The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-27

this. Jones is still at large, and not only so,
but he is a member of Governor Geary's house
hold. There are two companies of militia here,
under Colonel Titus. One is commanded by
John Donaldson, son of the United States mar
shall of that name. He was his fathers deputy
at the sacking and bombardment of Lawrence
last May, and consequently the real leader Of
that whole gang. One Wallace is captain over
the other company. These two men are on
guard over us one day each, alternately. In
company with Clark, when he murdered Dow
last winter, was DR.. Wood, now United States
commissioner, who assisted in doing the deed
and shielding its principal perpetrator. All
these men are now here in Lecompton daily,
and daily they boast of their crimes. 1 might
mention hundreds of similar cases, but these
are of notoriety; and if the actors are not pun.
ished, there certainly is no probability of the
punishment of others.
But the grand jury cannot be said to have
been an idle one. In diligence it equalled the
Shawnee Legislature. But such diligence To-
day, new bill was found against John Ritchey,
for robbery of the mail. This morning, j. n.
Kagi was indicted in two or three more bills.
Although all the alleged offences are bailable
ones, yet Judge Lecompte refused to admit
them to bail in any sum. Bail would have
been useless for Mr.. Kagi, however, as three
new indictments were this afternoon found
against him, for participating lin the battle Of
Fort Titus last summer. One is for arson,
another for manslaughter, another for murder.
This makes the number of indictments against
him, in all, only eight, which seem to have also
been found against over serenity others, for par
ticipating in the Titus affair.
For several days past, it has been common
talk about town, that Major Bickerton and a
few others, probably myself among the num-
Der, are to be hung, iDhether connected or not.
This is no surmise. / have it from Pro-Sla-
very lawyer, who, in connection with Parrot
and Stevens, is employed by us, and who
would be far from telling US anything liable to
discourage US, if it we're not strictly true. For
the purpose of receiving an impartial trial, as
well as for our safety both during and after it,
we shall all, except twenty, who will 60 to trial
tomorrow, apply for change of venue to Te-
cumseh, which is mostly Free State-the coun-
try around is altogether so-and where, being
| only five miles from Topeka, we may stand some
chance for justice. Court adjourns here next
Saturday, and sits at Tecumseh the following
| Monday.
Geary has not yet returned, and will not be
here until after the adjournment of court. He
handed proceedings. Before he went away,
pressed to him an aversion to being tried un.
der the Territorial laws, but perfect willing
ness to be tried by the laws of the United
States. Geary told them that he had seen to
that; and that they would have nothing to do
with the Territorial laws that it would be as
they wished. They could not be made to be-
| Eeve to the contrary, until the district attor-
ney, during the trial, took up a volume of the
| Shawnee Statutes, and said, /" These are the
| la,os that wiU bring you doaon." Whether
the Governor meant to use downright decep
ton, or whether he was really so ignorant Of
law as he must otherwise have been, l leave
| others and time to determine. / state only
| the facts.
| A new stroke of policy has been determined
upon by the Governor, more outrageous and
damndble than, with my profound contempt
for Geary, had ever deemed him guilty Of
| conceiving. He says, if, after a certain time,
call persons by this he means Free State
men against whom there are warrants, who
refuse to be taken, or persist in keeping ont Of
the clutches Of the marshal, SHALL BE DECLARED
OUTLAWS, AND ALL GOOD CITIZENS ORDERED
TO SHOOT THEM WHEREVER FOUND" This was
unexpected, even to me, who have long since
learned to be surprised at nothing. Let John
w. Geary once attempt to put this threat into
execution, and he will see scenes in Kansas,
compared with which the concentrated terrors
of all past ages would be but pleasant dreams.
But little sleep was had in this prison on
Sunday night. The marshal had few DAYS
before got for US second stove, and around
the two crowded over one hundred prisoners,
wondering if the friends they had left in the
States, in the enjoyment of peace and luxury
of every kind, ever thought of Kansas and her
suffering children. Snow fell to the depth Of
several inches. Bitter cold winds whistled
through the broad cracks of the prison, and
all but froze hearts warm with patriotism
hearts which no danger could ever quail.
There are ninetysiK Of US here now, repre-
senting almost every trade and profession in
life. There are carpenters, cabinetmakers
blacksmiths, machinists, engravers, sailors
miners, merchants, painters, Daguerrean art
lists, printers, preachers, lawyers, editors, and
reporters, besides many others. But one 70,
any length of time ever led military life-that
is, Major Bickerton, who served many years as
gunner on board ship in the United States
navy. His services have been of very great
value, in disciplining the citizen army Of
Kansas, especially the artillery portion of it
This is why be is singled out for vengeance.