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8. B. BOW, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
CLEARFIELD, PA., DEC. 23, 1857.
XESIGJTATION OF GOV. "WALKER.
lion. Robert J.Walser, in a letter to the
Secretary of State, tinder date of Dec. 15th,
resiamed the Governorship of Kansas. He
says that he was pledged to the people of Kan
sas to oppose by all lawful means the adoption
of any Constitution which was fairly and fully
submitted to their vote, and that as the posi
tion assumed by the President in Lis message,
and in instructions recently issued, would em
barrass him in carrying out those pledges, his
only course is to resign. He holds that the
LecomptoD Constitution was a vitally defee
tire body : that, as in nineteen counties there
was no census, and in fifteen out of the thirty
four no registry, a very large proportion of the
people of Kansas were entirely disfranchised,
having, by no fault of their own, no Represen
tatives from those counties in that body. The
letter is not merely a defence of himself, but
it clearly intimates that the President acted in
bad faith towards the writer. Walker says
Mr. Buchanan, when he appointed him, knew
his views, and that nothing but his promises,
authorized by the President, that the entire
Constitution should be submitted to a vote of
the people, ever prevented a civil war and an
assumption of authority under the Topcka, or
Free State Constitution; and he entertains no
doubt that an attempt to force the Leconipton
Constitution upon the people of Kansas will
yet be attended by ciTil war, extending, per
haps, throughout the Union.
Four Democrats have in succession been ap
pointed Governor ot Kansas. The first was
Andrew II. Reeder, of Pennsylvania. He
was succeeded by Wilson Shannon, of Ohio.
The third was John W. Geary, of Pennsylva
nia; and the, fourth was Robert J. Walker, of
Mississippi. The latter was a favorite of the
South. In their efforts to pacify matters in
Kansas, they successively made themselves so
obnoxious that the first was removed, and the
others found themselves forced to resign.
This fact, it seems to us, should of itself satis
fy any reasonable man that there must be
something radically wrong in4 the actions of
the pro-slavery men in Kansas thit their
course mast be outrageous and reprehensible
in the extreme. Forney, in his new Demo
cratic paper, The Press, in a recent article on
"The Four Governors of Kansas," says :
"Now, throwing entirely out of view the
opinions on Kansas formed by all the previous
Governors adopting without question the
theory that they were incorrect and biased,
what are we think of the fact that both Gov.
Walker and Secretary Stanton most indignant
ly protest against the action of the lute Le
compton Convention as a violation of all prin
ciples of justice and fair dealing ? If we can
not credit such witnesses, in whom can we
confide ? If we reject their testimony, are we
not like those spoken of, who would not even
believe one "thongh he had risen from the
dead V
We think so; and we commend this para
graph to the attention of those who heretofore
were ever ready to stigmatize the accounts of
the outrages committed by the pro-slavery
men as "abolition lies."
The Canada arrived at Halifax from Europe,
on the 18th. A number of heavy failures had
taken place in England within the week. Up
on the continent the pressure continued to be
very severe. At Hamburg the failures were
"too numerous to specify," and business was
almost at a stand. Accounts from Sweden and
Austria were gloomy. Parliament was opened
on the 2d. The Queen recommends a bill of
indemnity for the Bank of England for its o-ver-issue
; rejoices over the British successes
in India, and promises parliamentary reform.
The launching of the monster ship, the Levi
athan, wasjvroceeding gradually ; she had been
moved so far that her keel was five feet under
water. Spain had refused to accede to the
demands of Mexico, and war was thought to
be impending.
Col. Francis M. Wynkoop.late United States
Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsyl
vania, was accidentally killed while gunning
near Tamaqua, on the 13th Dec. He was hunt
ing pheasants in company with his hired man,
when the gun in the hands of the latter was
accidentally discharged. The load took effect
in Col. W.'s leg, and he died in half an hour
from the effects of the wound.
Gen. Wm. F. Packer, Governor elect, while
out hunting, about thirty miles north ot Wil
liamsport, last week, ruptured a blood vessel,
or strained himself in some way, which caus
ed hemorrhage of the lungs, and for a few
fiays bis danger was considered imminent; but
we learn that he is now out of danger. In the
course of the hunt he shot a fine buck.
Senator Gwin has received a large number
of letters from California, in which the writers
express an intense desire to be mustered in
the service of the United States against the
Mormons, who, it is mentioned, have emissa
ries throughout that State, meditating most
serious mischief.
The steamboat Colonel Edwards was destroy
ed by lira on Red River, on Saturday morning,
Dec. 12. The Tessel and cargo are a total loss.
She had on board over one tbonsand bales cot
ton and many cattle. Fifteen or twenty per
sons perished.
LETTER FEOM THE WEST.
Correspondence of the "Raftsman's Journal."
Abcuer, Kichardsox Co., X. T.
3d Dec. 1857. J
Dear Row : I sprained my knee so badly
last night that I cannot bear a particle of
weight on my leg, and the probability is that I
shall be confined to the house for weeks.
