Squatter sovereign., 1856-03-11
Nv the President OF the United States
of America.
A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, indications exist that public
tranquility and the supremacy OF the law
in the Territory of Kansas are endangered
bv tho reprehensible acts or purposes OF
persons, both within and without the same
who propose to direct and control its polit-
ica organization by force: 1t appearing
that combinations have been formed there
in to resist the execution of the Territorial
laws, and thus, in effect. subvert by violence
all constitutional and legal authority: 1t
also appearing that persons residing with
out the Territory, but near Its borders, con-
template armed intervention IN the affairs
thereof: II also appearing that other per-
sons, inhabitants of remote States, are col
lecting money, engaging men, and provl-
ding arms for the same purpose: AND 1t
further appearing that combinations with
ia the Territory are endeavoring, by the
agency of emmissaries and otherwise, to
induce individual States of the Union to
intervene in the affairs thereof, in violation
OF the constitution Of the United States:
And whereas, all such plans for the de-
termination of the future institutions OF the
Territory, if carried into action from with
in the same, will constitute the fact of in
surrection, aud if from without that of in
vas;ye aggression, and will, In either case,
Justify and require the forcible lnterposl-
ton OF the whole power OF the General
Government, as well to maintain the laws
Of the Territory, as those of the Union:
Now, Therefore, /, Franklin Pierce,
President of the United States, do issue
this, my proclamation, to command all per-
sons engaged in unlawful combinations
against the constituted authority of the Ter
rilory of Kansas or of the United States,
to disperse and retire peaceably to their
respective abodes, and to warn all such
persons that any attempted insurrection in
said Territory, or aggressive intrusion into
the same, will be resisted not only by the
employment of the local militia. but also
by that of any available forces of the Uni
ted States; to the end of assuring immu-
nifty from violence, and full protection to
the persons, property and civil rights of all
peaceful and law abiding inhabitants OF the
Territory.
If, in any part Of the Union, the fury ol
faction or fanaticism, inflamed into disre-
gard of the great principles OF popular SOW.
ereignty, which, under the constitution, are
fundamental in the whole structure of our
institutions, is to bring on the country the
DIRE calamity of an arbitrament of arms In
that Territory, it shall be between lowless
violence on the one side and conservative
force on the other, welded by legal au-
thority of the General Government.
| call on the citizens both of adjoining
and distant States, to abstain from unau-
thorized intermeddling in the local con-
Germs of the Territory, admonishing them
that its organic law is to be executed with
impartial justice; that all individual acts
of illegal interference will incur condigr
punishment and that any endeavor to in
tervence by organized force will be firml,
withstood.
invoke all good citizens to promote or
der by rendering obedience to the law; tt
seek remedy for temporary evils by peace
iul means; TO discountenance and repulse
the cou nsels and instigations of agitators
and disorganizers; and to testify their at.
'achment to their country, their pride In its
greatness, their appreciation of the bies.
sings they enjoy. and their determination
mat republican institutions shall not fail in
their hands. by cooperating to uphold the
majesty of the laws and to vindicate the
sanchty Of the constitution.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto
set my hand, and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed to these pres
ents.
Done at the city of Washington, the
eleventh day of February, in the year o.
- our Lord, one thousand. eigh
! SEAL hundred and fifty-six, and of the
cO independence of the Unitet
0tates. the eightiash.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
BY the President:
w. l.. MARcr, Sec'y of State.