c
FIOI THE PRESIDENT.
Ti. 111arme Iltimoitaitboo Sew to Coogroto,
President on Titeeday communicated the
foltoffie anesseare to Congress, sad accompa.
khaki wits a copy of the Konsits (i.erocopton)
cemotitutlon
re the &nate and Ilct.er of lispresenta
twos of Ms United Votes:
IL haver received n n J. Calhoun, Esq ,
president of the late constitutional eon,
eddies of Kansas, it copy, duly certi
fied by himself, of the constitution
fainted by that body, with the expres
sion of a hope that 1 would submit the
Same to the wilsideration of Congress,
" with the view of the admission of
lsness into the Union ns an independ
ent State." In Compliance with this
request. I herewith transmit to Con
gress, rmr their action, the constitution
utliations, with the ordinance respect
ing the public lauds, us well as the let
ter of Mr. Calhoun, dated at Lecomptun
on the 14th ult.. lay which they were
aceetapatiitl. Having, received but a
single copy of the constitution and urdi-
Hata*, I send this to tai Senate.
A great delusion seems to pervade
the public mind in relation to the con
dition ofpartias in Kansas. This arises
bum the difficulty of inducing the Amer
ican people to realize the fact that any
portion of them should be in a state of
rebellion against the government under
which they live.—When we speak of
th, affairs in li.ausas we are apt to refer
merely w the existence of two violent
political parties in that Territory divi
ded on the question of slavery, just as
we speak of such parties in the States.
This presents lie adequate idea of the
two state of the case. The dividing,
line there is not between two political
parties, both acknowledging the lawful
existence of the government, but be
tween those who are loyal to this gov
ernment and those who have endeavor
ed to destroy by force and usurpation
—between those who sustain and those
who have done all in their power to
overthrow—the territorial rvernment
established by Congress. 'this govern
ment they would long since have sub
verted bad it not been protected from
their assaults by the troops; of the Uni
ted States. 'r
• Strrii has been the condition of affairs
since my inauguration. Ever since
that period a large portion of the peo
ple of Kansas bare been in a state of
rebellion against the government, with
a military leader at their head of a most
turbulent and dangerous character.
They hare never acknowledged, but
have constantly denounced and defied
the governnient to which they owe al
legiance, and hare been all the time in
a estate orresistance against its author
ity. They hare all the time been en
deavoring to subvert it and to establish
a revotutionar,y government, under the
so-called Topeka constitution, in its
stead.—Eton at this very moment the
Topeka Legislature is in session. Who
ever has read the correspondence of
Governor Walker with the State De
pnrtment, recently communicated to
the Senate, will be convinced that this
piCture is not overdrawn. le always
protested against the withdrawal of any
portion of the military force of the
United States from the Territory, deem
ing its presence absolutely necessary
for the preservation of the regular gov
ernment'and tha execution of the laws.
In his very first dispatch to the Secre
tary of State, dated Juno 2, 1857, be
nays: " The most nlarming movement,
however, proceeds from the assembling
on the 9th Juno of the so called Topeka
Legislature, with a view to the enact
ment of an entire code of laws. Of
course, it will bo my endeavor to pro
-Tent 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 Gov. Walker; but, soon
thereafter, on the 14th of July, we find
him requesting General Harney to fur
nish him a regiment of dragoons to pro
coed to the city of Lawrence—and this
for* the reason that ho had received au.
Mantle intelligence, Verified by his own
actual observation, that a dangerous
rebellion had occurred, "involving an
open defiance of the laws and the estab
lishment. of an insurgent government
in that eitv."
In the Governor's dispatch of July
lath ho informs the Secretary of State
" that this movement at Lawrence was
the beginning of a plan, originating in
that city, to o;-ganize insurrection
thronghont the Territory; and espe
cially in all towns, cities end counties
where the 11,±publican party have a ma
jority. Lawrence is the hot-bed oral!
the abolition movements in this Terri
tory. It is the town established by the
abolition societies of the East; and
whilst there are respectable people
there, it is fill.‘d by a considerable num-
Ler of mercenaries who are paid by ab
olition societies to perpetuate and dif
fuse agitation throughout Kansas, and
prevent a peaceful settlement of this
question. Having failed in inducing
their own so called Topeka Legislature
to organise this insurrection, Lawrence
has commenced it herself, and, if not
arrested, the rebellion will extend
- thropghout the Territory."
Atli d again: "In order to send this
communication immediately by mail, 1
. NILO close by aisuring you that the
spirit of rebellion pervades the
,great
mass of the Republican party is this
Territory, instigated, as I entertain no
doubt tlicy are, by Eastern societies,
basing in view results most disastrous
to the government and to the rniou ;
• and that the continued presence of Gen.
Ifartil7 here is indispensable, as origi-
Waif atipnlated by me, with a large
bardragoons and several batteries."
the 26th July, 1357, Gen. Lane,
. wader. the authority of the Topeka con
. Iltientslin, undertook, as Governor Walk
coriseerms us, " to ()mania: the whole 1
so sailed free State party into volao- I
-Seep, semi to take the names of all
sibll refuse enrollment. The professed !
.:=ls to protect the polls at the
Ain isuut of the new insurgent
TS= ef i tak t i u ng ' the names of i t
mhos enrollment is to terrify
tad - friss State ionnerratime into tab- I
ea__. This is provoked by recent .
siammitted oa such by Tope- I,
' -AO
.‘ ripeedy location of large
liliaker troops here, with two
. The- Lotions.*
'.*'' Await the devriopmem, of l
' • • .. • srlditury saw
t;-- MC • Alosieresiodlit Air
ibliodurtabott.Soie - Lopo pod bur
- erferrrisars deny Om authority of
f the Territorhti Wire, and mantel it to-
Ull disregard of those ensetteenta."
