Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 to John W. Geary

President Pierce writes to Geary, the newly appointed Governor of the Kansas Territory, emphasizing the delicacy and impartiality with which matters in the heavily pro-slavery territory should be handled. He covers the removal from office of various pro-slavery officials in the Kansas Territory that Geary and Pierce considered disruptive to their efforts to maintain peace in the territory. He praises Isaac Winston of Virginia, the carrier of this letter, who replaced George W. Clarke as Indian Agent. He reprimands Geary for overstepping his authority by re-arresting Charles Hayes (for the murder of a Free-State settler, David Buffum). He mentions "Judge LeCompte and his action in the case of Hayes," indicating that he will remove Lecompte "on grounds of public policy." He notes that he will probably appoint James O. Harrison to replace Lecompte. He warns Geary to "Remember that whatever others may do, absolute impartiality is required at your hands- You are to know no North or South among the citizens of the Territory." He reports that he will wait to hear from Geary before he appoints Mr. Spencer to the senate, and mentions an interview he had with Judge [Thomas W.] Cunningham to garner support for Geary. Notes Cunningham "is a pure minded man I am sure without any taint of abolitionism." He praises the impartiality of Judge [Sterling G.] Cato, writing "With a good Court and good Marshall I cannot doubt that there will be harmonious and useful action in the administration of territorial affair- Perfect impartiality on the part of the officers of the Territory toward the Southern and Northern settlers there and the free exercise of their judgment and will in the conduct of the political affairs of the Territory is what I have sought from the first and what I mean in the end to secure." The letter is marked as "private."