The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-11-08


| party viii which the Ottawa company was
connepssd, and IN reference to which, SO
many lying reports were published in the
New York Tribune, Chicago Tribune, &c.
We publish this report at length because it
possesses deep local interest, and in con.
hectioh with it. cannot forbear the remark
that surely no man cah read this authentic
statement without admiring and applauding
the lenicncy which marked the whole con-
duct OF Gov. Geary in the matter:
..- To the Secretary Of State.
DIR EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Lecompton, TX. T., Oct. 10, 1856
DEAR Sir: Col. VIM. j. Preston, deputy
United States marshal, rho had accompanied
Col. P. St. Geo. Cook and his command to
the northern frontier to look after q large
party Of prOfessed immigrants, who were re-
ported to be about invading the Territory in
that quarter in warlike array and for hostile
purposes, returned to Lecompton on the 18th
instant.
He informed me that he had caused to be
arrested an organized band, consisting Of
about two hundred and forty persons, among
whom We're very few women and children.
This party was regularly formed in mill
tary order, and were under the command of
General Pomeroy, Colonies Eldridge and
Perry, and others. They had with them
twenty wagons in which were q supply of
new arms, mostly muskets with bayonets)
and sabres, and . lot of saddles, &C., suffi-
Gent to equip = battalion, consisting one
burth of cavalry and the remainder of in
fantry.. ss:.
Besides these arms, which were evidently
intended for military purposes, and none
other, and which were in the wagons, q
search of which was strongly objected to,
the immigrants were provided with shot
guns, rifles, pistols, knives, &c, sufficient for
the ordinary uses of persons travelling in
Kansas, or any other of the western Terri
tories. f-..
From the reports Of the officers, learn
that they had with them neither oxen, house
hold furniture, mechanics tool, agricultural
implements, nor any of the necessary ap-
purtenances of peaceful settlers.
These persons entered the Territory on
the morning Of the 10th instant, and met
Col Cooks command few miles south of
the territorial line. Here the deputy mar
shall questioned them as to their intentions,
the contents Of their wagons and such other
matters as he considered necessary in the
exercise of his official duties Not satisfied
with their answers, and being refused the
privilege Of searching their effects, he felt
justified in considering them a party organ
ized and armed in opposition to my procla
nation Of the 18th September. After con-
suItation with Colonel Cook and other otfi-
GERS oil the army, who agreed with him in
regard to the character of the iinm; grants,
he f.H fI,..S L., Il. 1.
suited in the discovery Of the arms already
mentioned
An escort was then offered them to Le-
compton, in order that | might examine
them in person, and decide AS to their in
tentions, which they refused to accept
Their Superiiuous arms were then taken in
charge of the troops. and the entire party
put under arrest, the families and all others,
individually, being permitted to retire from
the organization. If SO disposed. Few, how
ever, awaited themselves Of this privilege
But little lelay and less annoyance were
occasioned them by these proceedings. Eve
rythInS that circumstances required or per-
mitted was done for the comfort and con-
venence Of the prisoners. The Journey was
facilitated rather than retarded. They were
accompanied by squadron Of United States
dragons in command of Major Ii. ii. Sibley.
A days rations were dealt out to them, and
they were allowed to pursue the route them
selves had chosen.
Being apprzed Of the time AT which they
~-a-id PROBABLY arrive at Topeka, forwa ard
ed orders for their detention on me uu. ,iIsr.
side Of the river, near that place, where, as
L promised, | met them on the morning of
the l+th instant.
found them precisely as they had been
represented to NE in official reports; and
whilst felt disposed and anxious to extend
to them al the leniency | could consistent
with propIcty, duty, and justice, deter
mined, at the same time, to enforce in their
case, as well as that Of every similar organi-
cation, the spirit aud intent of my proclama-
ton Of the llth ultimo, which commands
4" all bodies on men combined, armed, and
equipped with munitions of war, without
authority Of the government, instantly to
disband or quit the Territory, as they will
answer the contrary at their peril" This
had done but short time previous with a
smaller body, who entered Kansas as this !
had done, flo:t. an entirely different quarter,
and who, upon learning my purposes, not .
only submitted willingly to be searched, but .
by my order, without murmur, and even
with cheerfuneSs, disbanded and dispersed
addressed these people in their encamp-
ieHt, III 'eSd'u " VIC pTeSeCt COHultiOu OF
the Territory, the suspicious position they
occupied, and the reprehensible attitude they
had assumed. | reminded them that there
was no possible necessity or excuse for the
existence OF large armed organizations at
present in the Territory Everything was
quiet and peaceful. And the very appear
ance of such an unauthorized and injudi.
cious an array as they presented, while it
could do no possible good, was calculated, il
It was net intended, to spread anew distrust
and CONSERVATION through the Territory,
and rekindle the fires Of discord and strife
that had swept over the land, ravishing and
iesolating everything that lay in their de-
path
Their apology for their evident and unde-
nable disregard to my proclamation, though
Plausible, was far from being sa-
.isfactory. They had made their arrange
nents, they said, to emigrate to Kansas, at
! time when the Territory was not only dis
!urbed by antagonistic political parties,
armed for each others destruction, but when
numerous bands Of marauders, whose bust
ness was plumber and assassination, infested
Ill the highways, rendering travel extremely
even though every possible
means for selfprotection were employed.
This excuse loses all its pertinency when
I is understood that before the party crossed
he territorial line they were apprizcd,
through deputatioD that had visited me,
hat the condition of things above described
rad ceased to exist, and that such was the ,
rue state Of affairs that any persons could ,
ravel the route they proposed taking with !,
'ut molestation or the slightest cause for ap- .
orehension. 1 informed them, through I,
heir messengers, that heartily welcomed
NJ immigrants, from every section of the T
Union, who came with peaceful attitude and
apparently good intentions and that to all