The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-30
VOL. x.

Of new arms, mostly muskets, with bayonets.
and sabres, and a lot of saddles, &C., sufficient
to equip battalion consisting one fourth of
cavalry, aud the remainder of infantry Re
sides these, were arms which Governor Gearv
says were evidently intended for military pur
poses, and which were in the wagons, the search
of which was strongly objected to. The immi.
grants were provided with shot guns, rifles.
pistols, knives, &C., sufficient for the ordinary
uses of persons travelling in Kansas or aDv
other of the Western Territories. From the
reports of the officers, it appears they had with
them neither oxen, household furniture. me.
chanics' tools, agricultural implements, nor apv
OF the necessary appurtenances of peaceful
settlers.
They were permitted to pursue their Journey
under the escort Of a squadron of dragons. aud
subsequently Governor Geary, according 10
promise, met them near Topeka They anolo
gized for their evident and undeniabe disregar1
OF his proclamation, which apology. thougb
plausible, was far from being satisfactory. hc
ter welcoming them az peaceful emioran,s aud
assuring them that he would positively enforoa
his proclamation, and suffer no party of men
10 enter or travel through TIE Territory with
wariike or hostile appearance, to the terror of
peaceabe citizens, and the danger of renewip,
the dlsgracetul and alarming scenes which the
innaDltants had so recently passed through.
Governor Geary insisted upon the immed;a.e
disbandmeut of the combination, which was
agreed to with alacrity.
The majority of the men were evidently ,,-,,
lied to learn that they had been deceived :,
relation to Kansas affairs, and that p4aca ard
quiet instead of strife and contention v1are 49,,
ing there. His remarks were received Nth
frequent demonstrations Of APPRECIATION. and
at their close, the organization was hrol,er NJ,
aud the members dispersed in various dr.
tons. After they had been dismissed from ems.
tody, and the fact announced by Major Sill
their thankfulness for his kind treatment TOWARD
them, during the time he held them under Az.
rest, was expressed by giving him three hearty
cheers. 10y
la conclusion, Governor Geary expressed his
regret that societies exist in some of the S,a,as
whose object is to fit out such parties AZ m,
one Just discharged, and send them to Kansas
to their own injury and the destruction of tho
general welfare of the country. lie saws "Verv
many persons are induced TO come on. her..
under fattering promises which are paver
iuihiied and having neither money TO purchase
1904 ana clothing, nor trades OF occupations at
which to earn an honest livelihood, are drive,
TO the necessity of becoming either paupers or
thieves; and such are the unfortunate men who
have aided materially in filling up the measure
OF crimes that have 80 seriously affected M.
prosperity of Kansas
ut Is nigh time this fact sh Ssra be Clearly ,d
generally understood. This Territory II H.
present season of the year, and especially nm.
DER existing circumstances, offers no indoc.
ment for the immigration of the poor tradesmsp
or iaporer. The country is overrun with HIM
dreds who are unable to obtain empIovnsn,
who live upon charity, and who are exposed To-
all the evils of privation, restitution, aud want"
Among the documents, is the report Of the
immigrants to Governor Geary, complainips Of
the rough treatment they received from the
troops, acting, as they understood, under the
orders OF Mr.. Preston, the deputy United States
Marshal, declaring their mission 10 Kansas To
be peaceful, having no organization save one
OF police for their own regulation and defence
on the way. Aud, coming in that spirit TO the
Territory, they claimed the right of American
citizens to bear arms aud be exempt from un
lawful search or seizure. Captain Sibley. who
had them in charge, says they were never for
one moment made TO feel the restraints of mil
ltary discipline, but were, on the contrary, re-
lleved from the onerous duty and peeessity of
nightly guards, and assisted rather than ratard
ed in their journey. The captain, agreeably to
Governor Geary's instructions, restored such of
the arms rs were claimed as individual prop