The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-19

laws and the efficiency of the ordinary provided
protecting heF tights and property he deems II however
not Improper considering The peculiar situation or affairs
10 the Territory OF Kansas that yon should be authorized
have the power herein conferred with view to meet
that it will not be used until you shall find Il
unavoidable in order 10 insure the due execution of the
laws aud to preserve the public peace. ..sn 4
Before any actual nerpositon Of the military force on
any occasion, yon will the proclamation of the
President with which you are herewith furnished, to be
publicly read.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant
Hon. WILSON SHANNON,
Governor of the Territory of Kansas.
Cor. Shannon to he President
Executive OFFICE,
Shawnee Mission, X. T., November 20, 1856.
Sin: Affairs in this Territory daily assuming ashape
OF real danger to the peace and good order OF society
am we'll satisfied that there exists in this Territory secret
military organization which has for its object among other
things resistance the laws by force Until within few
days past have looked upon the threats OF leading men
and public papers, who have placed themselves Ia a at
ude of resistance to the laws not intended by those who
made them to be carried into execution. salts
fed Of the existence of this military organization
and that those engaged in it have been secretly supplied
with arms and munitions of war and that it is the object
and purpose OF this organization to resist theaws BY force
The strength Of this organization is varousy estimated at
from 10 two thousand but have satisfactory data
from which 10 estimate its real strength, and do not be-
eve they command for any given purpose more than
thousand men, They said to be well supplied with
oath to assist and aid each other in the resistance Of
the laws when called upon 80 to do. Independent of
the disclosures made by those who formerly belonged
to this association, and the hints thrown out in some
of the public journals in their interest the most prao
teal proof Of the truth OF these allegations consists in
their own acts. A few days since difficulty took
place in Douglas county, some ten miles south of Law
renee between one of these men and man by the name
of Coleman from Virginia, in relation claim in which
the former shot and died Immediately. Coleman
taken into custody for trial. by the sheriff of that county
and to avoid all ground of objection to legal authority
Judge Lecompe written to- and requested to attend at
the county seat lit being in his judicial dstrie and sit
examining court In the time large body of
armed men, said to be from three to four hundred collect
ed at and Lawrnee for the avowed purpose Of
ing Coleman from the sheriff and executing him without
trial. Coleman claims that he shot the strictly in
selfdeence and is willing abide judicial investg
and trial On Monday last warrant issued against
of this band OF for threatening the life of of
his neghDors and placed in the hands Of the sheriff Of the
county tor execution who with posse of some ten men,
arrested him on Tuesday night and he conveying
the prisoner TO Lecompton he met about two o'clock
in the morning by band OF these mon, consisting Of be
tween forty and y all armed with Sharpes rifles and re-
voe who forcoy rescued the prisoner out OF his hands
and openly proclaimed that there officers law n
this Territory In the settlement in which these
tons took place there from sixteen twenty law
andorder families and about hundred free-so fami-
lies At the last adyices three of the houses of the former
had been burnt down by this armed band cattle had been
killed, and considerable amount Of corn and other
personal property destroyed, and the whole law-and
order population of that neghborhood, induced by
terror, had fed, except two families whose lives were
threatened. Helpless women and children have been
forced by fear and threats TO flee from their homes
and seek shelter and protection in the State of Mis-
souri, Measures being taken by the legal authorities
to procure warrants against these awess and have
them arrested and legally tried Under these circumstances
the sheriff Of the county has called for three thou
sand TO aid him in the execution Of the Ia his
hands protect him and his prisoner from the violence
OF this armed force The force required by the sheriff Is
far beyond what believe to be necessary and indeed r
beyond what could be raised in this Territory From ve
TO eight hundred men will be amply sufficient have no
he nd
legal process in his hands With the view Of giving the
sheriff the requisite aid have issued orders Major
General Richardson of the northern division of militia of
this Territory prudent and discreet copy Of which
send you herewith. also send you copy Of request
have made OF General Srcker, who resides in the ad
joining county to Douglas These the only orders
eye sufficient force will be raised 10 protect the sheriff
and enable him execute the legal process in his hands
The time has come when this armed band Of men who
seeking TO subver and render poweres the existing
have be met and the laws enforced against
them, submit TO their awless dominion. II the lives
and property OF unonding citizens Of this Territory
be protected by law there Is end practical gov
ernment and it becomes a useless formality
The excitement along the borders Of Missouri is running
these will alay H. Since the disclosure OF the exist
and purposes OF this secret military organization in
this Territory there has been much excitement along the
borders of Missouri but IL has been held in check hereto
fore by that the laws Of the Territory would be
enforced and that protection would he given TO the cr
against all unlawful acts Of this association This
dnaton Il the laws faithfully executed; otherwise
there rs power here that control this border excite
ment and civil Is inevitable This military organza
ton looked upon hostile all southern men, rather
the awandorder party of the Territory many Of whom
have relations and friends and all have sympathzers,
Missouri aud the moment IL is believed that the laws will
furnish adequate protection TO this class Of citizens
against the avless of this armed association force
will be precpaed the line redress real and sup
posed wrongs inflicted friends that cannot be controlled
for the moment resisted 1t Is in vain to conceal the
fact we are standing volcano the upheavings and
agitatons beneath feel and tell the hour
when eruption may take place Under existing circum
stances the Importance OF sustaining the sheriff Of Doug
las county and enabling him 10 execute his process indie
pendent of other considerations connected with the
aud good order Of society will strike you at once and to
do this by the aid and assistance Of the citizens OF this Ter
rtoy is the great object to be accomplished to avoid the
dreadful evils Of civil believe this be done; in
this, however, may be mistaken No efforts shall be
wanting my part TO preserve good order n the Terri
tory and will keep you constantly advised Of the prog
| ress and state of things here.
| have the honor TO be your ohedient servant
.. WILSON SHANNON.
| His EKcelency FRANKLIN PmRoE.
Goc. Shannon 70 hj. Gen Riehard'on.