Without rucking farther quotations
of a similar character from other (Ifs.
• patches of Gur. Walker, it apilsars
reference to Mr. Stanton's cominuni
cation to lien. Casa of the 9th of De
cember last, that the important step,
of calling the Logi-ilature together was
'taken after I (he] had become satisfied
; that th e election ordered by the con
! vention on the '2lit inst. could not be
conducted without collision and blood
, e ,
pinu,” So intense was the disloyal
feeling smor.g the enetnics of the gov
!eminent established by Congress, that
an election which afforded them an op
portunity, it in the majority, of making
Kansas a free State. uLcording to their
own professed desire, could not be
conducted without collision and blood
shed:
The truth is, that, up till the present
moment, the enemies of the existing
gover'nment still adhere to their Tope
ka revolutionary constitution and gov
ernment. The very fist paragraph of
the message of Gov. Robinson, dated
on the 7th of Decenitx.r, to the Tomika
Legislature not-assembled at Lawrence,
contains an open defiance of the consti
tution and laws of the Cu:tett States.
The Governor says: " The convention
which framed the constitution at Tope
ka originated with' the people of Kan
sas Territory. They have adopted and
ratified the same twice by a direct vote,
and also indirectly through two elec
tions of State officers and members of
the State Legislature. Yet it has pleas
ed the administration to regard the
whole proceeding as revolutionary."
This Topeka government, adhered to
with such treasonable pertinacity, is a
government in direct opposition to the
existing government prescribed and re
cognized by Congress. It is a usurpa
tion of the same character as it would
be for a portion of the people of any
State of the Union to undertake to es
tablish a separate government, within
its limits, for the purpose of redressing
any grievance, real or inviginary, of
which they might complain, against
the legitimate State government.—
Such a principle, if earned into execu
tion, would destroy all lawful authority
and produce universal anarchy.
From this. statement of facts, the
reason becomes palpable why the ene
mies of the government authorized by
Congress have refused to vote for dele
gates to the Kansas constitutional con
vention, and alsoelafterwards on the
question of slavery submitted by it to
the people. It is because they have
ever refused to sanction or recognize
any Other conbtitation than that framed
at Topeka.
Ilad the whole Leeompton constitu
tion boon submitted to the people, the
adherents of this organisation would
doubtless have voted against it, because,
if successful, they would thus have re
moved an obstacle out of the way of
their own revolutionary constitution.
They would have done this, not upon a
consideration of the merits of the whole
or any partoof the Lecompton constitu
tion, but simply because they have ever
resisted the authority. of the govern
ment authorized by elongretui, from
which it emanated.
Such being the unfortunate condition
of affairs in the Territory, what was
the right as well as the duty of the law
abiding people ? Were they silently
and patiently to submit to the Topeka
usurpation, or adopt the necessary
measures to establish a constitution tin
der the authority of the organic law of
Cong as Ttis law recognized the right of
the people of the Territory, without
any enabling act from Congress, to
form a State constitution, is too clear
for argument. For Congress "to knee
the people of the Territory perfectly
free," in framing their constitution, " to
form and regulate their domestic insti
tutions in their own way, subject only
to the constitution of the United States,"
and then to say that they should not
belerraitted to proceed and frame al
constitution in their own way without
an express authority from Congress,
appears to be almost a contradiction in
terms. It would be much more plausi
ble to contend that Congress had no
power to pass such an enabling act, than
to argue that the people of a Territory
might be kept out of the Union for an
indefinite period, and until it might
please Congress to permit them to ex
ercise the right of self-government.
This would be to adopt not "their own
way," but the way which Congress might
prescribe.
It is impossible that any people could
have proceeded with more regularity
in the formation of a constitution than
the people of Kansas have done. It
was necessary, first, to ascertain wheth
er it was the desire of the people to be
relieved from their Territorial depend
ence and establish a State government.'
For this purpose the Territorial Legis
lature in 1833 passed a law "for taking'
the sense of the people of this Territo-1
ry upon the expediency of calling a con
vention
to form a State constitution "
at the general election to be held in Oc-'
tuber, 1856. The " sense of the people"
was accordingly taken, and they decided'
in favor of a convention. It. is true
that at this election the enemies-of the
territorial government did not vote,
because they were then engaged at To- '
peka, without the slightest pretext of
lawful authority, in framing a constitu
tion of their own for the purpose of,
subverting the territorial government. I
In pursuance of this decision of the
People in favor of a convention, the
Territorial Legislatiire, on the 27th day
of February, 1857, passed an act for the
election of delegates on the third Mon
day of.Junc, 1857, to frame a State con
stitution. This law is as fair in its pro
visions
as any that ever passed'a
legisla
tive body for a similar purp—The !
right of suffrage at this electi on e. is clear- I
ly and justly defined. "Every bona fait
inhabitant of the Territory of Kansas"
on the third Monday of June, the day
of the election, who was a citizen of the
United States, above the age of twenty
one, and had resided therein for-three!
months previous to that date, was enti
tled to vote. In order to avoid all in
terference from neighboring States or
Territories with the freedom and fair- I
nem of the election, provision was made
for the registry of the qualified voters;
and, in pursuance thereof, 'hie thous- 1
and two hundred and dfty- ono voters
were registered-
Goma*, Walker did bia whole duty
la lushes ail tie 4qua4i4od citizens of
iLanoast to: trot oat t i bia alaetion. In his
tromy &Weft, oft the 27th Nay last,
hoeWrwietl, thaw, that 1 aiscler ourprac
tfel t he preli-Sinary' set of frriming
State constitution is uniformly perform
! ed through the instrumentality *fa con
vention of delegates chosen by the peo
ple themselves. That convention is
now about to be elected by yon tinder
the call of the Torritorial I,egisiaturc,
crested and still reicoggnizec.l by the au
thority of Congress, and clothed by it,
in the comprehensive language 01 the
organic law, with full power to make
such an enactment. The Territorial
Legislatur9, then. In assembling this
convention, were fully sustained by the
act of Congress, and the authority of
the convention is distinctly recognized
In my instructions from the President
of the United States."
