The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-03-28
Gov. Geary's Testimony.

ton in Kansas. and more than confirmed all
the reports which have reached the public
through the Democrat, of the outrages of the
pro slavery bandits in that unhappy Terrific
~.
The Governor states the cause of his re-
signation to be the failure of ex-President
Pierce to fulfil the pledges made at the time
of his acceptance ofthe appointment. The
promises of Mr.. Pierce, he says. were to sup
port him (Gearv) with the United States
army. the militia, and the treasury, if neces-
airy; but instead of receiving this aid either
in men or money from the President. he has
paid twelve thousand dollars out of his own
pocket for the support of his administration
and with regard to militia support he has e.
ven been refused detachment of two COM
panies Of cavalry, for which he applied un-
der the most urgent circumstances, and re-
ceived the naughty answer from the officer
in command, that the army of the United
States was not employed to protect him. In
addition, the judiciary of the Territory, as
we'll as the militia of the Government, re-
fused to support him. Judge Lecompte
thwarted him on all occasions, and having
the means to execute his judicial DEGREES.
was enabled to override him in every impor-
tant measure.
Again. throughout his whole official career,
he has been an object of hatred to an organ
lied and sworn band of conspirators in the
Territory. lie states that fifty men were
under oath from the dav he entered the
country until he left il, to assassinate him pro-
vided his official career should deviate from
that course which they had marked out for
him. His life thus in constant jeopardy :;
the judiciary bitterly opposed to him the
eminent without money or means of any
kind, he wa. necessarily compelled to decline
The Governor says he regrets the step be
was obliged TO take most sincerely, and feels
confident that had he received the assistance
promised him. he could have administered
the affairs of the Territory in manner ac-
ceptable TO the honest settlers of both sides.
In reference TO the robberies. arson. and
murders at the hands of the Pro-slavery ruff
fans, which have taken place in Kansas, the
Governor says the half has not been told
lie says the murder OF Butfum by HAYES was
one of the most co!lblooded and atrOcious
affairs ever witnessed. The Governor reach
ed the spot few minutes after the affair DC
Cured. As the poor fellow was lying upon
the earth in his agonies, the blood stream
ing from his wounds, and the cold sweat of
death upon hi. brow, he seized the Govern
Or's hand. and declared that As he look ed
for mercy hereafter. he was innocent of all
cause 0f Otlence-that 1t was most foul muir
der. lie asked his assassin why he sought his
life. or desired to take his property? that
upon his efforts depended the subsistence of
an aged father and mother, deaf and dumb
brother anu .ister-that he. himself, was a
cripple, and therefore harmless.
To this appeal he was told that he was
ID aboli,ionist. and that they intended
to destroy the whole of them Upon which
Hayes, one ofthe gang, seized him by the
collar. and placing the pistol against his
stomach. shot him. The governor pieds-
ed him while he held his cold hand in HI.
own. that he would use all his power to
brin, his murderer to justice. spent said
the Governor five hundred dollars to have
his assassin arrested. and would have spent
five thousand dollars to have done so, if it
had been necessary 1t 10 we'll known that
the Governor had lIayes arrested, but scarce
lv was he put in prison when Lecomp;e is
sued a writ of habea. corpus. had him re-
leased and set at liberty upon straw bail
Hayes is now in Missouri, and i. playing the
gentleman. The Governor further states.
that after the release of Hayes. Surveyor
General Calhoun took occasion. in . public
speech upon the matter, to declare that the
discharge of HAYES was perfectly legal. and
that it was mistake to suppose that the ter
ritorial laws were enacted for the benefit of
any other persons than the pro slavery
men.
Speaking of the insult offered him. which
led to the death Of Sherrard, the Governor
gave detailed account OF the transaction, &
the manner in which his ASSASSINATION had
been previously planned. His own firmness,
however, prevented its execution. Sherrard,
the Governor states. with three others, way
laid him in the hall of the Legislature. lie
discovered them and knew their purpose
and when Sherrard spoke to him, he made
no reply. but passed on, when Sherrard spit
upon his back several times. As soon a.
these facts became known, a public meeting
was held. composed principally of pro slavery
men, for the purpose of denouncing the
act. 1t was at this meeting that Sherrard
was shot When the resolutions were read.
Sherrard said that any person who endorsed
them was "a liar, coward, and scoundrel.'
Mr.. Shcrperd then arose and stated that he
endorsed them, and was neither liar "A sconn-
drcl. nor coward. Sherrard then drew his
revolver, aud commenced shooting at Shep-
rbr l,t h..
Mr.. ). then snapped a pistol at Sherrard.
but it failing fire. he rushed upon him, and
struck him with his weapon.
They were separated. and Sherrard then
drew another pistol and advanced upon
Jones. whom he had previously insulted be-
cause he Was a member of the Governors
household. Jones, preceiving his danger.
drew pistol in obedience; a number of
shots were then fired at the same time, and
Sherrard fell. The Governor SAYS that the
account of the affair published in the Repub-
lican, as furnished by some Mr.. James, is . !
tissue Of fal>rhooJs from beginning to end.
Anon. other things, the Governor COM
plains most bitterly of the annoyances which
he suffered in the obstruction and mutla-
ton OF his correspondence. The mail bags.
he says, were constantly opened, and all
COMMUNICATIONS to and from him systemat-
icalIy overhauled, and, if objectionable. alb
stracted. Mr.. McClain. chief clerk of the
Surveyor Generals office, boasted of the
fac: and stated that he himself had DESTROY.
ed and suppressed two bushels OF mail mat
ter.
The above is merely an abstract Of the
..
tude of interesting details which we are COM
,>.,ll,J ~ omit IL, eoo.,t.,,, NJ,