who has settled in Kansas Territory
1t was furnished for that paper, and is .
valuable article filed with important in
formation regarding the early pOlitics
history and otker movements in Kansas
Kansas. Aug. IS. 1855.
To the Editors Of tie Dsasoerati'
Press:-Amcng the truly valuable anC
interesting information daily spread be.
fore your numerous readers, / have
thought the following sketches of Kan
sas history might find place. The
present state of affairs is but the result O.
preconcerted schemes. Among the In
dividuals most active in carrying Out
the views of Atchison d. Co, the Rev
Thomas johnson, of the Shawnee Miss.
ion, President of the Council, deserves
a prominent place. Personally he j:
above medium size, square built, pres
enting grave, commanding presence
AS preacher he is scarcely above me-
diocrity-destitute of enthusiasm and
vivid Ideally, he is noted for great prac-
teal skill. He has presided over the
Shawnee Methodist Mission for many
years, and held slaves there long before
it was lawful. Having ample accom-
modations at the Mission. it has been
made the headquarters of government
officials, and at present of the Legisla-
ture and attendants, yielding him rich
harvest pecuniarly, and at the same time
giving him a position of influence. 1t
is well known here that part of the
programme of the Nulliiers, previous to
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
was eternal opposition to the organiza-
ton and settlement of the Territory
The parsons position enabled him to
prejudice the minds of Indians against
making treaties, most elfectualiy.-
Atchison said he would rather see the
Territory sunk in hell than become a
free State" The Nullifers commenced
scheming at an early day, and procured
the appointment of pro-slavery Indian
Agents to carry out their views in the
Territory. They were awfully shocked
at the nomination of Mr. Manypenny, of
Ohio, Commissioner of Indian Affairs
a." said Senator Atchison, land my
friends went to President Pierce, and
requested him to withdraw the nomina-
ton. l told him the appointment was
not fit to be made-he was from free
State. The President insisted that he
had now gone too far to retrace, and if
they would let him have his way in this,
LIE would see that all other appointments
in the Territory should meet their views,
and he would take care that Mr.. Many
penny was right.
The. agents received instructions ac-
cordingly, and went forth on their mis-
sion. Congress made an appropriation
and ordered treaties to be. made Time
passed on no treaties were made. The
Indians were anxious to treat; the coun-
try expected it. But Parson Johnson
and the agents were working for other
interests, and the most favorable oppor-
tunity Cor making treaties was lost
Wyandot City Convention was held on
the 9Sth of July, 1858, a Territorial
Government organized, and Delegates
nominated to Congress. The Honorable
Abelard Guthrie Was nominated by the
friends of Col. Benton, and the Rev.
Thomas Johnson as the friend of Gen.
Atchison. Thusearly was Missouri pol
itics introduced into the country. Mr..
Guthrie received the nomination by a
handsome majority. Here STRIPPING,
who has since been rewarded for his
mental service by An appointment, went
to Guthrie and requested him to resign,
assuring him that Mr.. Atchison "said
that the election of one of opposite senti
ments to him from Kansas Territory
would enable them to repeal the Mis-
souri, Compromise. and that he being
the friend of Col. Benton would destroy
his influence in Congress" Mr.. Guthrie
did not take the advice.
The session of Congress was APPROACH
ing. Some show must be made towards
making treaties. Accordingly Mr.. Many
penny came out to the Mission and coun-
selled with the Parson and the Indian
agents. He got his instructions and
then passed rapidly in carriage accom-
panied by Gen. Whitfield, up the main
road on the west side of the Missouri
river, into Nebraska, and returned7with
out making any treaties, not even stop
ping in some of the Indian nations
A Delaware chief who was asked if Mr..
Manypenny offered to treat or said any
thing to them, answered, "No nothing.
He got gloves on; he boy; he got no
beard
Manypenny went on to Washington.
The Platte Argus, Atchison's organ.
threatened settlers who might attempt
to go on to United States land in the
Territory with the ''bayonets, of the
Thus the original programme
was faithfully carried out SO far.
One agent away upin Nebraska, Mr..
Lakewood, who was a Benton man, went
ahead to carry out the act of Congress
faithfully, and made treaties with the
Indians, and WAS dismissed for his pre-
sumption. Late in the fall of 1853, the
Missourians and others held CONVEX
ton and brought out Rev. Thomas
Johnson for Congress, in opposition to
Mr.. Guthrie, the nominee of the Wyan-
dot Convention. Mr.. johnson was cleo
ted by Indian votes, he having succeed |
ed in prejudicing their minds against
Mr.. Guthrie, as the friend of settlement
and organization. The Rev. gentleman
went on to Washington, but of course
was not received as Delegate, as the
Territory was not organized; and while
Senator Douglas was laundering against
the ..three thousand New England
who had presumed to take