The Governor also clearly and dis
tinctly warns them what would be the
consequences if they slioald not partici
ilto in tho election. " The people of
Kansas then," he says, " are invited by
the highest authority known to the
constitution to participate freely and
fairly in the election of delegates to
frame a constitution and State govern
ment. The law bas performed its en
tiro appropriate functions when it ex
tends to the people the right of suffrage,
but it cannot compel the performance
of that duty. Throughout our whole
Union, however, and wherever free
government prevails, those who abstain
from the exersise of the right ofsuffra,ge
authorise those who do vote to net for
them in that contingency ; and the ab
sentees are as much bound under the
law and constitution, where there is no
fraud or violence, bythe act of the ma
jority of those who do vote as if all had
participated In the election. Otherwise,
as voting must be voluntary, self-gov
ernment must be impracticable, and
monarchy or despotism would remain
as the only alternative."
It may also be observed that nt this
period any hope, if such had existed,
that the Topeka constitution would ev
er he recognized by Congress, must
have been übandon*4 Congress had
adjourned on the lid March previous,
having recognised the legal existence of
the Territorial Legislature in a variety
of forms, which I need not enumerate.
Indeed, the delegate elected to the
House of Irepresenuttives under a terri
torial law had been admitted to his
scat, and had just completed his term of
service on the day previous to my inaug
uration.
This was the propitious moment for
nettling all difficulties in Kansas. This
was the time for abandoning the revolu
tionary Topeka organization, and for
the enemies of the existing government
to conform to the lawn, and to unite
with its friends in framing a State con
stitution. Itat this they refused to do,
and the consequences of their refusel to
submit to lawful authority and vote at,
the election of delegates may yet prove
to be of a most deplorable •eharacter.—
Would that the respect for the laws of
the land which so eminently distinguish
ed the men of the past generation could
be revived! It is a disregard and vio
lation of law which has for years kept
the territory of Kansas in a state of ul
most open rebellion against its govern
ment. It is the same spirit which has
produced actual rebellion in Utah.—
Our only safety consists in obedience
and conformity to law. Should a gen
oral sprit against its enforcement pre
vail, this will prove fatal to us as a na
tion. We acknowledge no master but
the law; and should wo cut loose from
its restraints, and every one do what
seemeth good in his own eyes, our case
will indeed be hopeless.
The enemies of the territorial gov
ernment determined still to resist the
authority - of Congress. They refused
to vote for delegate's to the convention,
not because, from - eircumstances which
I need not detail; there was nn omission
to register the comparatively few vo
ters who were inhabitants of certain
counties of Kansas in the early spring
of 1857, but because they had predeter
mined at all hazards to adhere to their
revolutionary organization, and defeat
the establishment of any other Consti
tution than that whichthey had fainted
at Topeka. The election was therefore,
suffered to pans by default; but of this
result the qualified electors who refused
to vote can never justly complain.
From this review it is manifest that
the Locompton convention, according to
every principle of constitutional law,
was legally constituted, and Waainvest
ed with power to frame a constitution.
The sacred principle of popular sov
ereignty has been invoked in favor of
the enemies of law and order in Kansas.
But in what manner is popular sover
eignty to be exercised in this country,
if not through the instrumentality of
established law ? In certain small re
publics of ancient times the people did
assemble in primary meetings, passed
laws and directed public affairs. In our
country this is manifestly impossible.—
Popular sovereignty can be exercised
here only through the ballot box; and
if the people will refuse to exercise it in
this manner, as they have done in Kan
sas at the election of delegates, it is not
for them to complain that their rights
have been violated.
The Kansas convention, thus lawful
ly constituted, proceeded to frame a con
stitution, and, having completed their,
work, finally adjourned on the 27th day 1
of November last. They did not think!
proper to submit the whole of this con-1
stitution to a popular vote; but they
did submit the question whether Kan-
ass should be a free or slave State to the
people. This was the question which
had convulsed this Union and shaken it
to its very centre. This was the ques
tion which had lighted up the flames of
civil war in Kansas, and had produced ,
dangerous sectional parties throughout
the confederacy. It was of a character
so paramount to the condition of Kan
sas, as to rivet the anxious attention of
the people of the whole country upon it,
and it, alone. No person thought of
any other question. For my own part,
when I instructed Governor Walker, in
general terms, in favor of submitting
the constitution to the people, I bad no
ob)act in view except the all-absorbing
question of slavery. Jr. what manner
' the pcopie of Kansas might regulate
their other (*floors' was not a subject
which attracted any attention. In fact,
the general provisions of our recent
last* constitutions, after as experience
of eighty years, are so similar and so ex
cellent, that it would bo difficult to go
far wrong at the present day in framing
a new constitution.
