The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-16
From Kansas.
BREAKING UP OF THE FREE STATE LEGISLATURE.

Correspondence of the St Louis Republican
LEAyENwoRm COUNTY, X. T., July 7, 1855
Many, If not ALL Of yourIreaders anxious to
what took place at Topeka on the 4th nst and,
eyewitness take the liberty Of CO communicating the
BY resolution of the bogus Legislature at its ses-
sion in March last was determined that that body
should reassembe at Topeka the 4th Of july 1885, for
the purpose Of enacting laws the State of Kansas"
AS this was nothing more or less than an attempt to
establish government. over ms Territory In place Of
means OF secret military organization, could be
sdered in no other light than as reasonable, and Of
course the necessary authority enoined upon the
military and civil officers here to prevent meeting OF
that body. To this end acting Governor woodson, Mar
sha Donaldson and Colonel snmner, with about eight
companies OF the First cavalry and United States At
forney lsacks, we're encamped near Topeka on the 81
inst.
The abotonists were in convention here for day or
two previous, and military companies with drum and
fife parading the streets This military turn oit
under the pretext OF celebration OF the Fourth,
fhis account deemed inexpedent 10 interfere with
them, notw Outstanding it was an organization 'outslde
OF the law In the afternoon dcpuiat on came down
90 camp for the purpose OF learning waat would
be taken in the "Legslaure' should meet These
represent their friends but there be doubt that
they were. The Object OF this committee was also to fad
out how far they would be permitted TO 60 and whether
the members would be arrested, II the military
would take them in hand. There disposition the
part Of the ocers to disguise mnce Matters aud they
were told that II determined not permit meet.
ing of their Legislature They wanted 10 know II
they would be permitted TO meet call the roll and then
adjourn to another day with the view OF keeping their
organization The opinion Of the officers unanimous
tha they could not meet for any purpose whatever aud
tha TO prevent them from keeping up their organization
found they could make OF the kind they
suggested their opinion that IL the Colonel ant acting
no be To
ihis matter OF great public concern, and probably
pregnant with important results proclama'ons were
phatic terms the intention OF the 10 prevent
m organization.
II Is evident that the object OF the deputaton was
learn the utmost point their friends would be permitted
% Co. that they could make much for "buncombe"
"a possible without endangerng their precious persons
from charge Of treason criminal prosecutions Tho
question Of resistance Vas discussed, and from the
speeches made in the Convention one would have felt
certain that collision would be inevitable; but at the
appointed time az NJ Col Sumner, with his command.
and Marshal Donaldson, went up to the Estate House"
Two or three companies Of armed abolitionists
formed In front Of the House, under the preext of
presentation when there be but little doubt that
had the United States Marshal gone up 70 arrest them
with only few men, then these companies could
have prevented him from doing so. and tho "Lcgsla-
ture could have met and adjourned to another day.
thcrcby srpctuatng their organization. This circum
stance will account for the necessity OF tho presence OF
Col Summers command, which WAS formed upon tho
ground occupied by the abolition troops len In dou
bic quick time. Colonel Sumner then entered the State
House followed by q large number OF the members,
crowd Of citizens abolition troops, ladies, &c, amidst
Shouts Yell and confusion The roll having called
II became known that majority 81 the Legislature
swercd 70 their names some OF them declined answering
at all. This done the Colonel told them manner that
clearly meant that he would do what he said that they
mutt disperse be arrested and the Marshal Ia like
manner told thcm the TINS information they
NIL left the ball Col 5. then requested those persons
claiming TO const tute the Senate to meet him In their
chamber, which they did, all other persons but tho
Marshal having been excluded; aud when there told
them that they would not be permitted 10 organize,
90 which they seemed reluctantly 10 assent. The Mar.
sha then told them that In the discharge OF his duties
he should require pledge of honor that they would
meet organize or attempt then at any future time
(under their present organization to pass any act OF
legislative character. To this proposition they not
well disposed 10 assent and gave that they
"coud not pledge themselves for absent members to
which the Marshal replied that quorum OF the members
were present sccordng 10 their statement that
each OF them did not give pledge honor 10 this do.
mand he would arrest every Of them before tn ~
should leave the They then consented bat de
sired 70 organize informally wi the view Of taking
kvoo OF adjournment but The Marshal told them that
they could not organize formally inform that
with other thngs was what he came there to prevent
MI Of which was concurred In by Colonel & The Mar
sha then put the question ~ adjournment, on the
condition aforesaid TO the bogus members and the
vote unanimous IN the Affirmative. Thus termi.
mated OF the most reasonable bodies that ever as
semb,ed IN this any other country. This is the do
grading result u the efforts Of the Aid Society and the
.free State moyemcnt.r