Brevet Brigadier-General Harney:
Sir — I have in my possession, a "writ of habeus corpus," issued by the Hon.
Sam'l D. Lecompte, chief justice supreme court, territory of Kansas, com-
manding me to take the body of one John D. Henderson, now under arrest
in the city of Lawrence, and it having been represented to me that no suffi-
476 Kansas State Historical Society.
cient posse of citizens can be had to enable me to serve said writ, 1 therefore
lequest, that you furnish me with a sufficient number of troops, so that [ may-
be able to serve the writ as directed.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM ASHTON, U. S. Deputy Marshal.
Leavenworth City, January 21, 1S58.
To which first letter the following answer was returned:
Lawrence, K. T., January 22, 1858.
Brevet Brig.-Gen. W. S. Harney, Commanding U. S. Troops in Kansas:
Sir — Your communication of yesterday was received this morning. I can-
not sanction the application of Deputy U. S. Marshal Ashton at this time.
It may be necessary to make a requisition on you in a short time, but, if so,
I will inform you by messenger.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. DENVER, Acting Governor.
Commissions issued this day to William W. Lozier, as notary public in and
for the county of Leavenworth, residing at Wyandotte; also to James Fletcher,
as notary public in and tor the county of Richardson, residing at Fremont
City.
January 25.— The following communication was to-day received from the
council:
Council Chamber, Lawrence, January 25, 1858.
Hon. J. W. Denver, Secretary and Acting Governor:
It becomes my duty to inform your excellency that the council has this day
received and accepted the resignation of Joseph P. Carr, member elect in this
body from the county of Atchison. You will take such further action in the
matter as your excellency may deem necessary. I have the honor lo be, &c.,
C. W. BABCOCK, President of Council.
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, Joseph P. Carr, a member elect from the second council district
to the council of the legislative assembly for the territory of Kansas having
resigned, thereby causing a vacancy in said body:
Now, therefore, you are hereby commanded to notify the qualified electors
in and for the county of Atchison, it being the second council district, to meet
at their respective election precincts or places of voting on Monday, the 8th
day of February, and then and there proceed to fill said vacancy in the man-
ner prescribed by law.
In testimony whereof, I, James W. Denver, Secretary and acting Governor
of the territory of Kansas, have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the
seal of said territory, this 25th day of January, A. D. 1858.
[Seal.] J. W. DENVER.
To the Sheriff of Atchison County, Kansas Territory.
January 26. — Commission issued this day to Moses B. Newman, as notary
public for Leavenworth county, residing at Quindaro.
Lawrence, K. T., January 26, 1858.
Hon. W. Medill, First Comptroller, Washington, D. C:
Sir — It will not be possible for the clerks of the legislature to keep the jour-
nals of the two houses up with the proceedings, and consequently at the close of
Governor DcHrer's Administration. 477
the session a part will be left unfinished. I desire to be informed whether the
clerks will be allowed to complete the work, and whether they will be allowed
the same compensation they are now getting for their services, and also
whether it is a part of their duties to make out a copy for the printer.
The session is now more than half out and an early answer is requested.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. DENVER, Secretary of Kansas Territory.
January 27. — Commission issued this day to B. Harry Gruber, of Leaven-
worth county, as notary public, residing at Leavenworth; also to Moses S.
Hinman, as notary public in and for the county of Shawnee, residing at the
town of Superior.
January 28. — Commission issued this day to Return S. Leavitt, as notary
public in and for Leavenworth county, residing at Wyandotte. Moses S. Hin-
man, notary public for the county of Shawnee, took the oath of office before
Hugh S. Walsh, and had the same indorsed on the back of his commission.
