The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-09-20
Position of Affairs in Kansas.

From the intelligence lately re ceived from
the Territory of Kansas, it is very evident
that the Free State men have at length been
obliged to adopt the policy of those who
builded Jerusalem under Nehemiah having
in one hand the implements of labor. and in
the other the weapons Of defense. Finding
themselves thousands of miles away from
those who would succor them,-in the midst
Of bands of brutal ruflians, who we're openly
countenanced by the government which ought
to protect them in their lives and property
and goaded to desperation by repeated acts
OF murder, massacre and pillage,-they have
turned on their ruiianly oppressors, and all
bedlam shouts "Treason." It is not always
easy to arrive at the exact truth from the FIRST
reports. which always come through pro-
slavery source; but the truth finally makes
its way. and that the ''pIain unvarnishcd" re-
atty may be seen at glance, we apperd the
following concise history Of Kansas affairs
during the last six weeks, prepared by the
Boston ./ournal:
Until within six weeks the Free State men
in that Territory have stood entirely upon
the defensive. Exposed to constant incur
sious by organized holies Of Southern desper-
ADDE'S from South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama
and Missouri, who have plundered and muir
dered with perfect impunity, they have borne
and fOreborc until forbearance has ceased to
be virtue. Early in July new gang Of
ruflians entered the territory, organized and
armed, and started for the Big Blue river to
drive the free State settlers from that part
Of the country. They we're defeated, howev-
er, BY the citizens of Riley county, and driv.
IN back. A few days after. this same gang,
or another equally well organized and equip
ped, took possession of the town of Franklin.
fortified Themselves. and called upon every
man in the town to join them or leave his
claim. The free State men were compelled
ITO abandon The town, and many Of them took
refuge in Lawrence. There we're other or
ganizcd bodies Of Southern ruflians in vari-
ops parts Of the Territory-not settlers, but
supported as fighting men-whose constant
dspredations had contributed to embtter the
feeling Of the free State men and to arouse in
them feeling Of desperation. A party from
Georgia had encamped near Ossawatomie,
and committed many deprelations, but we're
routed and staused from that place. They
Fsworc vengeance and It appears by tho re,
cent accounts from Kansas that this was no
idle threat. But it is to the movements of
the band Of border ruflians at Franklin that
we wish more particularly to direct attention
because it is the retribution tina. was visited
upon them which has aroused such howl of
indignation on the part of the administration
presses.
After having taken possession of Franklin,
the Southern maraudcrs extended their 70
rays into the nsishboring country, and no
Free State man was safe from robbery outsidc
of the limits of Lawrence. The forbcarancc
Of the Free State men in Lawrence had been
put to the scverest test. IIeumcd in by the
border rutlians, short Of provisions, with no
means Of obtaining supplies from abroad on
account of the depredations of these ruf'ian..
and sympathizins deeply with their neigh
bors If Franklin who had been driven from
their homes, they had only to choose between
passive submission to be plundered and out
ragged, and armed resistance. 1t was while
hcsitating and debating what course to pur-
sue, that Mr.. IIoyt, Of Massachusetts, was
murdered. The Free State men had sent to
, the commander Of the United States troops al
l.ccomrton for assistance to dispense the
Southern camp at Lecompton, and had been
told that N,ey were ncedIcssly alarmed, and
that Free State men could 90 to the camp a,
Franklin in perfect safety. Mr.. lIoyt wa.
sent to the camp to rcconnoitre, and went un.
! armed. In that dcfenseless state he was cap.
tured, murdered in cold blood, and his face
, mu.ilated with caustic, to prevent reeogni
ton. This murder was the last feather which
broke the camel's back the Free State men
determined upon swift retribution.
! On the 18th Of August, eighty.one men left
, Lawrence for Franklin, and attacked the
ruflians, who hal entrenchcd Themselves in a
log fort. After struggle of several hour.
they routed the pro-slavery gang. and recap.
! turcd the cannon which was taken from Law.
renee when the Free State Hotel was burnt
One Free State man was killed ard three
wounded in Mis- engagement, and seven pro
slavery men were wounded. The ruffians
were either allowed to retire or effected their
escape and joined another party which had
encamPed near Lecompton. Three DAYS at:
TER, on the 18th, the Free State forces ma, oh.
ed upon this camp, having been reinforced 50
that their numbers amounted to four hundred
but the cowardly ruflians took to their heels
when they saw the avengers approach. Tie
next morning, however, the Free State men
succeeded in surprising another gang, under
the notorious Colonel Titus, Who had been
out during the night on horse stealing ex-
cursion, and who returned to their camp lit.
tie dreaming Of the retribution which awaited
them. 1t was in the attack upon this cam
that the recaptured cannon, loaded with balls
cast from the type metal of the Herald Of
Freedom, was brought into play. The ruff.