partial judges, and the presence of the United States troops at every place of election.

Eighth. That the various elections held by the people of the Territory, preliminary to the formation of the State government, have been as regular as the disturbed condition of the Territory would allow; and that the Constitution passed by the convention held in pursuance of such elections embodies the will of the majority of the people."

The appointment of this committee was the work of the anti-slavery sentiment in the House, supported by those who desired the development of truth. Many of the people of the North imagined that the Kansas difficulties grew in an equal measure out of the distinct factions of settlers, pro-slavery and free state men, each aided and abetted by societies in the States. Others were disposed to regard accounts of invasion and outrages by Border Ruffians as greatly exaggerated. The appointment of this Committee was hailed with feelings of satisfaction in the North, as being the means of exhibiting the true status of affairs in the Territory of Kansas, and shaping the action of Congress in accordance with the wishes of the actual settlers.

On the other hand, the appointment of this Committee was bitterly opposed by pro-slavery men. Ninety-three voted against it in the IIouse of Representatives, and one hundred and one for it. They had no desire to have matters settled in Kansas equitable and just to both parties interested. They fully knew the character of the proceedings of the Missourians, and had been advisory to them all. From the very beginning of the Kansas controversy, they had resolved that Kansas should be made a slave State, regardless of the means employed. They, therefore, desired no peaceable settlement of the question, unless it should be by surrendering Kansas up to slavery without a struggle.

Stung to madness by the prospect of having their black designs and vicious conduct exposed to the world, and the cause of justice vindicated, the Border Ruffians plunged

into greater excesses of oppression and wickedness. Contempt for the General Government was openly declared, that Kansas should be made a slave State at every hazard, and in case of any interference on the part of Congress, the Union should be shivered into fragments.

They immediately began to carry out their previous and oft-repeated threats of war and extermination. The idea of blockading the Missouri was first announced in the Squatter Sovereign," in these words :

"We suggest the propriety of the Border Ruffians' establishing a Quarantine, some where between St. Louis and Kansas City, where all steam boats may be searched, and the infectious political papers be prevented from tainting the air of Kansas Territory with their presence. We see no impropriety in, and should they not do it, they will have to bear the name of having so done. Have they not been branded as Ruffians,' Cut-throats,' Robbers' and 'Traitors-if they are to bear such names, let them do something, we say, that will entitle them to the 'honor.' We are opposed to receiving something for nothing. We suggest Lexington as a suitable place for the establishment of a Political Quarantine."

6

This suggestion, which seemed ridiculous at first, was subsequently practically carried out. On the 9th of March the steamer "Arabia" was detained at Lexington, and a lot of Sharp's rifles, in the care of Mr. Hoyt, designed for the free state men, were taken off and retained by a mob. Henceforth we shall repeatedly notice the searching of boats, the indignities heaped upon free state passengers, and their frequent arrest and detention, until we shall see the Missouri River entirely blockaded against free state emigrants.

The Rev. Pardee Butler, as he was passing through Atchison, on the 30th of March, was again seized by a mob and subjected to gross indignities. The Ruffians, principally Southerners, headed by Robert S. Kelly, gave him a mock trial, first sentenced him to be hung, but after

wards changed it. They stripped him of his clothing to the waist, then applied tar and "cotton wool" to his body. Placing him in his buggy they conducted him to the suburbs of the city, and sent him home to his family on Stranger Creek, with the emphatic assurance that if they should catch him in Atchison again, they would certainly hang him.

The Investigating Committee made their report on the 1st of July to the House. The Committee on Contested Elections soon after introduced a resolution to oust Mr. Whitfield and admit Mr. Reeder, which was lost by 196 nays to 3 yeas. The question was divided and the resolution ousting Mr. Whitfield was passed, August 4, by 110 yeas to 92 nays; while the resolution admitting Mr. Reeder was defeated by 113 nays to 88 yeas.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE LEADING FREE STATE MEN ARRESTED, OR DRIVEN FROM THE

TERRITORY.

In April emigration from the different States in the Union began pouring into the Territory. In consequence of the threatening prospect of Kansas, a general interest and sympathy was felt for her free state settlers. Public meetings were held, speeches made, and exhortations given, for men to go to the rescue of the overpowered free state men in Kansas. Though many came to find homes in the Territory, yet others came more especially on account of the anticipated conflict. They came armed, prepared for, and expecting, a battle.

Among those who had gone East to lecture on Kansas difficulties, was Mr. S. N. Wood. He had left Kansas soon after the Wakarusa war to escape arrest by Sheriff Jones. He returned in April with a party of about one hundred from Ohio. Mr. Wood was identified with the free state movement from the beginning, and contributed much to its success. He is a genius in his way; extremely radical, always in politics and always elected. He is as aspiring, scheming and ambitious as Lane was, but a better man in principle and morals. He is now a Kansas Judge, and resides at Cotton Wood Falls.

Emigration likewise poured in from the South in great numbers. They were chiefly young men, of vicious and

reckless characters. They were a mercenary set of rogues, who had been hired to come out and subdue Kansas. Their expenses were paid, a year's support guaranteed, and a promise of a homestead given. We have already noticed the preparation of the South to send out men to maintain slavery in Kansas. They came armed, as we have seen, and desired and expected a fight.

The chief band of Southern emigrants that came into the Territory this spring was led by Colonel Buford. They were a desperate class of young men, composed chiefly of thieves and robbers from Southern cities. They robbed their leader of a considerable sum of money on their way up the Missouri River, and soon fell into disrepute with the Missourians. On arriving at Kansas City, they were drawn up in military array and called upon to sign a pledge, and in the most sacrilegious manner, upon their bended knees, gave an oath that they would not leave Kansas until it was made a slave State; that they would be ready to fight for "Southern rights whenever called upon; that they would never vote anything but the pro-slavery ticket, and should be subject to the direction of their leaders," &c. A business contract was likewise promulgated, which created dissatisfaction, because the Southern youths declared it different from that which had been presented on their setting out. They were quartered for some time along the Border, and supported by contributions from the South and levies upon the Border towns. We shall narrate some of the flagrant acts and brutal outrages committed by these Southern gentry during the following summer.

Not all of these Southern emigrants were rogues. Some were high minded and honorable young men, many of whom soon became disgusted with the whole pro-slavery proceedings in Kansas and returned home.

The persecutions were commenced by attempts on the part of Territorial authorities to arrest free state men for old or trivial offenses. On the 19th of April Sheriff Jones