The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-01-22

i-e-s From Ne J5vsos z7sfer.
Special Message from the Governor Of Missouri.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House Of Rep
resentatiUes
Some time in May last. the Executive
Department received Information that an
armed and lawless force, umbering. sew
eral hundred men, was quartered in Kan
sas Territory, near the Missouri line, and
threatening to invade the State and had
made incursions into the counties Of Cas-
and Bates, committing acts Of personal
violence and pluulering and robbing our
citizens The people OF those counties
became greatly alarmed, and many Of
them along the line abandoned their
homes. Even some of the towns had
been visited by bsndits, and. it was sta
ted, had been threatened with destruction.
Under these circumstances. an appeal
was made to the Executive for the means
of protection. Adjutant General Parsons
was accordingly dispatched to the border,
under instructions to there learn the actu-
al state of facts, the causes of the difficult
ties, and the probability OF their recur-
renee; also to ascertain what steps were
necessary to provide our citiseus with ade-
quate protection, and, il it became neces-
sary, to at once enroll a sufficient volun-
teer force to accomplish that purpose. He
was also instructed, if he deemed it nec-
essary, to organize. military companies in
the counties most convenient to the scene
Of difficulties. taking care to direct tina.
none of the force thus called into service
be allowed to cross the line into Kansas,
or to do any other act of az aggressive
character.
General Parsons having satisfied himself
that numerous other acts had already been
committed, and that there was cause 70
apprehend further incursions into the
State, organized several companies in the
counties mentioned aud they were fur.
nished with arms BY Quartermaster Gen
Hackney, who accompanied AdjutanI
Gen. Parsons for tn at purpose.
These measures served, for q time, Il
prevent the threatened invasions, but the
people along the line who had beer
driven from their homes, were, by The
presence of the same armed force in the
vicinity, deferred from returning, and i
was urged that they could not cultivat,
their farms and protect themselves, and
therefore, were entitled to aid from othe
sources.
, In consequence of these representations
I, on August 7th, wrote TO General Den
yer, then the Executive of Kansas, inform
: ing him that it might become necessary
, to station an armed force along the border
in Missouri, for purposes of protection a
the same time soliciting his earnest coop
: Grafton with the authorities Of this State
E in their efforts to preserve the peace. And
! regarding it the duty Of the Federal Gov
, eminent to suppress bands of outlaws or
ganized within the limits of Territories
under its immediate control, /, on the GIL
, IF the same month, addressed the Presi
, dent of the United States, document
marked "A") soliciting the aid of thu
General Government in the protection o
our citizens, and in the preservation o
e the peace, so necessary to the prosperit.
0 of our people.
An answer from the War Department,
document marked "B") informed m
that no available troops were known Il
$ said Departures t which could then be s.
: employed. Doubts were also insinuate'
q Of the expediency of employing Unitet
! States troops against Glands of civil ma
rauders."
Gov. Denver, in response to my letter
e expressed regrets that the course ha,
e indicated should be thought necessary
and hoped that the necessity might
obviated, assuring me that he would do al
in his power to suppress the evil com
planned of.
For time the difficulties seemed t
;, subside, and consequently no further el
o forts were made on the part of the author
:, tiles of this State. Recently, however,
small party, led, it is stated, by the sam
. chief, has made an ineursion into tn
IT State, committing murder and robbery
- and, as stated in affidavits herewith sui
o mitted, documents marked "C' and 3D.
and petition signed by sundry citizen
of Vernon county, document marke
y "E'') driving off ten negroes belonging
d the citizens of the county mentioned. An
within day or two, additional advice
have been received, in which it is state
y (see document marked "F") that q regr
10 larly organized band of thieves, robbe
and midnight assassins have congregate
= in Kansas, Immediately upon the wester
Il border of Bates County, who are maxim
'e incussions into the State, taking the live
Or of our citizens, committing to the fame
,e their houses, and robbing them Of the
property.
Again the Executive Of the State is al
$, pealed to for military aid, to protect th
re border from repetition Of the evils con
" planned, OF and which they seem to ha,
= cause to apprehend. But the GoveruO
- as Commander-in- Chief, has power to ca
y the military into active service only
& cases Of rebellion, invasion, or insure
" tion." II the bandits referred to are to
= regarded merely as "civil marauders
the Sherifs of the respective counti
Us have authority, under our present milital
code, to call upon the militia to aid Il
legally constituted civil authorities in pr
serving order and enforcing the laws.
10 Unwilling to do any act that shall il
\. volve the State. or the country at large,
of undue sectional or party strife, and AM
e. ions that the border counties should enjo
a. the protection of life and property whic
nt in common with other portions Of Il
ID State, they are entitled to, I submit the
az facts for your consideration, and bespe,
Va for them your immediate attention; ho
/ ing that whatever it is possible for Il
r General Assembly to do Constitutional
Ii will be done at once.
R. NJ. STEWART.
is
40 or The Washington CORES pondent