The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-26
THE TRUTH AS TO AFFAIRS IN KANSAS.


The following communication, says the Indiana En-
aurer from the Hon. Edward A. Hannegan formerly Uni
ted States from this State and gentleman of the
highest character in Indiana for his talents honor and
integrity received by Judge Law in answer to letter
written by the Judge making inquiries of him in relation
10 the true of affairs in Kansas from which Territory
Mr. Hannegan has lately returned having been there
visit with view, If possible of finding out the real exist
ence of things in that Territory 1t is unnecessary for
to endorse the of Mr. Hannegan in this matter in
Indiana where he is well known His assertions worth
cartload Of letters and will be fully credi-
ted by ell who know the writer throughout the Union
CONVECTION, June 81, 1856.
DEAR Law In compliance with your letter. will briefly
give you the result of my observations the condition
things Kansas and make just what please
of it. The first of trouble the unjushable
tempt Of eastern capitalists through what is termed the En-
gant Aid Society engoss the most valuable lands in the
Territory, solely for purposes OF private speculation.
This fact is SO well established that who regards
his reputation will denial Of the fact The persons
sent by them body intended to tx upon Kansas
permanent residence their object claims
and settle the nature Of her political institutions Hun
dreds passed up the Missouri river openly Boosting they
came merely to vote ard intended after the cleo
ton This is proved 10 be true by the fact that they did
return the election About one
hundred and fifty arrived at Leavenworth U thin) the
day after the election, and finding the matter over
returned with the candidate for whom they intended
to vote by the next downward boat II was this state
of things which very naturally aroused the Mssourans
on the border, TO cross the river and vote in OPP
Institutions The people of Missouri to the very last
with whom conversed have always been willing to submit
the whole question to the decision Of the legal Of
the Territory of Kansas The present disturbed condition
Of affairs attributed solely the glnrng misconduct of
Reeder in resisting the mandate Of the court had the
facts from Judge Lecompe himself and have nowhere
met accomplished gentleman who will more
sensby impress you with the feelings Of respect and re-
gard. The first process against Reeder mere sum
mons by the grand jury who wanted him witness; he
treated the process and the officer with conempt the facts
being reported by the foreman OF the jury the court and
an attachment requested. 1t ordered a matter Of
course What could do otherwise This was treated
with equal contempt and threats added of instant death
the officer who should dare TO arrest him lie then
Lawrence surrounded by his abolition friends who sus-
tanned him Upon these facts the marshal directed 10
call the posse his aid and him at all hazards An
armed posse 1t was well understood, would be required
and II was accordingly summoned The place invest
ed and entered by the officers OF the law supported by the
military and the order abate the nuisance which also was
given in charge TO the marshal executed without vio
ence kind against the persons property Of the c
zens Every is familiar with the result Reeder
The vest caumnies have been circulated against Ach
son on that and other occasions ribAld speech IL pu
in his mouth by anonymous and irresponsible writer
not one word of which uttered by him. The
speech he did make, and reported substantially and
almost literally by those who heard It two three
peated to the troops drawn up in different divisions pub
shed in the "Platte Argus printed at Weston of which
will endeavor send you copy for publication by our
friend Hall But for him Lawrence in all probability would
have been destroyed All upright men admit in that
gon that he has done to preserve the peace than
any one else
As the character Of the leading gentlemen who are
termed border ruans II would be idle for to attempt
defence They need at the hands of any man But
sense Of the personal kindness received amongst them
ia with me as neaceabe life itself have never found
amongst elevated sentiments of duty and patri
otism or finer display Of the generous virtues.
Some Of the aboonsts in the Territory have perpc-
rated the cruel and shocking murders to be found
anywhere recorded Summary acts Of retaliation in some
instances have followed but the wonder is they have
been so far restrained. Nothing pleased than
company Of about one hundred young South Caronans
whom say at Atchson, in Kansas, and who of the
first responsibility and attachments There were also MS
was subsequently informed, few from Georgia and per-
baps from Tennessee among them They have gone with
the intention OF making IL their home and the readiness
and aacry with which they turned their hands every
thing necessary to be done gives glorious assurance to
the future fortunes Of Kansas 1t thought often TO
mysef) such energy and such acquremens such a comb
nation of mental aud physical endowments that marked
the early settlers the Atlantic coast Of the United States
and who gradually shaped and moulded this glorious
eminent from all the lights and models of antiquity. did
them but informed by those who had been
with them that such the character of the force 20
great extent brought TO Kansas by Colonel Buford from
Alabama
remain your friend f. HANKEGAN
Hon. ions Law,