January 30. — Requisition was this day received from Ralph P. Lowe, gov-
ernor of Iowa, for one David Stanfield, a fugitive from justice, to be delivered
to R. S. Patterson for conveyance back to Iowa. Warrant issued and placed
in the hands of Mr. Patterson, directing the sheriff of county to arrest
and carry the said Stanfield to the city of Leavenworth. Certificate of election
Issued to David Sibbet, as member of the council from the tenth council dis-
trict, by virtue of his election on the 26th day of January, 1858, at a special
election as member for said district. The record of the court of county com-
missioners for Leavenworth county having been presented in due form, to-
gether with the receipt of the school treasurer of said county, by Frederick
Majors, on the 23d day of this month, the acting governor, as required by law
in that case made and provided, issued to said Frederick Majors the grant of
the territory to the southwest quarter of section thirty-six (36), in township
seven (7), of range twenty-one (21), in Leavenworth county. Commissions
issued this day to Jesse Brown as clerk of the board of county commissioners
of Linn county; and to D. F. Park, as constable in and for Mound City town-
ship, in the county of Linn, both by virtue of their appointment by the board
of county commissioners; also to James McBailey, as constable for Walnut
township; C. T. Bell, as constable for Shannon township, and George M. Blod-
gett, as constable for Mount Pleasant township — all by appointment of the
board of county commissioners of Atchison county. The record of the court
of the county commissioners of Atchison county having been presented in due
form, together with the receipt of the school treasurer of said county, the gov-
ernor, as required by law in that case made and provided, issued the gi'ant of
the territory to Benjamin McCray for the southwest quarter of section thirty-
six (36), township six (6) south, of range twenty (20) east, of the school lands of
Atchison county. The record of the court of county commissioners of Doni-
phan county having been presented in due form, together with the receipt of
the school treasurer of said county, the governor, as required by law in such
case made and provided, issued the grant of the territory to William J.
Palmer for the southeast quarter of section thirty-six (36), township number
three (3) south, of range number twenty-one (21) east of the sixth principal me-
ridian, all in Doniphan county.
478 Kansas State Historical Society.
February 1. — Commission was this day issued to Wiley Jones, as justice of
the peace in and for Calhoun township, in the county of Douglas, by virtue of
his election on the 5th day of October, 1857; also to Arthur M. Claflin, as no-
tary public in and for Atchison county, residing at Sumner.
February 2. — Commission issued this day to Charles Cameron, as notary
public for Woodson county, residing at Belmont. Charles B. Keith, of Mus-
cotah, Atchison county, was this day appointed notary public in and for said
county.
February 3.— Commission issued this day to Phillip Copple, as constable
of Paris township, Linu county, by virtue of his appointment by the board
of county commissioners, January 5, 1858.
February 4. — It having been made to appear to the governor that a judgment
was obtained in the district court of the first judicial district of this territory
against one John Summers, for $100 in behalf of the territory, and that said
judgment presented a case of peculiar hardship, and that $80 of the same had
been paid, the governor issued to the U. S. marshal, E. S. Dennis, an order to
remit all and every part of said fine remaining unpaid.
February 9. — Commission issued to Frye W. Giles, as clerk of the board of
county commissioners, by virtue of his appointment by said board, on 22d day
of January, 1858, for Shawnee county. Commission issued this day to Amasa
Bart left, as notary public in and for the county of Pottawatomie, residing at
St. George.
February 10. —Certificate issued this day to Luther C. Challiss; as member
of the legislative assembly for the second council district, vice J. P. Carr, re-
signed, by virtue of his election on the 8th day of February, 1858.
February 13. — Commission issued to Chauncey J. Cowell, notary public for
Calhoun county, residing near Holton. Commission issued to F. W. Emery, as
notary public in and for Doniphan county. Commission issued to P. P. Elder,
as notary public in and for Franklin county, residing at Ohio City. Commis
sion issued to Charles Mayo, as notary public in and for Johnson county, resid-
ing at Olathe. Commission issued to Judson A. Larabee, as notary public in
and for the county of Coffey, residing at Burlington. Commission was this day
issued to Edwin S. Nash, as notary public in and for Johnson county, residing
at Olathe.
Executive Office, Lecompton, K. T., February 15, 1858.
To Brevet Colonel John Monroe, Commanding U. S. Troops in Kansas:
Sir — You are requested to send two companies of mounted troops to the
town of Fort Scott, in the southern part of this territory, to act as a "posse
comitatus" for the civil authorities there and also to protect the public prop-
erty of the United States at that place, information having been this day re-
ceived by me that a lawless body of armed men are now in that vicinity
threatening violence to the inhabitants, and premeditating the plunder of the
United States land-oflice there.
Governor Denvers Adnrinistration. 479
The officer in command you will direct to report to the Hon. Joseph Wil-
liams, U. S. district judge, or, in case that he is absent, then to U. S. Deputy-
Marshal John H. Little, for oredrs. The troops can obtain comfortable
quarters there, I am informed, and they had better remain there until further
advised. Prompt action is desirable.
Very respctfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. DENVER, Acting Governor.
