Record Data
Source citation
Sara Tappan Doolittle Lawrence Robinson, Diary of Sara Tappan Doolittle Lawrence Robinson, December 3, 1855, Kansas: Its Interior and Exterior Life, 4th edition, Boston, MA: Crosby, Nichols & Company, 1856, p. 366.
Type
Diary
Date Certainty
Exact
Transcriber
Michael Blake
Transcription date
Transcription
The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print. Spelling and typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.
-- Last evening the governor's proclamation, though issued on the 29th, was received. It is one mass of falsehoods and misstatements, and an incendiary appeal to the bad passions of the border men to come in to assist him in our destruction. Jones goes to him with most malignant untruths of a rescue from his hands of the prisoner, by a band of forty men, etc. (It is now stated that Coleman was with the posse, and armed himself at Franklin with pistols and bowie-knives to act with Jones' posse.) The rescue was ten miles from Lawrence. Two men in the rescue are all who have ever been citizens of Lawrence. Gov. Shannon, without the discretion which a man possessing even a common share of sense would show, issued his bloody proclamation, which deserves no place in the archives of history, against the citizens of Lawrence.
While no effort has been made to make a single arrest, he says they are in a state of rebellion against the laws, and utters fierce cries of "revolution," and "civil war." We would that we had a governor less imbecile and senseless.
On Saturday the immortal Jones came into town. While he sat upon his horse, bolt upright, looking defiant, his eyes wandered restlessly here and there, as if expecting some unseen enemy, and his hands trembled. Some boys, whose fun was brimming over, asked him if he was cold.
His thin lips parted, and an abrupt "No" was uttered.
"Then have you the chills?" asked they in a sympathetic tone.
The same sound, and the same monosyllable, only a little more abrupt and stern, was issued.
He evidently did not like the Yankee sympathy when such weighty matters were resting on his shoulders. But, being asked what he wanted in Lawrence, he replied, "I will let you know when I get ready." Then, putting spurs to his horse, he wheeled around, amid the laugh of the three or four frolicksome youths, and the blue coat of the Missourian was last seen going over the hill on the way to Lecompton. He had made, in his estimation, no doubt, a fearful escape from the stronghold of the rebels.
Yesterday, the rumors of war being still rife, and so many citizens of the near settlements having come in, arrangements were made for the companies to go into barracks. The large dininghall of the new hotel being fitted up with stoves, several of the companies will occupy it, while others have a "soldier's home" in the hall which has been used for school-room, church, etc. The quartermaster and commissary-general have been appointed. Beef and corn are brought in in large quantities, and preparations are being made for a siege.
The soldiers are drilling out on the prairie, and under the command of Col. Lane, who has seen actual service and hard fighting in Mexico. Their evolutions are well performed. As we look upon them, going through the drill soberly, without noise, and no rabble of boys following, we feel that, before yielding to the unjust exactions of a partisan government, they would meet death.
There is young manhood in the ranks, and some who have not yet counted their score of years; but the mantle of discretion and prudence has fallen upon them. The blood of '76 runs in their veins, and the fires of its unquenched love of liberty sparkle in their eyes.
We are yet in the hollow of His hand who "hates the oppressor," and "the crooked ways before us He will make straight."
A Mr. N., of Vermont, is just in. He called to see doctor a few moments since, and has now returned with him from the council-room, and will make our house his home. He brings news of our pleasant Scotch friend, who left us this morning on another tour of observation, in the enemy's camp. He met him at "Fish's," some two miles below the ford, on the Wakarusa, of which the enemy have taken possession, having escaped from their hands. They recognized him as some one from Lawrence, he having been so frequently in their camp. They disarmed him at first; but, on his threatening them with proceedings, they returned the pistol, and he is now on his way to report to Gov. Shannon the conduct of his militia. As they kept him a good while in camp, he learned much of their method of proceeding. Sentries are posted at all the fords on the Wakarusa, with strict orders to search and disarm every one attempting to pass. An old gentleman from Lawrence is a prisoner in their camp. They keep him bound.
Mr. P. attempted to persuade Mr. N. to go further up the river before attempting to cross, it being utter folly to try to get past them at that point; but, by a most skilful manoeuvre, he blinded the enemy in gallant style, and came through bearing important despatches.
