The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-30
KANSAS.

L
found in this weeks Era.
From our exchanges we learn that Dele
gate Co vention of the Free State men held at
Topeka. . October l6, decided against any at
tempt t choose Presidential electors.
A mas Convention was to be held at Big
Spring, On the 18th October, for the purpose of
providieg for Delegate to Congress, the cleo
ton of Whitfield being regarded as null and
void.
Two hundred and fifty emigrants from the
free States, men, women, and children, headed
by Col. Eldridge, left Mount Pleasant, Iowa,
on the 10th September, and after a march of
twenty-,ne days through Iowa and Nebraska,
reached the Kansas line October 10th. Pro-
ceedine on their way, about three miles south
of the inc they were arrested by Col. Cook, at
the hea of six hundred United States troops,
with 81 pieces of artillery, acting as posse to
United States deputy marshal Preston. Col.
Eldrid. protested against the arrest, as vio-
lation f the rights of American citizens, and
presen ed a letter from Governor Geary, which
he hat taken the precaution to procure in ad-
vance, of which the following is copy:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
: LecomptOn, X. r., September 80, 1856.
To all tchom 1t may concern:
The bearer of this note, Robert Morrow rep
resent himself as the agent of certain peaceful
and ma ida emigrauts, about entering this
Territ ry, through Nebraska, under the escort
u Col, Eldridge, assisted by General Pomeroy
and ca. Perry.
welcome all such accessions to the popula-
ton Of this Territory, coming from whatever
quarter, and request all good citizens to at.
ford saelter and protection to every person en-
terins this Territory for peaceful and lawful
purposes.
If the party under Colonel Eldridge come in
this way, without threats hostile attitude, l
hereby request all military officers in this Ter
ritorr to give them a safe conduct, and so to
permit them to pass without interruption.
JOHN w. GEARY,
Governor of Kansas Territory.
Colonel Eldridge, in letter to the Chicago
Tribune, dated midnight, October 10th, giving
giving an account of the outrage, writes
"This letter of Governor Geary was sent by
a special messenger to the train, while at Ne
braska. We protested against any detention
or search, as a violation of our constitutional
rights, and of the spirit of Governor Geary's let
ter We admitted that we were thoroughly
armed, and stated that Governor Geary had been
so informed by the bearer Of the letter, and he
had distinctly admitted our right to come armed
into the Territory. The train was ordered to
start, but was immediately fOrcibly stopped,
neither our protest nor Governor Geary's letter
being respected. The wagons were then search
ed, ind all arms found in them taken away.
Dur ing the search, trunks and valses were
toru and broken open, the beds of families were
thrt wn out in the rain and trampled in the
mus-the ladies being treated with inexcusabe
rudDness. 9
cater this was done, they offered to escort
is o Governor Geary, on condition that the
lea( ers pledged themselves to keep every man
Wit, the train. This, having neither right nor
power to do, they refused, telling them that
VIII, n they had taken from US all that they
war ted, we would take care of ourselves. We
wet then informed that we were prisoners of
wai-our entire train, numbering some $50
me /, women, and children, being surrounded
by United States troops, and marched into
caeyp, where we are tonight, under a strong
mil tary guard, who have orders to shoot down
an, man who attempts to leave"
The above statement is signed by lao emf
gra ats, among whom are the following from
Ne v York. A. II. Shurtleff, John Metcalf, Pal
me. Beach, W. II. Iugersoll, Delansou Cross.
later advices, by telegraph, announce the re-
les e of the prisoners:
!,HIcAGo, October 23;wA s!dav from Law,
the emgrauts arrested at Plymouth have been
released. Governor Geary ordered them to dis
petse or leave the Territory whereupon, they
resred to different settlements. The arms
found in the wagons were restored.
srhs following official despatch appeared
fes s days since, in the Washington Union;
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
Lecompton, X. T., Oct. 10, 1856.
SIR: Your letter of the 23d ultimo, in reply
to nine of the 9th, and your telegraphic des
ps ch of the 9th ultimo, in reply to my letter
of ,she 10th, were both received Oh the evening
Of lhe 9Th instant.
Dispatches forwarded since the dates of those
&C snowledged have informed you that peace
an quiet have been restored to the Territory
N, only have all large armed bodies of men
b. On dispersed, but the smaller bands of ma.
TT Iders been driven of. The roads are trav.
oil ed with safety, and dwellings, are secure from
iii rusion. For upwards of two weeks, no out
ri ,es have been automatically reported. Many
Notorious and troublesome agitators, claiming
to belong to all parties, have left the Territory,
aud the benefcent influence of their absence
10 being already very sensibly felt.
The troops sent to the north have not yet
ra&qrned. 1t is my purpose to leave the
n, rthern frontier considerable force for its
p election, and the remainder of the troops will
b. employed to guard such other points as may
&c EN- to require it. | shall shortly proceed in
p ,rson, with a small body of men, to the south
O. portion of the Territory, in pursuit of a gang
o thieves, who are said to be pillaging that re.
z on.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
JOIN W. GEARY,
: Governor Of Kansas.
10 the Hon. William L. Marcy,
Secretary Of State, Washington.
If Governor Geary, who is friend Of Mr. Blu
aanan, can succeed in enforcing peace till the
residential struggle is over, Mr.. B. will be
nder great obligations to him. But, recoect
tie cause of the controversy is not removed
Withdraw the United States troops, and the
territory will again be involved in civil war.
he authority of the spurious Legislature, and
he validity Of its acts, are recognised by the
administration, but repudated by the Free
State settlers.
Had they recognised these, and submitted to
them, when Atchison and Buford dictated SUBJ
pission at the point of the bayonet, there
you'd have been peace, just as there is now,
Then United States troops take the place of
suford's regiment, and compel submission.
DEATH OF JUDGE BURRELI, OF KANSAS
philadelphia, October 23-Hon. jeremiah M.
3urrell, Judge of the Supreme Court of Kansas
Territory, died at Greensburg, Pennsylvania,
ew days since.
. PRIsoN OF THE HUNDRED AT LEcoMpToy,