The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-03-28
(From the Lexington Express, March 81
Arms for Kansas Arrestsd.

Arms for Kansas Arrested.
The good steamer Arabia arrived at our
wharf about sunrise this morning. Imme.
diateiy on landing, committee was sdes..
patched up town to inform our citizens thas
aper.on from Massachusetts was on board,
having in his possession one hundred Sharp's
rifles and two cannon, destined for service
in Kansas, and sent forward by the Massa.
chusetts Aid Society. This information
brought together many Of our most respeo-
table and reliable citizens, when a confer
ence was had by them with Mr.. 1"Start.r
with n view Of inducing him to leave tho
dangerous" weapons with our citizens for
safe keeping. This he assented to, and de-
livercd the "goods" up, subject to the reqni-
sition Of Governor Shannon, or his success
sor in office. The proceedings were orderly,
and although the determination to arrest
the arms was decided, no one talked of vi
oence.
The arms were boxed up md marked
Carpenters Tools" The discovery that
they were on board was made at or below
Glasgow, from letter. Of which the follow
ing is copy, dropped by Mr.. s. in the cab
in, and picked up by boy and handed to
Capt. Shaw, by whom it was read aloud in
the social hall. The passengers and officers
were highly incensed ut the disclosures; but
no ind,gnity was offered to the miserable
disorganizer. The letter is as follows:
Missouri RIVER, above St. Louis,
Friday Morning, March Z, 1856.
Weather exceedingly cold and dsagreca-
ble, but fair on tho steamboat Arabia, max
ing about four miles an hour against tho
stream writing in the cabin-about sew
enty passengers, some Of them "border ruff
fans" My party consists Of four, includ-
ing self. The devils do not suspect they
are 'entertaining angels unaware" and talk
and swear freely against the Emigrant Aid
Socicety. My goods are so Disguised that
they will not be likely to excite any sus-
picion.
shall probably land at Kansas city or
at Lcavrnwo:lh city, near the Fort, to NOR
row night, and then be within thirty miles
of Lawrence. am perfectly well and con-
fi'lcnt, with plenty Of money in,my pocket.
Can't learn anything from Kansas. Tho
Mississippi above the Missouri, is still closed
with smooth, soli.l ice, and it is very fa-
vorable cir.'ums:anrc that the Missouri has
suddenly and unaccounta:ly opened, as tho
river is in excellent order, and although we!
are on the first boat up. others are on the.
way behind us, and Kansas is in direct COM.
munication. by water, with the free States.
while the weather is too cold for the border,
devils 10 leave homo on ,nara.ding expc-
dition. ] say again, the sudden breaking.
up OF the Missouri river is exceedingly "a.
vorahle to the free Stale cause. I suppose.
the free State Legislature assembled at To-
peka this week, Tuesday, bu, what they did
wc may not know until Monday. 1t is.
rather pr,'bHtie that they; adjourned until
summer, but they may have contiGucd iu
session, and determined to fight it out
faith" aud perhaps that will he the best in
the end. It is somewhat probable that 7
may 60 back to St. Louis soon, for another
load Of goods.
Twill write again as soon as have infor-
nation to communicate, aud get where I
can trust the Dog Postmaster. Yours af..
'ec''oha'e'y' START.
The "carpentcrs' tools" are now .af.Iv
stored in this city. Great credit iu.,ly At.
taches to Capt. Shaw and his under officers
for the just and manly course pursued by
them in this affair. Three cheers were e;v-.
en- the boat as she pushed off.