The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-06

Geary's militia, after the numbering of David
Buffum, passed through Lecompton under a
black flag, the emblem of pirates, no one dar-
ing to modest them. A large portion of our
number have families depending upon our earn
ings for support, and outstanding crops of great
value going to waste or suffering heavy loss.
We come now at last, to speak of subject
too Immediate, too vital, to admit of our passing
it unnoticed, yet too full of horror to dwell upon.
We allude to our treatment and condition since
our confinement here, any description of which
must come far short of the terrible reality. A
few OF our guard will ever be remembered by
us with emotions of the deepest gratitude for
their kindness, but the greatest portion of them
are drunken, brawling demons, too vile and
wicked for portrayal. Times without number
have they threatened to either shoot or stab US,
and not unfrequently have they attempted to
carry out their base and hellish threats. Sew
eral nights have the guard amused themselves,
throughout their different watches, by cursing
US, throwing stones at the house, breaking in
glass, sash, &c. Two large cannon stand plant
ed but few yards from our prison, and two
nights has the match been swung several hours
In the hands of the gunners, with orders to dis
charge both, heavily loaded with shot and slugs,
upon US, in case our friends should come in
sufficient force to avenge our wrongs. These,
insults and suferings heaped upon us daily.
Most of us are poorely clad, few have any bed
ding. Our prison is open and airy, yet small,
and, without, surrounded with unearthly filth ;
within, all is crawling with vermin-all-every-
thing-mixed with misery. When youths, we
listened with doubt to the dark stories of the
Jersey prison ships, and the black hole of Cal
cutta, never dreaming that we should at last be
sad, actual part of their counterpart More
than once have we prophesied to one another,
that all would not leave this charnelhouse alive.
Our assertions have been verified. Several have
been dangerously sick, one has died. His name
was VIM. Bowles, and formerly from st. Charles,
Mo. He labored with us nobly for our God
given rights, and it was with feelings of unut-
terable sorrow that we parted with him. After
an illness of two days, he left his suerings this
morning at l o'clock. Before his death, we
requested the officers of the guard to have him
removed to place of quiet. We talked and
became tired, yet nothing was done. Last night,
all the physicians in town were sent for, and
each refused to come. DR.. John P. Wood, who
is also Judge of Probate and Committal Justice
could not come, "because he was sick :" vet he
was seen that evening, as well as the following
morning, doing hard labor. Others had reasons,
we know not what. DR.. Brooks was sent for
five times, but as he was at card-tabe, play
ing poker, he swore he "would not leave the
game to save every Cd id Abolitionist in
the Territory" Many thanks, however, are due
to Mr.. CALDWELL Pro-Slavery man, and Mar
shall of the town of Lecompton-for the kind aid
he gave US.
The Governor paid us a visit yesterday morn
ing, which is the third since our incarceration.
We showed him young Bowles, and told him
we feared this was the beginning of an epidem-
&c which would prove fatal to not few. We
showed him our scanty clothing. He said that
the Grand Jury, which was in session all last
week, would probably finish its business by
night; that all against whom no bills were
found would be Immediately released; and that
although he was going away, and should be alb
sent several days, yet he should leave orders
that all those retained should be provided with
every comfort that could be procured. But the
Grand Jury has not ended its examination, and
none can tell when it will. Sickness and death
of the most horrid forms are in our midst; the
scrapngs OF Pandemonium surround us; we
can see nothing left us but an appeal to the last
tribunal, with God as our Judge, and our jury
the great American people. We are willing to
suffer, if necessary, for the cause of Liberty and
of Kansas but is it necessary? Will you an
swer to God, and let us hear your decision
Note.-Of course, every prisoner whose name
is here attached is not personally knowing to
every individual statement; but every statement
here made is known by many of US to be COM
posed of actual facts, and all are satisfied of
their truth. To the name of each subscriber is
attached his former residence;
ILLINOIS.
