WINTER IN THE TERRITORY — STATE LEGISLATURE. 187 
ing a halo of singular loveliness over this unrivalled landscape, 
gave a promise of warmer days. “ The days of the singing-birds 
have come.” With the life-giving days of spring, how could we 
hope for peace and tranquillity ! Yet there is no just ground for 
such hope. Companies of mounted riflemen have been forming 
along the border; and a late “ Independence Despatch ” states 
that the militia of the border counties in Missouri are to rendez¬ 
vous at Fort Scott, in this territory, on the 29th of February. 
Atchison also, a few days since, in his speech at Platte city, 
called upon his friends to “ hold themselves in readiness against 
the 4th of March,” as then there would be a new invasion of the 
territory.” The “ six weeks,” which Jones pledged upon his 
honor should be free from invasion, are nearly over. A gentle¬ 
man of Easton has received a threatening letter from his pro¬ 
slavery neighbors, warning him to leave. Everything looks 
threatening. 
March 4th. — The doctor, with many more from Lawrence, left 
for Topeka yesterday, as the Legislature meets to-day. Lawrence 
is really deserted. Judge Elmore has, in conversation with the 
leaders of the free-state party, expressed strong desires that the 
members should not take the oath of office, as such an act would 
be considered treasonable, and they would be immediately ar¬ 
rested. Letters written from Washington also say that it is the. 
design of the President to carry this matter thus far. By failing 
to take the oath of office, the present free-state constitution would 
be of no account. A gentleman has just been in, who reports a 
member of the Legislature arrived an hour since from Washing¬ 
ton. He says the United States Marshal is on his way to Topeka, 
to arrest all who take the oath of office. He wishes to be ar¬ 
rested with the others, and will leave for Topeka this evening. 
A strange farce this, of arresting freemen for no sin but a 
desire to maintain their rights as freemen, and for doing what 
California and Michigan have done before us. No iron rule 
bound them down like the hateful tyranny crushing Kansas. 
Were it not for these continual attempts on the part of govern¬ 
ment to oppress us, Kansas would be peopled with a rapidity 
unprecedented in the settlement of any state. Her genial climate 
