THE TRIBUNE ALMANAC; Dear its mouth, and narrows toward its source. of New-York, an amendment, providing that all During the next session of Congress, the Mis- HISTORY. "And be it further enacted, That in all that territory ceded by France to the United States, under the name Kansas was annexed to the United States by of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six degrees virtus of a treaty with France concluded at Paris thirty minutes north latitude, excepting only such State contemplated by this act, slavery and involunon the 30th of April, 1808. It formed a portion of part thereof as is included within the limits of the the vast tract of country then ceded to us by ary servitude, otherwise, than in the punishment of France, known as the "Louisiana Purchase." crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly conThe act authorizing the President [Thomas Jef-victed, shall be and is hereby for ever prohibited: ferson] to take possession of Louisiana, including Provided always, That any person escaping into the the territories now known as Indian, Kansas, Ne-same from whom labor or service is lawfully claim. such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed, and conbraska, Minnesota, and the States of Arkansas, ed in any State or Territory of the United States, Missouri and Iowa, was approved October 31st, veyed to the person elaiming his or her labor or ser1808, and on the 10th of the following November vice as aforesaid." This proposition had the desired effect. Mr. the act authorizing the creation of a stock to the amount of eleven million two hundred and fifty Storrs of New-York proposed the same amendment in the House, and it was adopted on the thousand dollars for the purpose of carrying into effect the convention of the 30th of April, 1808, first of March, 1620, by a vote of 91 to 82. The between the United States and the French Reand the next lay the Senate adopted this celepublic, and making provision for the payment of restrictions on slavery in Missouri were given up, the same," was approved. On the same day an brated Compromise measure without a division. The question of substituting this compromise act was approved "Making provision for the amendment for the amendments restricting slapayment of claims of citizens of the United States on the Government of France, the payment of which has been assumed by the United very in Missouri was decided in the affirmative in States by virtue of the convention of the 30th of the House by a vote of 184 to 42. The same proApril, 1803, between the United States and the position in the Senate was adopted by a vote French Republic." This act provided for the of 38 to 11. The two Houses thus concurring payment of three millions seven hundred and with each other, the bill passed, and Missouri was fifty thousand dollars. So that the entire cost of to be admitted as a Slave State without any recondition that Siavery should be for ever prothe Louisiana Purchase to the government of the striction or limitation as to Stavery, on the express United States was fifteen millions of dollars. [As hibited in all territory of the United States north CONFIRMATIONS OF THE COMPROMISE. is well known, there are still claims against our gov ernment by American citizens for alleged French On the admission of Texas in 1845, by a spoliations; but these grew out of captures and confiscations of our vessels prior to 1800, which our government by the treaty of that year agreed, joint resolution of March 1st, the Missouri Comfor a valuable consideration, to satisfy or waive; promise was reaffirmed, and its operation exconsequently, these have nothing to do with the tended, by the third article of the second seoThose out of such portion of the said territory lying Louisiana purchase, and the treaty of 1808 pro- tion declaring that such States as my be formed vided only for more recent spoliations. of 86 80. of an older date have been repeatedly urged south of 86° 30 north latitude, commonly known upon Congress, sometimes rejected, and oftener as the Missouri Compromise line, shall be admit Postponed, repeatedly passed one House or an-ted with or without Slavery as the people of each other, and twice passed both branches, when State asking admission may desire, and in States they were vetoed by Presidents Polk and Pierce formed north of that line Slavery shall be prohibrespectively. It now seems exceedingly dubious ited. [See joint resolutions in Whig Almanac that they will ever be paid at all. Their amount for 1846.] is estimated at $5,000,000.] THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE. When the admission of Oregon was under consideration, August 10th, 1848, Mr. Douglas moved an amendment recognizing the Missouri On the 18th of December, 1818, the petition of line and extending it to the Pacific. All the the Legislature of Missouri Territory, asking for Southern Senators voted for this proposition, and the admission of that Territory into the Union as it was adopted by a vote of 38 to 21. The House, a State, was presented to Congress. A bill ens however, non-concurred in the amendment by bodying the views of the petitioners was framed a vote of 121 to 82. The Senate receded, and The Compromise measures of 1850, though they and on the 19th of February an amendment pro-a clause excluding slavery was adopted instead. hibiting the further introduction of Slavery or involuntary servitude was adopted by a vote of failed when aggregated, were separately adopted. 