On the 2d of November last, two men by
the name of B. F. Cunningham and John Boyd,
formerly of York County, Penn'a, had their
trunks broken open and the contents removed.
They were residing at Rnls, Richardson Co.,
Nebraska Territory, at the time the larceny
was committed, Cunningham lost $400,00 in
gold; Boyd $35,00. Cunningham employed
me as counsel in the matter. Information was
made before Judge Samuel W. Black, who is
sued a warrant for the supposed oflender, who
was arrested, indicted, and kept in custody,
until he had an opportunity to escape. Sub
sequent discoveries proved that the suspected
thief was not the guilty person. John Boyd
had recently been deputy post master in Bu
chanan Co., Iowa, where a post office robbery
had been committed. Last week the sheriff
of Buchanan Co., Iowa, came on the hunt of
Boyd, who was supposed to be the person who
committed the mail robbery. It appears that
Boyd had endorsed a check for $500, which
was stolen from a letter while he was deputy
P. M., with his own proper name. That is
what led to his detection. The sheriff found
him at lids, and managed to get him to Lea
venworth City before Boyd knew that he was
to be arrested. When they arrived at Leaven
worth, the sheriff informed him of his busi
ness. Boyd was then searched, and had in his
possession $505,00, $400,00 of which answer
ed the precise description of that lost by Cun
ningham. Boyd was taken back to Iowa to bo
tried, and will in all probability be convicted
for robbing the mail. It is known that Boyd
had but about $150 when he cam to Ruls this
fall. He broke open his own trunk at the
same time lie broke open the other in order
to avert suspicion from hi id self. Boyd is the
undoubted thief, but was making strong efforts
to convict an innocent man. He was a wit
ness before tho grand jury on the indictment
against the person who was arrested. Boyd
was the intimate friend and cousin of Cun
ningham. Cunningham has started to Iowa
and will probably get his money.
Yours, Sec, D...
THIRT7-IIFIH CONGRESS.
Washington, Dec. 14. The Senate adopted
a resolution for the appointment of the stand
ing committees next cdnesday. Mr. Mason
saut tnar ne uaa oeen uesirca ov.nr. sumner
to state that, owing to the state of his health,
he desired to be excused from serving upon
any of the standing committees. Mr. Evans
announced the death of Senator Butler, and
eulogized the eminent talents and ability of
the deceased. Messrs. Mason. Pugh, Clay
and Cameron briefly paid tribute to the memo-
ry of the deceased. The customary resolu
tions of respect were adopted, and the Senate
adjourned.
in the House the committees were announ
ced by the Speaker. A motion to remove to
the new hall on Wednesday, was adopted
Mr. Lano introduced a bill for the pavment of
expenses incurred by Oregon and Washington
territories in the suppression of Indian hos
tilities. Mr. Morrill introduced a bill grant
ing the lands of the States and Territories, lor
the promotion of the agricultural and mechan
ical arts. It appropriates 6,300,000 acres, to
be distributed according to federal representa
tion. After the announcement of the death
of Senator Butler, the House adjourned.
December 15. Mr. Hale, of N. H., announ
ced the decease of his late colleague, Senator
Bell, who died during the recess of Congress.
After the adoption of resolutions ot respect,
&c, the Senate adjourned. But little was
done in the House, and after the customary ac
tion on the announcement of the death of Sen
ator Bell, it adjourned.
December 16. Both Houses of Congress
had a rather lively time to day. In the Sen
ate, on the announcement of the Committees,
several Republican Senators protested against
the list, as unfair. Mr. Pugh agreed with
them, but felt bound by party usages to vote
with the majority. The long-promised speech
of Mr. Green of Missouri was delivered. It
was courteous in tone toward Mr. Douglas, and
abounded in technicalities and citations of pre
cedent. He was anxious for peace, and af
firmed that the Lccompton document icpre
scnted the views of a majority of the people
of Kansas. Mr. Donglas, in reply, said that
there could be no peace except upon the foun
dations of justice and right, and that to' pur
sue tho course marked out by Mr. Green
would not only be death to the Democratic
party, but would be a step sure to result in a
civil war, to carry on which mote than four
regiments would be required. The debate
was postponed until Monday.
In the House of Representatives, which met
for the first time in the new hall, after seats
had been allotted, Mr. Cox of Ohio, a Demo
crat, spoke in favor of submitting the Consti
tution to the people, taking substantially sim
ilar positions to those of Mr. Douglas. Mr.
Hughes of Indiana essayed a reply, but was
beaten upon his own ground and took refuge
in personalities.
December 17. In the Senate, the initiative
in a number of matters was taken. Mr. Gwin
introduced a bill for the establishment of a
Territorial Government in Arizona ; Mr. Foot,
a homestead bill ; Mr.. Clay, a bill to repeal all
laws allowing fishing bounties ; and Mr. Pugh,
a bill to improve the navigation at the Falls
of the Ohio. So much of the President's
Messages as relates to the Pacific Railroad was
referred to a Special Committee, ot which tbe
mover, Mr. Gwin, was made Chairman. A
Committee was also appointed to examine into
tne condition of the banks of the District of
Columbia. The credentials of Messrs. Bright
and Fitch of Indiana were referred, on motion
of Mr. Trumbull, to the Judiciarv Committee.
