The following article appeared in the Charleston [S.C.] Daily Courier, 14 Apr 1856, p. 1, c. 2:

LATE AND INTERESTING FROM KANSAS

The following extracts are from a letter to the Chariman of the Kansas Executive Committee of this city, by Mr. Jos. P. Carr, formerly of Charleston:

Platte City, Mo., March 25, 1856

Dear Sir: -- Your favor of the 27th ult. [February] reached me on Saturday evening last, and I hasten to furnish you such information as I have been able to gather. In so new a country as Kansas much of what you desire to know is merely matter of opinion, and, impressed with the importance of giving you nothing but what has been well digested, and is believed to be correct, I deemed it advisable to confer with ____ [blank in paper] on the subject. He is more ocnversant with every thing relating to the political conditon of the territory than any one in this upper country, and has devoted much attention to the scheme of populating Kansas with pro-slavery emigrants. The results of our conference I will embody in answers to your questions in the order in which you have put them. Should my replies not be as full as you would wish them, you must attribute it to your request that I should "write immediately," and to the importance of giving the information desired at the earliest moment.

1. Can you give us accurate information as to the relative strength among the bona fide settlers in Kansas of the two parties?

I cannot tell with any precision the strength of the two parties at this time. There has been no reliable test of the vote of either party since last spring. The returns of the election of Whitfield and Reeder cannot be taken as an criterion of the true vote of the respective parties. There being no opposition to Whitfield, the vote cast at his election by our friends was very light; while at Reeder's, there being no legal restraints, the vote was such as the abolitionists chose to make it.

From the most reliable information I can get, I think there is certainly a majority of pro-slavery men in the territory, and, as they are not like the abolitionists, concentrated upon one or two points, in an election for members of the Legislature, they would, without aid from the "Border Ruffians," be able to carry a decided majority of representations. We have the assuarnace, however, that the abolitionists will again make the most strenuous efforts to send out emigrants and Missouri has already contributed so many settlers, it is all-important that the other Southern States should now come to our assistance.

2. As to the possibility of hostile collision immediately.

I think there is none, [n]or indeed do I believe it very likely there will be one at all. The knowledge that the Government troops will be used against them will keep the abolitionists in check, and prevent them again breaking out in insurrection, and unless Whitfield's election should be set aside and a new election ordered, there cannot well arise any occasion for a collision -- at least, until next fall, when the election for the members of the Legislature will be held.

3. The possibility of strengthening effectually the hands of the pro-slavery party by the next fall elections. And

4. What number of emigrants from South Carolina will be necessary to secure a political contest at the ballot box [for] the majority to [go to] the pro-slavery party?

The election for members of the Legislature will be held on the first Monday in October next. If the slaveholding States willp send us two thousand emigrants --that is, two thousand voters -- during the present year, our friends believe the condition of Kansas will be definately settled. This is, however, a matter of conjuncture, for, of course, we cannot tell how large the emigration from the North will be.

From the most reliable information we are led to believe, thus we shall receive the number suggested and more. There will also be from Missouri a large emigration in addition to those already in the territory.

The parties who arrive by the first of June ought to make by their labor enough to pay for their subsistence. Employment for all kinds of laborers can be obtained at high rates. Mere farm-hands will bring from fifteen to twenty dollars per month, with board furnished them, and mechanics of all kinds are in great demand. All can certainly procure employment until the first of December, and I am assured in ordinary winters can labor conveniently our doors almost the entire season.

In addition to the matters suggested by your inquiries, I would state that the territory lying between the Kansas and Missouri rivers is now occupied by a decidedly pro-slavery population. On the South side of the Kansas river, and especially along that river, the Abolitionists have made their chief settlements. It has occurred to our friends that it would be better, as a matter of policy, and as being more Southern, more agreeable to the Southern emigrants, that a good poriton of them should settle South of Kansas river. By this means we will secure the Southern half of the Territory before it is filled with Abolitionists; the Northern half will be saved by Missourians. The representatives have already been apportioned to the different counties, and adding to our numbers North of Kansas river will not increase our strength, for we have a majority there now; but if the Southern men are distributed among the counties South of the river, their votes will fell.

The emigrants would still come up the Missouri river and land at Kansas City or Atchison, as they might determine on going to the Eastern or Western portion of the Territory. Atchison is nearer to Lecompton, the capital; and I think the better poriton of the Southern part of the Territory now upen for settlement, can be reached from that point most conveniently. These are, however, matters for future consideration.

I would suggest that you should seek, as far as possible, to induce all who have a small number of slaves, to come out. To such this is a peculiarly desirable country, and they need have no fear of their slaves escaping. The actual presence of a good number of slaves would at once settle this question.

If I can be useful to you in any way in carrying out the objects of your society, my services are at your command. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. P. CARR

Wm. Whaley, Esq., Chariman of Executive Committee of "a Society for the aid of the slave settlement of Kansas," Charleston, S.C.