, I examined personally into the difficulties
in Platte, Buchanan, and other western counties, and learned fully
their nature and origin. I at once ordered the reorganization of
the militia, which created so much commotion for a time, but which
has restored that portion of the State to a condition of profound
peace.

"I have watched the progress of affairs there closely, and have
kept myself fully advised of all the facts. It is true that about
twice as many former rebels as were named by your informants are
in the militia organization, amounting to from five to ten per
cent. of the whole. It is also true that a very much larger number
of returned Missouri rebels have enlisted in the Kansas Volunteers,
and, so far as I know, are faithful, good soldiers.

"The rule I established for the militia organization in northwest
Missouri was that the officers should be of undoubted loyalty,
original Union men, and that both officers and privates, as far as
possible, should be men of wealth and respectability, whose all
depended upon the preservation of peace.

"The former sufferings of these men from the lawlessness which has
so long existed on the border made them willing to do military duty
to save from destruction or loss what property they had left. I
have yet to hear the first report of a murder, robbery, or arson
in that whole region since this new organization was made. The
late election was conducted in perfect peace and good order. There
is not the slightest pretense from any source of any interference
or other misconduct on the part of any of the troops. I have not
deemed it necessary to be very particular about the antecedents of
troops that are producing such good results. If I can make a
repentant rebel of more service to the government than a man who
never had any political sins to repent of, I see no reason for not
doing so. Indeed, I take no little satisfaction in making these
men guard the property of their more loyal neighbors, and in holding
their own property responsible for their fidelity.

"I have the satisfaction of reporting to you that the late election
in all parts of the State passed off in perfect quiet and good
order. I have heard of no disturbance of any kind anywhere. The
aggregate vote, I think, shows that the purity of the ballot-box
was preserved in a remarkable degree. If the loyal people all
voted, few or no rebels did.

"The prospects of future peace in this State are highly