Mr. Hunter introduced a bill fo'r the issue of
twenty millions in Treasury notes. As to the
first six millions, the rate of interest is to be
fixed by the Treasury Department; the bal
anco is to be issued at the lowest rate of in
terest that will command the exchange of the
notes at par for specie. What the policy is
as to making these notes a part of the currency
does not distinctly appear. Mr. Hunter urged
the immediate consideration of tho subject,
but the matter was postponed till next day.
Major Harris, of the Union, was elected Senate
printer, Mr. Douglas declining to vote for him
for "reasons satisfactory to himself."
The House adjourned without doing any bu
siness upon the announcement of the death of
Mr. Montgomery of Pennsylvania.
December 18 Both Houses of Congress
were intent on the Administration project of
n issue of Treasury Notes to any amount not
exceeding twenty millions of dollars. Tne
course of debate lenders it probable that there
will be very material restrictions on this issue.
In the Senate, Mr. Douglas introduced a bill
to authorize the people of Kansas to form a
Constitution and State Government. It pro
vides for the submission of the entire consti
tution to a vole of the people. In the House,
Mr. Banks introduced an Enabling Act for
Kansas.
Decexber,13. The Senate passed the Trea
sury Note bill, very sligl tly amended, by a
mixed vote. Yeas3l, Nays 18. Messrs. Crit
tenden, Foot, Hall, Kennedy, Seward and
Wilson of the Opposition supported the bill,
while Messrs. Brodenck, Jetl. Davis, Johnson
of Tenn., and Pugh voted Nay, with a major
ity of the Republicans. Mr. Douglas voted
for the bill. It was so amended as to limit the
duration of the notes to tho ensuing year, and
forbid the issue of any below the denomina
tion of $100. In the House Treasury Notes
were also discussed, but without result. A
motion to tableMr. H. Bennett's resolution to
raise a Select Committee on the Pacific Kail-
road was voted down 99 to 94.
PENNSYLVANIA ITEMS.
r-KEFARED FOR THE "RAFTSMAN'S JOUBXAL.!
Cambria Coustt. Alexander Bcattie and
James Spcers, were arrested on the 12th inst.,
at Johnstown, on a charge of stealing from
Jacob Trefts slaughterhouse, SO beef tongues,
50 or CO pounds of beef, and about 150 pounds
of tallow. A warrant was issued to search
their houses, where most of the missing arti
cles were found. The female partners of the
accused were also arrested, and all the parties
held to bail to appear at next term of Court.
. ... On the 14th mst., a little daughter of A
J. Hito, of the Johnstown Democrat, 4 years
old, was severely burnt, during the temporary
absence of Mrs. H., who had put the children
to bed. On Mrs. It's, return she found the lit
tie eirl in bed, who informed her of the occur
rence. It appears that when the child found
that her mother was out, it got up to look at
some pictures in a book, when her clothes
cr.uglit fire from a lamp, but had succeeded, af
ter a desperate effort, in putting out the flames,
and then went to bed again. The following
day death relieved her from her sufferings. .
At the late term of the Court, Isaac Parfit,
was fined $25 for keeping a tippling house,
and Peter Masterson was fined $15, and James
Dimond $10 for same olleiice.
Lancaster County. On Dec. 15th a doub
le murder was perpetrated about ten o'clock,
five miles northwest of Lancaster. The names
of the victims are Mrs. Garhcr and Mrs. Ream,
and the supposed murderers are two negroes,
who nave been arrested ana are now in prison,
awaiting the coroner s investigation On
the 11th inst., a child about five years of age
was knocked down and slightly injured by a
horse and carriage. Luckilv the horse was
stopped beforo he had drawn the carriage en
tirely over its body On Saturday, the
2d of January, Mr. Brady, the well known ba
ker, corner of East King and Lime streets,
Lancaster, will present to the Dorcas Societ3",
one hundred loaves of Bread for the poor. On
Wednesday following he will also present one
hundr.-d loaves to the Howard Association
and the Saturday following one hundred loaves
to the Dorcas Society ; thus continue present
ing one hundred loaves a week to eachSocicty,
until one thousand loaves are presented. . .
John W. lleckman, while engaged in splitting
wood, last week, cut his foot severely. He
struck a knot with the axe, which glanced and
' struck his right foot between tho toes and cut
one almost oil'.
Dauphin County. There are at present 130
permanent boarders in the Poor-house, and
an average of 2-jO per week, of night lodg'.-rs
.... The body of a colored man was found in
the river, between Ilighspirc and Ilarrisburg
a short time since Two Irishmen attack
cd a farmer, on the road near Hannah's woods
last week, and demanded his money. The
farmer, fortunately, had a good cudgel in his
hand, which he applied wiia such a hearty
good-will to the back ot one of them, that thev
left very suddenly. The farmer's shillaluh
wouldn't miss fire.
r avetie tocNTt. iwehard oarwood, was
arrested several days since, on a charge of hav
ing stolen some cattle, in Luzerne tp., which
he sold near Uniontown. The low price he
sold them at, caused suspicion and led to his
arrest. He Ins been committed for trial. .