87 to 76 in the House of Representatives. On They embrace-1st. An act to establish the the 15th of March, on motion of James Tallmadge northern and western boundary of Texas, and pay that State and her creditors ten millions, for the, EXECUTIVE. JUDICIARY. relinquishment of her claims to New-Mexico-A. H. Reeder of Penn., lately Governor, $2,500 with a proviso that nothing therein contained Daniel Woodson of Arkansas, Secretary...2,000 shall be construed to impair the validity of the third article of the second section of the joint Samuel Dexter Lecompte, Chief Justice...$2,000 resolution of March the 1st, 1815-(the article Sanders N. Johnston, Associate Justice.....2,000 Rush Elmore, do. SQUATTER LAWS. 250 which reaffirmed the Missouri Compromise line ;) do......2,000 and, the establishment of the Territorial government of New-Mexico; 8d, the establishment of Andrew J. Isaacs, Attorney, fees.......... J. B. Donaldson, Marshal, fees... ....... 800 the Territorial government of Utah; 4th, the adAll these were appointed for a term of four mission of California; 5th. The passage of the Fugitive Slave act; and 6th, the suppression of the years, commencing in 1854. Slave Trade in the District of Columbia. All these important measures were agreed to in con- On the 12th of August, 1854, there was a meetjunction with the reaffirmation of the Missouri ing of settlers held at the house of Mr. Miller, at Compromise of 1820; thus the conditions of sus- Millersburgh, when the Mutual Settlers' Associataining that compact may be stated as embracing tion of Kansas Territory was formed, and laws the following most important compacts among the for the mutual recognition of land-claims under people of the United States during the course of due restrictions were agreed to, embracing, the thirty years' legislation: following features: 1st. The admission of Missouri as a Slave State. 2d. The admission of Texas. 1. Recognizing the right of every citizen to a claim of 240 acres, 80 of timber and 160 of prai8d. The organization of Oregon Territory, rie land; the claim to be secured by improvement (so far at least as the votes of the Southern and residence, which must commence within sixty Seaators and Representatives could bring it into days from the entry of the claim, on either the this category.) prairie or timber land, which is to secure the claim to both. 4th. The establishment of the Texan boundary. 5th. The organization of the Territory of NewMexico. 6th. The organization of the Territory of Utah. 9th. The suppression of the Slave Trade in the District of Columbia. 2. Single persons and females allowed to secure their claims by residing in the Territory, without residing on their claims. Persons allowed a day additional to the time provided above for every five miles they may have to travel to reach their families. 8. No person to hold, directly or indirectly, All these great measures the people have con-more than one claim. sented to on condition of the Missouri compact 4. No person allowed to enter any previously being maintained, and Slavery for ever struck out marked claim. from the Territory north of 86° 80', embraced in 5. Persons neglecting to improve within the the Louisiana Purchase; and yet, by the amend-specified time to forfeit their claims, which can ment of Mr. Douglas to his own Nebraska-Kan-then be taken up by any other citizen. sas bill, it is declared that the legislation of 1850 6. Any person to point out the extent of us (embracing the last six features of the legis-claim whenever another may wish to ascertain it. lative compact just enumerated) is "inconsist 7. Claimant to make oath that his claim does ent with the Missouri Compromise," which is not infringe on that of any other person. therefore" inoperative and void." ORGANIZATION. 8. Form of application for registry to describe the claim and date of its selection. 9. On the survey of the Territory, the settlers The Bill organizing the Territories of Kansas to deed and re-deed to each other, so as to secure and Nebraska was the greatest and most absorb-to each the amount of land specified as the ing topic of the first session of the 334 Congress. Jamount of claim. The following are its most important features: 10 to 13, inclusive, provide for the appoint 1. It repeals the Missouri restriction, declaring ment of a Chief Justice, a Register and Marshal, it to be inconsistent with the acts of 1850, known and a Treasurer, and define their duties. as the Compromise measures. 14. The limits of the Association to be the 2. This Governor and Judges of each Terri-waters of the Wakarusa and Kansas Rivers and tory are to be appointed by the President and the territory between the same, from the mouth Senate. of the Wakarusa up to the Shawnee purchase. 15 to 21 provide for the election and removal of officers by a majority of members, and other incidental regulations. 