Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-12-31
These documents also include the instructions
to Gen. Denver, the new Governor Of Kansas.

These documents also include the instructions
to Gen. Denver, the new Governor Of Kansas.
e. DEPARTMENT. OF STATE, asta
WASHINGTON, Dec. Il, 1857, 5
James w. Denver, Secretary and Acting
Governor of Kansas Territory: Sr:--You have
already been informed that Mr.. Stanton has
been removed from the office of Secretary 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 Locompton on
the LIST of September had framed constitution,
and had authorized its president to submit the
question to the people on the 21st of December,
who are to decide whether this constitution
should be adopted without slavery. The i'm
portance of the issue could not well be over-es-
timated In involved the complete and author
itative settlement of the only subject of differ
ence which had seriously agitated Kansas, or
'interferred with its prosperity. The qualified
electors, therefore, to whom the settlement was
referred, had not only an unquestionable right
to attend at the polls and give their vote on the
day appointed, but they were required to do SO
BY the highest consideration Of public duty. In
the exercise of this right, moreover, they were
entitled to an adequate protection by the Ter
was bound to employ all the legal means at his
command to give security and fairness to the
election. With the conflicting opinions which
prevailed in the Territory on the question sub
1nitted, he had no right to interfere. They had
their appropriate issue at the ballot box, and to
that peaceful arbitrament they might safely be
referred. The great object to be accomplished,
in the opinion of the President, was to preserve
the peace of the Territory, and secure the free
dom of election Entertaining these views, he
was surprised 10 learn that the Secretary and
acting Governor had, on the first of December,
issued his proclamation for a special session OF
the Territorial Legislature on the 7th inst, only
a few weeks in advance of its regular time Of
meeting, and only fourteen days before deci-
sion was to be made on the question submitted
by the Convention This course of Mr.. Stan
ton, the President seriously believes, has thrown
a new element Of discord among the excited
people of Kansas, and tits directly at war,
therefore, with the peaceful policy of the adj
ministraion., For this reason he has felt it his
duty to remove him. lsz ~ sl.:.f ..sss.s.,
From these views you will readily understand
what the President regards as the chief duty
which devolve upon you as Mr.. Stanton's sue
cessor. This duty is to preserve the peace Of
Kansas Every person entitled to a vote on the
Constitution, ought to have safe access to the
polls, and be free from any restraint whatever
In the exercise of the elective franchise. If The
civil power is found insufficient for this pur-
nose. the troops of the United States should be
enpleyed i'm aid of is and it may be-. wise pre-
cuution to have them stationed in advance, with