Two men, pedlars, went over the dam at Lock
ao. 9, on the Monongahela, and one of them
was drowned In the case of Stewart Jo
burning Cope's barn, tried at Uniontown week
before last, the jury could not agree. The
prisoner is held for trial at the next term.
J iNi att a County. A babe, nine or ten
months old, step-child of Abraham Wittemyer,
who lives between Mifflin and Perrysvillc, was
frozen to death one night during the col
weather in November. The inhuman parents
tried to break it of crying by putting it in its
cradle and pushing it back under the bed
They did so at night, and the child cried until
it was exhausted ; the parents fell asleep, and
in the morning, when they awoke, it was dy
ing, or dead both legs frozen to the knees,
and its arms stiff up to the elbows.
Mifflin County. On the 10th inst., Hugh
Ilarkins, had his hand severely mangled, at
Freedom Iron works, in attempting to move a
block, whilst assisting in raising a heavy cast
ing, for the purpose ol putting it on a wagon.
The casting weighs some 7 or 8 tons On
the same day, a son of John Shimp, while cut
ting wood near Granville run, cut his knee se
verely by slipping and falling on the axe. . . .
An infant child of Mr. Dean, of Belleville,
was found dead in bed on the morning of the
8th instant.
Schuylkill County. Two teamsters named
Debber and Bengan, were robbed on the night
of the 2nd iist., at the Black Horse tavern,
six miles from Minersville. of $1G0. The room
in which they were sleeping was entered by
scamps, who are still at large A young
gentleman of Fottsville, on a bet of $10 walked
8 miles in 1 hour and 55 minutes, last week.
Time specified, 2 hours.
Erie County. A black horse with a white
face was stolen from the pasture of David
Chambers of Harbor creek, some ten days ago.
. . . . Some scoundrel stole a large lot of
clothes, oil the line of George Brubaker, in
Erie last week Michael Sheehan, who
was convicted of manslaughter, died in jail of
delirium tremens.
Delaware Cousty. EdwardRatigan,whilst
engaged in raising a stone, at the quairy of
John C Leiper, in Ridley, was so badly injur
ed, by tho stone falling on him, that he died
in a few hours.
Westmoreland County. There are at this
time about 170 paupers in the Poor house,
with a good many coiners and goers, who are
sent there for lodging and meals.
Centre County. Mr. Struble, of Ferguson
township, cultivated 19 acres of com the past
season,which averaged 150 bushels to the acre.
York County. George K. Dubs, residing
near Hanover, hung himself in his barn, on
Sunday a-week. Cause, bad whiskey.
The brig E. Crummond had arrived at As
pinwall, bringing forty two Peruvian Llamas.
Seventy-one were originally shipped, but twenty-nine
died on the passage.
C""We call attention to the pew advertise
ments in to-day's Journal,
RESIGNATION OF GOV. WALKER.
Washingtox City, Dec. loth, 1857. j
Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of Slate.
Sir : I resign the ofhee of Governor of the
Territory of Kansas. I have been most reluc
tantly forced to this conclusion after anxious
and careful consideration of my duty to the
country, to the people of Kansas, to the Pres
ident of the U. S-, and to myself. Hie
grounds assumed by the President in his late
message to Congress, and in recent instruc
tions in connection with the events now tran
spiring here and in Kansas, admonish me that,
as Governor of that Territory, it will no longer
be in my power to preserve peace or promote
the public welfare. At the earnest solicitation
of the President, alter repeated refusals, the
last being in writing, I finally accepted this
office upon his letter showing the dangers and
difficulties of the Kansas question, and the ne
cessity of my undertaking the task of its adjust
ment. I accepted, however, on the express
condition that I should advocate the submis
sion of the constitution to a vote of the peo
ple for ratification or rejection. These views
were clearly understood by the President and
all his Cabinet ; thev wore distinctly set forth
in my letter of acceptance of thisolfice on the
20th of March last, and reiterated in my inau
gural address on the 27th of May last, as fol
lows : "Indeed, I cannot doubt that the con
vention, after having framed a State Consti
tntiod, will submit it for ratification or rejec
tion by a majority of the then actual bona
fide resident settlers of Kansas."
With these views, well known to the Pres
ident and the Cabinet, and approved by them,
I accepted the appointment of Governor of
Kansas. My instructions from the Fresident,
through the Secretary of Slate, under date
3')th March last, sustain the regular Legisla
ture of the Territory in assembling a Conven
tion to form a Constitution, and they express
the opinion of the President that "when such
a Constitution shall be submitted to the people
of the Territory they must be protected in the
exercise of their right of voting for or against
that instrument, and the fair expression of the
popular will must not be interrupted by fraud
or violence. I repeat, then, as my clear con
viction, that unless the Convention submit the
Constitution to the vote ot all the actual res
ident settlers of Kansas, and the election bo
fairly and justly conducted, the Constitution
will be, and ought to be rejected by congress."
