The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-09
WASHINGTON, ID. c..
KANSAS.

The following correspondence, which we ex-
tract from the LecomptOR Union, the Pro-Sla-
very court journal of Kansas, 1.-THE Offices of
all the Free State papers, except, possibly, that
formerly issued at Topeka, having long since
been destroyed BIZ the Rufians, will show how
and why the Free State men were crushed out.
They had no provisions; they could get none,
except from or through Missouri and General
Pierees chief agents gave them but this choice
submit TO the bogus claws" fight the Federal
Government; or stand still and be starved out.
Read the correspondence
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, September 6, 1856.
70 His EpcelIency Gorey7.or Woodson, and
Colonel Cook, Commander Of tie United
States troops near Lecompton:
GENTLEMEN: The roads leading to Leaven-
worth and Wcsiport are beset by bands of armed
men, who seize our men and arrest all trains of
wagons going TO either point These thorough
fares furnish the only avenues by which provis-
ions can be introduced into Kansas.
Our people are suffering for provisions We
have our trains and money prepared to supply
ourselves. We respectfully, for our people, re-
quest that these roads be Immediately opened
by the troops subject to your order or command
or at least All escort of the same furnished to
our trains that are now waiting to start. We
trust that not a moment will be lost in respond
ing to this call. Our people will quietly sub
init no longer.
La behalf Of the Kansas State Central Com
mIttee, WILLIAM HUTCHINSON,
j. BLOOD.
II. Miles Moore.
Secretary Kansas Central Committee.
LEcoMPToN, KANSAS TEaKIroRY,
E1eculire Office September Z, 1856.
To Mess.s. William Hutchinson and J. Blood
an behoif Of The Kansas ,State Central Com
miIee:
GENTLEMEN: Your communication Of yester-
day, addressed to Colonel Cook and myself, ask
ing that the roads leading from Lawrence TO
Leavenworth, aud from Lawrence to Westport,
should be opened, so that yon can get provisions
for your people, was received to-day about
noon.
If the roads in question are closed at this
time, gentlemen, (which | do not Doubt to
the convenience and necessities of your people,
YOU must be aware that it is the natural and
inevitable result Of the present lawless and rev.
olutionary position in which you have, of your
own accord, most unfortunately placed your
selves. So long you continue to hold your
selves in such position, 1t is unnecessary for
me 10 say TO you, the Government cannot COM
ply with your request. If you really desire the
protection o. the Government, il is your obrious
duty TO respect and submit 10 the lars Of the
Territory, organized by the Government of the
United States, and to cease at once and forever
all attempts TO subyert by force and violence
that Government, and establish upon its ruins
your so called " State Government"
But give sufficient guarantee to this effect,
gentlemen-that goa ipW quietly submit 10 The
enforcement cfMe Territorial tdws. by the Ter
Titoriat officers, until said laws are modified or
repealed, or declared invalid by the courts, and
/ assure you and your people, that your request
will not only be promptly complied with, but
that the whole civil and military power of the
Government will be exerted to protect you fully
in all your lawful rights of person and property
and | would take the liberty of invoking you, in
the name of our common country, and for the
sake of all that is near and dear TO American
citizens, to do so at once, that peace and har-
mOny may once more prevail.
Very respectfully, yours,
DANIEL WooDsoN,
Acting Governor Kansas TERRITORY