February 16. — The record of the court of county commissioners of Atchison
county having been presented in due form, together with the receipt of the
school treasurer of said county, the governor, as required by law in that case
made and provided, issued the grant of the territory to Andrew W. Feebler,
of said county, for the northwest quarter of section sixteen (16), in township
seven (7), in range twenty (20), of the school lands of Atchison county.
February IS. — Charles W. Otey and Samuel B. Ford, sworn in as clerks in
the executive office, this day, by Hugh S. Walsh, notary public, for the purpose
of copying the laws passed at the extra session and regular session of the legis-
lative assembly. Griffin was this day sworn in as a clerk in the execu-
tive office, by Hugh S. Walsh, notary public, for the purpose of copying the
laws.
February 20. — Commission was this day issued to Prinby D. Morton,
iotary public in and for the county of Butler, residing at Chelsea.
February 23. — Commission was this day issued to Jacob Samstine, as notary
public in and for the county of Franklin, residing at Peoria.
February 24. — Commission was this day issued to M. T. Williams, as notary
public in and for the county of Anderson, residing at Shannon.
February 25. — Edward Hoogland was this day commissioned as judge of
piobate for Shawnee county, to hold his office until the fourth Mondav in
March next, and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Com-
missions were also issued to Daniel D. Burns, John C. Tarr, and J. W. Solo-
mons, as notaries public, residing at Kickapoo, for Leavenworth county; also
to Philemon B. Stanberry, as notary public, residing at Leavenworth city;
also to Marcus N. Blackmon, as notary public for the county of Leavenworth,
residing at Leavenworth city.
February 27. — Commission issued this day to John Drew, as notary public
in and for Shawnee county, residing at Burlingame.
Executive Office, Lecompton, K. T., March 5, 1S5S.
Col. John Monroe, Commanding U. S. Troops in Kansas Territory;
Sir — Having been informed by Second Lieutenant Sanders that you are
about to send out a detachment of troops to Utah, and that he is desirous of
joining his company now on duty there, he is this day relieved from the
480 Kansas State Historical Society.
special duty lo which he has been assigned here, and will report himself to
you immediately. Should I find it necessary hereafter to have his place sup-
plied by another ofllcer, I will make application to you for that purpose.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. DENVER, Acting Governor.
March 6. — Commissions were this day sent to the following persons, as
land-district recorders for the following district recorders' offices created by
I he last session of the legislative assembly: Ira Norris, for the Delaware
land district; George A. Reynolds, for the Pawnee land district; George A.
Crawford, for the Osage land district; Benjm. H. Keyser, for the Western
land district. Also to James H. Noteware, as superintendent of common
schools for the territory, all dated 13th February, 1858. Commissions issued
this day to Tchn L. Dorrance, as commissioner of deeds for this terrirory in
the state of New York, residing at the city of New York.
Executive Office, Lecompton, March 6, 1858.
lion. W. Medill, First Comptroller of the Treasury, Washington City, D. C:
Sir — 1 hcewith send you vouchers, abstracts and account current for
legislative expenses for this territory as far as they have been taken up by
me. There :\re some yet outstanding, but not having funds enough in my
hands to pay them off I concluded to wait until I should be able to do .'=o, and
m the meanti.'iie to send in to you all that had been received. The remainder
wlL be forwarded as soon as taken up.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. DENVER, Secretary of Kansas Territory.
March 8. — Commissions issued this day to the following commissioners
of deeds for their respective states: Moses Kramer, Louisville, Ky.. Joseph
R. Kirkhead, Louisville, Ky., Hubbard Arnold, New Haven. Conn. The com.-
missions of the following justices of the peace, returned to this office by F.
W. Giles, clerk of probate, Shawnee county, with the information that they
had resigned tLeir office: Joseph C. Miller and S. W. Frazier, justices, Topeka
lovv^nship.
PROPOSALS FOR PRINTING THE LAWS, ETC.
National Democrat Office, Lecompton, K. T., February 18, iS58.
To his Excellency, Secretary and Acting Governor Denver:
Sir — V.'e havf made an estimate in accordance with your request, and
find that we can print the statutes, and journals of both houses of the legisla-
tive assembly of Kansas, also the private laws, in a style not to be surpassed
for neatnest., at the follov/ing rates:
T'or composition per thousand ems $1 00
For press work per token 1 00
For paper per token 4 00
For binding per volume, in sheep, statutes 1 10
For binding per volume, half-bound journals.. 70
We have new type for the express purpose of doing book work, and also
a good steam press, which will enable us to do the work in as neat a manner
as it can be done in St. Louis or elsewhere. By doing the work here in the ter-
Governor Denver's Administration. 481
ritory it will enable us to give your excellency proof-sheets, so that you may
see that the work is done in a proper manner and also that it is done correctly,
the latter being a very important part of the work.
