Thomas J. Marsh, who arrived in Kansas Territory on July 11, 1857, made Lawrence his base of operation. He was an agent for the Massachusetts State Kansas Committee. His objective was to observe and financially support free state efforts to capture the legislature at the polls in early October (this included conducting a census). During his first week in Kansas Territory, Marsh attended the "entirely harmonious" Free State Party convention in Topeka and reports on initial efforts to organize the campaign. Heis very concerned about "petty, personal feuds" among the leadership in the territory. Marsh had discussed this issue with the men involved and believes the "discordant elements have been harmonized." Upon his return to Lawrence, Marsh found "U. S. Dragoons parading the streets" and Governor Walker threatening to make numerous arrests because of the unauthorized election of city officials the previous Monday.