Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-08-19
LETTER FROM KANSAS.


Correspondence Of the ''RatIsmaa's Journal
LAwRExcE, K. 7. August 8. 1851.
FEIITn Row o-day the Free State men
are holding an election under the Topeka Con-
stitutiou. They vote for all of the officers
provided for by that instrument, and ssfor'' or
esasainst'' tlIe Constitution, under which they
desire to be admitted into the Union as an in
dependent State. The election passed offvery
quietly. mnch more so than in Pennsylvania.
In Lawrence for the Constitution there were
GG3 votes against it >. General Lane, Gov.
Robson, Judge Smith, and other 'snotables'
we're there in their glory. About Lawrence
they all tall. and act like men who have been
wrongfully and outragcously oppressed, but
are determined hcnceforth to be free. They
say that if the new Constitution is fairly sub
mittcd tc vote of the people, to the bona fde
residents of the Territory, so they can all par
ticipate in the election without any improper
restraint upon the right of suffrage, that they
will poll vote that will eifectually silence
their slanderers, oppressors and murdercrs.-
Secretary Stanton came down to Lawrence this
evening, to ssquelI the riots, and suppress the
insurrection = but the people were quiet-no
riots occurred-no Instructions broke out,
and, unfortunately for the Secretary, he had
no opportunity to distinguish himself in that
way. And, like beautiful flower Ssdespoiled
of its grace and bloom,'' he returned to Le-
compton as free from honor as when he came.
Walker has been cutting s:big swelI'' about
Lawrence. He marched his troops through
the principal streets of that famous city, and en-
camped on the plain. beyond its limits, for the
purpose of intimidNng the brave Lawrence
ties. But his attempt was an entire failure
1t is sufiicientto say that Lawrence is aaa 7iag
yet, and her people not hpmiiiated. Ills course
has undoubtedly been such as to insure him
the contempt Of a majority of the Free State
men. They say though, that he would not be
s'bad fellow. if he would let bad tchiskey a.
lone" Somebody said an Indian in the vicin-
ity of Fort RiIcy-a dispatch was sent to Gov.
Walker for troops, and the Governor. anxious
doubt for pretext to leave Lawrence with
out further action, started in pursuit of the
villanous Indian, and is now pursuing him
with several hundred troops. We may say,
emphatically, that the Governor "'lirst march
ed up the hill. and then marched down again, .
Cwithout cnecting any thing,) and then retrea-
ted with disgrace.
Lawrence is improving rapidly. y large
number of new buildings, among which are
two fine large stone churches, have been built
this summer, and number of others will soon
be completed. The outskirts of the town pre-
sent warlike appearance. Several small
forts and Notifications have been erected a.
bout the place by the Free State men. The
Free State Hotel that was destroyed by the
Border Ruflians, is rising, from its ashes, and
will when finished be the largest building in
the place.
The general appearance of the country a.
round Lawrence is exceedingly beautiful
The land is rich, fertile and productive. There
is plenty of building stone, and timber to sup
ply the wants or the surrounding country.
There has ,been but very little rain in this
region Of country this summer. The farming
interests win suffer materially in consequence
Of the dry weather. Yours, &c. d..