Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-09-18
Interesting Letter from Kansas.

Interesting Letter from Kansas.
The following letter from Major JoHN 5.
SIMoNsoN, to his friend, and old acquain-
tance, Judge MORRISON, of this city, gives an
interesting and truthful history of the actual
condition of affairs in Kansas, up to the day
of its date. Major SIMoNsoN is well known
to the people of Indiana as a man of high
character, as a gentleman, and as public
officer. He was formerly member of the
State Senate from the county Of Clark, and
now holds the honorable distinction of Major
in the U. s. Regiment of Mounted Rifemen,
so gallantly distinguished in Mexico, under
the command of General PERsIFER f. SMITH.
Major s. gives a true picture Of the scenes
around him with an impartial pen:
.raIl FoRT LEAvENwoRTH, Aug 25 1856.
arrived here Sunday, 24th, and have been
endeavoring to collect something reliable in
relation to the State of affairs in this Terri
tory, for your information but up 10 this date
can only reiterate what you are already IN
possession Of viz. The Lane party aud other
Abolitionists have made an armed invasion
have committed crimes of the most brutal and
atrocious character, and driven off, robbed, and
plundered peaceable settlers of the pro-Slavery
party, and are now said to be fortIfyIng the
town of Lawrence. The Missourians are said
to be collecting in the vicinity of Westport, and
the proSlavery men of the Territory are also
assembling for self-defence. They, declare
their determination to drive out the nIarauders
so soon as their forces are united. The United
States troops are principally at Lecompton and
vicinity, without authority or orders to act
against either of the belligerent parties. | do
not know what are the orders or instructions of
the President TO the commanding officer, Gen.
Smith but am sure that if he possessed the
proper authority, this civil war would be of
short duration.
1t is not only huniliating, but il is an awful
reflection to think Of the blessings bestowed
upon this people, in beautiful country, season
able and healthy climate, and abundant crops
now near the gathering, all devastated, destroy
ed, or plundered by marauders and inurderers,
hired and encouraged by demagogues, fanatics
and spectators.
Everything was quiet. The people of the
Territory had determined to settle the question
of slavery or no slavery at the ballot-box. They
were industriously engaged in making crops
and improving their homesteads, when this ne
farious war broke out. What change a few
short weeks has madel Some have been driven
out; some murdered; their habitations burned;
their crops destroyed, and their stock stolen;
whilst others of the peaceably disposed Of both
parties are fleeing for safety elsewhere. Can
the instigators and authors Of these distresses
and horrors escape the vengeance they merit?
But am giving you nv own deductions. You
want the facts without comment. They are suf-
fciently bad, as far as / am informed, although
greatly exaggerated in the newspapers. Men
Of the anti i-slavery, or Abolition party are the
aggressors this time. They have committed
Il ahb for oh
no precedent can be found, except in savage
warfare. What will be the conduct of the pro
slavery party, remains yet to be seem. If they
retaliate by similar outrages, 1t must result IN
determination.
The new Governor has not arrived. Should
he reach here in time to demand the services OF
the United States troops, much bloodshfd may
be prevented. 1t is not safe to travel anywhere
in the Territory without an escort. A few days /
since, gentleman travelling from Lecompton to
City, in buggy, was murdered
and scalped by white man-no acquaintance
no insult--no provocation. The man riding /
ON the highway, is shot dead
and scalped, and the perpetrator gone, perhaps
exulting in his trophy.
The pro slavery party are not exempt from
the charge of outrage and violence, although |
they may not have commenced them. a far
mer, residing fifteen miles from this post. in
Rangers had taken four horses, all he had,
within few days. This man is a pro-slave
ry man desirous of peace. Most of the tele-
graph dispatches you see, and also the state
ments Of correspondents of newspapers, are
totally false, or greatly exaggerated. Both /
parties prolific in misrepresentation. A
military express this moraing from LecOmpton,
reports all quiet in that quarter, that the body |
of 500 free State men that occupied Lawrence
.,aI har Il
have spread themselves round the country
The MIssourians and pro slavery men OF the
Territory had not reached Lawrence or vicini-
ty. They are reported in small bands and
companies making for the interior. The q. S.
troops will prevent a fight if possible, and will
yield protection to the Inhabitants of either
party without distiction. The acting Cover
nor has called out the militia, and this only
legal body under arms Except the U. S. troops) /
is composed Of the pro slavery party Joined by !
some MIssourians and a few free State men (very
free) and commanded by officers commissioned
by the Territorial authority. Gen. Richard /
son is one ofthese, and many others. party
of fifteen men with their wagons, on their way
from Lawrence to Leaver worth city for provis-
ions, were captured by the citizens of Leaven-
worth city to-day. One of the party. who at
tempted to fight his way with knife, and
refused TO surrender, was killed. He was a
herman DutcneT. humOT says bHat uiucty ADO-
ltionists are in the bushes five miles from
Leavenworth city and threaten an attack on
the place in order to procure provisions. One
of the party captured is said to have been a
member of the Topeka Legislature. The resi-.
due from the band of hired scum that have
been picked up in eastern cities, who are just
as well off in the present state of things as If
peace and quiet prevailed. They came to steal
and plunder, and many of them are discharged
convicts from penitentiaries. They confess they
were hired to come out to make war on and
drive out the pro slavery men-tha' they never
intended to become permanent citizens-that
they have been deceived in regard to supplies,
aud that they now are only desirous to leave
the Territory. The above is my gatherings
from rumors, reports and facts, as circulating
aud existing here. General Taylor said "you
must not believe anything you heard, and only
half you saw in Texas" The same may be
said of Kansas at this time, The recruits with
whom 60 TO New Mexico have not reached
this post They are pected on to morrow
We will be detained two or three weeks on ac-
c unit Of the disturbed state Of Kansas.
Governor Geary.
/ This gentleman left in the afternoon train
yesterday for Jefferson City. AT that point