(Order No. 2.)
Quartermaster's Department, Headquarters Kansas
Volunteers For The Pkotection Of Thk
Ballot-box,
Lawrence, Oct. 19, 1857.
Whereas, On the 3d day of August an order was issued
from this department requesting the appointment of company, brigade, and
division quartermasters, and an immediate return to be made of the number and
description of all arms available for the use of the respective companies; and whereas,
said returns have been generally made: Now, therefore, in reply, and in explanation
of the failure to furnish an entire supply for the deficiency, it is deemed
proper to declare, that while no efforts were spared by this department, and by
the entire staff, promptly to supply the necessary quota of arms, yet the
unexpected obstacles which the great financial pressure threw in their way have
prevented the anticipated success for the time being. It is, however, a cause
for congratulation, that while the reports show a considerable deficiency, yet
the entire armament is by no means insignificant.
The immense immigration of the past year, composed largely
of those who deceived by official promises of protection had anticipated no
occasion for personal defence, readily accounts for this deficiency. In our
disappointment we may rejoice that the effect of the organization, with all its
imperfections, has been in the highest degree satisfactory. The knowledge that
an outraged people had at length banded themselves together, almost to a man,
for the protection of the most sacred rights of freemen, and were ready to die
in their defence, has most manifestly deterred an organized invasion. Voting lists
ready manufactured and false returns have been made to supply its place;
against this the organization could afford no protection.
It remains to be seen whether the people of Kansas will have
any further use for this organization. It is always true that the surest way to
prevent an evil is to be prepared to meet it, and three years' experience in
the past should teach us not to indulge in any premature feelings of security
and safety. In view of possible contingencies, this department hereby announces
that it will still continue its exertions to furnish the means of protection
and defence to all who may be destitute of them, and in all cases first to
supply those localities most exposed to invasion and attack.
E. B. Whitman,
Quartermaster-General
Kansas Volunteers.
Approved: J. H. Lane,
Organizer.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 403-4
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