The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-05-24

ABOUT the COnultlOn vi aiidHS ahu passing
events in that territory? We have, during
the week, cut from our exchanges of all po-
ltical shades aud colors Kansas news enough
to fill a volume, and have read over most of
it carefully with a view of iiltering from it
few grains Of truth, but the mass seems SO
turbid and corrupt as almost to defy our ana
lytic powers. Everybody in Kansas seems
to be worked up to the highest pitch of po-
litical frenzy, and everybody seems to write
for the press under its influence.
A few facts, however, are patent. The con-
gressional investigating ccminitte, at latest
accounts, had been in session some fifteen
days, and had taken large mass of testi-
mony. Occasionally they set with closed,
and at other times with open doors. OF the
evidence taken at the open door sessions,
large portion is published in the New York
Tribune and Times and i'll the St Louis
Democrat. The evidence thus published is
almost exclusively given by free state men,
and Of course highly colored Oh that side.
To arrive at the truth, it will be necessary
to wait until we can see the other side, if
that will ever be allowed to come out, for
we notice that vehement complaints of par
TALLY are made against the commission
compaintsih which Mr. Oliver, a member
of the committee from Missouri, appears to
participate.
The presence Of the congressional COM
mittee in the territory had the tendency to
arouse excitement The attempt to arrest
free state men for offences against the terri
/ torial laws naturally increased it, and the
shooting Of sheriff Jones drove il up to blood
heat; but the meeting of the territorial
court, and the finding of indictments against
all the free state officers, and, indeed, most
of the prominent free state men in the terri
tory for rebellion, treason, &c, in resisting
the execution Of the territorial laws, and the
efforts to arrest and try them on these
charges, have run up the excitement TO such
pitch that fever heat conveys no idea of
its intensity.
An Indictment having been found against
Gov. Reeder, marshal was despatched for
his arrest, but Gov. II. being in attendance
on the congressional commission, plead his
privilege as delegate to and therefore con-
structively 4 member of congress. Two
members Of the committee agreed with him
in the view that he was privileged from ar
rest, but said they could DO nothing to pre-
vert his being falsely imprisoned, while Judge
Lecompte and the authorities generally in
the territory secuted his privilege, and Reed
or saved himself from being taken on the
spot by threatening to shoot any officer that
dared TO touch him. The marshal thereupon
returned to Lecomptcn for more force, when
Gov. Reeder concluded TO surrender, but
was let off on his parol which the latest &C
B counts now say he has broken by giving
/ leg ball. taking with him, in his flight, con-
siderable funds belonging to his friends.
/ Gov Robinson left before an Indictment
had been found against him, but Was stopped
by a vigilance committee at Lexington,
No. and detained until an Indictment was
found, and requistion was received from
Lccompten to take him back to the territory.
Other arrests were made but many other
leading free state men agains, whom indict.
ments are found are in Lawrence, where the
whole population appears to be under arms
to arrest any persen. There are said to be
1900 men under arms in Lawrence provided
with Sharp rifles and two heavy field pieces
all well entrenchcd and fortified, so that it
will take two or three thousand men TO re-
duce the town-a work to which the oppo
site party appear now 10 be addressing them
selves. The Governor of the territory has
issued another proclamation calling for aid,
and telegraph dispatches Of the Goth say
that large numbers are tiocking to his stand
ard SIX hundred men assembled at Le-
compton, four hundred at Franklin, and a
large company were 10 leave kickapoo on
Saturday for Lecompten, with two cannon
All are well armed and provisioned. Great
excitement prevailed and a battle was an
ticipated shortly.
The vigilance committee, at Kansas City,
on Saturday, took off of the steamer Arabia
large field piece consigned TO Lawrence
A portion Of the running gear had already
been sent through, or was yet behind.
The following telegraph despatch, May
2lst, which comes through the ST. Louis
Democrat, free state authority, and therefore,
of course colored on that side, must be the
end of our budget to-day of news from
Kansas:
ST. Louis, May 2l.-The Democrats Kan
sas correspondent, under date of 10th, writes
that from 500 to 200 men were encamped
near Lecompten. The people of Lawrence
sent note to Col. Sumner asking him to
station body Of troops in that vicinity, to
prevent the mob proceeding t. sanguinc ex-
tremities. He declined, saying that he had
TO power to move without orders.
Mr.. Cox, Of Lawrence, waited on Marshal
Donaldson to ascertain if anything could be
done peaccably to prevent this monstrous
posse from entering the town. The Marshal
said their demands must be complied with
previously to consenting to not enter Law
renee with all his forces.
LIST. Every man against whom process is
issued should be surrendered.
Cd. All munitions of war at Lawrence to
be delivered up.
81. SltiZehs should pledge themselves i'm
plicitly to obey present enactments Kansas
list of oaths, taxes and all.
Upon receipt Of this the citizens hsads a
public meeting and drew up a letter tore
Marshal, stating that he and every person
acting under him would be allowed to exc
cute legal process against any citizen of
Lawrence, and if called upon they would
serve as posse in making arrests; that there
would not now, nor at any future time, be
any resistance to law, and that they only
awaited an opportunity to testify fidelity to
the Union and Constitution that they claim
ed To he lau-ahidinr nrder.l nxinn cit;ua-.