A treasure indeed. The present Constitution is signed twice by one of the most significant figures in Kansas, Civil War, and Abolitionist history in the Western Territories. Likely acquired specifically to aid its owner as they drafted the anti-slavery Topeka Constitution of 1855.
George W. Smith [1806-1878] was educated as a lawyer and emigrated to Kansas, where he quickly aligned with and became influential in the emerging abolitionist Free-State Party. And he was involved on all fronts.
He played a critical role s a legal mind and scholar. At the Big Springs Convention in July of 1855 he helped prepare the case against the rampant pro-slavery voter fraud that resulted in the "Bogus Legislature." He then served on the Executive Committee at the formation meetings for the free-State Party at Topeka in September of 1855, where they established a parallel abolitionist territorial legislature and began drafting an anti-slavery constitution, known as the Topeka Constitution.
The Free-State Party used paramilitary groups to buttress its politics at the ground level. Extralegal militia outfits such as the “Kansas Legion” operated in conjunction with Free-Soil politicians. Bloodshed erupted between pro-slavery bushwhackers and Eastern-backed anti-slavery jayhawkers as a series of violent episodes beginning with the proslavery raid on Lawrence in May 1856 led to the period known as Bleeding Kansas.
During this period, Smith served as a Colonel to the Kansas 5th Volunteers under its Captain, John Brown [later of Harpers Ferry fame].
For his military activities and his role in forming a parallel legislature for the Kansas Territory, he, along with six others, was charged with high treason and imprisoned at Lecompton.
The Free-State Party formally merged with the national Republican Party in 1859.
Signed twice, boldly, Geo. W. Smith. K.T. [Kansas Territory].
The Constitution of the United States of America, with an Alphabetical Analysis; The Declaration of Independence; The Articles of Confederation; the Prominent Political Acts of George Washington; Electoral Votes for all the Presidents and Vice-Presidents; The High Authorities and Civil Officers of Government from March, 1789, to March 3, 1847; Chronological Narrative of the Several States; and other Interesting Matter; with a Descriptive Account of the State Papers, Public Documents, and other Sources of Political and Statistical Information at the Seat of Government. Philadelphia. W. Hickey. 1854. Seventh Edition. 521pp.
A very good copy, bound in cloth, with one signature pulled, but generally solid. Pages are bright, and have light to moderate foxing. Minor repair to head of spine.
