The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-04-25
PROCLAMATION.
To tie People Of Kansas .7srritory:

! WHEREAS, Certain judicial writs oi
arrest have been directed to me by the
lst District Court ofthe United States,
de-. to be executed within the county
of Douglas; and whereas an attempt
to execute them by the United States
| Deputy Marshal, was violently resis.
ted by large number Of the citizens
Of Lawrence, and as there is every
treason to believe that any attempt to
execute these writs will be resisted by
a large body Of armed men; now,
therefore, the isw-abiding citizens oi
the Territory are commanded to be,
and appeer at Lecompton, as soon as
practicable, aud in mum bers sufficient
for the proper execution of the Law.
Given under my hand, this llth day
of May, 1856. I.B. DoNELsoN,
| u. 5. Marshal for Kansas Territory.
The most exciting rumors constant
ly reaching US, threats to destroy
Lawrence, de-, public meeting was
called at which a committee of three
was appointed to apprise Gov. Shan
non of the true state of affairs, and So
licit his protection. The following
letter was prepared and sent by the
committee:
LAWRENCE CRY, May 18th, 1856.
To His Excellency, WILSON SHANNON,
Governor of Kansas Territory:
DEAR SIR:-The undersigned are
charged with the duty OF eommunica-
ting to your Excellency the following
preamble and resolution. adopted at u
public meeting of citizens of this place
It o'clock last evening, viz:
WHEREAS, We have the most reli-
able information from various parts OF
the Territory, and the adjoining State
of Missouri, of the organization OF
guerilla bands who threaten the de-
struction OF our town. and its citizens,
therefore,
Resolved, That Messrs. Topliff,
Hutchinson aud Roberts, constitute a
committee to inform his Excellency,
Gov. Shannon, of these facts, and to
call upan him in the name of the peo-
pie OF Lawrence Tor protection against
such bands, by the United States troops
at his dispo'al.
All OF which is respectfully submit
ted. Very truly, DC,
G. w. ToPLIFF,
w. Y. ROBERTS,
JOHN HUTCHINSON.
The Committes despatched Capt.
Walker with the above letter to Gov
crnor Shannon. at Lecompton. early
On Monday morning. the 18th. On
the road to Lecompton he fell in with
two men who reported themsel, eS from
Missouri. by whom he was questioned
as to where he was going, what he was
going for. who he was. dc. He inform
ed them he was going to Lecoupton
to sit on the Grand Jury, that he livea
in Douglas county, was ''all right Oh
the goose. "&c. This was satisfactory,
SO they opened their plans to him
| said Lawrence was to be destroyed /;
that they would soon have men enough
to do it /; that there were two or three
hundred at Franklin, three or four
hundred more at Lecompton, and num-
bers in other localities, all arm,d with
Government arms furnished by Gov.
Shannon, that the abolition lists must
be driven out of the Territory or kill
ed; that Gov. Shannon had prevented
them from fighting last winter. and
this time they had new leaders, and
would pay no regard to what he said,
&c. When within few miles of Le
compton, they where met by pro-
slavery man who knew Cap. Walker,
passed the compliments of the day
with him. and made some rem arks
that excited the suspicion of his fellow
travellers from Missouri. They turned
upon him and wanted 10 know what
he had lied for ?-and demanded his
real business. He then informed them
that he was sent by the people Of
Lawrence with message to Governor
Shannon, and he intended to deliver
it. Upon this they put spurs to their
horses, and galloped off in advance
of him. He continued on his way to-
wards town, until be was met by 8
friend who told him not to go in, If he
valued his life that his coming had
been made known. and the mob was
preparing to seize him. Capt. W.
gave the letter TO his friend. who pro-
missed to deliver it to Gov. Shannon !;
in the meantime he must go to house
in the neighborhood and remain there
until he came back. with Shsnnon's
answer. Accordingly. Capt. Walker
started for the house. and had pro-
ceeded bit q short distance. when he
was pursued by gang from town,
who fred several shots at him. fortn-
nasely without elect. lie escaped by
getting into ravins filed with bushes;
and in due time, having received Shan
mons answer. returned to Lawrence.
L is as follows -
Executive Office. May u. 1861
Lecomplon. <. IT,
GEsTLExES:--Your note of the IIIh
inst. has been received, and in reply ]
have to state that there is no forcs
around or approaching Lawrence. ex-
cept the legally constituted posse of
the United States Marshal and Sheriff
os Douglas County, each of whom, !
am informed. have number of writs
in their hands for execution against
persons In Lawrence. I shall IN no !