Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/790

 for the last three months, I must congratulate the administration and the country upon the auspicious results. Crime, so rife and daring at the period of my arrival, is almost entirely banished. I can truthfully assure you, that in proportion to her population and extent, less crime is now being committed in Kansas than in any other portion of the United States."

The 6th of January, 185T, was the day appointed for the meeting of the free state legislature at Topeka. As apprehensions were entertained as to the results of this meeting, the governor had taken precautions against any evil consequences; but there were persons about Lecompton who were unwilling to trust the management of the affair to the governor. A writ for the arrest of the Topeka legislators had been quietly issued by Judge Cato, on the oath of Sheriff Jones, which was served by deputy marshall Pardee — Jones being present — on the members assembled, who yielded themselves prisoners without resistance, much to the disappointment of the sheriff and his coadjutors. The prisoners were conveyed to Tecumseh, where they received a hearing before Judge Cato, who liberated them on their own recognizance. They were, of course, never brought to trial, the district attorney entering nolle prosequies in theirs, as in all other cases of free state treason prisoners.

The territorial legislative assembly met at Lecompton on the 12th of January, and was duly organized. A committee was appointed to wait upon the governor, and apprise him of the organization. On the following morning his message was read before both houses.

The All-Wise and beneficent Being, who controls alike the destinies of individuals and of nations, has permitted you to convene, this day, charged with grave responsibilities.

The eyes, not only of the people of Kansas, but of the entire Union, are upon you, watching with anxiety the result of your deliberations, and of our joint action in the execution of the delicate and important duties devolving upon us.

Selected at a critical period in the history of the country, to discharge the executive functions of this territory, the obligations I was required to assume were of the most weighty importance. And when I came seriously to contemplate their magnitude, I would have shrunk from the responsibility, were it not for an implicit reliance upon Divine aid, and a full confidence in the virtue, zeal and patriotism of the citizens, without which the wisest executive suggestions must be futile and inoperative.

To you, legislators, invested with sovereign authority, I look for that hearty cooperation which will enable us successfully to guide the ship of state through the troubled waters, into the haven of safety. It is with feelings of profound gratitude to Almighty God, the bounteous Giver of all good, I have the pleasure of announcing, that after the bitter contest of opinion through which we have recently passed, and which has unfortunately led to fratricidal strife, that