The follwoing brief article appeared in the Laurensville [Laurens, S.C.] Herald, 2 May 1856, p. 2, c. 2:

THE KANSAS MEETING.

Let it not be forgotten that the Committee appointed at the last meeting to select emigrants to Kansas will make its report on Monday next. We trust a large number of our citizens will be in attendance, as it will probably the last meeting before the company starts. We would also remind those who have subscribed and not paid, that the Treasurer will require the money immediately. We would further call upon those who have not subscribed to come forward and give us their aid. Many we know are ready to do their duty in that way, whose names are not on the lsit, and to these we remark, now is the time to do it. Do not put it off any longer, or you may be the cause of the failure of the enterprise. Money will be the only thing wanting, and that is the most important element now. The emigrants chosen are all good and true men -- such as we are willing to confide in under any circumstances, and we trust their patriotic intentions will not be frustrated for the want of a few dollars -- a sum that would not amount to a dollar from each voter in the District. Let it not be said, after the liberality evinced, that Laurens has refused to do her duty to herself and her sister States, in sustaining their most important interest. In another column will be found a letter from a young friend at Erskine College, which plainly shows that it is considered a "fixed fact" that Laurens will send a company to Kansas. All the Districts around us are sending men to join our company, with confidence that Laurens will set an example to their neighbors worthy to be followed.

We see that many of the surrounding Districts, after making up insufficient amounts to send companies, have abandoned the intention. We would suggest that these Districts join together and make a common fund of their subscriptions, and send a company selected from each District. The men to be selected in the ratio of money subscribed in the District. It would be much better than doing nothing, and we believe it would create an emulation and strife between the Districts that would secure more means than in the present way."

Laurens was named for Henry Laurens, a Revolutionary War soldier and civil leader of French Huguenot extraction; the name is NOT pronounced "Lawrence," as many from out of this area frequently do. It was an Up-County District, lying about midway between Columbia and Greenville. The Laurens District company was indeed sent, and I will try to post some of the letters sent back to South Carolina by the men who were on the expedition. They returned to South Carolina in the fall, after the balloting for the Constitution was held.