8. The bill is declared not to revive the old French laws regarding Slavery. This bill, after an ever-memorable contest, passed the Senate on the fourth of March, 1854, by a vote of 87 to 14. A similar bill passed the House of Representatives on the morning of Tuesday, May the 23d, 1854, by a vote of 113 to 100. See Whig Almanac for 1855, list of Yeas and Nays in either House. The first officers elected were: Chief Justice, John A. Wakefield; Register, J. W. Hayes; Mar. shal, Wm. Lykins; Treasurer, Wm. Lyon. SLAVERY EXTENSION SCHEMES. In the Congress of 1852-8, an act was passed The House bill passed the Senate on the morn-appropriating $50,000 for the purpose of treating ing of Tuesday, May the 27th, 1854, without the with the Indians for certain lands held by them Yeas and Nays being taken. The act was im-jin the territory west of the Missouri. But little mediately approved by the President. progress, however, was made in perfecting treaties until the Pro-Slavery scheme, comprehending the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the OFFICERS OF KANSAS. The first officers of the Territory appointed by extension of slavery into Free territory, had bethe President are as follows: come a marked feature of our ascendant policy. tions. When this great scheme was developed, instead cluded by declaring in favor of the extension of of a commissioner being sent to the Indians to Negro Slavery into Kansas. treat with them in the usual public manner, dele- On the 20th of Sept., 1854, Senator Atchison adgations from each tribe were hurried off to Wash-dressed the citizens at Atchison City, when he ington, where the treaties were made in a private stated that he was entirely devoted to the intermanner, so that neither the tribes most interested, ests of the South; that he had thought the Misnor the public, were allowed to know anything souri Compromise ought to be repealed. He had about the conditions of the treaties. The Indian pledged himself to vote for no Territorial organagents, the Senate, and the particular friends of ization that would not annul it; and with this the administration, alone knew what was going feeling in his heart he had desired to be chairman on. These individuals circulated the story that of the Committee on Territories; and if he could no citizen would be allowed to take claims or get that position, he would immediately resign his settle on the lands ceded by the Indians to the post as President pro tem. of the Senate. Senagovernment until the surveys were made and the tor Douglas requested twenty-four hours to conlands offered at public sale. At the time these sider the matter; and if at the expiration of that intrigues were in progress, Senator Atchison pri-time she could not introduce such a bill as he (Atvately telegraphed to his friends in Missouri to go chison) proposed, which would at the same time and take possession of the most desirable loca-laccord with his own sense of right and justice to This information was circulated secretly; the South, he would resign as chairman of the and thousands of the Pro-Slavery party swarmed Territorial Committee, and in Democratic caucus over the country before those not in the secret exert his influence to get him (Atchison) apwere apprised of what was going on. These men pointed in his stead. At the expiration of the banded together to prevent anti-slavery men time, Douglas signified his intention to report from settling in the Territory. Clubs were formed such a bill as had been suggested. in Missouri, and the regular organization of a Sept. 1st, 1854, the citizens in Weston, Mo., Pro-Slavery party was the result. finding that the policy pursued by the StringfeiThe plan of operations adopted was this: It low party was doing great injury to their trade being ascertained where a company of slave- by diverting custom from the town, held a meetholders and their friends desired to settle, the In-ing, when resolutions were adopted declaring that dian Department at Washington sends on for a the rights and privileges of the citizens of Weston deputation of the tribe owning the desired lands. had been disregarded, infringed, and grievously This deputation goes to Washington; once there, violated by certain members of the Platte County it cedes the coveted lands. Immediately, private Self-Defensive Association; that the security, doinformation is sent to the neighboring slave-mestic quiet, and sacred honor of their sons and holders that all is ready; and they take posses-daughters had been disrespected and vilely assion before outsiders know that a treaty has been persed by mob violence; that they, the citizens made or the lands sold to the Government at all. of Weston, are order-loving, law-abiding people, In this way, many of the best sites in the Terri-loving the South much, but the Union better; distory were taken up by Missouri slaveholders. approving of the Bayless resolutions; and solicitOn the 29th July, 1854, a meeting was held at ing merchants to purchase their goods wherever Weston, Mo. It had been called by the "Platte it is most advantageous, and holding that every County Self-Defensive Association." On motion man is entitled to equal respect and confidence of Dr. Bayless, resolutions were adopted declaring until his conduct proves him unworthy of the that the association, whenever called upon by any same; with other declarations of freedom from of the citizens of Kansas Territory, will hold itself the restraints sought to be imposed upon the citi in readiness together to assist in removing any zene of Weston by the Self-Defensive Association. and all emigrants who go there under the auspices A few days before the first Kansas election of the Northern Emigration Aid societies, and re- under