The following article appeared in the Charleston [S.C.] Daily Courier, 30 Jun 1856, p. 2, c. 3:

"We have been politely favored with the subjoined extract from a letter dated

'ATCHISON (K. T.), June 14th, 1856

Since my last I have been in the saddle very nearly every day and night up to the present time, either being sent on an express to different towns, or on scouting parties, our own town being threatened by the Rev. ["Rev." in italics] Pardee Butler. This will account for the non-reception of letters from me by the two last mails, and I hope it will be satisfactory.

You will see by the newspapers of the several murders and outrages committed by the Abolitionists, who commit their deeds under cover of night, and are as cowardly and cruel as was even the most primitive savage. Just think of one man being dragged from his house and bed by fifty of these scoundrels with his wife and children begging for mercy, the Beecher men ["Beecher" in italics] cutting off his ears, splitting his nose, and otherwise mutilating his body, his wife not respected, but in his presence abused ["presence abused" in italics], after which his throat was cut and his body left where it was to rot, and this is but one instance of what they are doing, as I could give you many more if necessary. Our men are eager and anxious to avenge these outrages, but the older and wiser heads of the Pro-slavery party keep us back, telling us that we are the true and only law and order men, and that we must do nothing hastily or rashly. We are all under arms, having to guard the town, and our mules and horses. Such is the state of affaris in this beautiful Territory, and such will be the case until either Southern Rights or Yankee fanaticism conquers. For myself, I ahve only to say that I will stand by the cause in which I was born, in which I was bred, and which I hope to see successful, though my life may be the sacrifice.

I have a lot in Atchison, upon which I am putting up a house, also am interested in a settlement on the "Big Blue," one hundred miles from here, to be composed of Carolinians and other Southerners, and if our plans are carried out, the result cannot be otherwise than favorable.

The whole of the California, Salt Lake, and Government trains pass through the site of our town, and the right of the ferry had been already ceded to us, beside which there is a large Indian trade, which cannot fail to be profitable. I think I see my way very clearly, and hope shortly to have every thing working finely; and if matters go on as well as they do now, I doubt not of success. Many of those who come out here despair and give up, and wish themselves at home; but I do not allow myself to have any such feelings, and cheerfuly udnergo all the hardships and privations to which I am subjected, determined to persevere until I haveaccomplished the object for which I came. Meanwhile I may have to sacrifice a great deal of my time to the great cause in which all of us are politically engaged, and it may retard my individual success in the accuumualtion of money, but I am very sanguine, and doubt not if I work hard and conduct myself properly theat I must finally come out "right side up," as well as all those who pursue the same course.