the authority of the Government, instantly to disband or quit the Territory, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.' This I had done but a short time previous with a smaller body, who entered Kansas as this had done, from an entirely different quarter, and who, upon learning my purposes, not only submitted willingly to be searched, but by my order, without a murmur, and even with cheerfulness, disbanded and dispersed.

"I addressed these people in their encampment, in regard to the present condition of the Territory, the suspicious position they occupied, and the reprehensible attitude they had assumed. I reminded them that there was no possible necessity or excuse for the existence of large armed organizations at present in the Territory. Everything was quiet and peaceful, and the very appearance of such an unauthorized and injudicious array as they presented, while it could do no possible good, was calculated, if not intended, to spread anew distrust and consternation through the Territory, and rekindle the fires of discord and strife that had swept over the land, ravaging and desolating everything that lay in their destructive path.

"Their apology for this evident and undeniable disregard of my proclamation, though somewhat plausible, was far from being satisfactory. They had made their arrangements, they said, to emigrate to Kansas at a time when the Territory was not only disturbed by antagonistic political parties, armed for each other's destruction, but when numerous bands of marauders, whose business was plunder and assassination, infested all the highways, rendering travel extremely hazardous, even though every possible means for self-protection were employed.

"This excuse loses all its pertinency when it is understood that before the party crossed the Territorial line they were apprised, through a deputation that had visited me, that the condition of things above described had ceased to exist, and that such was the true state of affairs that any person could travel the route they proposed taking, without molestation or the slightest cause for apprehension. I informed them, through their messengers, that I heartily welcomed all immigrants, from every section of the Union, who came with peaceful attitude and apparently good intentions; and that to all such I would afford ample protection. While, on the other hand, I assured them that I

would positively enforce my proclamation, and suffer no party of men, no matter whence they come, or what their political bias, to enter and travel through the Territory with hostile or warlike appearance, to the terror of peaceable citizens, and the dangers of renewing the disgraceful and alarming scenes through which we had so recently passed. It was quite evident that this party did thus enter the Territory, in defiance, not only of my proclamation, but my own verbal cautions; and I therefore fully approve of the action taken by Colonel Cooke, Major Sibley, and Deputy Marshal Preston, as well as all the officers of the army who assisted in their detention, search and guard.

After showing the necessity of so doing, I insisted upon the immediate disbandment of this combination, which was agreed to with great alacrity. The majority of the men were evidently gratified to learn that they had been deceived in relation to Kansas affairs, and that peace and quiet, instead of strife and contention, were reigning here. My remarks were received with frequent demonstrations of approbation, and at their close the organization was broken up, its members dispersing in various directions. After they had been dismissed from custody, and the fact was announced to them by Major Sibley, their thankfulness for his kind treatment towards them during the time he held them under arrest, was expressed by giving him three hearty and enthusiastic cheers.

"In concluding this hastily written letter, I must express my sincere regrets that societies exist in some of the States, whose object is to fit out such parties as the one herein described, and send them to this Territory, to their own injury and the destruction of the general welfare of the country Very many persons are induced to come out here under flattering promises, which are never fulfilled; and having neither money to purchase food and clothing, nor trades or occupations at which to earn an honest livelihood, are driven to the necessity of becoming either paupers or thieves; and such are the unfortunate men who have aided materially in filling up the measure of crimes that have so seriously affected the prosperity of Kansas. It is high time that this fact should be clearly and generally understood, This Territory, at the present season of the year, and especially under existing circumstances, offers no inducements for the immigration of the poor tradesman or laborer. The

country is overrun with hundreds who are unable to obtain employment, who live upon charity, and who are exposed to all the evils of privation, destitution and want.

"SIR-We, the undersigned, conductors of an emigrant train, who entered the Territory on the 10th instant, beg leave to make the following statement of facts, which, if required, we will attest upon our oaths.

"1. Our party numbered from 200 to 300 persons, in two separate companies, the rear company (which has not yet arrived) being principally composed of families with children, who left Mount Pleasant, Iowa, three days after this train which has arrived to-day.

We are all actual, bona fide settlers, intending, as far as we know, to become permanent inhabitants.

"3. The blockading of the Missouri river to free state emigrants, and the reports which reached us in the early part of September, to the effect that armed men were infesting and marauding the northern portions of Kansas, were the sole reasons why we came in a company and were armed.

"4. We were stopped near the northern line of the Territory by the United States troops, acting, as we understood, under the orders of one Preston, Deputy United States Marshal; and after stating to the officers who we were and what we had, they commenced searching our wagons-in some instances breaking open trunks and throwing out wearing apparel upon the ground in the rain-taking arms from the wagons, wresting some private arms from the hands of men, carrying away a lot of sabres belonging to a gentleman in the Territory, as also one and a half kegs of powder, percussion caps, and some cartridges; in consequence of which we were detained about two-thirds of a day, taken prisoners, and are now presented to you.

"All that we have to say is that our mission to this Territory is entirely peaceful. We have no organization, save

a police organization, for our own regulations and defense on the way. And coming in that spirit to this Territory, we claim the rights of American citizens to bear arms, and to be exempt from unlawful search or seizure.

"Trusting to your integrity or impartiality, we have confidence to believe that our property will be returned to us, and that all that has been wrong will be righted.

"We have subscribed ourselves, cordially and truly, your friends and fellow-citizens.

"S. W. ELDRIDGE, Conductor. "SAMUEL C. POMEROY,

"JOHN A. PERRY,

"To His Excellency, JOHN W. GEARY, Governor of Kansas Territory.

The above letter of Governor Geary clearly shows his prejudices and partialities at that time. It is a querry when he alludes to "a smaller body which had entered Kansas as this has done, from an entirely different quarter, and who on hearing my purposes to disband armed bodies, not only submitted willingly to be searched, but by my orders, without a murmur, with cheerfulness disbanded and dispersed," whether he alludes to the Border Ruffians who thronged the country around Lawrence, burnt Osawattomie, killed Frederick Brown, Williamson, Garrison, Keiser, Buffum, &c., who would not read his proclamation, pay any attention to his agents, disowned his authority, and whom he himself by persuasion and the display of United States troops prevailed upon with difficulty to abandon their deadly purposes. If he did not allude to this circumstance, he at least failed to mention it in his letter to the Secretary. The vain Governor vainly imagined that he could restore peace and tranquillity to Kansas, and save the credit of the Democratic party. He had to learn that Border Ruffians and the administration at Washington did not care a fig for him nor the Democratic party.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

PEACE-ARREST OF THE FREE STATE LEGISLATURE.

On the last day of September Governor Geary wrote to the Secretary of State, at Washington: "Peace now reigns in Kansas. Confidence is being gradually restored. Settlers are returning to their claims. Citizens are resuming their ordinary pursuits, and a general gladness pervades the community."

The guerrilla bands had been broken up and had disappeared; houses were no longer robbed and burnt; women could safely traverse the highways, and the citizens had begun to resume their peaceful labors. Prosperity and quiet once again dawned upon the distracted country. In various localities disturbances yet existed, and numerous complaints reached the Governor respecting them. He cited them to the local authorities for a redress of their grievances, and urged upon these officers prompt and efficient action. These were encouraged by the assurance that they should be backed by the power of the United States troops in the discharge of their duties, and soon the jarring and disturbing elements in every locality were removed through the proper exertion of the municipal authorities. United States troops protected loaded wagons from Westport, Leavenworth and Kansas City to all the towns in the Territory, and secured them against any danger of being robbed. The Governor almost daily received complaints of the