The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-15
An Appeal.

fellow Citizens, who are connned on va
rious charges-some of whom have
been convicted during the last week
at Lecompton-when the following
APPEAL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, u
over their own signatures, met cur eye
We chose that they should tell their
own story, since they have shown their
ability to tell it SO well. Would to
Heaven that it could have reached every
village, and town, and hamlet in the
nation, and been read by every voter
prior to the 4th inst. The result would
have been different, quite different from
what we apprehend it now is! Ere
this, the verdict of that jury, to which
they appeal, would have been shouting
an acquittal, which would have reached
Frank Pierce at Washington, and
whose echo would have been ringing in
Judge Lecompte's ear, and have given
them LIBERTY, instead of chains ana
slauery.
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
GREAT PoLITIcAL PRIsoN, LEooyPTos,
K T., Sunday, Oct. 10, 1856.
1t is well known that previous to the
arrival of Governor Geary, in Kansas
| this Territory was the scene of most
direful civil war. 1t is equally vel
known that in all that terrible drama
the people of Kansas were alone the
sufferers. and that organized bands O
robbers and murderers from the adioin.
ing States were almost the sole perpe
traitors. In the beginning they had
wrested our government from us and
made our laws; but finding US unwill
ing to fawn to their dictates, and te
acknowledge them as lords, they useC
fire, starvation and the sword to bring
US to submission. Having no Other
resource. our people were at last com
PEELED to resort to the stores of our en-
emies for the necessaries of life.
As we have said, such was the con
dition of things on the arrival of oul
new Governor. He appeaed among III
about the first of September, and wal
hailed as our deliverer. The much la
mented Major Hoyt, who had knowr
him in Pennsylvania, in Mexico, anc
in California, assured MS that we nigh
hope for justice and protection. Gea
ry's course at Lcasenworth City, anC
the assurance of Mr. Adams, his con
fdential friend and adviser, together
with our ardent hopes for peace, led u:
to believe he would be our friend
Nor was this confidence in his friend
ship shaken by his inaugural and proc
lamation, which was issued on the 11tl
of September, copies of which were
brought to Lawrence the same evening
by Mr.. Adams, and read to the people
We, therefore, determined to take NJ
offensive steps without his sanction.
On the morning of the 18th, Gov
| Geary entered the town
where he was warmly welcomed by I
large number of its citizens, and othe
Kansas settlers, who had taken refuge
in the place. The Governor assured
them, in speech. that he intended tc
drive all lawless bands out of the Ter
ritory, but for the present adoised Mt
Free State men to remain uaeder drmsfo
their oscn protection, and not d;s6a1ad un
I'll he should first hare accomplished hi
part
While Lawrence was being visited
by the Governor, band of Southern
marauders, under the lead of one Rob
ertson, made descent upon the towr
of Grasshopper Falls and after plum
dering the same, set fire to it, burning
a considerable amount of property
They then retreated to Hickory Point
where they intended to remain fortified
until called upon by the main body o
the law and order" army, to aid tn
wiping out of Lawrence. The day fol
lowing, Gen. Lane, who had not seel
the Governors proclamation, witt
about one hundred and fifty men, hap
pened to pass near Hickory Point, ant
at the unanimous demand of the eiti
zens under him, led to an attack upol
the fortified Ruffians but having NJ
artillery, he found himself unable t.
disiodge them without great loss. H
therefore withdrew and sent to Law
renee for reinfercements. Lanes mes
sage arrived at Lawrence on the nigh
of the 18th. Many wished to obey tn
summons atonce, others were in quan
diary Robertson'S company woult
soon join the forces at Lawrence, am
must be whipped then if not now
Which course should be taken? Dir
! Adams, the friend of the Governor, am
who remained in town after the de
parture of Geary, privately advises
many to go. and publicly sanctioned
1.-THE expedition, remarking that b
would go himself if he only had
horse. This decided the course of tn
! people. They thought for once that the,
could defend their homes and friend
with the appreciation of high authority
A force of one hundred and twent,
was raised, and marched under the com
mand of COL Harvey.
| In the mean time Lane received tn
Governors proclamation, Withdrew
from Hickory Point, and afterward
disbanded his men. This did not dete
Harvey from making an attack upol
the fortified position, which he did
tcuInpfetply routing the enemy, KILN,
one of their number and woundinl
many others. Snch, at least, is tn
charge against his men. On our return
we encamped FIVE miles from the seen
of action, where we were all takcl
lprisoners that night, by a detachmen
of United States dragons, under com
mand of Captain Wood. Our force
numbered one hundred and one. n,
roc. .Stan.la x.,as N, = Ja 20 fho frrepc