CHAPTEE XVI. 
THE ATTACK UPON LAWRENCE. 
Surely the web has been woven around the little city of 
eighteen months’ existence. Its prosperity has excited the envy 
of the spoiler, and gradually now the vile men under J. E. 
Donaldson, United States Marshal, are drawing nearer; the 
circle about the beleaguered town is continually growing less. 
They come with United States authority. The President seeks 
renown in the bombarding of a poor little town on the far- 
western prairies; and his hordes, suggesting to all beholders the 
idea of a resurrection from the infernal regions, or a sudden leap 
into Dante’s Inferno, are gathered here. Gov. Shannon lends his 
servility to the scheme. But let the facts be stated; let the 
documents which passed between our people and their (?) governor 
be proof in the matter. 
Eumors, well authenticated, were afloat in the community that 
large companies were gathering into the territory at different 
points ; that they were drilling and preparing for an attack upon 
Lawrence. The last rumor was that a demand would be made 
upon the town for Eeeder and Eobinson and others, both of those 
named already being absent; that, if these were not given up, 
the town should be sacked. It was stated, further, that a large 
posse would enter the place, and, after making arrests, the posse 
would be disbanded to sack the town. The marshal’s proclama¬ 
tion was issued on the 11th. This was not sent to Lawrence, nor 
any means used to acquaint the people with the designs of the 
officers. The people, however, acting upon the continual threats 
of invasion, called a meeting, and appointed a committee of three 
to wait upon Gov. Shannon, and apprize him of the real state of 
20 