the Nebraska Act, Gen. Stringfellow, adcommending to the citizens of other counties bor-dressing a crowd at St. Joseph, Mo., laid down dering on Kansas Territory to adopt regulations the following programme of operations for the similar to those of this association. The resolu- contest: tions were signed by G. Galloway, President, and B. F. Stringfellow, Secretary. "I tell you to mark every scoundrel among you that On the 9th of August, a meeting was held at is the least tainted with Free-Soilism or Abolitionism, Platte City, when the resolutions of the Weston and exterminate him. Neither give nor take quarter meeting were amended, by adding to them ex- from the d-d rascals. I propose to mark them in this house, and on the present occasion, so you may pressions declaring" that those who are not for us crush them out. To those who have qualms of conare against us; that those who hate slaveholders science as to violating laws, State or National, the have no right to slaveholders' money; that the time has come when such impositions must be disre purpose of the association is to trade with friends garded, as your rights and property are in danger; and to let enemies alone so long as they let alone and I advise you, one and all, to enter every election the Association; also recommending that mer-district in Kansas, in defiance of Reeder and his vile chanta make their purchases in the cities of the myrmidons, and vote at the point of the bowie-knife and revolver. Neither give nor take quarter, as our Slaveholding States, and that they purchase for- case demands it. It is enough that the slaveholding eign products from those who import directly interest wills it, from which there is no appeal. What from Europe. Another meeting of the Associa- right has Gov. Reeder to rule Missourians in Kansas! tion was held on the 12th August, at Weston, His proclamation and prescribed oath must be repnwhen Mr. B. F. Stringfellow offered resolutions diated. It is your interest to do so. Mind that slavery is established where it is not prohibited." declaring that Negro Slavery, as it exists in our country, is neither a moral nor a political evil to the White race, because it makes color, not money, the mark which distinguishes classes; that the condition of the negro is better as a slave than it has ever been in freedom. The resolutions con GOV. REEDER. Governor Reeder arrived at Fort Leavenworth on the 6th of October, 1854, accompanied by his private secretary and the Attorney-General. 1 On Saturday, October 19th, he proceeded to Lawrence, where he was met by the citizens, and offering his vote. He must then have commenced Gen. Pomroy delivered an address of welcome, an actual inhabitancy, which he actually intends to which he replied, declaring his intention to to continue permanently, and he must have made maintain, as far as possible, law and order in the the Territory his residence, to the exclusion of Territory-to preserve the purity of the ballot-any other home. In case any election is conbox and the right of free speech. tested, the parties aggrieved must bring the mat On the 15th of November, he was waited upon ter before the Governor, who shall determine the at his residence at Fort Leavenworth by Messrs. case between the parties contesting. This proF. Gwinner, D. A. N. Grover, Robt. Ü. Miller, clamation was very unsatisfactory to the Slavery Wm. F.. Dyer, and Alfred Jones, who professed Propagandists. to be a committee appointed by a meeting of On the 9th of April, 1855, a proclamation was Kansas citizens, held at Leavenworth the day issued, purporting to come from "citizens of before, with a memorial urging an immediate Kansas," declaring that A. H. Reeder had proved election for a Territorial Legislature. The Gov-himself unfit for the position of Governor; that ernor received them with politeness, but requested the appointment of a Governor without reference that they would furnish him with a copy of the to the wishes of the governed, is an exercise of proceedings of said meeting, so that he might be arbitrary power; and appointing the 28th day satisfied that they were acting under the direction of April for the election by the people of a Govof citizens of Kansas Territory. On the 20th of ernor, at Leavenworth city. On the 30th of March, an army of 5,000 men, November, the Governor received a communication from the same parties, dated the 17th inst., from Missouri, regularly officered and disciplined, but with no post-mark to show whence it came and liberally supplied with rations and whiskey, or where it was mailed. It declined furnishing a and backed up with artillery, seized on all the polls copy of the proceedings of the meeting, declared in each election district in Kansas; appointed the inherent rights of the citizens of Kansas, and their own judges, where those préviously appointaffirmed other propositions which no one had ed would not conform to their requirements; prequestioned. To this the Governor replied, that scribed their own rules; and cast about threehe was unable to discover any connection be-fourths of all the votes polled, of course returning tween these and the subject under discussion. Pro-Slavery men to the prospective Legislature, But, in the midst of the confusion of the docu-from every district in the Territory. The Governor left Kausas on the 19th of April, ment, there was a