The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-16
Original Correspondence.
FSr the Herald # Freedom.
Reply 10 Coy. Shannon.
LAWRENCE. Feb. IA. 1856.

LAWRENCE, Feb. IA. 1856.
G. w. BRowN, Eso.-DEAR S1R:-In
your paper Of last week Iobserve letter
from Governor Shannon, which, as it
contains one-sided statement, calls for
an answer from me.
/ After Gov. S. had learned the position
of our people, he admitted that we had
done no wrong, and was. only solicitous
TO remove the invading force without q
collision. He,said he feared he could
not controft them, and it was to aid him,
at has request, that Gen'l Lane and my.
self visited Franklin. We told the Gov
ernor, distinctly, that we had done no
wrong, and we demanded the removal of
the murderers and marauders, calling
themselves his posse. The Governor,
instead of demanding that we should
pledge our people % the observance of
the laws of the Territorial Legislature,
said that he did not pretend to insist upon
the enforcement of these laws. but he
wanted to have such laws as were COM
mon to all countries, particularly crimin-
/ al laws. respected. He was told plainly,
as were the parties at Franklin, that the
people of Lawrence, and the Territory
fgenerally, repudiated the Territorial Leg
t-islature and its acts, butthere was no or
ganized opposition to them, every man
acting as he thought best.
On Sunday the Governor dined with
several citizens of Lawrence and vicinity,
and was apparently well pleased with his
treatment. After dinner he was invited
to the head quarters of the Committee of
Safety, and spent few hours in COM
pany with few ladies who had met in
an adjoining room for the purpose of ar
ranging for social gathering, to come
of the next evening. | was not aware
that the room was crowded, or that the
Governor was unduly excited. During
session of the Committee of Safety,
word came from the guard that it was ru-
mored that a portion of the disbanded
army were peparing to make an attack
upon Lawrence. Thinking itprudent to
act under the authority of the govern
ment, in case of an attack, applied to
the Governor for some writing to show
that we had hisapproval in defending our
town. He readily responded, and said
If would draw up writing he would
sign it. did so, and he went to the
desk, read it very deliberately and sign
ed it. The writing was directed to my
self alone in the first instance, but after
wards the Governor told me that Gen'l
Lane was dissatisfied because his name
was not included and requested me to in
terline it. This was done accordingly.
The evening passed eff pleasantly, the
Governor saying it was the happiest day
of his life. The next morning received
note from the Governor, requesting that
the papers signed by him be kept from
the newspapers, as their publication
would do no good. | answered him in
person that several copies had been taken
of them by reporters. aud possibly some
had been already sent away, but that |
would give directions in accordance with
his wishes. The result proved that sew
eral copies had gone to the printers in the
States, as the publication was first made
there. 1t is to be regretted that the Gov
ernor should labor under the impression
that the people of Lawrence intended to
play tricks upon him. Such was not The
case. They felt that the Executive had
caused them to be invaded by an armed
mob, and robbed them of their property
and murdered one of their citizens, and
that he was under obligations to repair
these injuries so far as lay in his power
and the Governor, at that time, appeared
to be very anxious to make the best
amends be could.
| His attempt now to misrepresent our
citizens and the facts in the case is wor-
thy of the severest censufe, for we have
acted in good faith. and endeavored to
shield him from public indignation to the
extent of our ability and even now ]
would let him make the mostof his state
meDts, did he not wantonly asSail the
motives of those who endeavored to as
sist him.
AS for the letters of Mr.. Jones, who
calls himself Sheriff of Douglas county,
l never considered him party to the set
tlement, and never made any statement
to him inconsistent with the published
terms of the treaty, as it is called. and
whatever he may say to the contrary is
without foundation in truth. He can
make such use of bis billingsgate as he
likes. Some man once said "no gentle
man will insult me, and no other person
can" lam sorry, however, to lose the
good opinion of Mr. Jones, but l am too
poor to pay anything for it.
| Yours truly,
/ C. ROBINSON.