S. W. DRIGGS & CO.
Executive Office, Lecompton, K. T., March 9, 1858.
lion. Wm. Medill, First Comptroller of the Treasury, Washington City:
Sir— Herewith I send you a proposition for publishing the laws and
journals of the late session of the legislature of this territory by S. W. Driggs
& Co., which is, I believe, the same that was allowed last year. So under-
standing it, I shall feel authorized to direct them to go on and do the work.
If there is any rule or regulation of the department that would come in con-
flict with thifc- arrangement, you will please inform me at your earliest con-
venience. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. DENVER, Secretary Kansas Territory.
Executive Office, Lecompton, K. T., March 22, 1858.
Col John Monroe, Commanding U. S. Troops in Kansas:
Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a package from Hon.
J. Williams, U. S. district judge at Fort Scott, and forwarded by yourself. I
df'sire you to inform me of the number of troops now at Fort Leavenworth
under your command, the number under orders for Utah, the number ex-
pected to arrive, and the number you expect to have under your command in
this territory during the month of April next.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. DENVER, Acting Governor.
March 23. — Milton G. Farnham was this day commissioned as a notary
public in and for Douglas county; also Samuel F. Atwood, as a notary public
in and for the county of Leavenworth, residing at Leavenworth.
March 25. — L. McArthur having been appointed on the 20th day of July,
1857, by the probate court of the county of Douglas, as public administrator
in and for said county of Douglas, he was this day commissioned as public
administrator for and during the time prescribed by law, commencing on the
20th day of July, 1857.
March 27.— Commission was this day issued to John B. Scott, of Coffey
county, as notary public in and for said county, residing at Leroy.
March 29. — Commissions were this day issued to the following oflacers of
Woodson county by virtue of their election on the 22d March, 1858: John
Woolman, as probate judge; Charles Cameron, as clerk of probate court; A.
L. Dunn, as register of deeds; S. E. Hoffman, as county attorney; L. Fuqua,
as sheriff; W. J. Haughavv-aut, as county treasurer; H. H. Updike, as county
surveyor; J. M. Luck, county coroner; Isaac W. Dow, as chairman board of
supervisors; William P. Phillips and James Carver, as supervisors; D. H.
Miller, P. B. Street, H. J. Gregory, and Asa Jones, as justices of the peace;
J. G. Carver, H. McConnell, H. Campbell and H. Grosbeck, as constables; H.
482 Kansas State Historical Society.
Learned, as assessor; Isaac Wait, as town clerk; and R. P. Spencer, as town-
ship treasurer. Commissions issued this day to Richard P. Alden, as notary
public in and for the county of Leavenworth, residing at Leavenworth; and
to G. W. E. Griffith, as notary public in and for the county of Franklin,
residing near Ottawa Jones's.
March 30. — Commission was this day issued to James Y. Campbell, as
probate judge of Anderson county, by virtue of his election on the 22d of
March.
March 31. — Commission was this day issued for A. C. Washburn SafEord,
as county attorney for Douglas county, by virtue of his election on the 22d of
March.
April 1. — Commission was this day issued to B. L. Kingsbury, as notary
public in and for the county of Coffey, residing at Burlington.
April 3.-^Commission was this day issued to Paul H. Berkau, as notary
public in and for the county of Douglas, residing at Bloomington.
April 5. — David P. Hazeltine was this day commissioned as constable in
and for the township of Lecompton, in Douglas county, by virtue of his elec-
tion on the 22d March.
April 7. — Commission was this day issued to Junius T. Hereford, of Atchi-
son county, as notary public for said county, residing at Atchison.
April 9. — Commission was this day issued to L. D. Williams, as notary
public for the county of Lykins, residing at Osawatomie. Commissions were
this day issued to the following officers of Johnson county, by virtue of their
election on the 22d day of March, 1858: J. P. Campbell, as judge of probate;
J. R. Myrick, as clerk of probate court; J. Ritch, as clerk of board of super-
visors; J. H. Blake, as register of deeds; J. Gove, as county attorney; P. Cos-
grove, as sheriff; J. T. Barton, as county treasurer; R. Fenley, as county
surveyor; Anson Eckleson, as coroner.
