The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-03

them when they left here. Leonhardt, a German OF
good education, commanded them As they pro-
crossed southwark their number increased; but the
very first night that they encamped in the vicinity
of the United States troops they deserted the com
mander till he had not body guard left 10 protect
the camp. In the morning morning however, they re.
night the "marauders" went out robbing
and stealing. They became 80 bold and high handed
in their operations that they stopped travellers
in the open day, on the highway, and robbed them
and surround a house at night; the owner would tn u
be compelled with loaded rifles pointed at his hea
and heart to give up whatever was called for SIEVE
raj men on the Little Usage driven out OF their
State their possessions were disposed Of as seemed
good TO the robbers One man, on being raised from
his bed, hesitated about complying with their de-
manis when he was shot. The men who took part
in that ARRAY tell me he was not killed, but was
" dangerously wounded" Wherever they found
negroes they were seized upon and run OH, or COM
PEELED to fly from their owners. Their deeds nearly
filled up the cataoge of crimes They report having
stolen twelve horses; how many more they took
know not, as ] have only heard their own-the
free State version Of the affair and II that is too
black to be recorded, what must be the record as
given by proslavery men? The cry OF their crimes
reached the fort, and troops started in pursuit OF
them The free State men took piece OF artillery
down with them from here, but were not able TO
protect themselves with it against the United States
troops, nor to carry it and their munitions Of war
Usage, as well as their munitions and large num-
Der of Sharps rifles. The authorities succeeded in
arrresting several Of the wretches, some Of whom
escaped and some Of whom were under arrest up to
the latest accounts. The commander of the exDedi-
ton at an early day became so Disguised with his
compatriots that he left them and returned to
Lawrence.
Nor were outrages committed only upon proslav-
cry men as before noticed, unknown travellers were
stopped and robbed the stores in the regions round
entered and md robbed Nearly all the stores on
Sugar Creek were entered and robbed. They en-
tered there the store Of George Ford Of this place
one of the most respectable and honorable free State
men in Kansas, called for what they wanted, and
left without paying for it. Mr.. Ford was for many
years a resident of Jersey City, and will be remem
ton. / have understood that he knows the men
who were engaged in this dshonorable affair, and
intends to bring them to severe account for it.
The honorable men in the free State party will
now know more fully what it is to feel the sting and
bear the nfamy of vile, dsreputable deeds performed
by wretched yagabonds who hang upon their skirts
and affiliate with them politically. The honorable
men of the pro-slavery party have long known what
il is to bear such infamy But will the correspon-
dents of Eastern republican journals dare TO tell the
truth in this Little Usage matter? VIII they have the
courage TO give Eastern readers true Kansas history
will they falsify it? Will they cover it up or know
nothing about it, or narrate it pro-slavery ont
RACES or what will they do with it! The simple
question is, dare they tell their readers the truth
You probably already have an answer TO this ques-
ton, for if they dare they have done IT, sin the in
telligence contained in this letter has been in town
several days, was then and is now known 70 them.
Indeed some of the correspondents of Eastern jour
nails were in the gang who left here, and know all
about everything that was done.
The weather has been most charming, so far, this
month; spring appears to have come in earnest; the
grass on the prares Is springng up and everything
betokens an early season. The boats are running up
the Missouri river to Leavenworth. The Minnie Bell
has been up the Kansas river far this
place. She was built purpose TO on this river,
When loaded she only draws IL or Is inches of water,
yet il was with great difficulty she got up bere She
brought up some 400 sacks Of -four. Flour is selling
here at about 80 per barrel.
Money is exceedingly dear; it is tight, il is hard
it is high, and everything else but plenty. II is
selling for five and six per cent month, rather il
would be selling for that if there was any 10 sell.
The money market in New York seems TO be pie
thorc, while there is hardly money enough here to
give it market value TO constitute it marketa-
ble article. Everything here now is done on the
credit system.
There has been but very small emigration so far
this spring. Last year before this time the country
was flooded with immigrants. Traders are waiting
impatienty for emigration TO pour in. They want
money brought by new comers to start up business.
They have been expecting an unusually large emi-
grafton this spring, but the present indications are
that that they will be greatly disappointed.
There will probably be some difficulty in regard 10
the late municipal election at Lawrence. The per-
son elected to the Mayoraty said not 70 be eligible
10 that Office.
Lane is back in Lawrence. He, with other mem
bers Of the Military Board, propose 70 visit Gov.
Denver, at Lecompton, TO inquire about the proca-
nation against Lane, &c.
THE NEW CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
ITS LEGALITY, ETC.
sPEcIAL CORRESPONDENTS OF THE HERALD.
LAWRENCE, X. T., March Is, 1858.
The members Of the latest Kansas Constitutional
Convention start from here to-day for Leavenworth
City, A number Of the Southern members, who did
not arrive while the convention was sitting at Min.
nicola, feel much dispeased that the majority Of the
convention cowed 10 the minority, and went "a
Jeavcnworth instead of Topeka. The opinion Of
Attorney General j. $. Black upon she legality Of
the law authorizing this convention has been re
ceived here and caused considerable feeling in the
free State party. II is published in extra of the
Lecompton National Democrat, which herewith
send you
LETTER OF SECRETARY cAss AND THE OPINION OF
THE NON. .. 8. BLACK.
We would call the attention VI the people OF Kansas "
the letter 81 the Secretary Of se and opinion Of
Attorney General OF the United States, the Hon. j. s
Black, 70 the legality Of the law Authorizing holding
Of the present Constitutional Convention lodge Black
known TO be one Of the most profound urss in the United
States.
GENERAL cAss TO GOVERNOR DENVER.
DnARrnEvr STATE,
WASHINGTON, March i3, 1858
Gov J. W. DENVER, Tecom pton, Territory of Kansas
sIR-n having been understood that some doubts bad
arisen Kansas concerning the proper construction Of the
last the 24,h section Of the organic law Of that
Territory, herewith transmit, for your nformston, a
copy Of the opinion Of the Attorney General that
subject am sir, very respectfully your obedisnt SER
want LEWIS CAsS.
Mr.. BLACK TO Mr.. cAss.