Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/775

 This message was enclosed with the following dispatch, and soul immediately to Colonel Cook, commanding United States forces near Lecompton:

The accompanying dispatch, just received from Lawrence, gives sufficient reason to believe that trouble of a serious character is likely to take place there. Mr. Adams, the writer of the dispatch, is a special agent whom I sent down last evening to ascertain the state of affairs. I think you had better send immediately to Lawrence a force sufficient to prevent bloodshed, as it is my orders from the president to use every possible means to prevent collisions between belligerent troops. If desirable, I will accompany the forces myself, and should be glad to have you go along.

"Truly yours, "Governor of Kansas Territory."

Colonel Cook, with three hundred mounted soldiers and four pieces of artillery, started immediately for Lawrence, accompanied by Governor Geary. On their arrival they learned that the danger was not imminent. The citizens of Lawrence were under arms and the town fortified at every point. The governor assembled the inhabitants, cautioned them against the commission of any unlawful acts, and promised them his protection in case they were attacked. He was immediately recalled to Lecompton with the troops in consequence of troubles in that neighborhood. Upon his arrival he found his office thronged with people excited by the intelligence that Lane meditated an attack upon the pro-slavery settlements of Hickory Point, Osawkee and the neighborhood; some of the inhabitants of those places having fled in terror to Lecompton. Affidavits were made of outrages committed and handed to the governor, upon the receipt of which he made the following requisition upon Colonel Cook:

You will perceive by the accompanying affidavit, and from verbal statements that will be made to you by Dr. Tebbs, that a desperate state of affairs is existing at Osawkee and its vicinity, which seems to require some action at our hands. I strongly recommend that you send a force, such as you can conveniently spare, to visit that neighborhood, at the earliest moment. If such a force cannot succeed in arresting the perpetrators of the outrages already committed, and of which complaint has been made in due form, it may at least tend to disperse or drive off the band or bands of marauders who are threatening the lives and property of peaceable citizens. The deputy marshall will accompany such troops as you may judge expedient to detail on this service."

Very respectfully and truly yours, "Governor of Kansas Territory."

A detachment of dragoons was forthwith dispatched by Colonel Cook to