CHAPTER XXXI. PAGE Notes of a journey of observation CHAPTER XXXII. The capitol building.-Captain Donaldson dismisses Justice Nelson's court.-Captain Walker surrenders himself.-Dragoons required for detached service.-Bad postal arrangements.-Free-state prisoners removed to Tecumseh.-The governor at Leavenworth.-Report of a deputation sent to arrest marauders 195 205 CHAPTER XXXIII. Pay of the militia.-Settlers ordered from Indian reserve.-Sales of CHAPTER XXXIV. The Topeka Legislature.-Arrest of its members.-Appropriation of CHAPTER XXXV. Meeting of the Territorial Legislative Assembly at Lecompton CHAPTER XXXVI. Act of the Legislative Assembly, to authorize courts and judges to admit to bail in all cases.-Veto message of the governor. The bill passed. Clarke and others bailed under the new law 209 214 218 222 CHAPTER XXXVII. Resolution of the legislature asking the governor's reasons for not commissioning Wm. T. Sherrard-Governor Geary's reply-Conduct of the legislators-Violence of Sherrard . 227 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Sherrard's abettors-Attempt to assassinate Governor Geary-Action of the legislature-Conduct of Judge Cato-Public indignation meetings-Outrage at a Lecompton meeting, resulting in the shooting and death of Sherrard 233 How the pro-slavery leaders in Lecompton held large and enthusiastic town meetings-Incendiary meeting at Lecompton-Calhoun's speech and sentiments-The Kansas laws not created to punish pro-slavery criminals 244 CHAPTER XL. Meeting of a pro-slavery convention at Lecompton.-Discussion between Hampton and Maclean.-Sheriff Jones endorsed.—Organization of the national democratic party of Kansas.-A novel platform. -The national administration favors the pro-slavery movements in Kansas. Analysis of the cabinet.-Governor Geary offered the United States senatorship.-Calhoun's address to the people of the United States.-Misrepresentations of its author exposed 252 CHAPTER XLI. Passage of the census bill.-Governor Geary's veto message.-The manner in which the census was taken.-Repeal of the test laws.Adjournment of the Legislature.-Secretary Marcy and the Topeka Legislature.-Letter to the Secretary of State.-Arrest of a fugitive. -Rencontre at Topeka.-Complaint of prisoners.-Breaking up of the Kansas River 260 CHAPTER XLII. Governor Geary's instructions.-The United States troops.-Enrolment, mustering and discharge of the militia.-The troops withheld from the service of the governor 272 CHAPTER XLIII. Resignation of Governor Geary.-His Farewell Address 287 CHAPTER XLIV. Election of a free-state mayor at Leavenworth.-Arrest of the murderer of Hoppe.-Resignation of Judge Cunningham.-Appointment of Judge Williams.-Removal of Judge Lecompte.-Taking of the census.-Hon. Robert J. Walker 299 xii CHAPTER XLV. Arrival in Kansas of Secretary Stanton and Governor Walker.-The policy of the new administration.-Disapprobation of the proslavery party PAGE 305 HISTORY OF KANSAS. CHAPTER I. Description of the Territory,-Its boundaries-rivers-prairies-woodlands-soil-climate-appearance-and general characteristics. THE territory of Kansas is a strip of land over two hundred miles in width, extending from the western boundary of Missouri to the highest ridge of the Rocky Mountains. It is bounded on the north by the territory of Nebraska; on the east by the state of Missouri; on the south by the Indian Territory and New Mexico; and on the west by the territory of Utah. Its principal river is the Kaw or Kansas, which empties into the Missouri in latitude 39°, and longitude 94°, at the southern point, where that river separates the territory from the state of Missouri. It flows eastward to this point, receiving in its course many tributaries, some of which, the Republican and the Smoky Hill Forks, take their rise in the Rocky Mountains. The north-western portion of the territory is watered by the tributaries of the Platte, which flows through Nebraska; and the eastern and southern districts by the Osage and Upper Arkansas and their branches. None of these streams are navigable. A light-draught steamboat has passed up the Kansas more than one hundred miles, to Fort Riley; but very few attempts have been made to repeat the experiment. They might be successful, with a boat drawing from twelve to twenty inches of water, two or three months in the year. The bed of this river is wide, and the bottom a quicksand, which is constantly shifting with the current, forming bars and changing the course of the channel. Its water is always muddy, like that of the Missouri, whilst some of the streams that empty into it are remarkable for their clearness and purity. A number of these branches which, during the seasons of freshets, swell to streams of considerable magnitude, are perfectly dry the greater portion of the year, although in many places pure water can be obtained a short distance below the dry surface. The only portion of the territory that possesses any peculiar value for agricultural purposes, is the eastern district, extending from the northern to the southern boundary, and varying from one hundred to two hundred miles westward from the Missouri line. This district is remarkable for the exquisite beauty of its scenery, and the unrivalled fertility of its soil. It is a high rolling prairie, covered in the summer months with tall grass, sprinkled with an immense variety of beautiful flowers, and over which the eye has an unbroken prospect for many miles in extent. The soil is a rich black loam, several feet deep, with a porous clay subsoil, resting upon a limestone basis, and is capable of producing hemp, maize, wheat, and all the grains, vegetables and fruits common to temperate regions, in vast abundance and in great perfection. Timber is confined exclusively to the margins of the numerous rivers and creeks, along the smaller of which it consists chiefly of stunted oaks, cotton-wood, &c., insignificant in quantity and of but little value. But the banks of the Kansas, Osage, Arkansas, Wakarusa, and other of the more important streams, are lined with wide strips of forest, embracing large quantities of heavy and valuable timber, among which are found white and black oak, walnut, hickory, elm, ash, sycamore, maple, cotton-wood, and other useful varieties. There is an abundance of excellent stone for building purposes in all this region, and good coal is said to be plentiful. The only game worth naming is the prairie-fowl or grouse, and this is not so abundant as in Illinois. But few fish are found in the streams, the varieties being chiefly the buffalo and catfish, the latter attaining an enormous size, and, like those of the Mississippi River, scarcely fit for food. |