April 10. — Commissions were this day issued to the following officers in
and for the township of Calhoun, county of Douglas, by virtue of their elec-
tion on the 22d day of March, 1858: J. T. Starr, as chairman of board of super-
visois; K. Gifford and Jacob Branson, as supervisors; H. J. Caniff and
William Nettleton, as justices of tte peace; E. P. Miner, as constable; H.
Dunde, as township clerk; George T. Smith, as township assessor. Also to the
following officers for Anderson county, by virtue of their election on the 22d
day of March, 1858: A. Simons, as clerk of probate court; George A. Cook,
as sheriff; Isaac Hiner, as treasurer; B. L. Addington, as clerk of board of
supervisors; Francis A. Hart, as justice of the peace, Washington township;
D. D. Juda, as justice of the peace for Monroe township; and Charles Hidden,
as superv^isor of Monroe township.
Governor Denver's Administration. 483
April 12. — Commissions were this day issued to Samuel W. Wade, as county
treasurer, ;nd Henry S. Rj^nal, as coroner, both of Brown county, appointed by
the governor upon the recommendation of G. W. Sargent, probate judge of
Brown county, to fill vacancy in consequence of there being no election on the
22d day of March.
April 13. — Commission was this day issued to D. Newcomb, as register of
deeds in and for Atchison county, Kansas territory, by virtue of his election on
the 22d day of March, 1858. Commissions were this day issued to the follow-
ing officers of Nemaha county: R. M. Torrey, as probate clerk, to fill vacancy,
under appointment by probate judge; John Doyle, as coroner; Richard Cleny,
as clerk of board of supervisors; James Parsons, as county surveyor; Thomas
S. Wright, as county attorney; Samuel Lappin, as register of deeds; W. R.
Wells, as township assessor, Wheatland township; William E. Barnes, as town-
ship assessor, Capioma township; Henry Eggleston, as township assessor,
Grenada township; T. Smith, as township assessor, Nemaha township; John
A. Wilson, as township assessor, Richmond township, all appointed by the
governor to All vacancies; G. W. Randel, as township assessor, Grenada, by
virtue of his election at a township meeting on the 5th April, called by
the citizens. Commissions were this day issued to the following officers
of Coffey county, by virtue of their election on the 22d day of March,
1858, viz.: W. R. Saunders, as probate judge; Theo. E. Clements, as pro-
bate clerk; H. D. Beel, as clerk of board of supervisors; S. T. Bacon, as
register of deeds; Abijah Jones, as county attorney; John Chess, as sheriff;
W. Diggs, as county treasurer; A. L. Storms, as county surveyor; Kirk W.
Packard, as coroner; George Husting, as chairman of supervisors; Silas Fearl
and John J. Saunders, as supervisors; James Harris, as justice of the peace;
J. R. Howe, N. Rush,H. R. Bacon, and E. A. Dickman,as constables; John Hed-
den, as township clerk; John Russell, as township treasurer; T. Pearson, as
township assessor; Orson Peck, as justice of the peace; J. F. R. Shall, as jus-
tice of the peace. Commissions were this day issued to the following officers
for Shawnee township, Johnson county, by virtue of their election on the 22d
of March, 1858: J. E. Corliss, as chairman of the board of supervisors; P.
Karitz, as supervisor; J. Purden, as supervisor; J. D. Allen, as justice of the
peace; W. B. Munpin, as justice of the peace; J. D. Tennyson, as justice of
the peace; C. Cornadyer, as justice of the peace; J. R. Hafer, as constable;
S. J. Payne, as constable; C. M. White, as constable; H. J. Patten, as township
clerk; S. D. Haney (?), as treasurer; T. T. Patten, as assessor. Commission
issued to William Holmes, as notary public for .Johnson county, residing at
Shawnee.
April 14. — Commission issued to Clifton Hillen, as notary public in and for
Leavenworth county, residing at Leavenworth.
April 16. — Commissions issued this day to the following officers of Johnson
county, by virtue of their election on the 22d March, 1858: Ralph Potter, chair-
man board of supervisors; William Bentley, supei'visor; J. Lightburn, super-
visor — all of Lexington township. Commissions also issued to the following
officers of Atchison county, by virtue of their election on the 22d day of March,
1858, viz.: F. G. Adams, as probate judge; James Colter, as clerk of board of
supervisors; G. M. Fuller, as county attorney; Robert Connelly, as sheriff;