The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-29
back to admire it, Michael Angelo never re-
ceived look of more true and loving rever-
ence than he bestowed upon me.
AT AIRS IN KAN SAS.
Topeka, KANSAS, January 6, 1857.


ing for its object the pacifcaton of our troubles
and the final quiet and happiness of our peo
pie. That Constitution provided for the cleo
ton of Legislature, which was complied with.
The Legislature convened at Topeka, on the
fourth day of March, of last year and adjourn
ed few days subsequently, to meet again on
the fourth day of July following. But this
meeting was prevented by the United States
army whose ready-planted and heavily-loaded
cannon, and sabred, dark .visaged dragons,
were ready to strike off the heads of the mem
bers, or shoot them down with "heavy boys"
if they dared further to represent yet free but
outraged people.
In obedience to the requirements Of that
Constitution, the Legislature met again, at
| noon, to-day-the Senate in Old Constitution
Hall, the House in Union Hall, lately furnished
for this purpose. No quorum being present in
either House, the Senate took recess until three
o'clock, and the House adjourned until to-mor-
row.
Immediately after the members of the two
Houses had left their respective Halls, and con-
gregated at one of the hotels, they were waited
upon by Deputy Marshal Pardee, of Tecumseh,
who arrested all the members except two or
three, whose names did not happen to appear
on the warrant under which he arrested them.
The following is copy of the warrant:
United States of America, Territory Of Kansas.
To the Marshal Of said TERRITORY:
Whereas complaint on oath has this day
been made before me, the undersi gned, Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory
of Kansas, by Samuel j. Jones, that LYMAN AL
len, B. F. Miller, John Carts, j. NJ. Dunn, F.
j. Thornton, James Erwin, DIR. Uptograff. John
Bailey, Benjamin Boardman, b. f. McKinsey,
Henry t. Adams, -- Kysey, Steven Sparks,
I. M. Menard, -- Owen, Isaac Bowen, ir,
j. K. Reese, -- Cannon, A. j. Adds, Will
liam Hicks, S. N. Hartwell, j. Brown, jr., H.
Ii. Williams, James j. Hutchison, A. j. Saun-
ders, j. P. Abbott, Robert Il. Mcfarland
- Beam, Mr.. Walker, A. Frost, B. w.
Zimmerman, 81. NJ. Hook, Adam Fisher, Mr.
Pennock, - Pennock, - Courier,
and John Curtis, did, on the fourth day of March,
A. ID. 1885, in the Territory aforesaid, take
upon themselves the Office and public trust of
| Legislators for the State of Kansas; that the
said parties, on the fourth day Of March, A. D.
1856, did assemble in the town of Topeka, in
the Territory aforesaid, as such Legislators for
the State of Kansas, and did then and there
each of them, take the oath of office as such
LEGISLATORS, and elected Speaker of the House
of Representatives, and President of the Sen
ate, and appointed committee to prepare and
report code of laws for the government of the
State of Kansas, without lawful appointment
or deputation. Therefore, you are hereby COM
manded to arrest said parties, and bring them
before ne, or some other judicial officer of said
Territory, to be dealt with according to law.
Given under my hand, this fifth day of JAN
uary, A. D. 1857. S. G. Caro-,
Having no one VITA flf8' SGt'a k6sier fff fis
the gentlemen arrested did not appear to be
easily "led astray," or, in other words, they
did not show any great anxiety TO go to Tecum
sch or Lecompton. The whole of the case is
this: Sheriff Jones came up to Tecumseh last
night with the above warrant, which he gave
to Donaldson, who is still acting as marshal,
and who being afraid to come up to make the
arrest himself, as no troops could be got to
back him, gave it to Mr.. Pardee, Free State
man, whom he had some time since been forced
almost, to appoint for this district. but who has
never been anything but deputy in name, as
Donaldson would never give him any business
when he or any other Of his deputies could do
|
on good authority, that neither Jones, Cato, nor
Donaldson, wished him to bring any of the
members of the Legislature with him On his
return but then, they said, it would not do to
| let our Government go on by their own default
and that they must make some demonstration
against it., however futile it might be. The
deputy marshal will be up again to-day.
At three o'clock the Senate again met, but
only to adjourn till tomorrow, for want of a
quorum.
A meeting Of the citizens from all parts of
the State, then in town, was soon after called
and convened at Union Hall, to take into con-
sideration the conduct of Governor Robinson,
| in his resignation at this important crisis, and
the absence of Lieut.. Gov. Roberts. Although
l had telegraphed to the Era, upwards of
week since, concerning the resignation of Gov.
Robinson, yet it was not generally known, until
within day or two past, that he had resigned
Immediately upon the opening of the meet
ing, resolution was introduced by Judge Cur
| tbs, reading as follows:
ResOlced, That we view with indignation
and scorn the attempted some of our leaders
to betray our present State Government, sealed
as it is with the life blood of some of our best
| patriots.
This was referred to committee, which was
| then appointed to prepare resolutions for the
reported, in lieu of this resolution, six others,
defining the principles and purposes of the
| Free State party, and ending with one con-
demning the late acts of Robinson and Roberts.
All were taken up singly, and passed, except
the last. Upon this there was considerable de-
bate. During the discussion, it was stated that
an arrangement had been made between Geary,
Robinson, and Roberts, that Robinson should
resign, leaving Roberts Governor, who, having
been an Old Line Democrat, would cause the
State Government to be looked upon with less
of odium by that party in the States; and as the
General Government had no intention to dis
perse the Legislature again, it might appear
more excusable to the fire-eaters.
A letter from Roberts, dated at Wyandot
City, and addressed to John Curtis, President
of the Senate pro tem., was read to the meet
ing, stating that he had Just heard of the resig-
nation of Robinson, and could not be here him
SELF and advising the Legislature to choose a
committee, if a quorum were present, to memo
rialize Congress, and adjourn; and in the
event of no quorum, to take recess until the
4th of March. This does not compare with the
statement Of some of his friends, that the mat
ter had been previously arranged. One other
reason for Robinson's resignation was said to
be, that he could, as private citizen labor for
US at Washington and in the East, without fear
of the imputation that he was endeavoring to
secure his own Office, and thus do US and our
cause more good than if he went as Governor
The resolution was finally laid over till to-mor-
row afternoon, when its consideration will again
| be resumed. ,If
A few days since, petition for the pardon
of the Free State convicts was being circulated
by some of Geary's tools in Lawrence. One of
the convicts happened to be in town on his
parole, and took occasion to inform his would
be friends that he had done nothing for which
| he asked pardon or forgiveness and would not