Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-09-16

"A LETTEH FROM A PRo-SLavERY
SeuArrER.-We publish to-day a letter
giving details &C late events in Kansas,
from the pen of a correspondent on whose
statements we have every reason to RELY.
He is O. Southern man and has been iden.
tilted in all his principles and sentiments
with the South. He writes, We confident
ly believe in good faith and with a full
knowledge of the facts which he relates:
KANSAS TERRITORY, Aug. IL, 1856.
To the Editor of the Missouri Democrat:
Great excitement now prevails in every
part OF our unfortunate territory. There
has been compact entered into by the
Atchlson and Stringfellow men of the bor-
der counties of Missouri, and those in
Kansas territory, to keep up excitement
for the avowed purpose OF preventing all
opposed TO them from ENGRAVING to the
territory, and the present and recent dif-
tlculues which do and have existed among
our people, have been brought about by
these and similar designing lawless-men,
most Of whom are not citizens of Kansas,
although they now publish to the world
that they are now residents of Kansas
s a
~ OF Southerners, numbering In all about
one hundred and seventy-hve, formed
thems Ives ln.o a company and started
from the towns OF Atchison, Leavenworth
and otner points for the Big Blue River,
amending TO drive the settlers from that
part of The country who were known to
be Free State men. The above company,
armed and furnished with provisions, am
unluon and teams of conveyance by their
friends in Missouri, took up their line OF
march, having previously declared that
their intention was to take possession OF
II iuhattan city and the country in tia: "
clnity; and on arriving found the citizens
OF that part of the territory employed in
uiiding houses, making improvements,
e.. Shortly after their arrival a fight
comm N ed, which resulted in a defeat of
h, Southern men ty the citizens of Riley
county. Had these men gone to work,
attended to their own affairs, and not have
plundered private houses, stolen horses.
and drove actual settlers from their homes,
the settlers of Riley county would never
have made any complaint against them,
nor would any violence have occurred
Only a few days elarsed until another
company of pro-slavery men, to the num-
Der of one hundred and eighteen, took
possession of the town of Franklin, fort-
ned thems lives, and called upon every
man IN the town to join them or leave
their HON 5. The Free State men being
thus compelled to abandon their property.
1t was impossible for a Free State man to
get redress from the one sided courts of
Kansas Territory, they with some of their
friends, returned d, aad asked permission
TO peaceably enjoy the privilege of their
rights and property. The answer was
you are Abolitlonists and must clear out
from the Territory, and at the same time
whenever they made their appearance,
they were fired at by some of the party
who called themselves law and order men
Then II was, and Lot I'll then, that the
Free State men dcte rlnined to return or
die in the attempt. The fight which en-
sued, and of which you have no doubt
heard, then took place, and which lasted
about three hours, IN which the invaders
were beaten, and some Of them shot, tie
rest fled, having lost their arms and can
non. TIE Free State men had it in their
power 10 have taken the lives of all those
persons VITO had collected in Franklin:
tat their o!jecl vas 10 get possession of
their homes, SO that their wives and chill
dren could have those places of shelter
which their industry had provided for
them.
For weeks the pro-slavery party have
been moving the Southern emigration in
TO Douglas county, for the purpose of rout
ing the Free State men. There are now
several hundred men from the South.
supported by the nullitiers. and instr acted
10y their masters, to keep up excitement.
w zen man comes to Kansas, and refu-
ses 10 act with the pro-slarery party. his
name Is placed upon the Us. of those who
are TO be disposed of. We have no law
here--no government. The strong arm
or tins once powerful republic has failed
TO protect the peaceable citizens of this
Territory Itwould appear as if orders
had been issued by the government that
the Free State men OF this Territory
were to be slaughtered and robbed of their
property. Hundreds of armed men from
the South are floclling into our Territory
10 drive US from our homes. and to rni,r-
der every one who refuses to obey their
o-ders.