Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-03-21
To the People of Kansas Territory


of both sides"
To the People of Kansas Territory
Having determined to resign the Executive office and
retire again TO the quiet of private life and the
enjoyment of those domestic comforts of which have
so long been deprived deem it proper to address you
on the occasion of my departure.
The office from which now voluntarily withdraw was
unsought by and at the time of its acceptance
by desirable This was quite evident from the
deporabe moral civil and political condition of the
Territory the discard contention and deadly strife
which then and there prevailed and the painful anxiety
with which was regarded by patriotic citizens in every
portion OF the American Union To attempt to govern
Kansas at such period and under such circumstances
was to assume no ordinary responsibilities. Few
could have desired to undertake the task and none would
have been presumpuous without serious orebodngs
as to the result That should have hesitated
ter of establishment to those acquainted with the facts
but that accepted the appointment well grounded
source OF regret to many of my wetried friends whs
locked upon the enterprise that could terminate
In nothing but disaster myself 1t was not supposed
possible that order could be any reasonable
space OF time and with the my command from
the then existing chaos.
Without descanting upon the feelings principles and
motives which prompted suffice it to say that ac-
cepted the Presidents tender of the office of Governor
In doing so sacrificed the comforts of home endeared
oy the strongest earthly ties and sacred assoca
tlons to embark undertaking which presented at
the best but dark and unsatisfactory prospect reach
ed Kansas and entered upon the discharge of my official
duties in the most gloomy hour of her history Desola
ton and ruin regned on every hand homes and fire.
SIDES were deserted; the smoke of burning dwellings
oarkened the atmosphere and children, driven
rom their hSbtatons, wandered the praires and
fRal q fodlapas, OF sought refngp and protection
The i.ftlliat trsses ehe kis4
tested Win predatory bands, and the towns
were fortified and garrisoned by armies OF conflicting
partisans each excited almost to frenzy and determined
upon mutual determination. Such was, without exsg
geraon the condition of the Territory at the period OF
my arrival. Her treasury was bankrupt. There were
pecuniary resources within herself to meet the ext
gencies of the time The Congressional appropriations
intended defray the expenses of year, were INSULT
cient to the demands of fortnight The laws were
null the courts virtually suspended and the civil arm OF
the Government almost entirely powerless Action
prompt decisive, energetic acon-was necessary. lat
what needed, and without hesitation gave
myself to the work.
For six months have labored with unceasing indus
try The accustomed and needed hours for sleep have
been employed in the public service Night and day
have official duties demanded unremittng attention
have had proper leisure moments for rest or reerea
ton My health has failed under the pressure Nor is
this all To my own private purse without assurance of
reimbursement have resorted in every emergency, for
the required funds Whether these arduous services and
willing sacrifices have been beneficial to Kansas and my
country you abundantly qualified to determine
That have with opposition and even bitter v1tu-
peraton and vindicve malice, matter for astonish
ment. No man has yet held an important or re-
sponsbe post other country and escaped
censure should have been weak and foolish indeed
had expected pass through the fiery ordeal entirely
unscathed, especially required, if not TO come In
conflict with, least to thwart evil machinatons and
hold in restraint wicked passions rid the Territory Of
many lawless reckless, and desperate men, Beside, IL
impossible in contact with the conflicting
interests which governed the conduct of many wedls
posed without becoming object OF mlsrust and
abuse while from Others whose sole object was noto-
riousy personal advancement at any sacrifice OF the
general good and every hazard, it would have been
ridiculous anticipate the need of praise for dlslnte
rested action and hence however papabe might have
been my patriotism, however just my official conduct or
however beneficial in its results, do not marvel that
my motives have been mpugned and my integrity ma
hgned. 1t is however well known that need scarce
" record the fact those who have attributed my la
bors desire for Gubernatoral Senatorial honors
and themselves the aspirants for those high
trusts and powers and foolishly imagined that stood
between them and the consummaton of their ambitious
designs and high-towering hopes
But, whatever may be thought said of my motives or
DESIRES have the proud consciousness Of leaving this
scene of my and anxious toll with clean hands,
and the satisfactory conviction that He who can penetrate
the Utmost heart and its thoughts
will approve purposes and acts In the discharge OF
my executive functions have invariably sought to do
equal and justice all men, however humble or
allied have eschewed all sectional disputaons kept
aoof from all party affiliations and have alike scorned
threats of personal injury and violence ana
the most haerng promises of advancement and reward
And ask and claim nothing more for the part nave
acted than the simple merit of having to per-
form my duty. This have done at all times and upon
every OCCASION regardless of the opinions OF men ana
been forced to great responsibilities and depend
solely upon my own resources to accomplish important
ends but in all such instances have carefully exam
med surrounding circumstances weighed well the PROB
able results, and acted upon my deliberate judg
ment; and in reviewing them am well satisfied
with the policy uniformly pursued that it TO be
done again it should be changed in the slight
est particular.
In parting with you can do no less than give you
few words of kindly advice and of friendly warn
ing. You well aware that most of the troubles
ota1 cd
men who had no especial interest in its welfare. Many
of them residents whilst it is quite ev
dent that others influenced altogether in the par
they took in the disturbances by mercenary other per
sona considerations The great body of the actual c
zens are conservative law-abiding, peace loving men
disposed rather make sacrifices for conciiaon and
consequent peace than to insist for their entire rights
should the general good thereby be caused to suffer
Some of them under the influence of the prevailing
element and misguided opinions, were led to the com