Year: 1861

MENDOZA, Feb. Is 1861.
Editors Chicago Tribune:


By appointment from the late acting
Governor Of Kansas forward to-day a
memorial from the Legislature of Kan
sas to the Governors and Legislatures
Of the States whose Legislatures, arc
now in session, as follows:


TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE
STATE.


The legislative assembly of the Terri
tory Of Kansas would respectfully and
earnestly represent, that the people OF
Kansas have suffered during the past
summer from one Of the most severe
drouths ever before known in the his
tory Of this or .lny other country. We
do not deem it necessary to spread be-
fore you detailed account Of the hard
ships consequent upon this state Of
things. We will only say that we are
amazed, whenever called to contemplate
the severity and extent of the calamity.
Not less than THIRTY THOUSAND PER-
SONS are now and will be dependant for
subsistence upon outside resources until
our next harvest, and in addition to the
necessity Of provisions and clothing, a
large amount Of seed wheat, corn and
potatoes will be required ut an early
day, or the citizens of Kansas must to
some extent remain bcneficiarics upon
Eastern liberality for the year to come.


The snow which has fallen in immense
quantities all over our country, burying
beyond the reach of our stock the prin-
cipal source of our substance which re-
manned for them in the dry grass Of the
prairies, must inevitably cause the death
by starv alton Of 4 large portion of our
cattle, while ut the same time the roads
arc rendered impossible and the people
exposed to greatly increased privation
and suffering from the difficulty OF
reaching the points where food is to be
obtained. From these causes we have
great reason to apprehend that our con-
dition in the spring must be most help
less and hopeless, without liberal and
prompt response to this appeal.


We are assured from the office Of the
Relief Committee at Atchinson, that the
indications are daily becoming more
and more alarming, III consequence OF
falling off Of private donations, and we
are I'd to take some measure to pro-
vide for the worst that may yet be in
the future. We are especially desirous
to procure from Legislative bencfciaries
the means of furnishing our people at
least one hundred thousand bushels Of
seed wheat, and sntficiency Of corn
and potatoes also, for spring plant
ing.


Our position is one Of extreme trial.
Already overwhelmed with deep sense
Of obligation to sympathizing friends in
the East who have hitherto, under the
kind promptings Of generous hearts,
opened wide their hands for our relief,
we are still impclled by painful necessi-
ty, from what We know ofthe condition
Of the country, to renew our appeal, ad.
dressing ourselves in this instance to
the concentrated generosity Of our East
ern friends, as represented in the Lcgis.
lative assemblies now in session.


We ask, therefore, that the condition
of our people may be considered, and as
seed time is rapidly approaching, we
earnestly desire that whatever is done
to save us, as people from aprolonga.
ton Of our destitution and suffering be.
yond another harvest, be done speed.
".


While we deplorc some Of the sad ef
fects Of our present severe weather and
storms Of snow, we recognize behind
the cloud the benignant designs of .
kind Providence in preparing our sol
by q process pre-eminently adapted te
the end desired for an early and success
full spring culture.


The Territorial Relief Committee have
an office at the city Of Atchison, anl
they have the confidence Of the peopl.
Of the country, and We believe an,
funds committed to them will be wisel,
faithfully and equally distributed Owe
the Territory, according to the necessi
ties Of the people hut those who ma.
peefer to disburse their charities through
; other channels, will Of course consul
their own judgment in the matter.


| With grateful Acknowledgements 70