Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-06-27
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. D. r.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN D. r..
ATCHlSON AND AMOS \. LAWRENCE.
Below We publish an intercstin. correspondence
between the Hon. ID. K Atchison and Amos A. Law.
renee, Esq. We ask our readers to give il careful
reading
COTTAGE FARM, HEAR B"sroS.)
March 3lst lSI'.
Hon. ID. K. AchisOn, Platte City, Mo-:
DEAR SIK:-I take the liberty IL address you upon
subject i'll which have Common interest with
yuar,c,i, viz the settlement oi Kansas. Since the
repeal of the Missouri Compromss, by tie last Com
srcss, this territory has attracted the attention OF dis
lant not less than u the neighbOring States. Tor 1t is
evident that here must be decided The question unset
tied now whether there shall bc slave or Tree labor
over Il vast region of the United Statrs-you aud
Tour friends would make slave States and We wish To
prevent your doing sv. The sInk,: is n large one.
and the ground chosen. Let The fight be fair one
ltls 10 secure this that address you. Your inlu.
eiice Is requisite ~ restrain your prnple from doing
great injustice to actua settlers, and provoking them
10 retallatory measures, the Consequences OF which
would be most depIorabie. beg you my dear sir, to
uSe your eii"rts u avert so great all evil.
Let 'he contest be waged honorably for unless it
oe So no settlement of the question ever be final
IL Is already reported hers that large bodies Of Mis-
soGaps Will cross over merely To VOTE that they may
gam thls election they did the last. But how de-
usive To suppose that settlers who have come from
one 10 TWO thousand miles with their umilies will ac-
qilesce III any election gained by such means that
any iuturc eiectnn can be satisfactory which is not
con ucted according To law. The advantage of prox.
unity Is yours. Your people can afford not only to be
Just but generous in this matter
The repeal Of the law which secured this territory
against the introduction of slavery. is considered by
most men IN the free States 10 have been breach of
the national faith; aud it IS not unreasonable. for
those who have gone there for a home, IN expect II
compliance with the laws as they are. Those from
New England have gone there in good faith, and nj
their own expense. They are chiefly farmers, but
among them good representatives ro all profes
slniis. Some have considerable property; but all
have rights and principles which they value more
;han money, and may say, more M1a htf H~t.-
Neither ID there any truth III the assertion that they
are Abnlitionsts M person of that stamp is known
To have gone from here--nor is IL known here that
any such have gone from other 5 ates But opprcs.
si"n may make them ibolitunists ot the most dam
gcrous kind.
Inrrr ilus been much said in regard 10 nm extensive
organization here, which is wholly untrue. | assure
you, sir that what has been undertaken here will be
carried on fairly and openly. The management is in
the hands ot men Of prudence, of wealth and of de-
te mutation. They are not politicians, they
nspIrants for Office they Determined il il be pos
sbe, 10 see that justice is done To those who have
ventured their all IN that territory. May not hope,
sir, that you will oud this effort to see that the con.
test that shalt be- carried aIry! Ii fairly bent,
you mHy be sure that people will acquiesce how
ever reluctant; but they neverrIil yield tn injustice.
Respectively yours, AMus A. LAwkESCE.