He has a very military air about him, and, as he reined in his horse a moment, then dashing in among the rough outposts at the crossing, and, in a stern voice, said, "Why don't you demand the countersign?" they looked astonished, and he passed through. They evidently supposed him to be one of their officers. Coming, as they have, from several different counties, the majority of the men and officers are strangers to each other.
In the camp Mr. N. gave the military salute, and commenced an easy off-hand talk with the men. One of the unshaven apologies for manhood asked, "Did you see many of our boys coming?"
Mr. N. replied, "No, I saw more returning;" as he in fact met fifty, whose faces were set homewards, their patience being wearied out with waiting for the gathering together of their sheriff's posse.
The questioner, with downcast look, then said, "Then we may as well give it up; for the Lawrence boys will take us like mice."
When some of the men very blandly asked if they should take care of his horse, his reply, that "he thought he would look around a little first," satisfied them, and he pursued his journey.
He soon reached the village of Franklin, where fifty or more of these men were loitering, and attending most assiduously upon some half a dozen groceries. It seemed at first a matter of some doubt whether he could pass them; but, with the military salute, and gracefully bowing, he went on unmolested, and reached us in safety.
Another fact of some moment, learned to-day, is that as the invaders pass the Shawnee Mission, they are all enrolled by the governor.
One's indignation would exceed every other feeling were it not for the wonder that any man can be guilty of such consummate folly!
Spies from the enemy's camp are in Lawrence every day. They gain all the information they can, which, I judge from the merriment of the guard, in talking over the visit of a spy, is not always so reliable as it might be.
Dr. Wood has moved his family out of town. So, also, have other pro-slavery men. Dr. Wood is in the camp of the enemy. A young man, who claims to be free-state, has repeatedly warned a lady of his acquaintance -- a widow with small children -- of the approaching onset, and that no one in the town will be safe from indiscriminate slaughter. He begs of her to remove to a pro-slavery residence, a mile out, and there he will insure her safety.
She sends her children to the proposed place of security to sleep; but, like a true woman, remains at home, to perform those duties which the hour renders imperative.
This youth, who, notwithstanding his protestations of being a free-state man, has had a wondrous fellow-feeling for the pro-slavery party, -- opening his house for their storage of provisions at the time of the first invasion, -- now complains of illness, and neither comes into town, nor goes down to the enemy's camp. Another man, a Mr. Cox, who has been strong in his expressions of sympathy with the free-state cause, is now a spy among us. He has hoisted upon his store a sign telling who he is, and asking that his property may not be destroyed.
Our fair-weather friends are now obliged to show their true colors, and the certain knowledge of their treachery is worth much to a community situated as we are. Eighty men from Topeka have arrived.
While no effort has been made to make a single arrest, he says they are in a state of rebellion against the laws, and utters fierce cries of "revolution," and "civil war." We would that we had a governor less imbecile and senseless.
On Saturday the immortal Jones came into town. While he sat upon his horse, bolt upright, looking defiant, his eyes wandered restlessly here and there, as if expecting some unseen enemy, and his hands trembled. Some boys, whose fun was brimming over, asked him if he was cold.
His thin lips parted, and an abrupt "No" was uttered.
"Then have you the chills?" asked they in a sympathetic tone.
The same sound, and the same monosyllable, only a little more abrupt and stern, was issued.
He evidently did not like the Yankee sympathy when such weighty matters were resting on his shoulders. But, being asked what he wanted in Lawrence, he replied, "I will let you know when I get ready." Then, putting spurs to his horse, he wheeled around, amid the laugh of the three or four frolicksome youths, and the blue coat of the Missourian was last seen going over the hill on the way to Lecompton. He had made, in his estimation, no doubt, a fearful escape from the stronghold of the rebels.
Yesterday, the rumors of war being still rife, and so many citizens of the near settlements having come in, arrangements were made for the companies to go into barracks. The large dininghall of the new hotel being fitted up with stoves, several of the companies will occupy it, while others have a "soldier's home" in the hall which has been used for school-room, church, etc. The quartermaster and commissary-general have been appointed. Beef and corn are brought in in large quantities, and preparations are being made for a siege.
