Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-06-11

/ The citizens of Topeka. Kansas. having applied
i forpioieciion To Gov. shannon. be has addressed
them the following letter.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE. Lecompton. X. 4.
May Odd. l356. :
Gentlemen Your memorial, which is not da-
tel. has just been received In reply. would
beg leave Ia say that have no doubt that the
ontfages Of which you SPEAK have been greatly
exaggerated aud highly colofed II may be that
there are men CA both sides who are DESTROYS TO
compieate the pre.rut difficulties in this Terri
tory. and who feel 40 particular interest in a
Yoiding the evils of civil war. Under these cir
enmsfanee- it bccomes the law abiding citizens
= act with caution, and not 10 lend too willing
ear 10 all the reports that arc floating through
the country.
The United States Marshal as well as the
Sheriff Of th, county, as you are doubtless II
wnre have each been resisted in the execution of
wits in their hands, by citizens Of Lawrence.
The life If one attempted. Il that of the 9th
or threatened. under circumstances TO justify
the most serious apprehensions : to personal
safety in that place. Under these cIcum stances
each of these officers, by virtue of the power
which the law invests in them, assembled posse
large enough to insure the service of processes
They have got through serving the writs in
their hands, far il is practicable at pre- ent,
and each has dismissed his posse. Nearly all
who belonged TO these posses have retired. and |
think there is not the slightest danger of your
being assaulted, or molestcd unless private assns-
STATIONS and personal outrages should rouse
public feeling which would again bring into the
ii Id a body of men determined to revenge real or
supposed wrongs. 1t is useless to disguise the
fact that there is at this moment imminent dan
ger of this, result which | know you and all
good citizens would deeply deplore. Mr.. Cox
and wife were fired upon last evening. when rid
ing out of Lawrence, the ball passing between
1 Il. ~
lated to bring on civil war, which could not be
controlled by public authorites,and which would
en1 only by the entire destruction of one the
other of the parties. Let me appeal to one and
all to unite IN arrestng these threatening evils.
Let no attempt to redress his own wrong but
appeal to tho law in al! cases. 1t il, the only
safety for all parties, and can see no reason why
ample security for both person and property can
not be "a well secured in the Territory as any of
the States, if the citizens would in good faith
unite in aiding the officers of the law in arresting
and bringing to justice all persons who violate
the law.
1t is To be regretted that there is party in
the Territory who refuse to recognize the yalidi-
" of the territorial laws, and consequently take
no part in bringing offenders to Justice or in fur
nishng TO the law officers the names of witness
es whose testimony would be necessary in order
to ferret cut crime. | would most respectfully
solicit the MD and assistance Of the citizens of
Topeka in establishing o,nd Il healthy admin
isration of the law, the oest means to
the peace and good order of society. With the
view of securing all their iShts and preserving
peace and good order and he just execution Of
the laws have made n re QUESTION on Col. Sum
ner for three companies of the United States
troops to be stationed at Lawrence, one at
this place, and one at Topeka. Should it be
thought advisable to have troops stationed at
other points, | will make an additional requsi-
ton Col. Sumner He will be in Lawrence
this evening with his mand and will lose no
time in ordering the troops to Topeka. | assure
You that will exert all the powers vested in me
/ to preserve law and order, and to secure the
rights of persons and pr operty throughout the
Territory; but wish the citizens to reflect that
much depends on their own acon-especiay at
this moment. Yours, with great respect,
WILSON SHANNON.