H. P. A. Smith, writing from Fort Scott, Kansas Territory, to Governor James W. Denver, reports on events of May 30, 1858, involving Deputy U.S. Marshal Samuel D. Walker's attempt to arrest George W. Clarke on charges that Clarke participated in the Marais des Cygnes Massacre. Smith questions Walker's authority to arrest Clarke, observing that Walker's arrest warrant had been issued by a justice of the peace from a township, Mapleton, that did not yet exist. Smith comments on the general state of unrest in the area, and declared that the "County is in fact in open rebellion . . . . complete anarchy prevails." He encourages Governor Denver to come to Fort Scott to assess the situation for himself and to help restore order.