The following item appeared in the Charleston [S.C.] Daily Courier, 10 Jun 1856, p. 1, c. 3:
"The citizens of Topeka, Kansas, having applied for protection to Gov. Shannon, he has addressed them the following letter:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Lecompton, K. T.,
May 23d, 1856
Gentlemen -- Your memorial, which is not dated, has just been received. In reply, I would beg leave to say that I have no doubt that the outrages of which you speak have been greatly exaggerated and highly colored. It may be that there are men on both sides who are desirous to complicate the present difficulties in this Territory, and who feel no particular interest in avoiding the evils of civil war. Under these circumstances it becomes the law-abiding citizens to act with caution, and not to lend a too willing ear to all the reports that are floating through the country.
The United States Marshal, as well as the sheriff of this conty, as you are doubtless aware, have each been resisted in the execution of writs in their hands, by citizens of Lawrence. The life of one was attempted, and that of another threatened, under circumstances to justify the most serious apprehensions as to personal safety, if he should again attempt the service of writs in that place. Under these circumstances each of these officers, by virtue of the power which the law invests in them, assembled a posse large enough to secure the service of process.
They have got through serving the writs in their hands as far as is practicable at present, and each has dismissed his posse. Nearly all who belong to these posses have retired, and I think there is not the slightest danger oof you being assailed, or molested, unless private assassinations and personal outrages should rouse a public feeling which would again bring into the field a body of men determined to revenge real or supposed wrongs. It is useless to disguise the fact that there is at this moment imminent danger of this, a result which I know you and all good citizens would deeply deplore. Mr. Cox and wife were fired upoon last evening, when riding out of Lawrence, the ball passing between them. It is outrages of this kind that are calculated to bring on a civil war, which could not be controlled by the public authorities, and which would end only by the entire destruction of one or the other of the parties. Let me appeal to one and all to unite in arresting these threatened evils. Let no one attempt to redress his own wrong, but appeal to the law in all cases. It is the only safety for all parties, and I can see no reason why ample security for both person and property cannot be as well be secured in the Territory as any of the States, if the citizens would, in good faith, unite in aiding the officers of the law in arresting and bringing to justice all persons who violate the law.
It is to be regretted that there is a party in the territory who refuse to recognise the validity of the territorial laws, and consequently take no part in bringing offenders to justice, or in furnishing to the law officers the names of witnesses, whose testimony would be necessary in order to ferret out crime. I would most respectfully solicit the aid and assistance of the citizens of Topeka in establishing a sound and healthy administration of the law, as the best means to secure the peace and good order of society. With the view of securing all their rights and rpeserving peace and good order and the just execution of the laws, I have made a requisition on Col. Sumner for three companies of the United States troops, one to be stationed at Lawrence, one at this place, and one at Topeka. Should it be thought advisable to have troops stationed at other points, I will make an additional requisition on Col. Sumner. He will be in Lawrence this evening with his command, and will lose no time in ordering the troops to Topeka. I assure you that I will exert all the powers vested in me to preserve law and order, and to secure the rights of persons and property throughout the territory; but I wish the citizens to reflect that much depends on their own action, especially at this moment.
Yours, with great respect,
WILSON SHANNON."