I then believed, and still believe, that
under the organic act the Kansas mil
-1 veation were bound to submit this all
important qnestion of slavery to the
people. It was never, however, my op ,
molt that indepehdently of this act
they irnul , l have been bodnd to submit
any portion pf the constitution to a
Wrler vote In order to give it validity.
istl entertained such an opinion this
would hare been in opposition to many
precedents In our history, oominencing
in the very best age of' the
It would have been in opposition to
the principle which prevades our insti
tutions, and which is every day carried
out into practice, that the people have
the tight to delegate to representatives,
chosen by themselves, their sovereign
power to frame constitutions, enact
laws, and perform many other impor
tant acts, without requiring that these
should be subjected to their subsequent
approbation. It would b a most in
convenient limitation of their own
power, imposed by the people upon ,
themselves, to exclude them from exer
cising their sovereignty in any lawful
manner they think proper. it is true
that the people of Kansas might, if they
had pleased, have required the conven
tion to submit tho constitution to a
popular vote; but this they have not.
done. The only remedy, therefore, in
this case, is that which exists in all simi-,
lar cases. If the delegates who framed
the Kansas constitution have in any
manner violated the will of their con
stituents, the people always possess the
power to change their constitution or
their laws, according to their own
pleasure.
The question of slavery was submit
ted to an election of the people of Kan
sas on the 21st December last, in obedi
ence to the mandate of the constitution.
Hero, again, a fair opportunity was
presented to the adherents of the Tope.
ka constitution, if they were the majori
ty, to decide this exciting question, "in '
their own way," and thus restore peace
to the distracted Territory : but they
again refused to exercise their right of
popular sovereignty, and again suffered
the election to pass by default.
I heartily rejoice that a wiser and
better spirit prevailed among a large
majority of these people on the first
Monday of January • and that they Alid,
on that day,:vOls u nder the Leoompton
constitution for a Governor and other
State officers, a member of Congress
and for members of the Legislature.--
This election was warmly contested by
the parties, and a larger vote was polled
than at any previous election in the
Territory. N 1 e may now reasonably
hope 4at the revolutionary Topeka or
ganization will he speedily and finally
abandoned, and this will go far towards
the final settlement of the unhappy dif
ferences in Kansas. If frauds have
been committed at this election, either
by ose or by both parties, the Legisla
ture and the people of Kansas, under
their constitution, will know how to
redress themselves and punish these
detestable but too common crimes with
out any outside interference.
fhe people of Kansas have, then, "in
their own way," and in strict accord
ance with the organic act, framed a
constitution and State government;
have submitted the all-important ques
tion of shivery to the people,. and have
elected a Governor, a member to repre
sent them in Congress, members of the
State Legislature and other State offi
cers. They now ask admission into the
Union under this constitution, which is
republican in its form. It is fur Con
gress to decide whether they will admit
or reject the State which has thus been
created. For my own part, lam de
cidedly in favor mrits admission, and
thus terminating theliansas question.
This will carry out the great principles
of non-intervention recognized and sanc
tioned by the organic act, which de
clares in express language in furor of
"non-intervention by Congress with
slavery in the Stews and Territories,"
leaving " the people thereof perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic
institutions in their own way; - Subject
only to the eonstitution of the United
States." In this manner, by localising
the question of slavery, and confining
it to the people whom it immediately
concerned, every patriot anxiously ex
pected that this question would bo ban.
ished from the halls of Congress, where
it has always exerted a baneful influence
throughout the whole country.
It is proper that I should briefly refer
to the election held under an act of the
Territorial Legislature on the first Mon
day of January last; on the Lowmpton
constitution. This election was held
after the Territory had been prepared
for admission into the Union as a sover
eign State, and when no authority ex
isted in the Territorial Legislature
which could possibly destroy its exis
tence or change its character. The
election, which was peaceably conduct
ed under my instructions, involved a
strange inconsistency. A large majori
ty of the persons who voted against the
Leoompton constitution were at the
very same time and place recognising
its valid existence in the most solemn
and authoritative manner, by voting un
der its provisions. I have yet received no
official information of the result of this
election.
As a question of expediency, after the
right has been maintained, it may bo
wise to reflect upon the benefits to Kan
sas and to the whole country which
would result from its immediate admis
sion into tho Union, as well as the dis
asters which may follow its rejection.
Domestic peace will be the happy con
sequence of its admission, and that fine
Territory, which has hitherto been torn
by dissensious, will rapidly increase in
population and wealth, and speedily re
alize the blessings and the comforts
which follow in the train ofsgricultural
and mechanical industry. The people
will then be sovereign and can regulate
their own affairs in their own way. If
a majority of them desire to abolish
domestic slavery within the State, there
is no other possible mode by which this
can be effected so speedily as by prompt
admission. The will of the majority is
supreme and irresistible when expressed
in an orderly and lawful manner. They
can make and unmake constitutions at
pleasure. It would be absurd to say
that they can impOse fetters upon their
own power which they cannot after
wards remove. If they "could do this
they might tie their own hands for a
haadred as well as for ten years.
'They are fundamental principles of
-American freedom, and are recognized,
I believe, in some form or other, by eve
ry State constitution; and if Congress,
in the act of admission,
.should think
proper to recognize them, I can per
ceive no objection to such a course.
This has been done emphatically in the
constitution of Kansas. It declares in
the bill of rights that " all political
power is inhereet in the peopia; and
all flee governments are founded on
their authority and instituted for their
benefit; and, therefore, they have at
all times an inalienebie and indefeasible
right to alter, reform or abolisb their
form of governntent in such manner as
they mac think proper." The great
State of New York ►s at this moment
governed under a constitution framed
and established in direct opposition to
the mode prescribed by the previous
constitution. If, therefore, the provis
ion changing the Kansas constitution,
after the year 1564, could, by possibili
ty, bo construed into a prohibition to
make such a change previous to that
period, this prohibition would be whol
ly unavailing. The Legislature already
elected may, at its very first session,
submit the question to a vote of the peo
ple whether they will or will not have a
convcntion'to amend their constitution,
and adopt all necessary means for giv
ing effect to the popular will.
