The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-31
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON D. C, DECEMBER 81 1857

AL ERA: WASHING
There is nothing authentic from Fort Scott.
A bearer of dispatches from the acting Gov
ernor of Kansas passed through here yesterday
for Washington. The poll was not opened at
Lawrence.
| The Lawrence Convention was to meet on
the 23d, to decide whether to vote for State Of
fcers. Many favor such a course, with view
of crushing the State Government. MIR. Stan
ton is mentioned as candidate for Governor.
Later from California.
Nesc York, Dec. 27.-The steamer Northern
Light, from Aspinwall, with California dates to
the 5,h instant, and 81, 100000 in specie, ar
rived here this evening, at ten o'clock.
The flibuster General Walker comes pas
| senger.
Fort Castillo and four steamers had been
captured by Walker; but subsequently Walker
and $50 men were captured by Commodore
Paulding, of the frigate Wabash. The men
were sent in the Saratoga to Norfolk, whilst
Walker comes to New York on his parole. The
lake and river steamers were handed over to
tbs garrison.
Col. Anderson and fifty Americans still held
Fort Castillo and the river San Juan. He had
three months provisions, six pieces of artillery,
and an abundance of ammunition.
Captain Engle, of the Wabash, came bearer
of dispatches to the Government.
The new steamer c. Morgan, seized by Com.
Paulding, was put in charge of the American
| Consul at Greytown.
There had been heavy rains in California, re-
viving trade, and imparting new vigor to the
mining operations. Six hundred Chinese have
left for home.
The markets were quiet at San Francisco.
Money was in active demand.
A force of only fifty men captured Walker
and his army
Martinez has been elected President of Mica
ragua, and was making active preparations for
an energetic war on Costa Rica. The latter
had sent 400 men against Col. Anderson.
The revolution in Bolivia has been success
full. The Chincha Islands are in the power of
Vivanco.
Minnesota.
Gov. Medary, in his message, favors the
building up such o system of common schools
as shall extend the blessing of education to all
parts of the future State; trusts the University
will receive the fostering attention of the Leg
islature; suggests geological survey of the
State at an early day, and that measures should
be taken TO establish its boundaries from the
outlet of Big Stone Lake to the northern bound
airy of Iowa. The Governor avows himself in
favor of hard. money currency. but is willing
to take paper for the present, under proper
restrictions.
Illinois
The mass meeting called by the Democratic
Association in Chicago on the 18th instant,
1.-THE Times says was one of the largest and
most enthusiastic assemblsges ever held in that
city. At an early hour the Democratic Hall
was crowded, ard it was found necessary to
| adjourn the meeting to the Light Guard Hall.
The following resolutions were adopted:
ResolUed, That the people of each Territory
should be left free to form and regulate all OF
| their domestic institutions in their own way
| subject only to the Constitution of the United
| States; that we adhere to and maintain this
principle of the Democratic party, as set forth
in the Kansas Nebraska bill and in the Cincin
natl platform and that a fair and honest prac
teal application of this principle imperatively
required that the Lecompton Constitution-anC
the whole of it-should have been submitted to
the people of Kansas for their approval or dis
approval.
ResotUed, That it would be an entire depart
ure from the well-established principles of the
| Democratic party, for the Congress of the
| United States, under the forms Of legislation
to force upon Kansas any Constitution no
having the approval of majority of the people
of that Territory.
ResolUed, That we fully concur in the senti
ments expressed by the Hon. Stephen A. Doug
las upon this subject, in his late speech in tn.
United States Senate; that they are in entire
accordance with the frequently-avowed anG
solemnly declared principles of the Democratic
party of the Union, and that we will, at al
times and under all circumstances, maintain
and defend them.
ResOloed, That we have unabated coufdenc,
in the integrity, wisdom, and patriotism, of tn,
National Administration, and we confidently
believe that the foregoing principles of tn,
Democratic party will be fairly and faithful,
applied in the admission of Kansas into tn,
| Union.
Instr uctions to Secretary Denver. Acting Cover,
or Of Kansas.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1857.
The President, in response to call of tn,
Senate, today sent large mass of document
On Kansas affairs-among them the following
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, December IL, 1857.
James W. Denrer, Esq, Secretary and
Acting Cocermor Of Kansas Territory:
SIR: You have already been informed tina
Mr.. Stanton has been removed from the Office
of Secretary of the Territory of Kansas, anC
that you have been appointed in his place.
desire now to state to you distinctly the reason
of this change The Convention which met a
Lecompton on the lst of September had framed
a Constitution, and bad authorized its Presiden
to submit the question to the people of Kansas
On the list of December, whether this Constitu
ton should be adopted with or without Slavery
The importance of the issue could not well b,
overestimated. 1t involved the complete ant
authoritative settlement of the only subject o
difference which had seriously agitated Kansas
or interfered with its prosperity. The qualified
electors, therefore, to whom this settlement wa
referred, not only had unquestionable right t.
attend at the polls and give their votes on thu
day appointed, but they were required to do SC
by the highest considerations of public duty
In the exercise of this right, moreover, they
were entitled to adequate protection by tn,
Territorial Government, and the acting Gov
ernor was bound to employ all legal means q
his command to give security and fairness t
the election. With the conflicting opinions
which prevailed in the Territory on the question
submitted, he had no right to interfere. They
had their appropriate issue at the ballot. box
and to that peaceful a:bitrament they nigh
safely be referred. The great objects to be &C
complished, in the opinion of the President
were to preserve the peace of the Territory ant
secure freedom in the election. Entertaining
these views, he was surprised to learn that the
Secretary and Acting Governor had, on the frs
of December, Issued his proclamation for &
special session of the Territorial Legislature OF
the It'll instant, only few weeks in advance o
| ron Of III L.