L. W. Currey, Inc.

(Kansas) Geary, John White. Lewis Cass (compiler). MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMUNICATING, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE OF THE 28TH OF FEBRUARY, 1857, ALL CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN W. GEARY, LATE GOVERNOR OF THE TERRITORY OF KANSAS, NOT HERETOFORE COMMUNICATED TO CONGRESS ... [caption title]. [Washington, D. C., 1858.]. 25.4x15.7 cm, pp. [1] 2-208, untrimmed, sewn. First edition. 35 Congress, 1st Session. Senate. Ex. Doc. No. 17. John White Geary (1819-1873), lawyer, politician, Mexican War hero, first mayor of San Francisco, was appointed governor of Kansas Territory by President Franklin Pierce on 31 July 1856. Geary believed that his previous administrative experience in government would help bring peace to the territory, but he was unable to stop the violence. Despite his efforts to be a neutral peacemaker, Geary and the proslavery legislature clashed. "Initially, Geary solidly abhorred the proposals he received from Kansas abolitionists. By the time of the 1856 presidential election, however, he had completely reversed his position and had become intimate friends with Charles Robinson and Samuel Pomeroy. Additionally, he totally distrusted the proslavery forces and in letters to President Pierce, he blamed them for the deprivations in the territory. Geary even went so far as to reject his candidacy from the Democratic party of Kansas for the U.S. Senate. Instead, he worked with the Free-staters to create a plan for Kansas to be admitted to the Union under the Topeka constitution as a free state, with himself as governor of a Democratic administration. Support for this plan in Congress was lacking. Geary soon began to fear for his personal safety after his private secretary, Dr. John Gihon, was assaulted by proslavery ruffians. Geary submitted his resignation to incoming President James Buchanan, expecting that he would be reappointed. Instead, Buchanan fired Geary on March 12, 1857, with an effective date of March 20. In his farewell message to the territory, Geary stated that he had not sought the office and "[that it] was by no means desirable." He added, "most of the troubles which lately agitated the territory, were occasioned by men who had no especial interest in its welfare ... The great body of the actual citizens are conservative, law-abiding and peace-loving men, disposed rather to make sacrifices for conciliation and consequent peace, than to insist for their entire rights should the general body thereby be caused to suffer" (Wikipedia). A very good copy. (#172961).

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