It bas been solemnly adjudged by the
highest jndieial authority known to our
laws that slavery exists in Kansas by
virtue of the constitution of the United
States. Kansas Is, therefore, nt this
moment, as much a Slave State as Geor
gia or South Caroline,. Without this
the equality of the Southern States
composing the Union 'would be violat
ed, and, the use and enjoymont of a ter
ritory iegnired• by the common treas
ure of ell the States, would be closed
against' the people and the property of
nearly half the members of the confed
eracy. Slavery can, therefore, never
be prohibited in Kansas except by
means of a constitutional provision,
and in no other manner"can this he ob
tained so promptly, if a majority of the
people . ,desire it, as by admitting it in
to the Vnion under its present consti
tution.
On the other band, should Congress
reject the constitution, 'under the idea
of affording the disaffected in Kansas a
third opportunity or prohibiting slavery
in the State, which they might have
done twice before if in the majority, no
man can foretell the consequences.
If Congress, for the sake of those men
who refused to vote t - nr delegates to the
convention when they might have ex
cluded slavery from the constitution,
and whp afterwards refused to vote on
the 21st December lust, when they
might, as they claim, have stricken
slavery tfrotit the constitution, should
now reject the State because slavery
remains in the constitution, it is mani
fest that the agitation upon this dan
gerous subject will be renewed in a More
alarming form than it 'Las ever yet as
sumed.
Every patriot in (he country had in
dulged the hope that the Kansas and
Nebraska act would put a final end to
the slavery agitation, at least in Con
gress, which-had for more than twelve
years convulowd the country and endan
gered the Union. This act involved
great and flindamental principles, and
it' fairly carried into effect will settle
the question. Should the agitation be
again revived, could the people of the
sister States' bo again 'eatranged from
each other with more than their foi mer
bitterness, this will arise from a cause,
so far as the interests of Kansas are
concerned. more trifling and insigniti.
cunt than has ever stirred the elements
of a great people into commotion. To
the people of Kansas, the only practical
ditfvrence between admission or rejec
tion dependk simply . upon the fact
whether they can themselves more
speedily change the present constitu
tion if it does not accord with the will
of the majority, or frame a second con
stitution, to be submitted to Congress
hereafter. Even if this were a ques
tion of mere exsediency, and not of
right, the small Uremia() of time, one
way or the other, is Of not the least
importance, when contrasted with the
evils which must necessarily result to
the whole ootintry from a revival of the
slavery agitation.
In considering this question, it should
never be forgotten that, in proportion
to its insignificance, let the decision be
what it may, so fares it may affect the
few thousand inhabitants of Kansas
who have from the beginning resisted
the constitution and the laws, for this
very reason the rejection of the consti
tution will be so much the more keenly
felt by the people of fourteen of the
States of this Union, where slavery is
recognised under the oonstitution of the
United States._
Again : The speedy admission of
Kansas into the Union would restore
peace and quiet to the country. Its af
fairs hare sadly affected the friendly rela
tions of the people of the States with
each other, and alarmed the fears of
patriots fur the safety of the Union.
Kansas once admitted into the Union,
the excitement becomes loA►lized, and
will soon die away fur want of outside
aliment. Then every difficulty will be
settled at the ballot box.
Besides—and this is no trifling consid
eration—l shall then be enabled to
withdraw the troops of the United
States from Kansas and employ them
on branches of service where they are
much needed. They have been kept
there, on the earnest importunity of
Governor Walker, to maintain the ex
istence of the territorial government
and secure the execution of the laws.
He considered that at least two thousand
regular troops, under the command of
General Harney, were necessary for
this purpose. Acting upon this relia
ble information, I have been obliged, in
some degree, to interfere with the ex
pedition to Utah in order to keep down
rebellion in Kansas. This has involved
a very heavy expense to the govern
ment. Kansas once admitted, it is be
hoved there will no longer be any occa
sion there for troops of the United
States.
I hare thus performed my duty on
this important question, under a deep
sense of
_responsibility to God and my
country. My public life will terminate
within a brief period; and I have no
other object of earthly ambition than
to leave my country in a peaceful and
prosperous oonditios, and to live in the
affections and respect of my country
men. The dark and ominous clouds
which now appear to be impending
over the Union I conscientiously be.
lieve may be dissipated, with honor to
every portion of it, by the admission of
Kanelte during the present session of
Congress; whereas if she should be re
jected, I greatly fear those clouds will
become darker and more ominous than
any which have ever yet threatened
the constitution and the Union.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washiagtota, Feb. 2, 1858.
stirTibe rasa who "ke_pt his .word,"
gaVo serioda otroSes to Webster, As
wanted itfor his dictionary.
'be emu Wertblealte I. Igraqpies.
A letter from Naples, speaking of the
fate earthquake, says:—
So far back as the 27th of December,
during the night, u loud thunder under
ground had been heard, like the report
of a great mine being blown up. This
was followed- by a trembling of the
earth. In the commune of 'Jena. the
earthquake of the 10th leveled hills,
turned the land over and over, and
formed deep valleys. In half an hour
before the first shock took place a light
as that of the morn, hung over the
country, and a strong exhalation of
sulphur was perceived. On the follow
ing morning, after the double shock
an thc_thunder, abont two miles dis
tnt from the eity, aPiece of ground,
consisting of nearly 0)0 moggia, was
found encircled by a trench from 10 to
30 palms deep, and of the same width.
The official Journal oflast night says:—
" The description which the Indendente
of Bassilicata sends us is such as to
draw tears at every word. The details
aro too awful to report publicly, but
the disaster is cruel beyond conception.
