Legislature adopted the body of Missouri statutes, but added thereto a series of "black laws" exceeding in ferocity

anything ever before known in the United States. Antislavery men were disqualified from holding office.

*Represents the members and two of the officers of the Kansas Congressional Investigating Committee of 1856. The committee was appointed under a resolution of the House of Representatives, passed March 19, 1856, with instructions to "Proceed to inquire into and collect evidence in regard to the troubles in Kansas generally, and particularly in regard to any fraud or force attempted or practiced in reference to any of the elections which had taken place in the Territory, etc."

out in the Territory, and that 3,000 men were required to suppress it. This was the beginning of the "Wakarusa War." The Governor ordered Generals Richardson and Strickler, of the Territorial militia, to march to Lecompton, and report to the Sheriff all the force they could collect. In the meantime, the Missouri border was stirred with appeals, and a large force was raised to organize another invasion.

A formidable Pro-slavery force collected at Franklin. Free State companies gathered from the vicinity, and joined the garrison of Lawrence. Sheriff Jones came into Lawrence, but failed to find the rescuers of Branson. Governor Shannon wearied of the Missourians who had arrived to assist the Sheriff, and besought them to disband and depart, and in the meantime called on Colonel Sumner, of the United States army, to bring troops. The Free State leaders succeeded in opening up communication with Governor Shannon, and as a final result the invaders in the interest of "law and order" started back to Missouri, the beleaguered garrison of Lawrence was relieved, and Governor Shannon affixed his signature to a treaty signed by Charles Robinson and James H. Lane, and a few evenings later met these gentlemen at an evening party given by the ladies of Lawrence, at which even Sheriff Jones was an invited guest.

82. Thomas W. Barber a Martyr.-But the "Wakarusa War' was not destined to end without bloodshed. Thomas W. Barber, a young man, who had been among the

defenders of Lawrence, was on his way home with two friends, when they were confronted by two horsemen, who detached themselves from another party, and Barber was killed. Murders had not been uncommon, but this excited unusual horror. The funeral of Barber was attended by every demonstration of respect, Charles Robinson and James H. Lane speaking beside the coffin.

Whittier afterwards wrote the "Burial of Barber:"
Not in vain a heart shall break,

Not a tear for freedom's sake
Fall unheeded; God is true.

The Kansas county of Barber commemorates his name. 83. Whitfield Elected to Congress.-In October, 1855, an election was held for delegate to Congress, in which Free State men did not participate, and General John W. Whitfield received 2,721 votes.

84. Election of State Officers.-On the 15th of January, 1856, occurred the election of State officers under the Topeka Constitution: Charles Robinson was chosen Governor; W. Y. Roberts, Lieutenant-Governor; P. C. Schuyler, Secretary of State; G. A. Cutler, Auditor; John A. Wakefield, Treasurer; H. Miles Moore, Attorney-General; M. Hunt, M. F. Conway, G. W. Smith, Supreme Judges; E. M. Thurston, Reporter of Supreme Court; S. B. Floyd, Clerk of Supreme Court; John Speer, Public Printer; Representative in Congress, M. W. Delahay.

85. First Session of Topeka Legislature.-On the 4th of March, 1856, was held the first session of the Topeka Legislature. Governor Robinson presented a message. James H. Lane and Andrew H. Reeder were chosen United

States Senators, and a memorial was prepared asking admission into the Union. The Legislature adjourned to meet on the 4th of July.

86. Topeka Constitution in Congress.-The Topeka Constitution was presented in the Senate of the United States, by Senator Lewis Cass, on March 24th, and in the House by Hon. Daniel Mace, of Indiana.

87. Disbanding of Topeka Legislature.-On the re-assembling of the Legislature at Topeka, on the 4th day of July, 1856, Colonel E. V. Sumner, U. S. A., appeared with five companies of United States dragoons and two pieces of artillery. Colonel Sumner entered the halls of the Senate and House, and told the members that the Legislature must disperse, and they obeyed. Colonel Sumner was accompanied by United States Marshal Donalson. Colonel Sumner acted under the orders of Acting-Governor Woodson, and Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis.

The Topeka Legislature re-assembled in January, 1857, when some of the officers and members were arrested by a Deputy United States Marshal, and taken to Tecumseh. The Legislature again met in January, 1858, and adjourned to Lawrence, and asked the Territorial Legislature, then in session, to substitute the State for the Territorial organization, which they refused to do.

On the 4th of March, 1858, the Legislature under the Topeka Constitution met, found itself without a quorum, and adjourned to meet no more. This was the end of the "Topeka movement."

On the 3d of July, 1856, the House of Representatives passed a bill for the admission of Kansas under the Topeka Constitution, by a vote of ninety-nine to ninety-seven. The

opposition of the Senate to any free Constitution was invincible.

88. Treason Programme. The administration of President Pierce, and that of Kansas Territory, early took the position that adherence to the Topeka Government, or nonobedience to the Shawnee Missouri Legislature, constituted some form of treason and insurrection. The numberless troubles of 1856 had their origin in the attempts of the National and Territorial authorities to arrest, prosecute and punish Free State men for rebellion and high treason.

By May, the treason suppression programme was far advanced. Governor Robinson, Governor Reeder, and many others were indicted for high treason. Governor Reeder, who was in the Territory in attendance on the Congressional Investigating Committee, commonly called the "Howard Committee," refused arrest, and made his way to Kansas City, Mo., whence he escaped, in disguise, down the Missouri, on the deck of a steamboat.

Many persons were arrested, during May, at different points, refused bail by Judge Lecompte, and confined at Lecompton. Governor Robinson, while traveling with his wife, was arrested at Lexington, Mo., was brought back to Lecompton, and held a prisoner for four months.

89. Events at Lawrence. By the 17th of May, 1856, a large armed force had collected in the vicinity of Lawrence. On the 21st of May, Sheriff Jones entered the town with armed followers, and by virtue of writs out of the First District Court of the United States for Kansas Territory, burned and battered down the Free State hotel, and destroyed the offices of the Herald of Freedom, and the Kansas Free State newspapers. Stores were broken open