This inaugural most distinctly asserted that
it was not a question of bluvery merely, which
1 believed to be of little practical importance
then in its application to Kansas, but the en
tire Constitution .vhich should be submitted
to the people for ratification or rejection.
Thcso were my words on that subject in my
inaugural : "It is not merely, shall Slavery
exist in or disappear from Kansas, but shall
the great piinciplcs of self-government and
State sovereignty be maintained or subverted"'
In that inaugural I proceed liuther to say,
the people "may by a subsequent vote defeat
the ratification of the Constitution." I des
ignate this, "a great constitution. 1 right," and
add, "that the convention is the servant and
not the master of tLe people." In my official
dispatch to you on the 2d June last, a copy of
that inaugural address was transmitted to vou
for the further information of the President
and his cabinet. No exception was ever ta
ken to any portion of that address. On the
contrary, it was distinctly admitted by the
President in his Message, with commendable
frankness, that my instructions in favor of a
submission of the Constitution to a vote of the
people were "general and unqualified."
By that inaugural and a subsequent address,
I was pledged to the people of Kansas to op
pose, by all law ful means, the adoption of any
Constitution which was not fairly and fullv
submitted to their vote for ratification or re
jection. These pledges I cannot recall or vi
olate without personal dishonor and the aban
donment of fundamental principles; and
therefore, it is impossible forme to support
what is called the Lccompton Constitution, be
cause, it is not submitted to a vote of the peo
ple lor ratincatjon or rejection.
I have ever iinilbrmly maintained the prin
ciple that sovereignty is vested exclusively in
the people of each State, and that it performs
its first and highest function in forming a State
Government and State Constitution. The
highest act of sovereignty, in my judgment,
can only be performed by the people them
selves, and cannot be delegated to conventions
or other intermediate bodies.
Gov. Walker here goes into a lengthy ex
position of his views of sovereignty. Jle con
tends that "the Government ol the United
States is not sovereign, nor does it exercise
any sovereign powers ; that it exercises only
'delegated powers,' as declared by the CodsM
tution, and those powers only that are granted
by that instrument;" that the doctrine that
"sovereignty rests exclusively with the people
of each State," was always regarded by him
as a fundamental principle of public liberty ;
and as fully secured to "all the Territories,"
in adopting their State Constitutions, by the
Kansas-Nebraska bill.
Indeed, I believe the Kansas and Nebraska
bill would have violated the right of sovereign
ty reserved to the people of each State by the
Federal Constitution, if it had deprived them,
or Congress should now deprive them of the
right of voting for or against their State Con
stitution. The President, in his message,
thinks that the rights secured by this bill to
the people, in acting upon their State Consti
tution, are confined to the Slavery question ;
but I think, as shown in my address before
quoted, that "sovereignty is' the power that
makes Constitutions aud Governments," and
that only the Slavery clause in a State Consti
tution, but all others, must be submitted.
The President thinks that sovereignty can
be delegated at least in part; I think that
sovereignty cannot be delegated at all. . . We
know no sovereigns but the people. Conven
tions are composed of "delegates." They are
mere agents or trustees, exercising not a sov
ereign but a delegated power, and the people
are principals I have, therefore,
discussed the subject mainly on the question
that conventions are not sovereign, and cannot
rightfully make a Slate Constitution without
its submission to a vote of the people for rati
fication or rejection. Yet, surely, even those
w ho differ with me on this point must concede,
especially under the Kansas-Nebraska act, it
is only such Conventions called sovereign ns
have been truly elected by the people, and rep
resent them well. On reference, however, to
my address of the 16th of September last, on
the day-qualification question, it is evident
that the Leconipton Convention was not such
a body. That convention had vital, net tech
nical, defects in the very substance of its or
ganization under the Territorial law, which
could only be cured, in my judgment, as set
forth in my inaugural and other addresses, bv
submission of the Constitution for the ratifica
tion of the people. On reference to the Ter
ritorial law under which the Convention was
assembled, thirty-four regularly organized
countios were named as election districts for
delegates to the Canvcntion. In each and all
of these counties it was required by law that a
census be taken, also the voters registered,
and when this was completed the delegates to
the Convention should be apportioned accor
dingly. In nineteen of these counties there
was no census, and therefore there could be no
such apportionment there of delegates upon
such census. And in fifteen of these counties
there was no registry of voters. These fifteen
counties, including many of the oldest organ
ized counties in the Territory, were entirely
disfranchised, and did not give (by no fault of
their own) and could not give a solitary vote
for the delegates to the Convention. This re
sult was superinduced by the fact that the ter
ritorial Legislature appointed all the Sheriffs
and Probate Judges in all these counties, to
whom was assigned the duty by law of making
this census and registry. These officers were
political partisans, dissenting from the views
and opinions of the people of these counties,
as was proved bv the election in October last.
These officers, from want of funds, as they al
leged, neglected or refused to take any census
or make any registry in these counties, and
therefore they were entirely disfranchised, and
could not and did not give a single vote at tho
election for delegates to the Constitutional
Convention.
