The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-10-16
From the ST. Louis Republican, Sept. 10.

From the ST. Louis Republican, Sept, 10.
RETURN OF THE CoMMITTEE.- mass
1 meeting of the citizens of St. Louis, held a
short time since, appointed committee to
visit Kansas Territory, and inquire into the
actual condition Of things there. Tha,
committee mot promptly, and deputed two
of their number-Messrs. MLure and Law
to undertake this service. They have
done so, and have placed in our hands the
following report:
Hon. JONI +. DARBY,
President Of tie Kansas Mass INeet;nq al
81 LOUIS:
SIR: The undersigned committee, ap.
pointed to visit Kansas Territory, beg leave
TO report, that in conformity 10 the require.
ments OF tho resolutions Of said meeting.
have visited the Territory of Kansas with a
view TO learn the true state Of facts in rea
tlon TO the present disturbed and distracted
condition OF that Territory.
We do not, sir, pretend TO give full and
detailed statement Of every particular of
law and order in that ill-fa,ed Territory. for
the time expended in our inquiries did not
afford us the means OF so doing; but we be-
iieve that we have succeeded in collecting
all the necessary facts in relation to all the
most prominent occurrences and acts of
hostility AMI violence committed against
the citizens aud society of Kansas.
During the early part Of the summer,
peace and quiet prevailed generally through
the Territory, pro oslavery men and free soil
ers were living on neghborly terms with
each other-ditierng with each other on
the subject of slavery, as other political
topics. This quiet was of short duration,
however; all again became excitement. upon
the news being spread through the Terri.
tory that Colonel James III, Lane was
marching an army Of about one thousand
men from the Northeastern States into
Kansas for the purpose of controlling the
political deslines of the Territory; and some
time in the latter part of July, or in the
early part of the month of August last.
said Lane, under the disguised name Of
Col. Cook, with regiment of armed men,
consisting of, rs variously estimated, from
SIX hundred TO one thousand men.) entered
the Territory on its northern boundary, AZ
ter having marched in body through the
State of Iowa and Nebraska Territory. to
the Kansas line, entered the latter in small
detachments, and again united after having
marched some distance into the Territory:
about two hundred Of this army are Cana.
dlans. Soon after this, and between the
lsl and 18th of August, this army marched
through the counties Of Lybins, Franklin
and Douglas, robbing the pro.slaverv citi
zens OF their horses, mules, provisions and
arms, and commanding them to leave the
Territory. many of whom did so, with their
famiiea in most destitute condition; 9th.
ers sought protection by flying to olher
parts of the Territory and uniting with 9th.
er pro slavery men, formed companies for
the purpose ofprotecting themselves against
the threatened assaults of Lanes party. In
a very short time most Of the Abolition
citizens Of the Territory armed themselves
and united with Lanes party, swelling his
army to abou. fifteen hundred, (Lane says
twenty-five hundred) On the 18th of
August, at about / o'clock at night
company Of Lanes men, numbering about
two hundred and fifty, made an attack on
the town of Franklin, where small com
pany of pro slavery men (about IA in mum.
be) had collected and armed themselves
for protection.
Lanes party commenced the attack by
firing upon the house in which tho pro.sla-
very men were; the Ere was returned, aud