The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-05
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, May z, 125S.S


]. W. DENVER, ESQ, Governor Of tie
Territory of Kaasas-Sir IL transmit to
you copy of the Act of Congress approx
ed 4th May, 1858, "for the admission OF
the State of Kansas into the Union."--
Your duties under this Act are of the most
delicate and important character; but they
are clearly and distinctly defined by the
act itself.
Congress was not satisfied, as you will
perceive. with the ordinance adopted at
Lecompton by the Constitutional Cohven-
ton there assembled, in regard to the
public lands, deeming the grants to the
State of Kansas therein contained, too ex-
tensive and beyond former precedents in
similar cases. They have therefore pro-
posed TO the people of Kansas to assent 20
such a change in the ordinance as Is stated
in the Act, reducing the quantity OF lands
granted, so as to conform to the grant IN
the bill now before Congress for the ad-
mission of Minnesota. This question Is
properly left to Kansas to be decided at a
popular election. The Act preseribes that
" at the said election the voting shall be
by ballot, and by endorsing on his ballot
as each voter may please, Proposition
Accepted" or Proposition Rejected. -
Should majority of the votes cast be for
Proposition Accepted" the President of
the United States, as soon as the fact is
duly made known to him, shall Announce
the same by proclamation; ard thereafter
and without any farther proceedings on
the part of Congress, the admission OF the
State of Kansas into the Union on an equal
footing with the original States, in all re-
spects whatever, shall be complete and
absolute, &c. But should majority OF
the votes cast be for " Proposition Re-
iected," it shall be deemed and held that
the people of Kansas do not desire admis-
sion into the Union with said Constitution.
under the conditions set forth in the said
proposition. They will then remain in
Territorial condition, until "i it is ascertain
ed by a census duly and legally taken,
that the population of said Territory
equals or exceeds the ratio of Representa-
ton required for member of the House
of Representatives of the Congress OF the
United States" upon which ascertainment
the people of the said Territory, " are
authorized and empowered to form them
selves Constitution and State Govern
ment' in the manner prescribed by tho
Act.
Under the second section OF the Act,
yourself, the District Attorney, the Sec
retary of the Territory, the President OF
the Council and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives are constituted Board
of Commissioners to conduct this impor-
tant election. The President has entire
confidence that so far as in you lies, the
election will be fairly and properly con-
Quoted. Your powers and your duties are
sufficiently pointed out by the Act, and
by your previous instructions. 1t Is greatly
to be desired that the five Commissioners
should act in concert in ali their proceed
ings. The President, above all things,
desires that there should be fair EXPIRES
sion of the popular will on this important
question and that any person who may
commit or attempt to commit the frauds
| punishable under the Act, may be prose-
cuted with the utmost rigor OF the law. IL
| is to be hoped that the people OF Kansas,
relieved from all outside influences, may
be left to decide the question for them
selves, whether they will Immediately
| come into the Union under the provisions
of the Act, or will remain in Territorial
condition until their population is equal
to the number required for Representa-
tive to Congress.
Enclosed herewith you viii receive four
copies of the Act referred to, one Of which
YOU will send to each of the Commission
ers named in the Act, in order that they
may be properly informed of their desig-
nations. At the same time. you will pro-
vide for an early meeting of the Commls-
sioners, so that the election required by the
Act may take place without unnecessary
delay, and that ali suitable arrangements
may be made for this purpose. The Pres
ident earnestly hopes that these arrange
ments will be successful in securing a free
and fair election, and that at the present
important crisis the peace Of the Territory
may not be interrupted.
The Act for the admission of Kansas
ought to be extensively circulated among
the people, because the question to be de-
cided bv them is one of vast Importance,
and NAV involve the welfare and pros
perity of their fine Territory for long
period of years. For this reason, whilst
the Act very properly prescribes that the
day of election shall be at as early period
after the proclamation as is consistent with
due notice thereof to the people. the .n-
teryening period ought to be sufficiently
long to enable them thoroughly to under.
stand the question in all its bearings and
consequences. / shall have ten thousand
copies of the Act printed in this city and
forwarded to you Immediately for Cir
culation.
You UiH not probably convene tie Board
until after The appointment Of a neso District
dttorney for Tie Territory. A nomination
: for this purpose viii be sent to the Senate
on Monday next. Should you deem il
advisable, you are at liberty to publish the
whole or any part of these instructions.
The President wishes TO give every assur.
snce to the people of Kansas. that he
desires above all things. that there shall
be fair expression Of the popular viii a
the election, and that che result may be, e
produce peace and harmony smong them.
selves and promote their lasting welfare
am, Sir, your obj seTv't.
: LEWIS CASS.