The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-03


DEAR GENERAL-The Governor having
called out the militia, this is to inform you
to order out your division, and proceed
forthwith to Lecompton. The Governor
not having the power, you can call the
Platte countyRife Company, as our neigh
bors are always ready 10 help us. Do lot
implicate the Governor whatever you do,
DANIEL WooDsoN.
Before sending a dispatch to the Gov
ernor, Sheriff Jones was sent messenger
to Col Boon of Westport calling on him
for aid.
Dispatches were Immediately sent ieff
him to the Blue Lodges in Missouri, and
every body was called on to go to Law
renee, and rub it ont" Simultaneously
in all parts of Western Missouri indamato-
ry hand bills were posted, calls-were made
and public meetings held, and whole COM
munities excited into an unknown, and
resistless enthusiasm. All this was done
without Governor Shannon's knowledge;
and before he was aware of it, the human
whirlwind was in motion, and was fast
hurting him to ruin. To use his own
words: ''The men of Missouri heard
that the Territorial laws were set at def
anee; that the sheriff of the county-a Viz
ginian, well known and highly esteemed,
and, moreover, a strong Pro-Slayery man
was actually threatened with death by
an armed Abolition mob; they heard, too
(forwhe did rumor ever lose strength as
il flies?) that these outlaws were fortilying
themselves, drilling day by day, were
sending to distant States for men, We're
amply supplied with the most deadly
weapons which modern skill has devised,
and even provided with artillery. They
knew, too, that this was no disturbance
born of transient excitement, and nur-
tured by the passions of an hour. On the
contrary, it was understood to be 4 cold
blooded, long -foreseen, and carefully pre-
pared-for thing. And what was the most
natural result The gathering in the
camp at Wakarusa may best answer the
question. .Hissouri sent, not opiyher y9aag
men, bit her g,ey-headeR citizens icere there;
the man Of serenity trintera stooa s5ouldt7. 10
shoulder loith tie yoaA Of sirteea. There
1cere UoEnnteers in that camp erlo brought
aoit5 them not onzytl.eir sons, but d,eir graRd-
sons, to join, If needle i3,tte expected fray
Every hour added to the excitement, and
brought new fuel to the flame. What
wonder, then, that my position was All eni-
barrassing one! Those men came to the
Wakarusa camp 10 fight; they did not ask
peace: it was war-war to the knife
They reoaM come; it was impossible to
prevent them.'
In order 10 obtain the control of this
vast multitude, the Governor ordered the
sheriff to have them enrolled as kansas
Militia" and put them under command Of
the military officers. They were accord
ing1y so enrolled and became part of the
sheriff's posse, and are now demanding
their pay of Congress, for military services
rendered i'll keeping the peace in Kansas.
To organize them the more readily, prom
ises of Land Warrants were made for mil
itary services in this expedition.
Gov. Shannon did not know the design
of Jones, and others of the band in Mis-
souri,, in getting up this foray against
Lawrence. Neither did he know the
plans for executing their base designs.
The proclamation which was printed in
Leayenworth and issued in his name,
was sent from Lecompton by Secretary
Woodson, while the Governor was at the
Shawnee Mission. 1t was circulated
mainly in Missouri, one copy accidental
ly finding its way to Lawrence. 1t was
read to the people and excite4 the warm
est indignation. 1t is as follows =
''PRoCLAMArIoN.
1.-THE GovERNoE OF KANSAS TERRITORY.
Whereas, reliable information has
been received that a numerous association
of lawleSs men, armed with deadly weap-
ons, and supplied with all the imple.
ments of war, combined and confederated
together for the ayowed purpose of oppo-
sing, by force and violence, the execution
of the laws of this Territory, did at the
| County of ofDouglas, on or about the 2Gtl
of this month, make . violent assault on
the sheriff of said county, with deadls
weapons. and did overcome said offer
and did rescue from his custody, by fore,
and violence, a person arrested Eby.. virtue
of a peace-warFant, and then and there
a prisoner, holden by said sheriff, and
other seandalous outrages did commit il
violation of law:
aAnd whereas, also, information has beer
received that this confederated band O
lawless men did, about the same time
set fire to and burn down nulnhel
of houses of peaceabie and unoFendine
citizens, and did destroy a considerable
amount of personal property, and have re-
peatedly proclaimed that they would re-
gard no law of this Territory, resist by
force of arms all officers, aud those aid.
ing them and assisting them in the exc.
eution OF the laws, or any process issued
In pursuance theoeof:
"And whereas, also, 1 have received
, satisfactory information that this armed
organization of lawless men have pro
claimed their determination TO attack tn,
, said Sheriff of Douglas County, and res
, cue from him prisoner Tor the ayowet
purpose of executing him without judi
/ eial trial, and, at the same time, threaten
ed the}ife ofsaid sheriff and other citi
zens: Now, therefore, to the end tina
the authority of the laws may be main
taiDed, and those concerned in violatin;
them. brought to immediate and cendigl
punishment. aud that the said Sheriff 0
Douglas County may be protected from
iawiess violence in the execution of til
lawful warrants and other process in hi
: hands, |, Wilson Shannon, governor o