, 1865-04-07

EDs. STATESMAN Il have been spokG to so
frequently since my return from Lewistor- in re-
gard to the movements of the Lewiston people in
relation to the Capital question, that have con
cluded to give statement of facts through your
columns.
Two weeks since Acting Governor Sldrsn, H.
G. Gibson and myself, left Walla Walla for Lew
iston, and arrived there Friday night, When
we arrived there, the citizens were land some so
expressed themselves to u.s. not expecting the
return of Mr.. Smith, but were very glad to hear
of his arrival, as he was Supposed'to have con-
siderable amount of Uncle Sans ''coin." On
Monday the Governor paid all the money out
that he intended to, and announced that ..the
Office of Secretary was closed until the Capital
question was settled" This was very unex-
pected. All eyes were turned on the Office as
there was seen boz taken into the Office by a
clerk, on Tuesday. This was enough for the
renowned Alonzo. He tried to get several
gentlemen to swear that Mr.. Smith was about
to remove the Seal and Archives. Wednesday
he succeeded in finding a man (?) to swear that
the effects of the Office were about to be removed
During this interval the Governor, wisely keep
ing his own counsel, was preparing "stragetic
movement on the boys. He was frequently out
for the benefit Of his health, horseback riding in
company with both ladies and gentlemen, and
about five o. clock the Governor proposed to Mr.
Gibson and myself, short ride, and suggested
the propriety of donning our great coats, al
though the weather was quite warmA On our
exit from Lewiston, we let our horses take a
very slow pace, and arrived at the L99wai Fort
about eight o clock in the evening e~-he Gov
ernor waited upon Captain Matthews, stated the
object Of his visit, and a consultation ensued
The Governor drew a requistion for an escort of
ten men, which was in readiness, under the
command of Lieuts. Hammer and Ryan; and
about a. m, Thursday we left the LapVai
for Walla Walla Oia Lewiston We arrivedla at
the ferry on Clearwater at / p. m. On nearing
the ferry multitude Of people could be seen
rushing down over the beach, with the inteh-
tion Ofimpeding our onward march. We UNDER
stand there was deputy U. S. Marshal, appoint
ed for the occasion, by His Hon. Judge Smith
with about a ream of foolscap paper, with char
acters on it we suppose who attempted to ap-
prOach the Governor, but the guard having in
structions of positive nature W ere not inclined
to let the Governor be approached bv any per-
son. We rode into the boat without much him
drance, and soon were across the Koos-koos-kia.
The gathered crowd used some very strong lam
guage after we were on the boat, with the view
of creating row, but all on the boat acted cool
and allowed no epithets to 'rie" them The
Governor took the escort as far as Mr. Kings,
on the AlpOwa, and then discharged them; the
small command, that had done their duty so
well returned next morning. Our small party at
9 o'clock in the morning started out for Wslla
Walla and arrived Saturday morning all safe
and sound.
Now, to the main question. The citizens of
Lewiston know that they are fighting for ques-
tion entirely illegal. They have District and
Probate Judge to do their dirty work. On Mon
day evening the bell was rung in the City for a
meeting on the Capital question, in which about
ten or fifteen persons acted, although some sixty
were present. The legal gentlemen, Messrs. Le-
land and Thayer, made urgent appeals for mon
ey, that they might carry on the question. In
that meeting heard, from men who were for
merly subscribers to the question of funds, re-
mark that ''they were broke, and "let the Cap
ital go, but still it was carried ,eitAout dis
seHtiHg DOice, to carry it on. Wonder if they will
subscribe to the list now? We are inclined to
the opinion that Mr.. Leland will have some diff
fculty in getting that balance on the ST 900.
Permit me to remark here that Mr.. Smith was
kind and pleasant to all. He remarked to me,
~ know them, and will endeavor to avoid a col
lison. will not inaugurate civil war on the
Pacific Coast if can avoid it, I was sent here
by the Government to do my duty, l believe l
know it; also believe the Capital to be at Boise
City and l am going there with IL md
archives, and whoever attempts to 4 oes
it at his peril
Governor Smith having openly announced his
intentions, there is no room for the declara-
tion that he took his gun and went "duck hunt
ing" He passed through Lewiston when he
was ready to leave; sat upon his horse, the
great seal in his pocket, one hand upon the
reins, with pleasant though determined coun-
tenance.
Mr.. Smith is now safely on his way to Boise
City, the Capital Of the Territory of Idaho, hav-
ing in less than one month performed duties
which all the civil authorities of the Territory
had, to say the least, shirked
am in hopes times will change in Lewiston,
as it is very pleasant place,
Respectfully
FRANK KBNYoN
WAILA WALLA, April 5th, 1865.