A large force of infuriated Missourians and pro-slavery settlers assembled for a raid upon the town of Lawrence.
In the meantime the Lawrence militia planned and executed a systematic defense of the town.

When the two armies came within speaking distance, a parley ensued in which the Governor took a leading part in settling the affair without a hostile shot.

This is known in Kansas history as the "Wakarusa War." The progress of affairs in Kansas was followed with intense interest in all parts of the country.

North and South vied with each other in the encouragement of emigration to Kansas.

Colonel Buford of Alabama sold a large number of slaves and devoted the proceeds to meeting the expense of conducting a troop of three hundred men to Kansas in the winter of 1856.