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

KANSAS AFFAIRS.
Committee met at 8 o'clock a. m. All present.
Adjourned, to meet at 8 o'clock to-morrow morning.
WM. A. HOWARD, Chairman.
The following communication was received from Gen. J. W. Whitfield by the chairman in the course of the day, viz:
FREE-STATE HOTEL, LAWRENCE, April 247 1856.
To Wm. A. Howard, Chairman of Committee:
DEAR SIR: Owing to the assassination of sheriff Jones, in this town,
last night, while in the prosecution of the duties of his oflice, and
that, too, while surrounded by a body of United States troops, d(etailed
to aid himn in the execution of the laws of the Territory of Kansas,
andcl the excitement consequent upon the same, I am and shall be
unable to get my witnesses to attend the sitting of the committee at
this place; they refusing, and with good reason, to expose thenmselves
and run the risk of being assassinated, whenever night shillts in, by a
lawless band of conspirators. One of my chief witnesses (sheriff
Jones) has already been shot; on that account, others who are here
have determined to leave, and others whom I expected and notified to
be here have informed me that they will not attend while the committee sit at this place. I will further state, that there are others here
rendering me material aid in this investigation, and without whom I
cannot safely proceed, whom I cannot ask to remain and iml)eril their
lives in so doing, or at least subject themselves to insult and contumely.
I would most respectfiully souggest to the committee to adjo()urn from
this to some more safeL an(l neutral point, where witnesses and others
will not be subject to the dangters an(l insults above alluded to.
In the event this c)ominittce shall conclude to adjourt, to soijle other
point, I pledge in advanice, and assure this committee, that ifromn me
they shall have all the aid 1 can summon to a fair, full, and complete
investigation.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. WHITFIEILD.
Hon. W. A. HOWARD,
Lawrence, K. T.
The chairman made the following reply:
LAWRENCE, A4pril 24, 1856.
DEAR SIR: I hlave the honor to acknowledge the receil)t of your
letter o' tlhis date. If, for any reason satisfactory to yourself, y()tu (ldo
niot wishl to bring your vitne,sses lieie to be examined, it will afford
the co,,nmitt, e tpleasuire to liold( sessions, at their earliest convenienrce,
at any suitable l)lace, giving, you ail)le notice and thle benefit of our
subl)tcena to collect as mnany witnesses as you may desii'e, at silch p)lace
as you may designate. In the mean time there are some witnesses,
we think, we can examine here, and we would be pleased to have you
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