New York Times, “Affairs in Kansas,” June 12, 1857

AFFAIRS IN KANSAS.

Resistance to Taxation in Lawrence.

Correspondence of the New-York Daily Times.

LAWRENCE, Monday, June 1, 1857.

This morning, Marshal FAIN came in from Lecompton, and, soon after his arrival, stated to some of our citizens that he was here to assess our property as an officer under the Territorial Legislature. The report ran rapidly through our town, and before noon assessment and tax-paying was the common topic of conversation. The Marshal, Judge and Sheriff FAIN, early this afternoon, called upon the Messrs. DUNCAN, merchants, told them the Sheriff was here to assess property, and asked for a list of their real and personal estate, to which they replied, that they would soon make out one. The DUNCANS are Western men, and have never been identified as Free-State men among us. Feeling began to intensify, and on a few moments’ notice a large concourse of citizens assembled in the open air in front of the Morrow House. Mr. JAMES BLOOD was elected President, and S. F. TAPPAN and WM. A. PHILLIPS, Secretaries. On motion of Judge CONWAY, a Committee of five persons was appointed to draft resolutions. It was composed of Messrs. Wm. Hutchison, Charles Ingersoil, E.B. Whitman, Chas. Stearns, and S.W. Eldridge.

Mr. WM. HUTCHINSON, Chairman of the Committee, made the following report:

Whereas, We understand that a person claiming to be Deputy Sheriff and Assessor of TAXES, under the authority of the Bogus Legislature, is now in our midst; and whereas we utterly repudiate the authority of all persons claiming to be officers of that Legislature; and whereas the moneys so fraudulently collected from our people have been, and may again be appropriated in part, to defray the expenses incurred in burning hotels and private dwellings, destroying Printing Presses, sacking towns and plundering the property and outraging the dearest rights of our citizens; therefore,

Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting no good citizen will in any manner furnish “aid and comfort” to the Assessor or Collector of TAXES, or render to him a list of the valuation of his property.

Resolved, That, recognizing the principle established by the blood of our fathers, that “representation and taxation are inseparable,” we will never violate that principle by the voluntary payment of any taxes levied by the present Territorial Legislature.

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to present these resolutions to all our citizens for their signatures.

Resolved, That a Committee of five persons be appointed to present a copy of these resolutions to any person who may visit this community in the shape of an Assessor or Collector of Taxes, and that a copy be sent to his Excellency Governor WALKER.

FAIN acknowledged that he was sent here expressly by the Governor.

RANDOLPH.