Thomas Hankns, Dover Isaac Gray, Chicago
Aaron ID Ray, Linden. Geo Smith, Winnebapo Co
Thos Lesson, Rock Island. William H. Gill, Elizabeth
j G ketcham. Bloomington. Adam Bauer, Schuyler Co
q. N. Nef, Bloomington. William Cline Peoria.
Absalom V. Eickers, Bath. James Conley, Half Day.
j. w Jordan Ogle County. p. Stevens, Bloom ngdale.
A. 5 Gales, Hamilton A. NJ Humphrey, Bristol
J. w White, Farm Ridge. G. Hay Oswego.
Thomas }. Alif, Carlisle. Jesse F. Pyle, Schuyler Co.
OHIO
J. H. Kagi, Bristolvie. T. w Porterfeld an old SOL
s Noglesong Hanoveron. dier under Jackson aged 72
IL. II. Easter Island County. William l.. Ware, Eaton
r. K Fally, Mount Giead, c. A. Sexton, Wellington.
Thos Bowers Chicothe. Edw'd Coitineham. Eaton.
Josiah g. Fuller, Oberlin Giles Smith Delaware.
!. L. unker, W warsaw. Albert T.. Bercard Kirkland
a. j. Payne, Cleveland
Jacob Fisher Jefferson Co. q. Langworihy GrinnelI
Resolved Fuller Wisootta Ohver G. Lewis, Davenport.
f.. A. Jacobs, Oskaloosa. ID. H. Montague Davenport
q. A. Eberhari, Muscatine.
INDIANA
A. G. Patrick, Greencastle. J. Silex, Richmond
John Lawre, White County. John Richie Franklin
Samuel Doman, Grant Co. Henry Hoover, Huntingdon
VIM. Updegrah fulton Co. N. Griffith Hancock Co
VIM. G. Porter, Brookston
MASSACHUSETTS,
o. L Preston Worcester. T.. D. Lyman, Southampton.
I; H. Coleman, Southampton John Lugrue, Springfield
Henry Hurd, Lowell. Stafford J. Prati Roston
Art w Dale, titchburg. III. York, West Brookfed.
A. c Solely, Worcester. A. II Parker. Clinton
NEW YORK
I. J. Dickinson, Newburgh H. n Bent New York
c. J. Auchinvole. Buffalo c. c. HYDE Hornelsyle
ii. N. Dunlap, Buffalo. A. Cutter. Monroe County
j. Howell New Hartford. ]. r White, Morrisana.
Jared Garter, Saratoga. q. IL Powers, Oneida Co.
RHODE ISLAND
f. d Whipple, Providence.
PENNSYLVANIA.
T. p. Brown, Allegheny Co. VIM Kerr Cannonsburg
geo. n Finney, Rockdale b. Hanes, Philadelphia
Joseph j. Boyer, COatsve. Milton Knze Lebanon
MISSOURI
Ihos warner, Buchanan Co. M J. Mitchell, Liberty.
David Patrick Lexington Jas. ii. York. Buchanan Co
NJ o. Beyman, Cooper Co. Joseph Hicks Platte Co.
WISCONSIN,
c. S. Gleason Albany f. Jenkins Spring Prairie
X. ID. Nichols, hosknong. William Butler Sank Co
Walter Florentne, Rock Co
MICHIGAN.
Samuel Stewart, Detroit. Roswell Hutchins Trov
John w. Stone, Detroit.
F. b. Swift. Brunswick C. H. Calkins Hain.vilIe !
Thos. Bckerton, Portland
VERMONT.
O. NJ Marsh, Woodstock. John L. King, Brateboro'. !.
CONNECTICUT. 4.
Aonzo Crawford, Union. +.
FOREIGN NEWS BY THE ASIA. 4
Date, Liverpool, October Is. \
Gloomy Financial Prospects Bank of E,aG
land adopting Further Restrictions Bank
Of France Threatens to Suspend-We Lon ;,