The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-19
Gor. Shannon to Gea. H. J. Stricller,

peace warrant he met by band or armed men, VINO
took said prisoner focby out Of his possession and bid
defiance to the execution of all law in this Territory lie
has demanded of three thousand TO aid him in the
execution Of the legal process in his hands AS the south
division of the militia of this Territory is not organ
ized only request you TO collect together as large
force you can and at early day practicable re-
port Soass with the forces you may raise h 70 p = ss
in your power In the execution OF the legal process In
his hands Whatever forces may bring 70 his aid are
TO be used for sole purpose of aiding the said sheriff in
the execution of the law and other 1t expected that
every good citizen will aid and assist the lawful author
ties the execution of the laws of the Territory and the
preservation of good order ..
w. ' WILSON SHANNON
General II. J. SrmcKLER
Governor Shannon to the President.
ExEoUTIvR OFFcE, ....#
Shawnee Mission X T., December H. 1855.
SIR: In my despatch to you Of the 2sth ntmo ad-
vsed you of the threatened difficulties in relation TO the
execution of the laws of this Territory in Douglas comfy
The excitement which then existed continued to increase
owing to the aggravated reports from Lawrence and that
vicinity In relation to the military preparations that were
being made attack the sheriff. and resist the execution
of the laws Tho excitement increased and spread not
only throughout this whole Territory but worked up
the Utmost point of intensity in the whole Of the upper
portion of Missouri Armed men were seen rushing from
all quarters towards Lawrence to defend the place
and Others to demolish it. The orders had issued to
Major General Richardson and General Strckler had
brought the sheriff of Douglas county very inadequate
the town Indeed the militia of the Territory
being wholly unorganized forces could be obtained ex
cep those who voluntarily rendered their aid TO the sheriff
to Generals Richardson and Srcker The whole force
in the Territory thus obtained did not amount to more
than three four hundred men badly armed and wholly
unprepared resist the forces in Lawrence which
at that time to some six hundred all remarkably well
armed with Sharpes rifles and other weapons These facts
becoming known the line in the State OF Missouri
large numbers of from that State in irregular bode
rushed the county Of Douglas, and many oil them en-
rolled themselves in the sheris posse In this state Oh
affairs saw way Of avoiding deadly conflict but 10
obtain the of the United States forces at Fort Leave
worth and with that view, ! addressed you teie-
graphic despatch, and received on the 9th instant
your very prompt and satisfactory reply OF the 4h
instant copy of which Immediately transmitted Dy .pe
cia despatch Colonel Sumner with the request hat ne
would accompany with his command TO the scene OF
difficulty. In reply informed that be would imme
dately do So having no doubt that in due nr proper
struetions would be received from the War Department
Information however which received from both parties
convinced me that my presence was necessary 70 nVu
conflicts and, without waiting for Col sumner repmrt
to the of threatened hostes at the same time ad-
visng Col Sumner by special despatch Of this movement
On my way to Lawrence met despatch from Col SUM
informing that upon reflection he had changed bis
determination and that he would march with his COM
mand until be had received orders from the proper depart
ment but that he would be ready with his com
msnd the such orders to hand. proceeded
rapidly possible TO the camp Of General Strckle on
the Wakarus six miles east Of Lawrence and arrived IN
camp about three o'clock the morning of the sixth
instant found that Gen. Strckcr, well as Gen. Rich
ardson had very udicousy adopted the policy of ncor
porang into their respective commands all the irregular
forces that had arrived This done with the view OF
subjecng them to military orders and discipline and TO
prevent any unlawful outbreaks The great danger
to be apprehended from unauthorized attack on the
town OF Lawrence which being strongly fortified and
had about thousand and fifty men, well armed TO de-
eud IT, with two pieces of artillery While the other
side there probably In all two thousand men,
many Of them indferenly armed, but having strong
park Of artillery found in the camp at Wakarnsaa deep
and settled feeling Of hostility against the opposing forces
10 Lawrence and apparently fixed determination to attack
that place and demosh and the presses and take posses
sion Of their Ii seemed TO he universal opinion In
the camp that there safety TO the law-and-or
der party in the Territory, while the other party
permitted TO retain their Sharpes rifles, nm In
strument used only for purposes. After minRling
with all the leading the Wakarusa camp, and
urging them the importance OF avoiding conflict OF
arms that such step would probably light the torch Of
civil and endanger the very Union itself still found
that there strong desire with all and fixed deter
minaon with many, to compel the forces In Lawrence
TO give up their arms Believing that such demand
would lead TO conflict which, II once commenced, no one
could tell where IL would end and seeing way 10 avoid
II except by the aid of the United States forces again
another communication 10 Colonel Sumner and sent
IL him by special despatch about three o'clock on the
morning Of the 7th inst requesting his presence copy OF
which send you herewith, marked received no reply
until my return to this place after the difficulty had been
arranged | send you copy Of this reply, marked r.
Early the morning Of the 7th inst repaired TO the
camp Lawrence and found them busy engaged in their
forfcaons and drilling their forces and had fun and
satisfactory interview with the committee appointed o the
forces in Lawrence in relation TO the impending dcutes
so the execution OF the laws concerned We had
no difficulty in coming satisfactory understanding "
agreed that the laws OF the Territory should
have their regular course and that those who disputed
their validity should II they desired 10 do so test that
question in the judicial tribunals OF the country that In
time resistance sholld be made to their due
on and the citizens Of Lawrence and vicinity were,
when properly called on, to aid in the arrest OF any
charged with their violation, and aid and assist In the
peace and good order Of society while
on my part gave them every assurance in my power
that they should be protected in all their rights and de-
Tended against all unlawful aggressions IL Is proper
should say that they claimed that large majority Of them
had nj ways held and nculcated the views The
surances received entirely satisfied that against
whom writ issued then In Lawrence; that they
had all fed, and that they barboring conceang or
defending one against whom writ had been issued
and that hereafter there would be combined rf-
fort made TO prevent the service Of any process In
! the county OF Douglas. This entirely satisfacio-
ry and all that had been desired but satisfy the
forces that surrounded Lawrence, that they could
be induced to retire in order, the great difficulty
10 be To issue order TO the sheriff to dis
band his posse and TO Generals Richardson and Sricker
to dsband their forces would have been 10 let loose this
large body OF men, who would have been le without con-
troll TO follow the impulse OF their feelings, which evident
i ly to attack and dissrm the people OF Lawrence
Early the morning Of the eh through the influences
leading men, procured thirteen OF the leading cap
sins In the Wakarnsa TO be appointed COMMITTEES