The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-03

their time ia walking over it, apparently takiug
general view of matters. We learned. how
ever, that Jones, On Monday, had left Coleman.
the murderer, tending grocery at Lecompton
whilst the proprietor went TO help arrest Bran
son. The same night, he again at Franklin
armed with two revolvers and a shotgun. bran.
son, when arrested, had his pockets examined. to
see IL be had even a pOcket-knife.l Thursday
night received information that the Govern
or had confessed that be had no aufborifU 10
call out troops. This we thought we knew be
FORE but It was also reported that the Governor
had gone personally into Missouri, and urged
the pe0ple 10 come to Kansas and helm enforce
the laws. Seven hundred were said to be in
Franklin. Spies were sent down to reeonnoitre
The seven hundred dwnded down to TWENTY
five. party had, however, camped ON Waks-
rusa, aud indications appeared TO warrant pren.
arations Tor defence of our town that night.
Oi course, sentinels were on duty An attack
was also threatened upon certain persons in
"AkArdsa; and sixty men assembled there. de-
termined to give the scoundrels q grand recon
ton.
In obedience to the wishes of those bav;np
the defence in charge, those engaged in the
rescue have all left town. Being one them, !
left town late Thursday night, and stayed at a
trends house, within hearing Of guns. if an
attack was commenced, as We have no disposi
tion to shirk any responsibility, and only left
because our friends thought they might thereby
be better enabled to throw the enemy in the
wrong.
Friday, with friend, one of the rescuers. I
took stroll over TO Wakarusa about & We miles
We then followed up Washington creek n
couple of miles. Changing our course, we as
cended high mound, known AS "Merrirs
Mound" Ii is point of high prairie. South,
the prairie seems TO be level with the
mound. North, is the Wakarusa valley. We
sat down to rest upon pile Of stones at the
northern part Of the mound. Stretched out
before us, lay one of the handsomest coun-
tries that my eyes ever rested upon-a pros
pect grand and beautiful. Without changing
position, | counted $50 houses. Lawrence and
Franklin were neither in view Over the
country in view Of our position many houses
were hid by rises in the prairie and by the
Wakarusa timber; not less than 200 houses
were within range, indicating a population of
not less than l 200 persons. Besides, Lawrence
and Franklin, with their 500 inhabitants, were
within seven miles; and Of these, nearly all are
united. All, excepting perhaps twenty voters,
have sworn defiance TO the cursed laws; and
yet resident Postmaster of Missouri. aided by
corrupt Administration, is seeking TO enforce
them. Oh! Squdtter Sovereignty" "Squatter
Sovereignty" thou sovereign balm, that was to
heal all our difficulties, and "extend the area
OF Freedom" This Squatter Sovereignty as
the frogs said of the boys stones, at may BE-
fun for you, but it is death TO u.s."
We shall return almost to Lawrence this
evening, as reports now reach us that the pro
slavery men are rallying at Lecompton as well
rs at Franklin, and the few pro-slavery men in
Lawrence are moving their families to the
country. An attack may be made tonight,
dec. lst.)
No attack last night. | suppose we shall
live one day more Missourans are still rally
ing at Lecompton and Franklin.
messenger just informed me that a spy last
night ascertained that the attack is TO be made
tonight. Cannon are to be placed on Capitol
r Hill, and Branson and the rescuers demanded
III they are not given up the town is 10 be de-
moIished. What is to be the result God only
knows. IL they will only get their writs from
one Of the Territorial Judges, and have them
served by the Marshal or his deputy, they
would probably have trouble in finding the
parties and arrestlng u.s. as resistance would
be made. But if their object be, as it appa
rently is, TO mob, burn, and sack, they must
take the consequences. Guerrilla parties will
bs formed, who will not only pay them back in
their own con but put all western Missouri in
blaze.
p. S. Please excuse mistakes, as I write in
ETY..
Here follows note from his wife, whose spirit
reminds one Of '76:
December I'd, midRigM.-My husband sent
me the above manuscript yesterday. Since then,
/ he and the rest Of his party have had to flee.
| True and tried friends have advised it, and in
sisted upon II for the safety of the place; and
they are gone-rhere, | dare not write
friend wrcte it on slip of paper, and handed
it to me tonight. As soon as l read it, / COM
mitted IT to the flames. Tomorrow we expect
hundreds Of Missouri demons upon us, TO de-
mand them, and to mob and DESTROY. If they
cannot get their men from Leavenworth, they
say that troops are coming TO storm the town
Every hour brings some new report. This will
start Tuesday morning, and will he carried by
friend TO Michigan, and mailed there. | will
write you again before he leaves, If | live. We
may die but if We do, We die as free men and
scOMen.
Tuesday morning, Dec. All alive and safe
yet. Reports are, that the enemy are becoming
frightened and backing out. Another report is
that their numbers are increasing. Our people
are prepared. -Four hundred men from different
parts Of the Territory are in town, and will stay
Till all danger is past. The most charming sign
OF the times is the harmony prevailing in the
ranks OF Free State men. Ii needed but word
to make them drop all business seize their ri
ies, and come to the defence. They are here
from Ottawa, Bloomington, Topeka, and Waka-
rnss. Our people will act upon the defensire
only; but one of the Captains told me yester-
day that he had hard work to prevent his men
from going down to Franklin to fight them there
Our guards were fired upon Saturday night, but
escaped injury-we think it was only done to
cause them TO hre upon the enemy, and thus
furnish preteXt for them TO commence the at
tack. The fire not returned.
Yours, &c, .