y it.

The legality of this legislature was denied by the great majority
of the people who never acquiesced in or obeyed its enactments,
thus taking the only course open to them to secure a lawful
government.

While the alleged legislative assembly was in session, a movement
was instituted to form a state government, and apply for admission
into the Union as a state. The first step taken by the people of
the territory, in consequence of the invasion of March 30, 1855,
was the circulation, for signature, of a graphic and truthful
memorial to Congress. Every allegation in this memorial was
sustained by the testimony. No further step was taken, as it was
hoped that some action by the general government would protect them
in their rights. When the alleged legislative assembly proceeded
to construct the series of enactments referred to, the settlers
were of the opinion that submission to them would result in entirely
depriving them of the rights secured to them by the organic law.

Their political condition was freely discussed in the territory
during the summer of 1855. Several meetings were held in reference
to holding a convention to form a state government, and to apply
for admission into the Union as a state. Public opinion gradually
settled in favor of such an application to the Congress to meet in
December, 1855. The first general meeting was held at Lawrence,
on the 15th of August, 1855. Other meetings were held in various
parts of the territory, which indorsed the action of the Lawrence
meeting, and delegates were selected in compliance with its
recommendation. An election was called by a proclamation addressed
to the legal voters of Kansas, requesting them to meet at their
several precincts at the time and places named in the proclamation,
then and there to cast their ballots for members of a constitutional
convention, to meet at Topeka, on the fourth Tuesday of October.

Elections were held at the time and places designated, and the
returns were sent to the executive committee.

The result of the election was proclaimed by the executive committee,
and the members elect were required to meet on the 23rd of October,
1855, at Topeka. In pursuance of this proclamation and direction
the constitutional convention met at the time and place appointed,
and framed a state constitution. A memorial to Congress was also
prepared, praying the admission of Kansas into the Union as a state
under that constitutio