I repeat that, in nineteen counties out of
thirty-four, there was no census. In fifteen
counties out of thirty-four there was no regis
try, and not a solitary vote was given, or could
be given, for Delegates to the Convention, in
any one of thcso counties. Surely, then, it
cannot be said that such a Convention, chosen
by scarcely more than one tenth of the pres
ent voters of Kansas, represented the people
of that Territory, and could rightly impose a
Constitution upon them without their consent.
These nineteen counties, in which tliore was
no census, constituted a majority of the coun
ties of the Territory, and these fifteen coun
ties in which there was no registry gave a
much larger vote at the October election,
even with tho six months' qualification, than
the whole vote given to the Lccompton Con
stitution en the 17th of November last. If,
then, sovereignty can be delegated, and the
Convention a3 such are sovereign, which I de
ny, surely it must be only in such caccs as
when such a Convention are chosen by tho
people, which we have seen was not the case
as regards the late Lccompton Convention.
It was for this and other reasons that in my
inaugural aud other addresses I insisted that
the Constitution should be submitted to the
peojde by the Convention, as the only means
or curing this vital defect in its organization.
It was, therefore, among other reasons that
when, as you know, the organization called
the "Topcka State Government" was made,
and as a consequence an inevitable civil war
and conflict must have ensued, these results
were prevented bv my assuring, not the Abo
litionists, as has been erroneously stated (for
my address was not to them, but to the peo
ple of Kansas), that, in my judgment, the
Constitution would he submitted fairly and
freely for ratification or rejection by their
vote; and that if this was not done, I would
unite with them (the people) as I now do, in
lawful opposition to such procedure.
The power and rcsponsibilit v beingdevolved
exclusively upon me by the President of using
the Federal army in Kansas to suppress insur
rection, the alternative was distinctly present
ed to me by questions propounded at Topcka
of arresting revolution by the slaughter of the
people, or of preventing it, together with that
civil war which must have extended through
out the Linon, tiy a solemn assurance then
given that the right of the people to frame
their own government, so far as my power cx
tended, should be maintained; but for this as
surance it is a conceded fact tliat the Topcka
Mute government, then assembled m legisl.-v
five session, would have been put into imme
diate actual operation, and tnat sanguinary col
lision with tho Federal army, and civil war.
must have ensued, extending, it i? feared,
inruugiioui me u nion. mueea, ine w hole idea
of an inaugural address originated in the a
larming intelligence which had reached Wash
ington City of perilous and incipient rebellion
in Kansas. This insurrection was rendered
still more formidable, on my reac! ing the Tor
ritory, by the neir approach of the revohi
nonary oiaie legislature, ana the verv numer
ous mass conventions bv which it was sustain
cd. In truth, I had to choose between arrest
ing that insurrection at whatever cost d A-
merican blood by the Federal armv, or to pre
vent the terrible catastrophe, as I did by my
pledges to the people of the exertion of all my
power to obtain a lair election, and the sub
mission of the Constitution to the veto of the
. i- j - ... ...
peojue, lor r.nincauon or rejection. My in
augural and other addresses were therefore re
ally in the nature of proclamations so often
issued by presidents and governors with a view
to prevent, as they did in this case, civil war
and insurrection. 1 was, therefore, onlv per
forming my solemn duty when, as Governor of
the territory to whose people my first obliga
tions were due, I endeavored to secure to
them these results.
I state it as a fact, based on a long an 1 inti
mate association with the people of Kansas,
that an overwhelming majoritv of that people
are opposed to that instrument, and my letters
state that but one out of twenty of the press
of Kansas sustains it. . . . Indeed, disguise it
as we may to ourselves under the influence of
present excitement, the facts will demonstrate
that any attempt by Congress to force this
Constitution upon the people of Kansas, will
be an effort to substitute the will of a small
minority, for that of an overwhelming major
ity of the people of Kansas; that it will not
settle the Kans.isquestion or localize the issue :
that it will. I fear, be attended by civil war,
extending, perhaps, throughout the United
Stales, bringing this question back arain upon
Congress and before the people ia its most
dangerous and alarming aspect.
Be pleased to express to the President my
deep regret as regards our unfortunate differ
ence ot opinion in relation to the Lccompton
Constitution, and to say to him that, as infal
libility does not belong to man, however ex
alted in intellect, purity of intention or posi
tion, yet if he has committed any errors in
this respect, may they be overruled by a
snperintending providence for the perpctiiitv
ol our Union and the advancement, the hono'r
and interest of our beloved country.
In now dissolving my official connection
with your Department, I beg leave to tender
lo you my thanks for your consistent ourtc'sy
and kindness. Most Respectfully,
Your obed't serv't, R. J. Walker."
Uew Advertisements.
T
RIAL LIST, FOR JANUARY TERM. 1S5S,
(commencing .id iWonday. ISth day.)
Adams,
vs I'.ngle s Ailiu rs
MManus,
Rider.
MitchelliMchafTey,
Ritter,
Hinds.
Drnucker.
