The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-03-29
Formulation of Kansas.

respect TO the population OF Kansas pave
lately obtained currency, and in order to
get at the truth, Mr. Calhoun. Surveyor
Genersi of the Territory. has. at the re-
quest of Mr.. Marcy, Secretary OF State
for the United States, taken pains to in
form himself in relation to the matter.
The results of his inquiries are coutain-
ed in letter to Marcy, under date OF the
18th inst. The data from which TO judge
are the late election returns. The num-
Der of voters was about six thousand, and
it is believed that the entire population
ranges between $4,000 and 3O, ,OOO.-
Chicago Democratic Press.
Mr.. Calhoun based his estimate of our
population upon the number OF votes
cast in October last At that time there
was much sickness in the Territory, and
hundreds were prevented from attending
the polls on that account. Then the DIS
tance to the polls In some places, it
was required to travel seyenty-fye miles
to reach the nearest poll. This fact kept
away large numbers who have been more
adventurous than others, and who have
pushed forward general emigration with
the view of securing superior localities.
In those districts where the pro-slavery
party were in the ascendant, like Atchi-
son and Kickapoo, the Free State settlers
did not attend the elections, being appre-
hensive of disturbances.
That there was very large pro-slavery
vote from Missouri, estimated at the time
after careful analysis of the report of
actual observers, at the various election
precincts, at 1900. This would leave
about 1000 as the strength of the pro-
slavery party vote within the Territory,
on the 1st of October. The Free State
vote was better than 5000 for Governor
Reeder. We do not believe that an ille-
gal vote was cast for him, and as for q
repetition of votes by the same individ-
ual, it is all moonshine.> The greatest of
pains was taken TO guard the polls, sud
prevent fraud. that We might go before
Congress with clean hands. The border
papers have charged such baseness upon
us, as it would have been repeating the
lessons which they had taught US /; but
we deny there being single case of the
kind in the Territory. The Free State
vote, had, it been out in its strength on
the 9th of October, would have exceed
ed FIVE thousand. This would make a
population, according to Gen. Calhoun,
of from $4,000 to $4,000 persons. But
he neglected to mention the heavy
emigration to the Territory after the 9Th
of October, or, more properly, the 9th
of September-as none were allowed to
vote at the election on the 9th of Octo-
Z ber, who had not been thirty days in the
Territory. The Fall emigration was
very heavy. Hundreds of families SET
tied in the South part of the Territory
and large numbers north of the Kansas
river, and in the west, in the region oil
) Big Blue. There is no data from which
to judge of the great increase of popula-
ton during the Fall; +; but We have heard
no intelligent person who has given his
thought to the subject, who has marked
the population below 50. 900, while many
who have had good opportunities of ob
servation. have marked it at 10000
Our own figure has been 10000, and we
are of the opinion that it would be found
nearer the truth than any other.
The Spring emigration, both from the
South and North, is to be unpreceden.
. ted. 1t has already been pouring in on Us
by hundreds, and every one reports O.
thousands to follow. Next November
+ should the census be taken, will exhibi
population of 10000 or 100, 900 per
+ sons in the State, and the cry will still
be, "They come! they come p