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

KANSAS AFFAIRS.
but for titat purpo.se. 1 believe there are a great many in }lissouri
who are so sit80ated."
The invasion of March 30th left both parties in a state of excitement, tending directly to produce violence. The successful party was
lawless and reckless, while assuming the name of the " Law and
Order" party. The other party, at first surprised and confoun ded,
was greatly irritated, and some resolved to present the success o f the
invasion. In some districts, as before stated, protests were sent to
the governor; in others this was prevented by threats, in others by
the want of time, and in others by the belief that a new election wouild
bring a new invasion. About the same time, all classes of men commenced bearing deadly weapons about their persons-a practice which
has continued to this time. Under these circumstances, a slight or
accidental quarrel produced unusual violence, and lawless acts became
frequent. This unhappy condition of the public mind was further
increased by acts of violence in western Missouri, where, in April, a
newspaper press called the Parkville Luminary was destroyed by a
mob.
About the same time Malcolm Clark assaulted Cole MIcCrea at a
squatter meeting in Leavenworth, and was shot by McCrea in alleged
self-defence.
On the 17thl day of May, William Phillips, a lawyer of Leavenworth, was first notified to leave, and upon his refusal was forcibly
seized, taken across the river and carried several miles into Missouri,
and then tarred and feathered, and one side of his head shaved, and
other gross indignities put upon his person.
Previous to this outrage, a public meeting was held(10) at which
resolutions were unanimously passed, looking to unlawful violence,
and grossly intolerant in their character. The right of free speech
upon the subject of slavery was characterized as a disturbance of the
peace and quiet of the community, and as "circulating incendiary
sentiments." They say "to the peculiar friends of northern fanatics,
go home and vent your treason where you may find sympathy."
Among other resolves is the following~
"Nesolved, That the institution of slavery is known and reco,gnised in this Territoryv; that we repel the doctrine that it is a moral
and political evil, and we hurl back with scorn upon its slanderous
autthors the charge of inhumanitvy; and we warn all persons not to
come to our peaceful firesides to slander us and sow the seeds of discord between the master and the servant; for, much as we deprecate
the necessity to which we may be driven, we cannot be responsible for
the consequences."
A committee of vigilance of thirty men was appointed "to observe
and report all such persons as shall, * * * by the expression of
abolition sentiments, produce disturbance to the quiet of the citizens,
Or danger to their domestic relations; and all such persons so offending shall be notified and made to leave the Territory."
The meeting was "ably and eloquently addressed by Judge Lecompte, Col. L. N. Burns, of Weston, Missouri, and others." Thus
the head of the judiciary in the Territory not only assisted at a public
(10) A. Payne
41