AVilson"s Executors.
Carson.
MitcbolUMehafTey,
Rillington,
Reed.
Reed.
England,
Sabin.
Irvin's Heirs,
Davis,
McKee,
Chase,
Comafgrd,
Jones,
Askey.
Curtin,
rah am,
Carson.
Jaggart,
Lutx,
G reen,
Fccb.lcr,
Patchen,
Logan,
vs Fislicl et cl
vs Irvin
vs Woods
vs Hurxthal & Bro
vs Mason
vs Hartshorn
vs MahafFey et al
vs Thorn Barto Ex'rs
vi Pennington
vs G oss
vs Martin
vs Young
vs Crowther & Galer
va Mad bee et al
vs McMasters
vs McCracVen & Bloom
va Bloom
vs A. Cathoart
vs PfuUtl
vs Parties
vs Stevenson
va Kartbaus
ys llouslcr & Baudcr
vs Hurd
vs Michaels Worrell
vs Snyder
vs Force et al
vs Kotkey
va Koarn
vs Good fellow
GEO. WALTERS. Troth "y.
Dec 23
New Advertisements.
riUUO.NEtCLEAKI ILLUKAlLltOAD.
A Notice is hereby given to the stockholders that
an election for President and Directors of the Tv
rcne fe Clearfield Railroad will be held on tbe 2d
Monday of January, lb5S. at the hcuso ot . John
ston, in Philipsbunr. Jas. T. IlAbK. Prest.
Ceo. L. Reed, Sec'y Dee. 3. loi.
JVT'FICE Is hereby piven that Lewis N . fen
l-Ti-t rf I nmher Citv. in Per.n township.
Clearfield eountp. will be an applicant at our r.cxt
Court ot Quarter .Sessions lor a iicensu i ntc B
public bouse in Lumber City, lor tuo nccomnioua
tion of the public and to entertain stranger and
travelers. GEO. WALTERS, l'roth'y-
Dec. 2.5, ISi".
X71 A L L AND WINTEK UUU1.
The subscriber resneclfullv announces to hia
friends nud the public generally, that he has just
received n fresh supply of liUlL. at nis oia
stand, embracing everything necessary for tho
season the wants of families, or the busmoss ox
the people.
All who want to buv right, can have either roada
up CLOTHING, 11 ATS and CAFS, BOOTS and
SHOES, or anything else, on terms most favorable.
and for lower than thej can be bought
elsewhere. 3?Call and see.
WM. L. MOORE.
Clearfield, December 23, 1S57.
MA II IS Lm V. V A It.
TYRONE CITY, PA.
D,
ISAAC BERLIN, would inform the -j
citizens ot l iearneia, inai ue is prepar
ed to furnish MAHULE WORK of all kinds,
such as Monuments. Box-tombs. Tomb-tahles. Head
Stones, and all kinds of Grave Yard work, on tho
shortest notice, neatest ftylcs, and cheapest rates.
ALSO, building work, such as Marble Lintels and
Iloor Steps. Brown stone Platforms. Base Courses,
Window Sills and Caps, door steps. Ac. Head
stones of all kinds and patterns. Work delivered
to all parts of the county. ISAAC BERLIN.
Tyrone City, Dee. 2". 1S57.
REGISTER'S NOTICE. Notice is here
by given, that tho following accounts have
been examined and passed by me, and remain Clod
of record in this office for the inspection of heirs,
legatees, creditors, and all others in any other way
interested, and wilt be presented to the next Or
phans' Court of Clearfield County, to bo held at
tho Court House, in the Borough of Clearfield,
commencing on the thir l Monday of January,
1S"S. for confirmation ana allowance:
The partial account of Elizabeth Burns and John
L. Cuttle Administrators of all and singular tho
goods and chattels which were of Jacob Burn,
late of the towDship of I'cion. dec:d.
The final account of George Turner, one of Iho
Executors and testamentary Guardians of the last
will and testament of Alexander Stone, lato of
Boags township, deceased.
The final account of James T. Leonard, Admin
istrator of the estate of David Hoover, lato of
Lawrence township, deceased.
The partial aasount of Mrs. Eliza Irvin, Admin
istratrix of the estate of John Irvin, late of tho
borough of Curwensvillc. dec"d.
JAMES W RIG LEY,
CUarficIJ. Pa.. Dee. 23, 1857. Register.
SIIEUIFF'S SALES. By virtue of sundry
writs of Vtudilirtni Kxpottns issued out of tho
Court of Common PIcnsof Clearfield co., and to 1110
directed, will be exposed to public sale, at the Court
House in the borough of Clearfield, on MONDAY
THE IsTil DAY OF JANUARY. 1SCS. the fol
lowing dfeiribcd rc:il estate, to wit :
A certain tract of land, situate in Chest town
ship, bounded by lands of Frederick Fisher. James
Curry and others, containing Ci acres, with a hew
ed loj houso thereon, and about .' acres cleared.
Seized, taken in execution and to be sold as tho
property of George Pentico.
Also A certain tract of land, situate in Bogga
township. Clearlieid county, bounded cast by 1'.
