The minds of the people had been prepared for the struggle; the pecuniary interest of the wealthy demanded it; the dependent poor, obsequious to the rich, stood ready to do their bidding, and all prided themselves in maintaining the institutions and honor of Missouri.

When the Missouri Compromise was repealed the impression was made upon the minds of the people of north-west Missouri that the organization of the Territories and the removal of the slavery restriction was a kind of "compromise measure" by which there was an implicit understanding that Kansas should be a Slave State. This was the prevailing, natural, and, in many instances, the sincere and honest impression which pervaded pretty generally the minds of all classes on the Border. This fact may serve to palliate, in some degree, their subsequent conduct.*

The people of the Free States who were the first to favor the organization of Nebraska Territory, never dreamed that an effort would be made to introduce slavery therein until the session of the thirty-third Congress the following winter. There were two large parties in the Middle and Eastern States opposed to Slavery, both radical in principle, but one favoring a prudent, the other a fanatical policy. One opposed the extension and growth of Slavery by all Constitutional means; the other believed the ends would justify the means of its total abolition. Both were equally opposed to yielding Kansas to Slavery, and both resolved to rescue her from its grasp.

*From Dr. J. H. Strongfellow's testimony before the Congressional Committee, the following is taken:

"At the time of the passage of that bill, and prior to that time, I never heard any man in my section of Missouri express a doubt about the nature of the institutions that would be established here, provided that the Missouri restriction was removed; and I heard of no combination of persons, either in public or private, prior to the time of the organization of the Emigrant Aid Society, and, indeed, for months afterwards, for the purpose of making united action to frustrate the designs of that society in abolitionizing or making a free State of Kansas. The conviction was general that it would be a Slave State. The settlers who come over from Missouri after the passage of the bill, as far as I know, generally believed that Kansas would be a Slave State"

The friends of Free Labor defeated and overwhelmed in Congress, resolved to renew the conflict on the distant fields. of Kansas. Though borne down by an unjust and unfair legislation, they determined "to possess the goodly land" by emigration and settlement-the very mode prescribed by Congress.

The devotees of Slavery entered upon this struggle with many advantages. The Organic act was skillfully framed with this end in view. Slavery was already in the Territory and had been for many years, in violation of the laws of the United States. The Government officials, missionaries and traders among the Indians held slaves and had sought to impress the native inhabitants with its attractions, some of whom held slaves.* It was regarded by the friends of slavery, and conceded by its opponents, that the Organic act establishing the Territory, recognized the right to hold slaves in the same; and that neither the people nor the Territorial Legislature could prohibit slavery; that power was alone possessed by the people when they were authorized to frame a State Government "It was contended that the removal of the Slavery restriction virtualty established slavery in the Territory." The whole weight and influence of the General Government was ready to be employed in the interest of Slavery. Every officer in the Territory was to be appointed by the President. Missouri lying contiguous to this Territory, enabled her people to pass easily and quickly over and lay out their claims, preparatory to emigrating. It was not in the line of emigration from the Free States, being too far south; whereas up the Mississippi and Missouri the tide of slave emigration had been for years pressing.

Thus stood the sectional parties when the "Irrepressible

These facts are gathered from old settlers. Joe Parks, a chief among the Shawnees and Choeteau, near Westport, each owned three slaves. Revs. Messrs, Perry and Johnson, missionaries among the Delawares and Shawnees, owned several apiece.S laves must bave been held here twenty years previous to 1854,

Conflict," which had been waged since the childhood of the Thirteen Colonies, was transferred from the Legislative Halls of the nation to the fair and virgin prairie of Kansas, ⚫ to be renewed with the fury and desperateness of the death grapple.

CHAPTER X.

PRO-SLAVERY EMIGRATION AND EMIGRANT AID SOCIETIES.

In the early part of May before the Territory was thrown open to settlement, the people from the western border of Missouri began coming over and locating their claims upon the best sites in the country. They would mark them with stakes, or four poles thrown quadrangularly upon the ground, as the initium of a cabin, and then return to their homes. -some to prepare to emigrate, others merely to watch and hold their newly acquired possessions. Thus they continued to scatter themselves over the best country of Eastern Kansas, in many instances disregarding the Indian title by which the lands were held, until almost every gentleman in Western Missouri had a claim upon which he had moved, intended to move, or designed to hold.*

Immediately after the intelligence of the passage of the Nebraska-Kansas Act was communicated to Western Missouri, some of the leading politicians in that quarter crossed over into Kansas and held meetings among the Squatters.At one held on Salt Creek, June 10th, 1854, the following Preamble and Resolutions were adopted:

"Whereas, We, the citizens of Kansas Territory, and many

In the Democratic Platform published in Liberty, Missouri, of June 8th, 1854, we find the following;

"We learn from a gentleman lately from the Territory of Kansas, that a great many Missourians have already set their 'meg' in that country, and are making arrangements to 'darken the atmosphere' with their negroes. This is right; let every man that owns a negro go there and settle, and our northern brethren will be com pelled to hunt further north for a location."

other citizens of the adjoining State of Missouri, contemplating a Squatter's home on the plains of said Territory, are assembled at Salt Creek Valley for the purpose of taking such steps as will secure safety and fairness in the location and preservation of claims.

Therefore, be it resolved;

"1st, That we are in favor of a bona fide Squatter Sovereignty, and acknowledge the right of any citizens of the United States to make a claim in Kansas Territory, ultimately with the view of occupying it.

"2nd, That such claim, when made, shall be held inviolate so long as a bona fide intention of occupying it is apparent, and for the purpose of protecting and defending such claim, we agree to act in concert, if necessary to expel intruders.

"3d, That every person of lawful age who may be at the head of a family, who shall mark out his claim of 160 acres, so that it may be apparent how the same lies, and proceed with reasonable diligence to erect thereon a cabin or tent, shall be deemed to have made a proper claim.

"4th, That any person marking out his claim shall be deemed to have forfeited it unless he commences his cabin, or pitches his tent within two weeks thereafter, unless the same be on lands which prohibit it by military or Indian

reservations.

"5th, That all persons now holding claims shall have two weeks from this day, in which to make the improvements contemplated by the foregoing resolutions.

"6th, No person'shall be protected by the Squatter Association who shall hold in his own right more than one claim. "7th, That a citizen of the Territory be appointed as register of claims, who shall keep a book in which he shall register the name and description of all squatters, and their claims, and the dates of making the same, for which registration he shall be allowed the sum of fifty cents for each claim, to be paid by the claimant.

"8th, That we recognize the institution of Slavery as always existing in this Territory, and recommend to slave-holders to introduce their property as early as possible.

"9th, That we will afford protection to no abolitionists as settlers of Kansas Territory.'