The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-25
RELEASE OF PRISONERS In KANSAS.

RELEASE OF PRISONERS IN KANSAS.
The proceedings at Lawrence, noticed in the
subjoined letter, dated the 10th instant, to q
New York paper, afford additional evidence to
that given elsewhere, that the strife in Kansas
is about to be ended. Judge Lecompte, of the
Supreme Court of Kansas, opened his sessions
on the 9th, which was the return day, and the
prisoners were brought into Court, with Their
counsel, Messrs. Branscombe, PARROT, and
Christian. No business was done that day
The account proceeds:
"Next morning, at O'Clock, the prisoners
were ready with their counsel and friends
About ii o'clock, Judge Lecompte opened the
Court. He was very polite to everybody. Mr.
c. 81. Grover appeared in behalf Of the Gov.
eminent for Col. Isaacs, who was said to be
sick. He made motion in writing that the
term of the court be continued till the last
Monday in November next, alleging that the
county of Douglas (which includes Lawrence
Lecompton, Benicia, and Franklin) was in a
state of instruction, caused by the introduc
ton of large bodies of armed men, whose pur
pose was to resist the laws of the Territory
and that this prevented jurors and witnesse:
from attending court. Mr.. Grover made q
short argument on his motion, saying that he
had proof of these allegations at hand.
"Mr. Branscombe, in reply, said that certain
persons were held in custody by process O
that court, ON the charge of high treason thai
they had been ready for trial last term, they
were ready this term, and they now demanded
as a right an immediate trial. He argued tina
the reasons alleged on the motion for con
tinuance were not valid, that there was nc
evidence before the court of the introduction o
any armed bodies Of men for the purpose stateG
by the counsel for the Government, and ht
called for proof, protesting against taking any
mans ipse dixit for testimony. Although nc
summonses, he said, had been issued to Jurors
or witnesses, there we're jurors present who
would answer to their names; and if there was
q deficiency in the panel, it could be filled ur
from the tales. There was, therefore, no rea
son for not proceeding Immediately to trial
At any rate, if the Government was not ready
it was not the fault of the prisoners, and they
should not be compelled to suffer for it. III
declared, in conclusion, that they were ready
for trial, and objected to the motion.
Mr.. Grover, in response, said that the cour
was bound to take official cognizance of the
fact of the instruction. He could bring an,
quantity of proof of it. There was the L0ndo,
Times. The London Times said that not only
Kansas, but the whole country, was in q state
of instruction.
"Judge Lecompte overruled the motion, sta
ting that there was no sufficient evidence be
fore the court of such state of instruction
as to deter jurors or witnesses from appearing
The docket was then taken up. The frs
case called was the Territory of Kansas agains
Charles Robinson, for usurpation of Office. Mr.
Grover moved to continue it to the next term
(this is held in April next,) for the same rea
sons alleged on his motion to adjourn, and
also because the witness said to have beer
summoned was not present.
"This man Up. hutchinson has been care
fully looked for by the prisoners counsel anG
friends, but without success. No trace of hin
can be found anywhere in Kansas, and it ii
strongly suspected that he is a myth.
"Mr. Branscombe objected to the granting o
the motion, for the same reasons which he gav'
against the motion to adjourn the court.
Judge Lecompte asked Mr.. Branscombe i
he was member of that court.
"Mr. Branscombe replied that he was not.
"Judge Lecompte. Then you had better b.
qualified before you appear in this case.
Mr.. Branscombe. What are the qualifca
tons necessary for member of this court?
Judge Lecompte. You must take an oatl
to support the Constitution of the United
act, and the Fugitive Slave Law.
take that oath.
Judge Lecompte. Then you cannot appear
in the case.
"Mr. Branscombe then applied to appear q.
dnsicus curiOe, merely for the purpose of doing
business preliminary to the trial.
Judge Leconpte denied the privilege.
Mr.. Branscombe asked if the Judge would
suspend for few minutes his decision on the
motion to continue the case.
Judge Lecompte said he would.
Mr.. Branscombe then went to the camp, anG
conferred with DR.. Robinson. There was young
lawyer Mr.. Parrott) at the camp, whom the,
had kept in reserve for this exigency. He ha(
been member of the court before the bogus
laws were passed, and consequently was no
obliged to take the oath. He did not wish tc
appear, unless it was absolutely necessary, Al
the Deputy Marshal had threatened on Monday
to string him up. He came up to court, ant
appeared in the case; but as it was getting late
the court adjourned till next morning
Marshal Donaldson broughtthe prisoner into
court the next morning, under an escort O
United States troops.
Mr.. Parrot demanded an immediate trial
"Dr. Robinson asked that the motion for con
tinuance, with the reasons appended, be read
and they were read. He then asked Judge LIE
compte if that was to be matter of record, ant
Judge Lecompte told him that it was.
CDR. Robinson. Will it be in order for me tx
make a counter statement which also shall ap
pear on record7
Judge Lecompte. / suppose that it will.
"Dr. Robinson. / want it to be understood
that protest against the reasons alleged in tina
motion for the continuance of this case. There
is no instruction in this country, no introduc
ton of armed bodies of men for the purpose o
resisting the laws of the Territory, and no dis
turbance or excitement except such as hal
been caused by the tyranny practiced upon thu
people.
"Considerable sensation was produced b.
this.
"Judge Lecompte then gave his decision or
the motion to continue the case. He said tina
he had no evidence before him Of any such in
surrection as was mentioned in the motion, mol
had he any official knowledge of the presenc'
of large bodies of armed men, whose purpose
was to resist the law; but he said that there
was excitement in the country to such an extern
as to preyent q fair trial, and he should there
fore continue the case.
'fDr. Robinson was Immediately admitted Il
bail, in the sum of five hundred dollars.
"The case of the United States Us. Charle
Robinson and others was then called, and con
tinued for the same reasons. Judge Lecompte
after deciding 10 continue this case, said tha
he had no evidence that the prisoners were no
ready for trial. On the other hand, it was to b
presumed that they were. 1t did not appeal
that the Government was ready, or that there wa
any good reason why they were not. He there
fore thought it would be 6 hardship upol
the prisoners to con6ne them longer, and h,
should permit them to be discharged on bail
He had thought at Arst of fixing the bail a
$4,000, but, upon consideration, had conclu
ded to fix it at $4,000.