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Lane, James Henry (1814-1866) Proclamation to the People of Western Missouri, Now Occupied by the Kansas Brigade

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07349 Author/Creator: Lane, James Henry (1814-1866) Place Written: West Point, Missouri Type: Broadside Date: 19 September 1861 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 30 x 21.1 cm. Order a Copy

Proclamation signed in print by Brigadier General Lane, who was also a U.S. Senator from Kansas (1861-1866). Proclamation was written by T.J. Anderson, Lieutenant of Engineers and Acting Assistant Adjutant General. Proclamation written in response to a group of Kansasans who armed and organized themselves. Lane says if they have simply armed to defend their property, then a quick understanding can be found. Says his unit was formed to protect Kansas from the rebels, not attack the worried property owners. Urges the population to put down arms and support the Union. Says "Should you, however, disregard my advice, the stern visitations of war will be meted out to the rebels and their alies [sic]." Says two roads are open to them: peace and plenty or destruction. Note in pencil at top says "Hamlet Bates Co. Mo - 48 mi South of K.C."

Lane served in the Mexican War; lieutenant governor of Indiana 1849-1853; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1855); moved to the Territory of Kansas in 1855; member of the Topeka Constitutional Convention 1855; elected to the United States Senate by the legislature that convened under the Topeka constitution in 1856, but the election was not recognized by the United States Senate; president of the Leavenworth constitutional convention in 1857; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1861; reelected in 1865 and served from April 4, 1861, until his death; chairman, Committee on Agriculture (Thirty-eighth Congress); appointed by President Abraham Lincoln brigadier general of volunteers and saw battle during the Civil War; deranged and charged with financial irregularities, Lane shot himself on July 1, 1866, but lingered ten days, dying on July 11, near Fort Leavenworth

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