Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-12-31
important Official Document Relative to
( Kansas Affairs. r

important Official Document Relative to
~ Kansas Affairs. m
WASHINGTON, Dec. % The President, In re-
ponss to the call of the Senate, to-day sent in a
lrgs mass of documents relative to Kansas affairs.
Among them are the following
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHISeTos, Dec. 11th, 1857. !
James W. Denver, Secretary and Acting Governor
Of Kansas Territory -
sIR.--You have already been informed that Mr..
Stanton has been removed from the office of Score
tary of the Territory of Kansas and that you have
been appointed in his place. desire now to State
TO you distinctly, the reason Of this change
The Convention which met at Lecompton the
Iist of September, had framed Constitution, and
had authorized its President to submit the question
to Che people on the 21st Of December, who are to
decide whether this Constitution should be adopted
without slavery. The Importance Of the issue could
not well be questioned. It involved the complete
and authoritative settlement Of the only subject of
difference which had seriously agitated Kansas or
intsrfsred with its prosperity. The qualified elee-
tors therefore, to whom this settlement was referred
were unquestionably right to attend the polls and
give their votes on the day appointed they were re-
quired to do so by the highest considerations Of pub
lie duty. In the exercise of this right moreover,
they were entitled to an adequate protection by the
Territorial Government, and the Acting Governor
was bound to employ a the legal means at his com
tnand to give security and fairness to the eleclon
With the conflicting opinions which prevailed in the
Territory on the question submtted he had no right
to interfere. They had their appropriate issue at
the ballot box and to that peaceful arbirament they
might safely be referred. The great objects to be
accomplished. in the opinion ofths President, were
to the peace Of the Territory and secure the
freedom of election, Bntertaining these views, he
was surprised to learn that the Secretary and Act
ing Governor had on the 1st Of December Issued o
proclamation for special session OF the Territorial
Legislature, on the 7th inst, only few weeks in
advance of the regular time of n.eetiug and only
Burteen days before decision was to be made sr.- ~
lisves has thrown new a.,s
the excited people in Kansas and it is directly at
war therefore with the peaceful policy of the Ad-
ministrstion For this reason he has felt 1t his duty
to remove him.
From these views you will readily understand
what the President regards the chief duty which
deyolves upon you as Mr.. Stanton's successor. THIS
duty is to preserve the peace Of Kansas. Every per-
son entitled vote on the Constitution, ought to
have safe q y to the polls and se free from any
restraints aateyer, in the exercise of the elective
franchise /. the civil power is found insufficient for
this purpose the troops Of the United States should
be employed in aid Of it, and it may be wise precau-
ton to have them stationed in advance, within reach
Of those places where in your Judgment their ser.
vices likely to be required 1t is earnestly hoped
that the use ofmiltary power may be wholly avoid
ed Violence is always less likely to occur when the
means are known to be at hand tor its prompt cup
preston Should the military force become abso-
uely neeessary, to keep the peace you will ind full
Instructions with reference to the proper mode OF
employing It in my communications to Governor
Walker, Of March 28th, July 25th, and September
%, 1857, and in those subsequently written to Mr.
Stanton OF these last, that of November SOth, was
taken to Kansas by you, and you had copy Of it,
All Of them will doubtless be found In the archives
Of the Governor, at Leeomptoni they refer Promi-
nently TO the preservation OF the peace at certain
important elections. Butt need hardly inform you
that your, duty Ia not intended to be confined to
these special occasions it extends Of course, to the
protection Of all the citizens in the exercise CT their
Just rights and applies to legal election, as well
as another. The Territorial Legislature doubtless
convened on the 7th inst, and while it remains in
session. its members are entitled to be secure and
free in their deliberations. Its righttul action must
Also be respected Should it authorize an election
by the people for any purpose, this election should
e held without interruption, no less than those au
shorized by the Convention. While the peace Of
he Territory is preserved and the freedom Of cleo
tons secured, there need be no fear of disastrous
consequences.
The public Journals containreports of an intended
Movement by portion of the residents Of Kansas,
p organize Revolutionary Government, under the
Topeka Constitution. 1t s hardly possible that this
hport can be well founded but should the attempt
10 made and lead to practical collision with the
Territorial authorities the nuthorityof the govern
bent must necessarily be maintained, and from what
er quarter 1t Is attempted to interfere by violence
tth the election authorized by the Constitutional
Convention or which may be authorized by the Leg
aturc, the attempt must be resisted, and the secu-
1ty Of the election maintained. The peaceable pro-
sss Of these elections obviously occasion NO in
Dry TO any citizen Of any party, because their re-
3,lts san have only their due weight under the
Constitution and the laws 1t is to be expected.
therefore, that no good citizen will endeayor 70 In
trfere with them, but that all the people will be
cpntented to see the work Of the Convention peace
ly carried out to its egitipatr results and fairly
Resented to the consideration Of Congress. The
Resident relies upon your hrmness and discretion
" give effect TO these instructions IL is Vitaly I'M
prtant tnat the people Of Kansas, and none other
tian the people Of Kensas should have the full de-
termination OF the question now before them ior de
cson It is imporAnt also that in securing TO them
tie protection which they are entitled great care
sloud be taken not to organise any illegal autnor
Oh this point again refer you to my Instructions 10
Governor Walker and Secretary Stanton, whichyou
Will regard as directed to yourself IL IS proper TO
aid that no action Of the Territorial Legislature,
about to meet can interfere with the eectfons OIL Tue
2|st of December and the 26th Of January IN tue
npde and manner prescribed by the Constitutional
onvsntiop am sir respectfully sEs SISs Ssss 99sSsen'
.
These documents also contain General cass' reply
tdGoyernor Walker, datedrAE
STA TIE DEPARtsT, Dec. is, 1857.
SrR,--0n Wednesday las l received your COM
ni,nication Of the 18th Instant rendering your res
iehation as Governor OF Kansas. This resignation
isaocompanied by a long argument on the atairs "
TIC Territory generally which you are well aware
itFonld be improper for the Department 70 reply;
Iaevery officer of the government who ieeis nimseii
Constrained to refuse obedience to the instructions Of
tip President shall pursue this unusual course, and
thus place on the hles Of the appropriate Depart
msnt critisisms the policy Of the Administration
nd person knows better than yourself to what conse-
qIences this. might lead. Ths Department must
ether cause the charges and arguments against the
President to be fled among the public archives OF
tbs country without contradiction or reply, or il
mast spend the time which ought to be devoted to
ths public service in controversies with subordinate
officers, who may disapprove the Presidents policy
Whilst duty therefore iorbids to enter into aeon
troversial discussion with you upon the various top
ics bran.d hv vour tits sbOud