request that an answer should be given to the memorial. In his reply, the Gov-for Washington, D. C., with a view to consult the ernor gave a brief history of the affair, and Attorney-General and the President as to the stated that it was a notorious fact that the meet-course he should pursue uuder their instructions. ing by which the committee had been appointed On the 11th of June, 1855, Wm. L. Marcy, U. S. was composed mainly of citizens of Missouri, with Secretary of State, addressed a letter to Gov. a few only of the citizens of Kansas; that two of Reeder, in reference to purchases alleged to have the committee were undoubted residents of Mis-been made by the latter of land known as "halfsouri, the chairman residing at Liberty, Mo., breed reserves" in the Territory of Kansas, whose only attempt at a residence in the Terri- stating the embarrassment felt by the President tory consisted of a card nailed to a tree upon at the developments made, and the willingness of ground long since occupied by settlers, who have the President to receive explanations in relation built and live upon the claim. The president of thereto. Gov. Reeder replied from New-York, on the meeting, Major John Dougherty, was a resi- the 18th June, stating that he had communicated dent and large landholder in Clay County, Mo., with the President, from Easton, the day preas he had subsequently stated, and the gentlemen viously. A similar letter to that of Secretary composing the meeting came from across the river, Marcy was addressed by Attorney-General Cushthronging the road from the ferry to the town, ing to the District Attorney and Associate Justices being variously estimated at from 200 to 800 per- of Kansas, on the 14th June, requiring explanasons, who, after the meeting, immediately re-tions as to their alleged speculations in land. turned to their homes in Missouri. After relating When Gov. Reeder arrived in Kansas, he adthe particulars of this occurrence, as having dressed a letter, dated June 26th, 1855, to Secrecaused deep dissatisfaction, Gov. Reeder said: tary Marcy, denying that he had purchased any "Few men, with all the facts before them, would half-breed lands, but acknowledging that he had be hardy enough to say that the assumption is entitled agreed to purchase other lands, on condition that to any respect. The law guarantees to us the right to the President would approve such purchase, and manage our own affairs, which is the great, much-not otherwise. He added other explanations, of discussed feature of our government, and one which no particular consequence. Soon after his return, Gov. Reeder was sitting the people highly prize, under the pledges of which the inhabitants of the Territory have come and staked their future fortunes on our soll. The pledges of the in his office, when B. F. Stringfellow entered; law must be redeemed; and it were a poor and pitiless and, after some conversation, it was observed by boon to have escaped from the domination of Con- Col. Isaacs and Mr. Halderman, who were sitting gress, if we are only to pass under the hands of an- in an ante-room, that one of them arose and other set of self-constituted rulers, foreign to our soil, closed the door. Subsequently, however, String. and sharing none of our burdens. It does not suit us fellow came and desired the presence of these and I much mistake the people of this Territory if they submit to it. One thing I am certain, of, that two gentlemen in the Governor's private aparthaving sworn to perform the duties of the office of ment. He then took the Governor to task for reGovernor with fidelity, I shall denounce and resist it ports which he had heard of the character he in friend or foe, and without regard to the locality, the (the Governor) had given the Missourians, and party, the faction, or the ism from which it comes." himself in particnlar, on his (the Governor's) Gov. Reeder issued, in March, 1855, a procla-eastern tour. Stringfellow demanded whether he mation as to the election to take place on the had ever made such and such statements. Gov. 80th of that month, in which he stated that a Reeder replied that he had not publicly used his voter must dwell in the Territory at the time of name as instigator of the outrages in Kansas, but in his heart he believed him to be so; that he had Kansas to the Congress of the U. States. The privately expressed that belief, and still cherished opposition vote was divided. it The Governor was proceeding in his explana- The spring election took place on Friday, March tions, when his illustrious visitor interrupted him. the 80th, 1855, when not less that 10,000 persons Governor R. replied that he would explain, and who had crossed the line from Missouri, appeared no person should come into his office and cate- at the several polling places. One thousand chise him in that censorious spirit, without his made their appearance in Lawrence District saying what he chose in reply. Gov. Reeder main- alone; but, finding their services were not retained a true, dignified composure, while String-quired there, half of them dispersed in parties of fellow, on the contrary, became very angry and two or three hundred each, to other districts. The threatening in his aspect. He left the room, and road between Westport and Lawrence was filled returned with a pistol in his hand, whereupon Gov. with covered wagons, loaded