The true Democrat., 1856-11-25

accompanied by sundry reports from army off, cers and the deputy United States Marshal, giving the details of the arrest of Col. Eldridges party and the confscation of their arms.
 Gov. Geary writes:
 To the Secretary of State. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
 Lecomapton, (K. T,) Oct 15, lo56}
 DEAR SIR: Col. Wm. J. Preston, deputy United States marshal, who had accompanied Col. P. St. George Cook and his command to the northern frontier to look after large par ty of professed immigrants, who were reported to be about invading the territory in that quar- ter in warlike array, and for hostile purposes, returned to Lecompton on the 18th inst.
 He informed me that he had caused to be ar rested an organized band, consisting of about two hundred and forty persons, among whom were very few women and children, compris- ing some seven families.
 This party was regularly formed in military order, and were under the command of Gene ral Pomeroy, Colonels Edridge and Perry. and others. They had with them twenty wagons, in which were supply of new arms, mostly muskets, (with bayonets,) and sabres, and q lot of saddles, etc. sufficient to equip batta-
 
 nainder of infantry.
 Besides these arms, which were evidently n- tended for military purposes and none other, and which were in the wagons a search of which was strongly objected to, tbe immigrants were provided with shotguns, rifles, pistols, knives, etc., sufficient for the ordinary uses of persons travelling in Kansas or any other of the western territories
 From the reports of the officers, learn that they had with them neither oxen, household furniture, mechanics tools, agricultural imple- ments, nor any of the necessary appurtenances of peaceful settlers
 Those persons entered the territory on the morning of the 10th instant, and met Col Cooks command few miles south of the ter rltoral line. Here the deputy marshal ques- toned them as to their intentions, the contents of their wagons and such other matters as he considered necessary in the exercise of his of- fcial duties. Not satisfied with their answers, and being refused the privilege of searching their effects, he felt justified in considering them party organized and armed in opposition to my proclamation of the 11th September Af- ter consultation with Col. Cook and other off, cers of the army, who agreed with him in re- gard to the character of the immigrants he directed the search to be made, which resulted In the discovery of the arms already mentioned.
 An escort was then offered them to Lecomp- ton, in order that might examine them in per son, and decide as to their intentions, which they refused to accept. Their superhuous arms were then taken in charge of the troops, and the entire party put under arrest, the families and all others, individually, being permitted to retire from the organization, if so disposed.- Few, however aFaled themselves of this pri- vilege.
 But little delay and less annoyance were oc casloned them by these proceedings Every thing that circumstances required or permitted was done for the comfort and convenience of the prisoners. They were accompanied bv squadron of United States dragoons in command of M jor Il. H. Sibley. A days rations were dealt out to them and they were allowed to pursue the route they themselves had chosen
 Being apprised of the time at which they would probably arrive at Topeka forwarded orders tor their detention on the northern side ot the river, near that place, where, as pro- mSed met thern on the morning of the 14th instant.
 found them precisely as they had been re. presented to me in official reports; and while l felt disposed and anxious to extend to them all the lenlency l could consistent with proprie- ty duty and justice, 1 determined. at the same tme to enforce ill their case, as we'll as that of every similar organization, the spirit and intent of my proclamation of the 11th ultimo, which commands "al bodies of men combined armed and equipped with munitions of war, without authority of the government, instantly to dlsband or quit the territory as they will answer the contrary at their peril" This I had done but a short time previous with smaller body, who entered Kansas as this had done, from an entirely different quarter, and who, upon learning my purposes, not only sub mltted willingly to be searched but by my or der, without murmur, and even cheerfulness, dlsbanded and dispersed
 Addressed these people in their encampment, III regard to the present condition of the terri tory, the suspicious position they occupied, and the reprehensibIe attitude they had assumed.- reminded them that there was no possible necessity or excuse for the existence of large armed organizations at present in the terrto- ry. Everything waSqu!et and peaceful. And the very appearance of such unauthorized and injudicious array as they presented, while 1t could do no possible good, was calculated, if It was not intended, to spread anew distrust and consternaton through the territory, and reklndle the fires of dscord and strife that had swept over the land, ravaging and desolating everything that lay in their destructive path
 Their apology for their evident and unden- able disregard to my proclamation, though somewhat plausible, was far from being satis- factory. They had made their arrangements they sad, to emigrate to Kansas, at a time when this territory was not only disturbed by antagonlstc political parties, armed for each others destruction, but, when numerous bands of marauders, whose business was punder and assassination, infested all the highways, rem dering travel extremely hazardous, even though every possible means for self-protection were employed
 This excuse loses all its pertinency when it Is understood, that before the party crossed the territorial line, they were apprsed, through deputatlon that had visited me- that the con. ditlon of things, above described, had ceased to exist, and that such was the true state of af- fairs, that any person could travel the route they proposed taking without moestation or the sg ghtest cause for apprehension. I in- formed them, through their messengers, that I heartily welcomed all emigrauts, from every section in the Union, who came with peaceful attitude, and apparently good intentions; and to all such, l would afford ample protection; while, on the other hand, assured them that would positively enforce my proclamation, and suffer no party of men, no matter whence they came, or Wha1 tnelr pul1tlcal 0as to enter and travel through the territory with hostile or warlike appearance, to the terror of peaceable citizens, and the danger of renewing the dis. graceful and alarming scenes through which we had so recently passed. It was quite evi- dent that this party did thus enter the territory in defiance not only of my proclamation, but my own verbal cautions; and therefore fully approve Of the action taken by Col. Cooke, Major Sibley and Deputy Marshal Preston, as we'll as the officers of the army who assisted in their detection, search and guard
 After showing the necessity of so doing, I insisted upon the immediate disbandment of this combination, which was agreed to with great alacrity The majority of the men were evidently gratifed to learn that they had been Aanai,.od in ralat;o., 4o l .i