People speak confidently ot e 30,000 per- .
sons and upwards [official] having been
destroyed, and of fully 230,000 persons
[i flicial] being houseless." And to re
medy these evils, scarcely anything has
been done. Fifteen days after the time,
bodies were rotting under the rains.—
Some people were taken out alive on
the eighth day; pigs had half eaten the
bodies of children who were lying ex
posed without any one to help them.
Public Sale.
THE Subscriber, having sold his Farm. and
intending to go West, will sell at Public
Sale. at his residence, half a mile south of
fiddlotown, Butler township, Adams county.
Pa., oh Wednesday, T Inn-sday and Friday,
the 17th, 18th and 19th days of March next.
all his movable property. (which has been but
• few years in use)--a well selected lot of
Farming Int nlemeris, a good lot of Horses and
Cattle. a full set of elegant Carpenter's Tools.
(as good Its new ;) and. intending to quit
house-keeping, ne.trly every article in the
bonse will be sold
Horses, Cattle. d..-1 heavy Bay Draught
Horse. 1 heavy Brown Draught M tre. 1 heavy
Brown Draught Mare. with foal to the Com
pany Cobham, now owned by J. Y. 11 , 1shey,
Esq., 1 Bay nurse, 3 years old, 1 blood•bay
StalliOn, (Wooded stock) 2 years old, 1 Black
Mare, 2 years old. 3 Stall fed Cattle, 2 of
which weigh upwards of 2JOO lbs. each. 3
Oh:eh Cows, 5 Heifers, 1 extra 11040 D.,rhain
Bul, 1 small 11.t11.
I'arat ng Utensils. —1 broad • tread fon r
horbe Wagon, (3a good as new) with bed.
bows and cover, 1 n.trrow-tread four-horse
Wrgon and lime bed, 1 spring Wagon, fur 1
and 2 horses, with bei, b ite4 and cover. 1
Carriage. for 1 and 2 huroes (new.) 1 Buggy.
1 Cart. 1 push Cart, 1 hand Wagon, 1 extra
AlcCormac Reaper. 2 Wheel-hariows, 1 With
prow Plough. 1 Lloyd Plough, 1 _Woodcock
Plougl., 1 single shovel Plough. 2 double
shovel Ploughs. 2 corn f..rkt. 1 new three
bon.e harrow, 1 new two horse harrow, 2 three
hurse trees, 2 double trees, single treeri,clevis
em, 3 pair spreaders. 2 mattocks, 2 digging
irons, 5 shovels. 2 spadmi. a lot lit ' hoes. corn
rakes, 2 feed troughr, sad, d -wide roller.
horse rake, heavj lag chain, light log chain,
ti.th chain, sixth chain, 3 jocky lig sticks. jack
screw, 10 oil erns, extra Tlinshi.og Machine,
Lanc.rster Wheat Fan. ourn libeller. 2 grain
/dowels, 2 grain cradles, 2 eover cradles. 4
scythes and snathes, Pickles, hey rakes. S
limit forks, $ manure forks. 0 sliaLing forks,
hag wagon, extra cutting box, bay pitcher,
rope and ponies. 3 laidder4, extra grindstone,
bay by th , ton, wheat by th bushel, corn and
mu, by the bushel, a lot of boards. a lot of
oak joists, a lot of pine joists, plank for-stone
bed, 2 sets hay carriages, extra poit bring
machine and anger, a one-hcr Sc wagon bed, n
lot of hap, an d psortinent of baskets, la of
brick, barmy sled, with a variety of utlAer ar•
tides.
Ham Gears. (as good as site.) to
breech hands, 4 sets front gears. 2 sets hes
harness For spring wagon. 2 sets carriage her
hese, (neai) I. set buggy harnetas. 2 horse mil
lers. 10 pair homes, I pair long trsces.4 pair
holt chains, 4 housings. 8 blind br,dless, 4
riding bridles, wagon hue, plough line. pair
check lines, single line. wegn whip, 2 riding
saddles. wagon saddle, 2 side si Id es, 11
leather fishers with chains. 4 leather de nets,
2 fancy do.. a lot of cow thains.eleigh bells,&c.
Shop 2b01e.-11,11 and %edges', psi
rail pointing axe. 4 falling ax br,.ail axe,
hand axe, hatchet, i t 3 hammers assorted, 4
drawing knives. 2 spoke shaves. sl.aving horse,
work bench and screw, iron v".e.2, anvil. 14
extra augers assorted, extra brace and 45
lot of Etles, full set tenant Lingerie. full
set morticing dn. c ittlp3.l4 end caliber, cross
eut saw, 2 hand s.►w.s. ten tat *Mr, Whip saw,
compass. jack plain. double 'ore plain. single
smoothing plaid. double smoothing plain. 1113
shears, spirit level. tale line 4) feet. squares,
corner chumels, saddler's bench and too P 4, shop
stove and pipe. bridle hilts. buckles and rings.
extra monkey wrench, pruning ho ,k, &c.. &c.
Borsch°la and Kilehen Furniture.—Tables.
chairs. settees. bedsteads. balding,. cook-a owe
and pipe, ten-plata store and pipe. bureaus,
wash istandiva sar:e y of carpeting. looking
glasses, copper kettle. iron kettle. holto.e.
ware. queens-ware, glass-ware. t.n-wa re. ceel
yards, (correct, weighing, 400 lbs.) seeks and
weights, barrels, tubs. meat cesse's, churns,
miik crocks, apple-barter, lard. bacon, 2 extra
buffalo robes, vinegar. a lot .of fruit dryers,
shot gun, potatoes, alp] so forth.
a:. - .7 - 011 the first day, 17th, will be sold all
the Stock, Wagon+, an I continue at Fanning
Tools ; on the second day. Igth. continence at
Household. and co itinue until done ; and on
the third day, 19th, will be sold what is left.