The soldiers are drilling out on the prairie, and under the command of Col. Lane, who has seen actual service and hard fighting in Mexico. Their evolutions are well performed. As we look upon them, going through the drill soberly, without noise, and no rabble of boys following, we feel that, before yielding to the unjust exactions of a partisan government, they would meet death.
There is young manhood in the ranks, and some who have not yet counted their score of years; but the mantle of discretion and prudence has fallen upon them. The blood of '76 runs in their veins, and the fires of its unquenched love of liberty sparkle in their eyes.
We are yet in the hollow of His hand who "hates the oppressor," and "the crooked ways before us He will make straight."
A Mr. N., of Vermont, is just in. He called to see doctor a few moments since, and has now returned with him from the council-room, and will make our house his home. He brings news of our pleasant Scotch friend, who left us this morning on another tour of observation, in the enemy's camp. He met him at "Fish's," some two miles below the ford, on the Wakarusa, of which the enemy have taken possession, having escaped from their hands. They recognized him as some one from Lawrence, he having been so frequently in their camp. They disarmed him at first; but, on his threatening them with proceedings, they returned the pistol, and he is now on his way to report to Gov. Shannon the conduct of his militia. As they kept him a good while in camp, he learned much of their method of proceeding. Sentries are posted at all the fords on the Wakarusa, with strict orders to search and disarm every one attempting to pass. An old gentleman from Lawrence is a prisoner in their camp. They keep him bound.
Mr. P. attempted to persuade Mr. N. to go further up the river before attempting to cross, it being utter folly to try to get past them at that point; but, by a most skilful manoeuvre, he blinded the enemy in gallant style, and came through bearing important despatches.
He has a very military air about him, and, as he reined in his horse a moment, then dashing in among the rough outposts at the crossing, and, in a stern voice, said, "Why don't you demand the countersign?" they looked astonished, and he passed through. They evidently supposed him to be one of their officers. Coming, as they have, from several different counties, the majority of the men and officers are strangers to each other.
In the camp Mr. N. gave the military salute, and commenced an easy off-hand talk with the men. One of the unshaven apologies for manhood asked, "Did you see many of our boys coming?"
Mr. N. replied, "No, I saw more returning;" as he in fact met fifty, whose faces were set homewards, their patience being wearied out with waiting for the gathering together of their sheriff's posse.
The questioner, with downcast look, then said, "Then we may as well give it up; for the Lawrence boys will take us like mice."
When some of the men very blandly asked if they should take care of his horse, his reply, that "he thought he would look around a little first," satisfied them, and he pursued his journey.
He soon reached the village of Franklin, where fifty or more of these men were loitering, and attending most assiduously upon some half a dozen groceries. It seemed at first a matter of some doubt whether he could pass them; but, with the military salute, and gracefully bowing, he went on unmolested, and reached us in safety.
Another fact of some moment, learned to-day, is that as the invaders pass the Shawnee Mission, they are all enrolled by the governor.
One's indignation would exceed every other feeling were it not for the wonder that any man can be guilty of such consummate folly!
Spies from the enemy's camp are in Lawrence every day. They gain all the information they can, which, I judge from the merriment of the guard, in talking over the visit of a spy, is not always so reliable as it might be.
Dr. Wood has moved his family out of town. So, also, have other pro-slavery men. Dr. Wood is in the camp of the enemy. A young man, who claims to be free-state, has repeatedly warned a lady of his acquaintance -- a widow with small children -- of the approaching onset, and that no one in the town will be safe from indiscriminate slaughter. He begs of her to remove to a pro-slavery residence, a mile out, and there he will insure her safety.
She sends her children to the proposed place of security to sleep; but, like a true woman, remains at home, to perform those duties which the hour renders imperative.
This youth, who, notwithstanding his protestations of being a free-state man, has had a wondrous fellow-feeling for the pro-slavery party, -- opening his house for their storage of provisions at the time of the first invasion, -- now complains of illness, and neither comes into town, nor goes down to the enemy's camp. Another man, a Mr. Cox, who has been strong in his expressions of sympathy with the free-state cause, is now a spy among us. He has hoisted upon his store a sign telling who he is, and asking that his property may not be destroyed.
Our fair-weather friends are now obliged to show their true colors, and the certain knowledge of their treachery is worth much to a community situated as we are. Eighty men from Topeka have arrived.