WINTER IN THE TERRITORY — STATE LEGISLATURE. 185 
“ I would be glad if you would write to your friends in Con¬ 
gress, and get them to back me up in what I may seek to accom¬ 
plish for the territory. Moreover, I desire to see and talk with 
the leading men of the South, in relation to matters in this terri- 
tory. I wish to post them upon the real state of things out here, 
and what the South must do the coming year, or lose all dominion 
in a few years in the affairs oF the republic. 
“ Write to me frequently at Washington city, to the care of 
Gen. Whitfield. Post me at least once or twice a week as to all 
that is going on out here. I shall feel great solicitude as to the 
state of things in Kansas while I am gone. 
“ Yours with great respect, 
“ Wilson Shannon. 
“ George W. Clark, Esq.” 
The other brief epistle was filed “ Gov. Shannon, Pec. 3, 1855. 
Advice to join the army with public funds.” It is as follows : 
4 4 Executive Office, ^ 
Shawnee Mission, K. T., Dec. 3, 1855. ) 
44 My dear Sir : I think you had better join the command of 
Col. Childs or Gen. Richardson with your money. It is unsafe 
to remain at your house with so large an amount of money. 
“ Yours, etc., 
“Wilson Shannon. 
44 Major Clark.” 
The President, with the most abject servility to the slave power, 
has issued his anathemas against us. So base a document as his 
special message never before emanated from the White House. 
Has he read all history aright to suppose such bondage as this 
will not break its own chain? He talks of 44 treason.” Treason 
against what? Not the United States surely, as, with earnestness 
stating our tnanifold and outrageous wrongs, we ask to be ad¬ 
mitted into the sisterhood of states. Himself imbecile as the 
head of the government, he has bowed himself to the trappings 
of office. Stupid with the lust of power, and paving his w T ay 
16 * 