In the course of the 17th it will be polished
at what blur the sale of Shop Tools
commence.
A:7"9ale to commenc! at 8i o'clock, A. M ,
of each day, when attendance will be given
and terma made known by
ALEXANDER ROSER.
Feb. 1, 1858: to
Public Sale
A y VALUABLE Pk:it - St/NAL ESTATE.—
O F
The subscriber, Administrator of the es
tate of JJszpa Sitiiii, deceased, will sell at
Public Sale, at the late residence of said de
ceased, in 3lountpleasant township, MI MI
county, on the road leading from Gettysburg
to Hanover, 4 miles from t h e former plans,
on Thursday, the 4th of iftreh Rut, the fol.
lowing Personal Property, viz : 3 head of
Horses, ( i ieludiuga mare with foal,) 6 Mile&
Cows, ti Heifers, 1 8011, Sow and Shouts,
broad-tread Wag m, with bed, bows and cov
er, 1 narrow-ire:4l Wagon, Hay Ladder",
Stone Bed, I Carriage, Ploughs and narrows,
Winnowing Mill, Cutting Box, Clovergieed
Stripper, Horse Gears, fifth, log, halter and
cow Chains, Forks, Rakes, Grain Cradles,
Sqthes, itc.; Hay hy the ton, Corn by the
bushel, and Grain in the ground. Also,
Household and K haste Furniture, as fallows
Tables and Caairs, Beds, Bedsteads a n d Bed
ding, C.sse of Drawers, Colking S:ove and
Pipe, Iron Kettle. with other artsclos ; Bacon
and Lard, by the pound, 2 steps of Bees, 1
smooth Rifle, a lot of bogshcads, with a varie
ty of other articles,,too numerous to mention.
Star Sale to commence at 10 o'clock, A. M.,
on said day, when attendance will be given
and terms made known by
GEO. SMITH, Adis' r.
Feb. 1, 1858. to
Notice.
MHZ third recount of &arm. Lose. Cam
•A• mitts' of Briar Lou. (I.unati4.) has
besselied in the Court of Common Pleas of
Adiuna aunty. and will be warmed by the
said Coact on Nada,' the 234 dot of Aim'
ary mat, nm A rCausße
BS sh HowYn t o
rhsek ' w
Crary. f.
• inn. 11,18f13. 46
CVCVNBIlitNokia gild THO gond Vii'nly
GILLESPIE k
Public Sala
F VALUABLE PERSON AL PTIOPSIITY,
0
—The sisbacriber, intending to discontinue
farming. will °Cur at Public Sale. at his resi
dence, “Carrollburg Mills," in Liberty town
ship, Adanir county j 2 miles west of &melte-
Md.. on the WeYneshorr, Turnpike, OR
Mon s day. Use 15th day of Mart* serf, the fol
lowing, ' , minable personal property, vier TEN
II EAD OF HORSES, 8 of which are draught
horses, of superior quality—.the other% are
, fine driving horses, well broken; 12 Mitch
("owns, 1 young Devon Bull, or rare blood, 21
head of slteers and Young Cattle, head or
flogs. 15 of which are fat, 33 Shoats and 2
Rro t d Sows, 32 head of Sheep; I broad-tread
,
Wagon, with fixtures, 1 Plaatation Wagon,
; 3-inch tread, 1 narrow-tread Wagon, 1 one
; horse Wagon, with springy, 1 log Wagon, 1
two-horse Carriage and harness, I Cart, 2
sets of new Hay Carriages, of superior stroc
, tures, 2 pair 11Too1 Ladders, 1 Limo Bed, 1
Threshing Ma-hint, ( Davenport's Patent)
1 new Wheat Fan, Grain Drill, Cutting Box,
Hand &Teen. C n Shelit'r, H rye Rake,
horee•power Hay Pitcher, 2 sets henry Breech
Bands. o le pair new, t.l sots Cruppers, Hour
ings, Blind Bridle., Collars, Halters, 3 Fifth
Chains, 4 sets Spreaders, 3 Llg Chains,
Plough Gears. Rough L Ice Cutter, Car
rying Chain, 1 pair heavy Lock Chains, 30
Cow Chain', large new Jack Screw, 1 Jack
arter and Lever, a number of two and three
horse Ploughr, double arid single Shovel
Ploughs, now hill-side Plough, 3 Harrows, 4
variety of Forks, consisting of pitch, hay,
grain and manure Forks. a lot of Rakes. Mat
tucks, Picks. Shovels, Sledges, Corn Hoes,
Grain Cradles, Mowing Scythes, Sicklea,with
other fanning implements. Also, Corn and
Oats, by the bushel, Ilay by the ton. 2 Scale
Beams and Weights, 1 Smut Machine,
( Young's patent,) a large lot of fittur-barrel
Staves. Lap Shingles. lot of Locust Posts, Ac.
Also, Household and Kitchen Furniture, such
as Tables, Chairs, Clocks, Beds, Bedding anti
Bedsteads, Stoves and Pipe, Cupboards,
Wool and Spinning Wheels. Kettles, Bits
and Pan., a lot of Bacon, Meat Vessels. a
number of tight Barrels, 2 iron-bound Whiss
k e y iloggh e rplis of large size, together wish a
great variety of other articles, too numerous
to mention.
itgirSale to dominance at 19 o'clock. A. M.
un ,*id day. anti to continue from day to day
until all is sold. Attendance given and tennis
made known by JAMES McDIVIT.
