The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-10-14

far It's inhabitants concerned the place
almost in deeneeess condition. and that the sackng and
taking OF 1t under the circumstances would have reflected
no honor upon the attacking party"
In reply to your third interrogatory say that was
compelled by official duty to prevent your entry into
Lawrence by the nterposton Of the United States troops
and that would have done so.
In reply 10 your last nterrogatory say that the town
Of Lawrence could have been taken by the forces
der your command Sunday the l4h instant except in
violation of my authority in opposition to my power and
in defiance OF the United States troops being present and
under my command"
In reply other portions Of your letter have the honor
submit you extract from letter which addressed
to the governor of Missouri the goth instant follows
"Your estimate of the patriotism and honorable bear
ing of the good citizens Of Missouri is by too
allied, as fully demonstrated by their conduct when
recently assembled in great force before the town of Law
They came there with fixed determination to destroy
that town in retaliation they said for wrongs which
their feowcitizens of Missouri had experienced at the
hands of the citizens Of Lawrence.
"My presence there was indeed most opportune, and
your excelency cannot imagine my emotions of gratitude
when in response to appeal the army of Mssourians
gracefully resolved to dsband return to their respec
tive homes and trust to my efforts for the protection Of
their friends here
trust that your excelency will in some way do me
the favor to communicate to those OF your citizens who
upon that occasion honoraby responded my appeal
heartfelt thanks and my sincere obligations.
the Mssourians had executed their purpose of burn
ing Lawrence and driving out ito inhabitants ii would
have been stain upon the escutcheon of your noble
sentative State which time could scarcely have efaced
Having burned Lawrence and destroyed its inhabitants
excited by the contest and rendered fierce by their
work of blood, they would have marched upon Topeka
and it would have met the fate of Lawrence, and the
free-Stae would have been literally exterminated
Such catastrophe would have excited great hor
ror and stirred up fierce Indignation throughout the
entire North that all my efforts to preserve the Ieace of
the Territory would have been utterly mpotent and futile
We would have been literally oVerrun by northern army
and the flames of civil would have been kinded
throughout the country.
1t is therefore, Of hearty graduation that the
good citizens of Missouri have had the good place
themselves in correct position and thus render essential
service to the of good order.
tended towards by your citizens and that the most
cordial relations may exist between the two governments
In conclusion, have to unite with you in the
expression of regret tha bad men, connected with
your expedition, did, upon their retirement commit
RACES which all good men should depore"
cannot however, close this hasy letter without
pressing my thanks to you, individually, for your
manly and generous conduct the occasion referred to-
and for your prompt compliance with my wishes
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
JOHN w. GEARY,
Governor of Kansas Territory.
To Gen. JOHN W. REID.