Report of the special committee appointed to investigate the troubles in Kansas,: with the views of the minority of said committee.

KANSAS AFFAIRS.
my power, oppose the laws of the so-called Kansas legislature. I
furthermore promise and swear, that when I hear the words of danger
given, I will repair to the place where the danger is. I furthermore
promise andl swear, that if any part of my obligation is at this time
omitted, I will consider the same as binding when legally informed of
it. I furthermore promise and swear, that, at the first convenient
opportunity, I will commit this obligation to memory. To all of this
I solemnly swear, without equivocation or self-evasion, binding myself under the penalty of being declared a perjuror before Heaven and
a traitor to my country.'
"I then remarked to Col. Lane, that that was a very serious obligation. He replied it was; and also stated that it was necessary for me
to become acquainted with the signs and pass-words. The sign of
recognition is given by placing the right thumb under the chin, and
the fore-finger of the right hand by the side of the nose, quietly
scratching or rubbing it two or three times. The answer to it was
given by placing the thumb and fore-finger of the left hand on the
lower lip, as if rubbing it. The grip was given by locking the
two first fingers of the right hand over each other. The words accompanying the grip are these: The one giving you the grip would
ask:'Are you in favor of Kansas becoming a free State?' The
answer was:' I am, if Missouri is willing.' The means by which
persons procured admission into the council was, by going to the door
the sentinel would then present himself. The person applying would
say'Kansas,' accenting the last syllable. The person would then
advance to the centre of the room and salute the colonel, by placing
his right hand just above his forehead. The regalia was this: The
private members wore a black ribbon tied upon their shirt-bosoms; the
colonel wore a red sash; the lieutenant-colonel a green sash; the
major a blue sash; the captains white sashes; the lieutenants yellow
sashes; the orderly sergeant a very broad black ribbon upon the shirtbosom. Col. Lane then remarked to me that I had( been made acquainted with the principles of the institution, and that it was the
determination of the free-State party not to submit to the laws of the
legislature, or to any opposition that might come from Missouri or any
other quarter. I remarked to the Colonel that I was sworn to support those laws in taking my oath as a lawyer, and that I considered
that that oath was administered by a higher power than he exercised,
and hence I should not keep thle obligation he had given to me; and
under no circumstances would I do anything to subvert the institutions of the country, or place myself in opposition to the laws; and
he might depend upon it, I would expose it the first convenient opportunity. I also told him I could not consistently keep both obligations
that had been imposed upon me; that I was also a member and minister of a religious denomination, and that it would not be consistent
with my Christian duties to keep the obligation he had imposed on
me; that I should most certainly, when the subject caine up, expose
it. He stated then to me, that if that was my determination, and I
did express myself so publicly, I would hardly get away from the city
with my life. I replied to him that I would express myself so under
all circumstances, both in public and private."
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