Jan. is
Timb3r-land and Farm,
A T PUBLIC SALE.—WiII be offered at
Public Sale, on Friday, the sth day of
March" next, on the premises, a Tract of rmi
her-land, cont ) tining 1: -. .5 Acres, situate in
Franklin township, Adams county, 2i miles
font th west of Cash town, and well covered with
C:ieffnut and Caosnut-Ctk Timber of the beet
finality—the tract to be sold in b,to of from
5 to 10 Acres each. Sale positive. T'm
subscriber will also,on said day, offer at public
outcry, hilt FARM, adjoining the above, con
taining 100 Acres, with a Two-
Story IIOCSF.. Frame Barn, 290'
Apple tree , ' and other fruit there- f
on. I Persona wishing to view .
the prewist.4. a-e ref - pawed to can on toe
subscriber, residing on the farm.
mar-Sala to commence at 9 o'clock. A. M..
4)n said day. when attendance will be given.
and terms undo known hy
WILLIAM BOLLER.
Sir Six or Seron hunklrel L /coo Nato will
he .uII on said day. Fob. I. ts
New Court House.
SaE.IT.V.I) Peoprotels will be reoeiTe.l at the
L- 1 Mb se of the C tinguisgiotters of Mania
county, until 3 u'olock, P, M., on Tuesday.
Me 23.1 cf ty of Kbrn sry next, fur the erec
tion. in the R 'runes of Gettysburg, of a new
COUR r 11‘)CSE, tU by RS} - feet, two akorirs
hi height, with copula. &c.
Mama nii I ape: Mentions mom be wn at the
A
Cnati...i.,ners (Mier, us auil after Monday,
the Sot of Foh•narc.
HENRY A. PICKING.
JOSIAII BENNER •
It.‘FFEN'SPERGER,
Coastisissiontrs,
Attest—
.l: M. WlLess, Clerk.
.1 tn. 25. ISS
R3gistert Notice.
1V3V.1.1e: is hereby given to all legatees mot
4 -1 ether persons conwrnell that the Ad el i n e
istratimi nocnonta hereinafter mentioned will
he previewed at the Orp Court ofAdailia
C quay for confirmation and allowance, on
7Ste_ulay, the gm day of February west, at
10 tit., viz
7. Th e a mount of Join,- Brough. Ex
ecutor of the lit4t 1611 and testament of
Michael !lanes, late of Hampton, Adam*
County, deceased.
8. Th.! first account of Albert W.
Storm, Administrator of the oast* of
John Feltv,deveagell,
9. The ilrst ac-connt of Daniel Golden,
Executor of the last will and tostainant
of George Golden, deceased.
10. The account of Isaac B. and Peter
Trostle, Executors and Testamentary
Trustee~ under the Will of Abraham
Trostle, docuamed—of the heirs ot. Sarah
Stoke, deceamcd.
11. The first account ofJohn Nfowery
and Abraham Rixler, Administrators or
the estate of .Idain 3towery, deceased.
12. The account of Anthony Dear
dorff, one of the Administrators de bonis
non cum testamento annexe of, John
Arendt, Esq., late of the township or
Franklin, Adams county, Pa., dee'd.,
settled by Benjamin Deardorff, Admin
istrator of the estate of eutid Anthony
Deartlorft late deceased.
ZAVIIARIA.II MYERS, Rtgiskr.
Register's Office. Gettys
burg, Jun. 25, !PAM.
A Large Supply of Lumber,
Ixci,Cl)lNo e, cry quality of River Pine,
jtrit rereired, awl for sale. at very low
pricimat the Yard of SiII:ADS I BUELILER.
on the Career qt' Igmltiuglan and Railroad
Streets, jolt in the rear of tae " Xagle II I tel."
They have also on hand a large variety of
l'lleterixl festitet, Shiaalistg Lather. and
Picket Jl:adsr, (fur garden fencing,) which
they will sell low. Orders for any amount
can be promptly filled. Builders, before put ,
chasing elsewhere, will find it to their ad
vantage to examine qualities and prim.—
Also, a superior article of Likic.l,4asi.th Coal,
at 33 cts, per bushel.
Gettysburg, Jan. 25, 1858.
Notice.
TUE undersigned would respectfully request
all persons indebted to him, by not* or
book account, to mare immediate payment.
All accounts unpaid on the first of April oast,
will be placed in the hands of Ilaxar A.
Pscittmc, Esq., for collection.
Feb. 1. Et JACO BAU L XI:MIL
-
• Executor's Notice.
JOIN 13. McPUERSON'SESTATE.—Let.
ters.testamentary on the estate of John
B. McPherson, late of Gettysburg, Adams
county, deceased, haring been greased s o
the undertigned, residing in the same place,
he hereby gives notice to all pe . re in
debted to said estate to make Mllielpiiate
payment. end tho.ce haring e l is io sfs,sis h igt
the same to pregent - them prOperly arithen-
Limited for settlement.
EDWARD MePLIF.I . M* - jp. r .
Feb. 1, 1858. 6t
Tarra Culture Meeting.
TIIERE will b• inw4ntof sl. )Inaailen
4 . -Terra Calm,. Society, hdd in t h e Walla
School Hon". in .11 4 nthitiville. OR Saturday,
the 27th of FebriutryiniC,Al n'xioct,
All persons itbo hero bosolostrocts4 pn
Toffs Calton by Ptorossor Comstock ors in
vited to., Bf omega Of SRC' A T.
W. N.
:pet 11110111,80.-4 large4rlof blesehed
IF Mei - lembieseimpi MeeetisysiteAllisdag,
afi el whisk weals" as redemoil rime,
S. A E. 11.