423 Again on June 5 they wrote:-
"LIBERTY, June 5, 1834.
"Dear Sir:-We think the time is just at hand when our society will be glad to avail themselves of the protection of a military guard, that they may return to Jackson County. We do not know the precise day, but Mr. Reese gives his opinion that there would be no impropriety in petitioning your Excellency for an order on the commanding officer to be sent by return of mail that we might have it in our hands to present when our people are ready to start. If this should meet your approbation and the order sent by return of mail, we think it would be of great convenience to our society.
"We would also be obliged to your Excellency for information concerning the necessary expenses of ferriage, etc. Are our people bound to pay the ferriage on their return? As they have already sustained heavy losses, and many of them lost their all, a mitigation of expenses on their return at this time, where they could legally be reduced, would afford great relief; not only ferriage across the Missouri River, but other items of expense that could lawfully be reduced.
"We remain your Excellency's most obedient servants,
"A. S. GILBERT.
"W. W. PHELPS.
"EDWARD PARTRIDGE"
-Times and Seasons, vol. 6, pp. 1076, 1077.
Notwithstanding the order to General Lucas to deliver up arms, he never did so, nor were they ever recovered.
While affairs were in this condition some of the citizens of Clay County offered their services to negotiate a compromise.
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