The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-09

Gen. Lane, reads thus:
To G. Robinson and J. Fl. Lane, Com
nanders of the enrolled citizens of
Lawrence:
You are hereby authorized and directed
to take such measures and use the enroll
ed forces under your command in such
manner, for the preservation o the peace
and the protection of the persons and
property of the people in Lawrence and
Its vicinity, as in your judgment shall
best secure that end.
WILSON SHANNON.
Lawrence, Dee. l9, 1855.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE. Shawnee Mission.l
December %. 1856.
| DEAR SIR Your favor of this days
date is before me. In reply. | have to
state that the arrangements of the diff
Guilty with the citizens assembled in the
town of Lawrence during the recent dis
turbances was reduced to writing by my
self, and intended to be on liberal terms,
honorable alike to all parties. In my ar
rangement with them, my great object
was to secure the supremacy of the law,
and bring about, if possible. a more
friendly feeling between the two conflict
| ing parties, and thus secure lasting
peace and amieable relations. | knew
that this object would be defeated by in
sisting on any terms that would be hu-
initiating to the parties concerned, and l
was determined to extend to the citizens
assembled in Lawrence every opportuni-
| ty for placing themselvesin what | deem
ed correct position in reference to the
execution of the laws. The paper
which was shown you was probably a
correct copy of the arrangement entered
into on the 9th inst.
As to the paper dated on the 9th inst,
and purporting to be addressedto G. Rob-
inson and J. II. Lane, | desire to make
an explanation, SO as to present the truth
in relation to the manner in which it was
obtained, as we'll as my object in signing
it. In order to understand this matter,
it is necessary that | should make some
preliminary statements.
On the morning of the 9th, about sun
rise, issued my orders for diSbanding
the forces assembled around Lawrence.
| remained at the Wakarusa camp until
the forces at that place had retired. This
they did, in good order. About 10 O.
clock, A. M, of that day tit being Sun
day, | went in company with Brigadier
General Strickler, to Lawrence, where,
| with Sheriff Jones and others of the pro-
slavery party, l spent considerable por-
ton of the day. In the evening i was
invited to attend a social gathering of
ladies' and gentlemen of the town of Law
renee, at the Emigration Aid Society
Hotel, which | accepted. There were
but two rooms finished in the hotel; they
were small and in the third story, and
were, therefore, very much crowded by
the company assembled. The time was
spent in the most friendly and social
manner, and it seemed to be matter of
congratulation on every side. that thedif-
fculties so lately threatened had at length
been brought to happy termination.
In the midst of this conviyial party, and
about 10 O'Clock at night, DR.. G. Robin
son came to me, and in state of appar-
ent excitement, declared their picket
guard had just come in and reported that
there was large, irregular force, near
the town of Lawrence, who were threat
ening an attack; adding that the citizens
of Lawrence claimed the protection of
the executive, and to this end desired me
to give himself and Col. Lane written
permission to repel the threatened assault.
| replied to DR.. Robinson that they did
not require any authority from me, as
they would be entirely justified in repel-
ling by force any attack upon their town;
that the law of self-preservation was suf-
fcient, and that any authority which |
might give would add nothing to its
strength. The Doctor replied that they
had been represented as having arrayed
themselves against the laws and public
officers OF the Territory, and that he,
therefore, wished me to give him written
authority to repel the threatened assault,
SO that it might appear hereafter. if a
rencontre did take place, that they were
not acting against, but with the approba-
ton of the Territorial executive. With
this view. amid an excited throng, in a
small and crowded apartment, and with
out any critical examination of the paper
which DR.. Robinson had just written, l
signed it; but it was distinctly under
stood that it had no application to any
thing but the threatened attack on Law
renee that night.
| had, during my negotiations with
DIR. Robinson, as one of the committee
on behalf of the citizens assembled in
Lawrence, repeatedly assured him that
If the people of that place would ac-
knowledge the validity of the Territorial
laws until otherwise determined by legit-
innate authority, and would place them
selves under their protection, / would
exert all the power vested IN me to pro-
tect the citizens of that town. both In
their persons and property. and IN secur-
ing them from an attack. And | will
here state that an arrangement had been
made with those assembled In Lawrence.
and after my assurances of protection,
e. 1o-v .,ba,,lA have