with Missourians Reeder removed a paper that covered his own pis- who made no secret of their going into the Territol lying on the table before him. At this crisis, tory to vote, and then returning. Long before one of the gentlemen stepped between them, and the ballot boxes wore closed, hundreds were rethe excitement was soon lulled. When it was sup- turning to their Missouri homes. posed that quiet had been restored, the Governor At many of the polling-places, violence was assumed a half-reclining posture. Stringfellow, used to forcibly eject those having legal possess taking advantage of his attitude, sprang upon him ion of the polls previous to this foreign arrival. and struck or pushed him backward to the floor. The polls were thus taken possession of by the Both spectators rushed to the rescue, seized the Missourians, who made their own returns as to aggressor before he could use any fatal weapon, the results of the election. and led him out. The Governor's face bore Soon after the election, applications were made marks of some rough contact, and Stringfellow to Gov. Reeder by the persons declared to have boasted that he had kicked him in the face! been elected for certificates as members of the On the arrival of Gov. Reeder at the Shawnee Kansas Legislature. The Governor granted cerMission, on Monday, 16th July, he found a letter tificates to all those against whom no petitions or from Secretary Marcy, informing him that he affidavits were filed. Those members who the was suspended on the plea of speculation in Kaw Governor was satisfied, by sufficient evidence, lands; stating that the explanations offered by had been fraudulently elected, were refused certithe Governor were not satisfactory. The duties ficates, and a new election ordered in their seveef Governor then devolved, pro tem., upon the ral districts. The following Free State men were Secretary of the Territory. then elected in the place of those to whom Gov. Reeder had refused certificates: Erastus G. Ladd, Augustus Wattles, William Jessey, J. Baker, and John Hutchinson. The office of Governor was then offered to John L. Dawson, of Pennsylvania, the author of the Homestead Bill, but he respectfully declined the appointment. Judge Elmoré, Associate of the Supreme Court of Kansas, was removed on similar grounds to those assigned for the displacement of Gov. Reeder, and Judge Moore, of Alabama, was ap pointed successor. On the 2d July, the Legislature assembled according to the proclamation of the Governor, at Pawnee, when it was organized as follows: Mission. COUNCIL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. President-Rev. THOMAS JOHNSON, of the Methodist It is said that the President had previously Wm. Barbee, A. M. Coffey, D. A. N. Grover, Rich'd pered the appointment of Minister to England, R. Rees, H. J. Strickler, E. Chapman, John W. Forin the place of Mr. Buchanan, to Gov. Reeder, man, A. McDonald, Wm. P. Richardson, M. H. Conafter vainly tempting him with the post of Com-way. missioner to China, as an inducement for him to resign the governorship of Kansas, but that Gov. Reeder declined the honor, and thus rendered it necessary that the President should take upon) himself the odium of the removal, if he were to be displaced at all. President pro tem-RICHARD R. PEASE. Jos. C. Anderson, O. H. Browne, A. J. Johnson, M. W. McGee, Sam'l Scott, Geo. W. Ward, Jas. Whitlock, Subsequently, Wilson Shannon, ex M. O., of H. W. Younger, Joel P. Blair, Wm. G. Mathias, A. B. Ohio, received the appointment of Governor, and Wade, A. Wilkinson, Jno. M. Banks, D. L. Croysdale, proceeded to the Territory, where he arrived R. L. Kirk, H. D. McMeekin, W. H. Tebbs, T. W. Wa early in September. On his arrival in Westport, terson, S. A. Williams, F. J. Marshall, H. B. C. Har(Missouri,) he declared publicly to the people of ris, A. Payne, Jonal Weddle, Samuel D. Houston. Missouri: "The enactments of your Legislature On his election, Speaker Stringfellow addressed are valid, and I have the will, and am clothed the House, and, after thanking them for the honor with the power, to employ whatever force is neces-conferred upon him, congratulated his friends ry to carry them into execution; and I call upon the triumph of Pro-Slavery principles in pon you to sustain me in the discharge of this the Legislature, expressing his conviction that the destinies of the Union would hang upon their duty." action. ELECTORAL AND LEGISLATIVE RECORD. The next day Gov. Reeder's message was reThe first election of delegate to Congress took ceived. In it the Governor contended for the plade Nov. 29th, 1854. The Territory was divided right of the People of Kansas to settle their own into nineteen districts, Gov. Reeder appointed affairs, uninfluenced by those of other States; election judges, and instructed them to adminis- declared that the Territorial Legislature might ter the oaths to every person suspected of residing act on the question of Slavery to a limited and in another State or Territory, and who desired to partial extent, and temporarily regulate it in the vote. The organized army of Missourians, how- Territory; showed what laws were then in force; ever, took forcible possession of the polls, and directed attention to the definition of the bound. elected General Whitfield as the Delegate for aries of counties and districts, and the qualifica. |