Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-03-05
LETTER FROM KANSAS.

TO the Editor Of The Boston Journoi
The testimony before the Legislative In
vcstgating Commission grows decidedly rich.
Those politicians and presses that habitually
denouncc all stories Of election frauds in
Kansas as abolition lies. should read and
make a note ont"
On Saturday evening the appearance of
twenty horsemon, armed with Sharpes rifles,
riding at full gallop into the streets Of Law
renee, disturbed somewhat the ordinary quiet
of affairs. And when a rumor was started.
and spread like wldfrc through the town
that they brought as prisoner. Gen. Nc
Lean, (of election returns, woodpilc notoric-
/ ty.) the feeling was most intense. In less
time than have been writing this paragraph,
an eager and excited crowd gathered in front
Of Cen Lane office, where the company had
halted.
But the real state Of the case was soon
made known. They were posse of the Ser
geants-at-arms Of the Investigating Commits
son who had Just returned from Johnson
County, bringing with them four persons who
knew more than they should of the gross
frauds perpetratcd at Shawnee. in that coun-
ty, at the election of the fourth of January
A session of the Commission was immedi-
ately held and continued far into 1.-THE small
hours.
Two Of the witnesses were Judges Of the
election at that precinct. They testified that
their signatures to the returns Cof over 900
votes were genuine that they had not signed
the certificates, however but at the solicita-
ton of other parties had simply written their
names at the foot of a blank sheet of paper
with the understanding that the names of the
voters were TO be copied above them; that
the whole number of votes polod was iess
HoH three ht1drcd
{. C. Godfray, the next and most impor-
tant witness, was at first reluctant TO testify
fully: but after some attempts TO eyadc H. at
last made a clean breast of the matter. under
the promise that be should be permitted TO
return home in safety. He is a young man
of about twcnty-thrcc. and gave his evidence
very ENORMOUSLY lie appeared TO have no
just conception whatever Of the enormity Of
the crime in which be had participated
lie was one Of the clerks of the election
lie testified that the last man who voted was
Mr. Bailey, who gave in his ballot at 9
o'clock at night Bailcy's name is numbered
1863 ON the returns, and witness Thought that
.l63) the full number of votes poilcd The
next morning after the election. witness went
over TO Wcstport, No. accompanied los his
fellow clerk, and there, IN "a room in the store
of Col. Boone. they aldcd sercral hundred
names 10 he iis, ~ roiers
These names were read to them by a son
Of the notorious Rev Tom johnson and Sow
eral other pro-slavery men, from some book
or catalogue. Colonel Danforth of West
port was the instigator of the scheme. the
whole thing having been done under his per-
sona directions Dmforth is known To-
have had q long colloquy with Calhoun just
before starting for shawnee. and was cone
cerncd in the frauds at several of the other
precincts of Johnson County. Both he and
Jack Henderson unquostiunably acted upon
Calhoun's instructions
Spring Hin In the same county cast twenty
four Free State and six pro-slavcry votes.
These returns were never received hy CAL
houu. according to his statements One of
the pro-siavery witnesses, named Brown.
swore that they were given TO him TO take to
Calhoun. but that he lost them on he r1yl
1t is by such means as these that the Free
state men have been insulted and outraged at
every election in Kansas. IL is by such
means as these that the Lecompton constitu-
ton has received all the claims to validity
that il possesses What a solemn mockerv
that the President, in an official paper. should
recommend its ratification by Congress as a
just and practicable adjustment of the Kan
sas difficulties
DR.. Sabin Of Brownyillc. in this Territory,
testified that about two weeks previous to the
election Of the 18th of January. he overheard
conversation in the Virginia Hotel, jefferson
City, between Frank Marshall and Gov.
Stewart of Missouri According to his tes-
tmony. Gov. Stewart told Marshall in detail.
that arrangements had been perfected by
which voters were to be sent over from Mis-
souri,, at vatious points along the border
A Free state Mass Meeting was held in
Representatives Hall on Saturday. Mayor
Adams Of Loavenworth presided and A. d.
Richardson and S. F. Tappan were elected
Secretaries. Gen. Lane replied to the Prcsi-
dents Message in pithy speech. of which l
send you full report. The meeting contin-
ucd through the day and evening; and was
addressed by many different speakers. The
principal topic under discussion was the de-
tajL of the policy to be pursued, should the
Lecompton Constitution pass Congress. There
was some difference of opinion expressed !;
but every speaker, with onecxcepton. agreed
that if all other means Of redress were cut
off, and the certificates given to pro-slayery
men elected through fraud, an appeal to arms
must be made A. d. r.
HAurroRp, Feb 2G-The Democrats met
tonight to appoint delegates to their State
Convention. The meeting was large and
excited one. The Douglas delegates were
chosen 10y vote of nearly two to one.
LAFAYETTE, INp., Feb 26.-Thc United
States Marshal for this State made descent
upon gang of counterieitors in this place at
noon to-day, and arrested ten or twelve OF
them. A large amount Of bogus coin was
discovered. The gang has long infested this
vicinity.
~ Purchasers OF Fancy Goods, Toys and Yankee
Notions Of any de.enpn1n--nr Fire Mnrk.-eal % the