The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-29
WASHINGTON, d. c..
GOV. SHANNON, OF KANSAS.

1t Will be remembered that the Kansas cor
respondent Of the St Louis Democrat reported
Governor Shannon as saying in his speech at
Westport, soon after his arrival in the Terrific
~, that he was for Slavery in Kansas. Just
before the Ohio election took place, out came
letter from Shannon, declaring that he never
said anything of the kind; and he has written
several letters since that time, denying the
statement. Mr.. James Redpath, the CORES
pendent of the Democrat, noticing these con.
fraGictions, set himself to work to obtain proof
o: his fret statement, and he has been entirely
Successful. In his letter to the Democrat. dated
the 24th Of October, he gives evidence from
fh.lip c. Schuyler, John DALEY, William Bar
bee, A. l.. Bounds, A. w. King, Robert Miller.
Indian Agent, Mr.. Parrot of Leavenworth, the
Kansas Territorial Register, and the Kicapoo
Pioneer, fully sustaining. the accuracy of the
report. Many of these witnesses are Pro SIa-
very IN their tendencies. We copy two of the
certificates, both from Pro-Savery men:
KANSAS CRY, Mo-, Oct. ii.
| arrived in Wesiport as Gov. Shannon
wGs delivering his Speech and heard him make
use OF the words attributed to him by your Kan.
sas reporter, that
AS Missouri and Kansas were adjoining
States, aud as much of that immense commerce
nP the Missouri, which was already rivaling the
commerce between the United States and some
Enropean countries, must necessarily lead to a
great trade and perpetual intercourse between
them, II would b: well for their institutions to
har1lORtze, otherwise there would be con-
tinual quarrels and border feuds between them. t"
| noted this idea down at the time. as the
true sentiment propitiary to the best interests
OF Kansas Territory. / did net hear the first
part OF the speech, but as much Of it as list
ened to is correctly reported in your paper.
A. l.. BOUNDS.
Mr.. King, who signs the subjoined certificate,
is relative TO Gov. Shannon by marriage:
WEsrPoRT, Mo-, Oct. Is.
! YVES in the company of Mr.. A. l.. Bounds,
and heard Gov. Shannon express himself as in
the above certificate, and as reported by your
Kansas correspondent. Today, ! met Gov
Shannon at Smiths Hotel, and said to him that
j understood that the Washington Union had
denied what had heard him say in regard to
the institutions of Missouri and kansas-that
Is, that they should harmonic. He said, "You
understood me Alright The denying of IL is all
folly said to him that was one Of the Dor
der rurians, and in favor of Slavery in Kansas
lie then repeated that ] had understood him
Alright. a. W. KING.
Mr. Schuyler's statement is somewhat broad
or, and agrees substantially with the original
report by Mr.. Redpeth:
TorEEA, X. T., oct %, 1855.
10 ute Editor Of tie Missouri Democrat:
SIR; i was greatly surprised on reading, in
cidentally, in your paper, few days since, the
letter of Gov. shannon TO Mr.. Medary, of Ohio.
in which he denies having discussed the subject
of Slavery in his 9 inaugural speech, made at
Wesiport, Missouri, on his arrival in this coun-
try. The report of that speech on this point,
as published by you, is very nearly verbatim.
He stated " there is another subject upon
which he could speak. He hesitated, and re-
peated, there is another subject upon which he
could speak-Slavery. My course on this sub
Ject is not unknown TO some of you. You have
on your borders strife and tumult There is
great commerce passing through your State,
and so through Kansas TO the Pacific States
This commerce now rivals the commerce of
some of the European States. 1t is destined
greatly to increase. 1t is important that this
trade should be protected, and not disturbed by
internal connections; therefore the necessity
that the institutions of both should agree He
thanked them for their kind attention to his
dislointed remarks, made on the spur of the oc
casion. He had no intention Of making an
elaborate speech ~ bowed gracefully. and
withdrew, amid the loud applause of the meet
ing, who gave three cheers for Gov. Shannon
as being right.
Inns speech had the privilege of hearing.
and the above | affirm to be very nearly the
language used by his Honor; and that portion,
" therefore the necessity of the institutions Of
both States agreeing to be the exact Ian
guage. Yours, truly, PHILIP c. SCHUYLER.