A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 5, part 4: James Buchanan
History
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 5, part 4: James Buchanan
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868; Presidents -- United States; United States -- History -- Sources; United States -- Politics and government
The most alarming movement, however, proceeds from the assembling on
the 9th June of the so-called Topeka legislature, with a view to the
enactment of an entire code of laws. Of course it will be my endeavor
to prevent such a result, as it would lead to inevitable and disastrous
collision, and, in fact, renew the civil war in Kansas.
This was with difficulty prevented by the efforts of Governor Walker;
but soon thereafter, on the 14th of July, we find him requesting General
Harney to furnish him a regiment of dragoons to proceed to the city
of Lawrence; and this for the reason that he had received authentic
intelligence, verified by his own actual observation, that a dangerous
rebellion had occurred, "involving an open defiance of the laws and
the establishment of an insurgent government in that city."
In the governor's dispatch of July 15 he informs the Secretary of
State that--
This movement at Lawrence was the beginning of a plan, originating
in that city, to organize insurrection throughout the Territory,
and especially in all towns, cities, or counties where the Republican
party have a majority. Lawrence is the hotbed of all the abolition
movements in this Territory. It is the town established by the
abolition societies of the East, and whilst there are respectable
people there, it is filled by a considerable number of mercenaries who
are paid by abolition societies to perpetuate and diffuse agitation
throughout Kansas and prevent a peaceful settlement of this question.
Having failed in inducing their own so-called Topeka State legislature
to organize this insurrection, Lawrence has commenced it herself, and
if not arrested the rebellion will extend throughout the Territory.
And again:
In order to send this communication immediately by mail, I must close
by assuring you that the spirit of rebellion pervades the great mass
of the Republican party of this Territory, instigated, as I entertain
no doubt they are, by Eastern societies, having in view results most
disastrous to the government and to the Union; and that the continued
presence of General Harney here is indispensable, as originally
stipulated by me, with a large body of dragoons and several batteries.
On the 20th July, 1857, General Lane, under the authority of the Topeka
convention, undertook, as Governor Walker informs us--
to organize the whole so-called Free-State party into volunteers and
to take the names of all who refuse enrollment. The professed object
is to protect the polls, at the election in August, of the new
insurgent Topeka State legislature.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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