INTRODUCTION.

For years myself and others within and without the State have been urging Governor Robinson to write what he knows about the early history of Kansas.

"Perseverance

conquers all things," and at last the history is written. And, to my great surprise, I am complimented and honored with an invitation to write the introduction.

Any history of Kansas without Governor Robinson as the prominent figure would be like the "play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out." He has an array of facts and information that no other man has, without which any history of Kansas would be incomplete. I first met Governor Robinson (then Dr. Robinson) in Boston, March 5, 1855, on the eve of leaving for Kansas with the Manhattan Colony, and was especially indebted to him for valuable suggestions. I was peculiarly impressed with his qualifications for a great leader.

He was tall, well-proportioned, commanding in appearance, yet winning in manner; with a clear, keen, blue eye; a countenance that denoted culture and intellect, and a will that few would care to run against. He would pass anywhere as a good-looking man, and in any crowd would command attention. With perfect control of himself, he could rule in the midst of a storm. His magnetism would inspire men to do and to dare in the cause of human Liberty, and the establishment of the great principles of Republican gov-ernment.

In the history of the world, Providence has raised up men qualified for particular work. Where would British India have been to-day without Lord Clive, though at the commencement of the great struggle he was a merchant's cler

What would the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock have done without the cool and brave Miles Standish? And in our Revolution who could have led us to the victory except George Washington? And still later on, who could have conquered the Rebellion but the indomitable Grant? While Eli Thayer, providentially the founder of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, was flying over the North like a flaming meteor, stirring up the people for money and recruits in his grand crusade for the freedom of Kansas, Charles Robinson, his trusty lieutenant, wonderfully prepared for it by a like Providence by his California experience, was sterly holding the helm amid the storms and breakers in Kansas.

Without Eli Thayer the emigrants would not have come, and without Charles Robinson it would have been in vain that they did come! Cool, clear-headed, and brave, he could see the end from the beginning, and the sure way to reach it.

While others were all excitement, he was perfectly self-pos-sessed, and knew the right thing to do, and did it. To his mind two things were perfectly clear: First, there was to be no resistance of the United States Government. Secondly, the territorial laws made by a bogus Legislature were to be ignored. To carry out these principles required clear heads and many times a passive resistance worthy of the early martyrs.

His great idea was in every case so to manage that the Pro-Slavery men should be in the wrong and the Free-State men in the right. The first must be the aggressor, and the second the passive sufferer, or act only in self-de-fense. In this way alone he could secure the united sympathy and support of the North.

The New England Emigrant Aid Company, without which Kansas could not have been saved, was composed of a remarkable body of men. Eli Thayer says: " No other corporation ever formed in this country can compare at all in ability, character, influence, and wealth with the Directors of the Emigrant Aid Company." And through his genius, skill,