The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-13
LAWRENCE, KANSAS TERRITORY, !

May 18th, 1856.
DEAR BROTHER l have been on the
point of writing several times to you and
some of our friends in Biddcford, but mat
tiers have been so unsettled and there has
been such an excitement here for some time
past, that | thought 1t would be better to
defer writing for while to see what would
turn up, knowing that you would probably
get the particulars through the public Jour
nails, as events transpired. The committee
from Congress for investigating Kansas af-
fairs, were in Lawrence week before last,
and remained several days busily engaged,
taking evidence. had IN opportunity Of
being presentat their meetings several times,
but had not time to attend regularly. They
have been at several other places since then
and It is reported that they will visit law
ence again soon and investigate this last af-
fair, and in all probability will soon be on
their way to Congress, after which you will
get their report. expect there will be ex-
citing times in Congress and through the
States when they get the particulars of oil
that has transpircd in Kansas within q
month. You have probably read of the ar
rests OF persons of the free State party, by
order OF Gov. Shannon and the Territorial
authorities, and of the destruction of the
Free State Hotel, and tho two printing
presses, 1.-THE Herald Of Freedom & Free State)
by Sheriff Jones' posse. cannot give oil
Of the particulars, it would gil volumes; but
you will probably know the whole story be-
fore you receive this. They have threaten
cd to destroy the town unless certain per-
sons and all of Sharp's rifles were given up.
The people in the town had chosen COM
mittce to decide upon the course to DO pur-
sued. This committee had sent several CON-
to Gov. Shannon, but as UNI
derstand, could get no satisfaction, and they
did not make any preparation more than to
protect their lives and property in case there
should be an attempt to pillage and destroy.
They had called in no assistance and had re-
fused IL when offered, believing, as they had
been informed, that the U S. Marshal would
come in with his posse, make his arrest and
II not resisted, would pcacRbly retire. On
Wednesday morning early, we looked out
md bcheld on the top Of a hill about mile |
South Of us there stood an armed force of
men, which we supposed to DO the Manhal's |
posse, come down from Lccompton, to make
arrests. We soon discovered they had two
brass cannons, about 6 pounders, with them.
Their numbers continued to increase for sev.
raj hours by the arrival of-hosemen, until
hey amounted to, l should suppose, 800 or
1000. The Marshal entered town with his
posse, made some arrests, got through with
ais business, Il was said, and II was supposed
hat was all they wanted and would leave,
but Jones took the lead then; their whole
orcc was marched into town with their can
ION. They took presses from tho two Offices
md threw them into the river, threw the
ype into the street, and then commenced
with the cannon to batter down the Hotel,
nut finding the cannon did not effect much, 4
hey then put in some kegs Of powder to
low II down, and that not being effected,