Snieal. north by J. Smeal and S. Fiegal. an-1 south
by Erie turnpike, containing .SO acres, and having
a frame tavern house and tarn thereon, and about
one acre cleared. Seized, taken in execution and
to be sold as the property of David Frazer.
Also A certain tract f laui. situate in Chest
township, bounded by T. Wilson. T. Wood and oth
ers, lying on VVilion s Run. containing about 40'
acres. Also, one lot in Ncwburg. bounded by T.
Wilson, Chest erctk and the road leading to New
Washington with a house and stable thereon.
Seized, taken in execution and to be sold as tho
property of David Mitchell.
Also A certain tract ef land, situato in Piko.
township, Clearfield county, containing 1 100 acres,
being No. 0778 unimproved land and yielding no
rents or profits. Seized, t:iken in execution and to
bo sold as the property of Thomas F. Vtllete and
Thomas G. Yallelte.
Also A certain lot of land, situate in Mulsons
bur. Covington towr.sbip. Clearfield county, con
taining IO.jj perches, boouded west byJohnBricl
lot. east by lot of Levi Lutz. south by ClenrCeld
road, and north hy Lutz and Mulson, with a two
story frame house and stable thereon. Seized,
taken in execution and to be sold as the. proper
ty of Amandis Maurer.
Ai.so A certain tract of land, situate in Burn
side township, containing 11 1 acres and 135 per
ches, bounded by lands of Armstrong Curry. Fred
erick Fishcl. J. t J. Snyder and others, with 20
acres cleared, and log-house and barn thereon.
Also, one oilier tract of land in Burnside township,
containing iS acres, bounded by lands of .
Seized, taken in execution and to be sold as tho
property of Jacob Pcutieo.
Also A c'Ttsin tract of land, situr.to in Cov
ington township, bounded on the east bv land of
Karthans, west by lands of Waubcck. and corth
by Walamer, containing 100 acres, w ith about 60
acres cleared, a frame l.oi'so and frame barn, sta
ble and blacksmith shop thereon. Seized, taken
in execution and to bo sold as the property of Sol
omon Baudcr.
Also A certain tract of land, situate in Eecca
ria township, Clearfield couuty, part of survey ia
name of John Bauuian. beginning at a post, corner
of four tracts of land in name of Martin and John
Mails. Frederick Steinuian and John Bcwsman,
thence north 100 perches to dogwood, thence west
100 per. to pos . S. ICO to stone heap, east 100 per
ches to place of beginning, on which is about 40
acres cleared, with log house and large fratno
barn. Seized, taken in execution aud to be sold
as the property of Joseph M. Smith.
Als A certain tract of land, situate in Jordan
township, containing about 90 acres more or less
bounded by lands of Thos. Strong. John Thomp
son. Henry Swan t Johnston, and others, with
house, barn and other outbuildings thereon erect
el. and acres cleared. Also, a lot of land in
Ansonville. Jordan township, fronting on the Glen
Hope turnpike, adjoining lot of Peter Bloom and
lands of Henry Swan, known as lot No. and be
ing feet front and feet deep, with a plank
store house thereon erected. Also. 200 acres of
land in Jordan township, being the southcrlv half
of tract surveyed on warrant to George Ashton,
and ocing tho same premises bought by deft from
Rensalear Cram, with a cabin house, stable and li
acres cleared thereon. Seized, taken in execntion
and to be sold as the property of R. B. McCulIy.
Also by virtue of sundry writs of Levari "fa
cia, the following real estate, viz :
All that two-story frame dwelling house, situato
in Decatur township. Clearfield county, known as
the Toll-gate house, two miles north-east of Phil
ipsburg. on the Erie turnpike, containing in front
twenty-two fect. and in depth M feet, with a kitch
en fifteen feet by 12 fert. and tho lot or pieco of
ground appurtenant, fcized. taken in execution,
and to be sold as the property of Wm. Rook.
Also All that certain two-story frame dwelling
house, situate in the village of Decatur Mills, in
the county of Clearfield, on tho south-east side of
the tump'ike leading from Bellcfonte to Erie, and
on land adjoining lands of B. C Bowman on the
east, and Cyreine Howe on the west, containing on
said road ?S fect front and 32 feet deep, and the
lot. Ac. Seized, taken in execution, and to bo sold1
as tho property of William Washburn.
Also AH that two-story frame house or build
ing, situate in Beccaria township, on a lot or pieco
of land appurtenant, adjoining lands of Henry
Wright. Wm. Xcvling, Jonathan Boynton and the
Clearfield Coal and Lumber Company, containing
70 acres, wore or less, said house being 2o bv 3i
fct, containing 3 rooms in each story, and a hall
8 feet wide. Seized, taken in execution, and to
bo sold as the property of Wesley Xcvlin"
, - , , , J- K- REED, Sheriff.
Clearfield. December 23. 1S57.
GROCERIES. Jest received and now opening,
a general assortment of choice groceries,
which will bo sold at tho lowest cash prices at
November 25. WM. F. IRWIN'S.