THE ATTACK UPON LAWRENCE. 
237 
of treason against South Carolina, and Mr. Miller was released, 
minus his money, revolvers, and horse. 
The communication of the marshal being received in Lawrence, 
all hope of safety from any action of his was at once abandoned. 
The evident design of the authorities was to force the people into 
resistance to the United States authorities, in acts of self-preser¬ 
vation, or to gain possession of the town by process of law, and 
then give it up to unrestrained outrage. The officers showed no 
disposition to restrain the lawless acts daily committed by their 
“ legally authorized militia,” and there is no reason to suppose 
they desired to do so. 
At this time, beside the breaking open of goods, robbing and 
plundering, thirty men had been arrested without any legal pro¬ 
cess, and treated with every indignity, while some still remained 
at the mercy of the robbers. The people of Lawrence, still wish¬ 
ing peace, made one more effort with the marshal, and on Satur¬ 
day, the 17th, sent him the following letter: 
“ J. B. Donaldson, U. S. Marshal of K. T. — Dear Sir : We 
desire to call your attention, as citizens of Kansas, to the fact that 
a large force of armed men have collected in the vicinity of Law¬ 
rence, and are engaged in committing depredations upon our citi¬ 
zens— stopping wagons, arresting, threatening, and robbing unof¬ 
fending travellers upon the highway — breaking open boxes of 
merchandise, and appropriating their contents — have slaughtered 
cattle, and terrified many of the women and children. 
“ We have also learned from Gov. Shannon, that ‘ there are no 
armed forces in the vicinity of this place, but the regularly con¬ 
stituted militia of the territory.’ This is to ask you if you rec¬ 
ognize them as your posse, and feel responsible for their acts. If 
you do not, we hope and trust you will prevent a repetition of such 
acts, and give peace to the settlers. 
“ On behalf of the citizens, 
“ C. W. Babcock, 
Lyman Allen, 
J. A. Perry.” 
